VIP: A Music Fan's Dream Come True

It’s not too often that you get to be a VIP.

On Sunday, May 13, I was fortunate enough to be given that opportunity. Just three short weeks before, I happened to be the 104th to text in to win a pair of tickets to the Radio 104.5 5th Birthday Show at Festival Pier in Penn’s Landing. The show’s lineup was scheduled to include big name bands like Civil Twilight, Flogging Molly, Angels and Airwaves, Cake, and Incubus (Angels and Airwaves soon cancelled their appearance, with lead singer Tom DeLonge developing a case of pneumonia days before the show). While I was excited enough just to win a pair of free tickets to see these impressive bands, I was also granted the opportunity to meet with select bands with a backstage pass. As Sunday afternoon approached, I eagerly awaited this once in a lifetime chance.

I arrived at 4:30 with around twenty five other winners and was given an envelope containing free tickets, VIP lanyards, and special passes for a meet-and-greet/photo-op with Civil Twilight, Flogging Molly, and Cake. Although I was more than excited to meet these bands, there was plenty more to experience in the concert venue.

Immediately after arriving, I was treated to a free buffet from Iron Chef Jose Garces, which included all-you-can-eat entrees, desserts, and beverages. The food was both fresh and satisfying.

The first band to perform was Rivers Monroe, a Philadelphia pop/punk band that has been a staple in many Radio 104.5 shows. The group played a relatively short set, before handing the microphone off to Alright Junior, another Philadelphia product who specializes in more alternative style rock.

Following the two opening bands, I rushed backstage for a meet-and-greet with Civil Twilight, a three piece indie/alternative rock band hailing from Cape Town, South Africa. While they may not be a household name, the band has contributed music to films and television shows including Twilight, I Am Number Four and The Event. They were more than friendly to their backstage guests, eagerly signing autographs and handing out free copies of a song from their second album, “Holy Weather.”

I made it back to the crowd just in time to see Flogging Molly perform. The Celtic rock band from Los Angeles, California performed an intense thirty minute set that pumped up the crowd just as the sun was setting. They playfully acknowledged their obscurity to the average mainstream music fan but impressed with their stage presence and technical skills. Just as Flogging Molly ended their set on the main stage, Civil Twilight took to the stage and quickly began their performance on the auxiliary stage. I was lucky enough to be in the second row of their performance. Seemingly awkward at first, Civil Twilight eventually became engaged with the crowd halfway through their set. I have high expectations that this band may soon hit the mainstream with their music and their talent.

My second backstage experience was with the boys of Flogging Molly, who met with fans just minutes after Civil Twilight’s set ended. They too were friendly and willing to take the time to chat with their fans.

Next up was the Sacramento band known as Cake. Unfortunately, I was only able to see the latter half of Cake’s set on the main stage, due to the time I waited to meet Flogging Molly. Lead singer John McCrea frequently interacted with the crowd and impressed with his personality onstage. Backstage, he and the rest of the band were equally as friendly and were just as funny.

I returned to my spot in the VIP section to see the night’s headliner, Incubus. The mainstay in mainstream rock, Incubus flooded the audience with an insane amount of followers, who sang every word to their set. Brandon Boyd, the lead singer of the band, delivered flawless vocals and was accompanied by a phenomenal stage show, complete with lasers and fog machines. Incubus ended their adrenaline filled performance at 11 o’clock. Exhausted from a seven and a half hour concert experience, I left Festival Pier with a stomach full of catered food, an assortment of merchandise and autographs, and memories to last a lifetime.