south of the loop

Since I was the only one close enough to witness, I feel obligated to comment on the “Ohmigod, I totally subscribe to TeenBeat AND Bop magazine” behavior displayed by B this past weekend in Austin. I think it is best summed up by the story about how I found her before the Calexico set.

B skipped out early on the Shins to stake her claim on prime real estate in the Calexico neighborhood a good hour or so before the set was scheduled to start. 15 minutes before the start of their show, I wandered over with Mark and Allen to see if I could find her (read: point and laugh at her in her schoolgirlish state). By the time I reached the stage, there were 75 or so people camped out, sprawled on the ground, chomping on deep fried avocado cones or sucking back Lone Stars. I scanned the crowd. And couldn’t find her. Mark offered, “Isn’t that her in the yellow??” It sure was. Front row center.

Leaning over the barricade, sporting her fluorescent ‘Reading Is Sexy’ tee and teetering above the prostrate Calexico faithful so as to not tromp on their scattered limbs, stood B – the only standing groupie. Intently watching stage hands for the first glimpse of her beloved. During the set, I heard her squee in delight. A lot.

That was absolutely worth the trip to ACL.

In my defense: my “Reading is Sexy” tee is NOT fluorescent.

Haha.