It’s cold. Or maybe it’s hot, or raining or windy and raw. It doesn’t matter.

Do you arrive an hour before the doors open, or two or three or more? You do what it takes; there is a door, there is a line, and you are going to be first in that line right outside that door. And when it opens, you’ll find your space. Front row or near the soundboard? Hidden away in a little alcove in the corner where no one will bump you and shake you from your dream. And why does it matter?

Is it talent? Is it the words, the poetry, the story, the sexiness, the raw energy?

In a world where distractions steal our present moments, a live music show can be one of the best ways to get back to them. The only thing that has your attention, gets all your senses and absorbs you is… the show.

You're looking. At the stage, the lights, the musicians, the sweat, the energy.

You're touching. Feeling the bodies that sway around you and the floor vibrate beneath you.

You're smelling. The love, the pheromones, and the mix of floor cleaner and spilled beer take you away.

You're tasting. The passion coming from the stage and being sent to you has a feel in your mouth and leaves a flavor on your tongue.

You're hearing. The notes, the harmonies, the beats, the lyrics, the meaning, the stories.

It is the present.

The doors open. You’re first in line. How you got here no longer matters. All that matters is what comes next. {Your Stories}

Tell us your story. Connect with us. Be first in line with us.

Featured

Clare - Director of Social Media and Content Creation

Clare is a DC native and she'll never let you forget it. When she's not doing Improv or reading Billboard, she can be found doing Zumba and applying feminist theory to boy band lyrics. She definitely knows more Nicki Minaj verses than you.

Carol - Editor in Chief

Carol is a twenty-something Pittsburgh to DC transplant who has been going to concerts her entire life and is a champion First In Liner. She has a BA in English Literature and a background in journalism. By day, she's an editorial assistant for a major publisher of scientific journals on Earth and space science. By night, she's fascinated by the ability of live music to bring together otherwise complete strangers.

Jackson - Director of Photography

Jackson Barnett’s photography is driven by a curiosity about the world around him, questioning who we are as a community, and how we shape the world we live in. This drive has taken him to some of the world's great modern metropolises and rural frontiers. During his journey with Semester at Sea, Jackson earned first prize in the photo competition for “Burmese Man”, recognizing Jackson as an accomplished photographer at the Institute of Shipboard Education. Working as the first Chief Photo Editor for Off Assignment , he developed the photo section, creating the aesthetic for Off Assignment photography. During the summer of 2015, Jackson presented his work at a solo gallery show at Collective: An Art Space, in Chevy Chase, MD. Photography goes beyond the shutter, it is how Jackson views the light, shadows, beauty, and humanity of the world.

Nicole - Editorial Contributor

Nicole is a Pacific Northwest transplant originally from Reno, Nevada. When she was a teenager, she played the violin and mandolin in several acoustic bands and is still in love with the energy of live shows. She spends a little too much time reading Noisey and looking at pictures of dogs on the Internet.

Melissa - Founder

Melissa wants The First In Line to be synonymous with your passion for musical experiences. It's the place to share your experiences and tell us your stories.

We hope to gather more stories and more voices as time goes on. If you want to help make this site bigger and better, don't be afraid to reach out; we'd love to hear from you. For those of you (family, best friends, artists, creatives, supporters) who have already made this site what it is: I am forever grateful for you.