Leaving the harsh, freezing climate in Chicago, the boys from The Academy Is made their way to the sunny, refreshing South Florida weather--and they brought along their friends from Hellogoodby, Acceptance and Panic! At the Disco for this spring's most anticipated show: the Truckstops and Statelines Tour.

       As I approached the parking lot of Revolution I was startled to find that though I had arrived two hours before the show, the line to get in was already blocking the streets. Being a sold out show what more did I expect?

       Thankfully, being the first to walk through the doors of Revolution, I had a decent view of the atmosphere that surrounded me, which began to overflow into the stage area where the fans waited impatiently for the show to begin.


       Hearing opening act, Hellogoodby live was completely mind-blowing, as everyone clapped along to their hit song, "Call n' Return." Their amazing, if quirky, personality was shown on stage as lead singer Forrest Kline wore tight shorts and threw mini wheat's at the crowd, which only craved for more of their music.

       Acceptance, honestly, didn't grab my attention, but most of the crowd seemed to take their music seriously. "Take Cover," the first track off their debut album Phantoms, seized the crowd.

       I didn't care much for their performance; they seem to be like every other emo band with the typical childish, teenage heartbreak songs. The lead singer Jason Vena was extremely rude to fans, rushing off stage and not staying to bond with them; thankfully the guitarist, Christian Edwin McAlhaney I, was sweet enough to hang around to autograph a couple of shoes and jeans, and pose for some snaps.



       Panic! At the Disco had a vast variety of fans who just couldn't contain their enthusiasm. Intense yells of excitement bombarded my ears as soon as they walked out on stage. As their song "Intermission" ended in the background, fans' feet began to tap and their fingers snapped as lead singer Brendon Urie played a note off his piano, introducing "The Only Difference," a song from their album, A Fever You Can't Sweat Out. The screams only grew louder, making my ears ring and my heart beat faster. The massive crowd began to mosh, which caused much dehydration and crowded the streets outside Revolution with ambulances.

       I was fortunate enough to share a couple of words with Brendon and bassist Brent Wilson before they went on stage. Feeling a little intimidated by my questions, due to the fact that they weren't use to this sudden fame, I was able to hang out with them and hear about the harsh cold weather of Nevada, Las Vegas, their hometown.


       After Panic finished their set, the headlining band, The Academy Is, created a huge riot as they walked on stage and fans jumped and yelled in total awe as lead singer William Beckett burst into "Attention Attention," one of the hit songs from their album Almost Here; everyone was captivated by the enthusiasm the band showed as they rocked out with acoustic, and electric guitars. Their inspiring lyrics and old fashion, 70's rock style kept the night alive as they sweated, sang and danced for their South Floridian fans, who raise their hands in the air and chanted along to their tunes.

       After the huge success from their single "Checkmarks," The Academy Is has gained a new fan base across the nation and that now includes Florida. Fans came to hang out and enjoy the songs that spoke the truth of life and served as the anthem of our adolescence.

       With incredible bands and a miraculous vibe, the night was jam-packed with inspiring tunes in an everlasting, unforgettable experience.

      Email Leah your thoughts: outloud@outloud.com