Photo Story: Meet & Greet Zine
Many people have had the opportunity to meet an artist before and after a concert. In this new series, we hear from fans on how they found out about the artists, and why this experience is so memorable to them.
Photos compiled and edited by Keylee Paz
1: Eleanor Osada meets Paramore in Edinburgh, Scotland.
“After some classmates in year seven (sixth grade) were talking about Paramore, I went home and heard their music. I saw them live the following year with my Dad, and sat at the back of the sold-out arena. That night changed my life and propelled me into a vibrant world, saturated by exciting live music. I met the band when I was 16, but little did I know the next time we’d meet would be onstage, after Hayley Williams called me up by name to sing “Misery Business” with Lauren Mayberry of CHVRCHES. We had a brief moment backstage after the performance where I got to thank Hayley for her kindness. Paramore are a cool collective of people with the biggest hearts, and they’re grateful for their community, always doing the most to give back.”
2: Emily Martinez and Keylee Paz meet Twenty One Pilots in Austin, Texas.
“We both discovered Twenty One Pilots through peers in high school. We became roommates during our freshman year of college and realized that we shared the same music taste. We consider Twenty One Pilots as one of our favorite bands because they have peculiar on-stage personas and an amazing friendship. We wanted to see the Bandito Tour show at the Frank Erwin Center. The tickets were too expensive, so we entered a contest on Instagram with ALT 97.5. Surprisingly, we won entry to their Austin press conference, a meet & greet opportunity, and tickets to the show. The moment was special to us because the experience brought us closer together as best friends.”
3: Martin Medina meets Men I Trust in Dallas, Texas.
“I heard about Men I Trust while listening to another artist named Geoffroy. He had a song called ‘Thirsty’ with this band Men I Trust. I fell in love instantly with Emma Proulx’s vocals. I heard more of their music, and their band had different sounds that I've never heard before. The moment I met them was so special because they were a small indie band playing for 20 people, and now they have a wider audience. It’s amazing to see an unknown band get discovered and go on that journey with them: bigger venues, bigger shows, and watching them grow and evolve as a band.”
4: Tristan Garner meets DREAMERS in Dallas, Texas.
“While waiting in line for The Maine’s show at Emo’s Austin, I became friends with someone who was obsessed with the opening band, DREAMERS. We got the second row for their show, and DREAMERS came on stage. Their on-stage presence and music style made me fall in love immediately. Since then, I’ve seen them a lot and got to meet them. Every time I meet them, they remember me and little details about my life. This meant so much to me that I got their autographs tattooed on my arm with a dreamcatcher. They are practically my best friends.”
5: Kenzie Bradley meets Thomas Mars of Phoenix in Austin, Texas.
“I first found out about Phoenix when I heard their song “Trying To Be Cool” in 2012 right after their fifth album came out and immediately loved them. I had been waiting to see them since then, but they never announced any Texas shows. When they announced stops in Texas with The Voidz, I knew I had to go. I painted them a poster, got to the venue around 7 a.m., and got to meet Phoenix before the show. During the show, the members signed my poster and gave me a setlist and guitar pick afterwards. They couldn’t have been more kind, and I’ll definitely be at their next Texas show.”
6: Abel Baque meets Lil Skies in Houston, Texas.
“One day, I was listening to the hip-hop station on Sirius XM, where I heard the song “Red Roses” by Lil Skies. I loved the fact that Lil Skies rapped about his struggles to make it in the business rather than rapping about unnecessary things. I was waiting in line with my sister for the Lil Skies’ show in Houston, and a nice family offered me a free meet & greet pass. The moment was special because I was able to meet and see my favorite rapper in person, knowing the fact that he barely tours due to his son.”
7: Ashley Gonzalez meets State Champs in Manhattan, New York.
“State Champs became my favorite band when I caught their last three songs while they were opening for All Time Low. Listening to their music made me feel alive. I started listening to them more, and listening to their album had a positive effect on my life. They make me feel excited because they give every ounce of energy Into their shows. I travelled to their sold out show in New York that celebrated their third album. Meeting the boys was an amazing experience — they’ll treat you as if you were their best friends. The sweetest and the most humble people in the world. Overall, they make me feel okay when I’m not.”
8: April Yax meets Sleeping with Sirens in San Antonio, Texas.
“I found out about Sleeping with Sirens while trying to download ‘Iris’ by the Goo Goo Dolls. Many covers to that song showed up, including the one done by Sleeping with Sirens. After falling in love with their music, they became one of my favorite bands, because their songs taught me to stay strong and to never give up. I met the band in San Antonio, and I was happy to be able to hug them and thank them for being there for me through music. With this experience, I made life-long friends and it gave me strength to keep fighting my depression.”