Looking at Jeremiah before him, Ronan couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement.
Imagine having the melodies of your favorite music accompany you through every moment of your life, as if they were stored in your computer or phone. And now, the band responsible for creating, performing, and interpreting those melodies is standing right in front of you. What would that feel like?
Even if the person standing before you isn't an idol, there's still a magical sense of breaking the fourth wall. Moreover, Ronan truly loved The Lumineers.
"Wow."
That was the first, instinctive reaction that came to Ronan's mind. Then, the melody started to hum naturally in his mind, and his eyes remained fixed on Jeremiah.
"I don't know where I belong
I don't know where I went wrong
I don't know where I went wrong
But I can write a song"
These were lyrics from The Lumineers' famous song "Ho, Hey." After its release, this enchanting single had crawled up the charts for seventy-four weeks before finally reaching the No. 3 spot on the Billboard chart. It had stayed there for three weeks, making it a remarkable achievement for an independent band.
However, Ronan didn't sing the classic chorus of the song but instead chose a bridge part from the verse to the chorus, which caught Jeremiah by surprise.
"Oh? Not the 'I belong to you, you belong to me' part from the chorus?" Jeremiah's gaze returned to Ronan.
He enjoyed conversing with Ronan more. It wasn't that Cliff and the others weren't pleasant company, but Ronan's eyes conveyed a pure simplicity, much like the band's performance that evening. It reminded him of Wesley from his own band and made the interaction feel comfortable.
Ronan leaned in slightly, seemingly unable to contain his excitement. "I love these lyrics."
"Many times, we don't know what's happening in life, and we can't find a solution. But at least we can create a song, use musical notes to capture those moments, and carry those emotions that have nowhere else to go. Isn't that the most interesting and joyful part of life?"
Ronan's words danced gently, like a fish leaping to the surface of a sparkling river, creating ripples of happiness. Even the sunlight seemed to dance along, and Jeremiah found himself sharing in that joy. "I have a feeling that you and Wesley would get along quite well."
"That would be my honor." Ronan's eyes turned into narrow slits as he smiled, radiating genuine joy.
Then...
From the corner of his eye, Ronan noticed Cliff sitting beside him, wearing an exasperated expression. Maxim and Ollie, also feeling left out, were trying hard to stifle their laughter.
Ronan suddenly realized and couldn't help but clap his hands, breaking into laughter. "I guess this is why I can't be the captain. We were discussing business, weren't we? My apologies, please forgive my rudeness."
Cliff was accustomed to it.
Jeremiah quickly said, "I apologize too. I got carried away." Cliff waved his hand dismissively, saying it was no big deal.
Jeremiah nodded slightly in response, then continued without interruption, "I'm here representing the band, and we'd be delighted to recommend you. You're welcome to join the full moon party. But if you have other plans..."
Before Jeremiah could finish, Maxim interjected hastily, "Clearly, we don't. Otherwise, we wouldn't be here as the opening act tonight."
His candid response wasn't self-deprecating but more like a complaint about themselves. Jeremiah offered a polite reply, "The opening act requires strength too.
The only difference is whether the audience recognizes it." With this, he boosted the morale of the One Day Kings band. "So, just find another bar recommendation. We'll inform the Old Blacksmith Bar tonight, and we look forward to seeing you perform on Saturday."
After concluding his statement, Jeremiah turned his attention to a waiter approaching with a tray and courteously said, "I won't interrupt your dinner any longer. See you on Saturday."
With that, Jeremiah stood up, vacated his seat, and walked toward The Lumineers' table.
The members of The Lumineers exchanged glances and, seeing Jeremiah's positive gesture, began celebrating with high-fives—a shared excitement for what lay ahead.
Regardless of the situation, the anticipation of witnessing a great performance was universal. They genuinely enjoyed the One Day Kings' performance that night.
The members of both bands raised their glasses, a sign of mutual respect. Their cheerful smiles permeated the atmosphere. Even the busy waitstaff couldn't help but catch the infectious spirit, adding to the bustling ambiance of the bar.
Once Jeremiah had moved away, the four members of the One Day Kings band found themselves slightly stunned. Unbelievable astonishment lingered in their eyes. Could their luck have finally turned?
The Full Moon Party was an open-air event with no performance fees. Every act had the freedom to perform on stage, and with tens of thousands of spectators attending this fifteen-hour party, it was a significant event during the New Orleans Midsummer Carnival. Considering the bar's limited capacity of less than 400 people, the scale of the event was impressive.
In other words, this was a golden opportunity for the One Day Kings. They would stand in front of hundreds, even thousands, of spectators, showcasing their style.
It was a true performance opportunity—one where music lovers converged. A successful performance here could have immeasurable publicity effects.
Perhaps this was the best performance opportunity the One Day Kings had encountered in the seven years since their formation. It was potentially a turning point, a chance for their name to spread widely, maybe even securing an album release similar to The Lumineers'.
How could they not be excited?
Excitement and joy filled their eyes, momentarily ignoring the waiter who continued to serve them. They were so elated that they couldn't find the right words to express their feelings.
They clenched their fists, suppressing the urge to cheer and shout, preventing any potential embarrassment.
"Cliff, but... what about the timing?" Ollie was the first to regain composure. "I mean, the upcoming shows..."
They had five more bar performances scheduled, so what about their existing commitments?
Cliff waved his hands in reassurance. "Don't worry, there won't be any scheduling conflicts."
"Even if there are, we'll choose the Full Moon Party, no question about it!" Maxim exclaimed, his excitement evident. "Are we really going to pass up such an incredible opportunity?"
"Perhaps, this is our turning point. Even if it isn't, it's a test of our true capabilities, a test of whether we're suited for the stage, whether we're on the right path as a band, whether we should continue to chase our music dream. This is a test, the ultimate test! How could we possibly miss it?"