Tick, tick... The hour hand had quietly moved past five o'clock, and the night had entered that darkest and most weary period just before dawn.
It was the ultimate test of energy and physical endurance, and the crowd in the old blacksmith bar had started to thin out.
Observing the surroundings, it still appeared crowded at a glance, as the lively atmosphere seemed relatively unchanged.
However, upon closer inspection, one could discern the widening gaps between people. The once-packed venue now had roughly two-thirds of its audience remaining.
Compared to the bustling and tightly-packed crowd during peak hours, the visible gaps created a different atmosphere, and the mood had slightly diminished.
This calmness was quite expected, especially considering the peaceful and gentle country music performance by the previous artist.
Alice, standing amidst the bustling audience, could sense the gradually relaxing atmosphere. She was beginning to feel excited once again.
All of this was thanks to Ronan's control. Ronan, as he appeared now, made Alice feel strangely like she was encountering a stranger for the first time tonight.
Ronan was radiating with charisma. Could this be what they call... stage presence?
"Hey...hehe..."
Surrounded by the resounding hums and cheers from the audience, Alice adjusted her camera lens to capture the lively scene at the Old Blacksmith Bar.
She could sense that the crowd was moving closer to the stage, reinvigorated by the music and the drive it brought to their hearts.
This was the magic of a live performance.
"Simmer down, simmer down"
After two consecutive eight beats, Ronan, standing at the front of the stage, began to sing with enthusiasm. He held the microphone with both hands, sporting a smile on his lips.
The lyrics were narrative-like, devoid of complex emotions, delivered in a straightforward and simple manner. The story was being eloquently narrated and seamlessly blended into the melody.
"They say we're too young now to amount to anything else
But look around
We worked too damn hard for this just to give it up now"
Was this... about tonight?
The audience could extract the necessary information from the plain lyrics: they didn't know this band, and they weren't eagerly anticipating the next performance.
However, for the band on the stage, tonight might be their last chance, a matter of life or death.
However, there was no trace of sadness or bitterness in Ronan's singing. Amidst the relaxed drum rhythm, his voice flowed freely, not tinged with despair or the struggle of self-pity.
Instead, it was filled with the joy of flying freely and uninhibited. This subtle feeling was like...
Even standing on the precipice of danger, one would willingly leap with open arms and savor the last moments of life.
Youthful. Exuberant. Unrestrained. Wild.
Unconsciously, the audience's attention was firmly fixed on Ronan.
The unadorned lyrics, catchy rhythm, and straightforward melody didn't make this an attention-grabbing song at first glance.
However, Ronan's interpretation and performance breathed fresh life into the melody. Being present in the moment, feeling the pulse, one could sense the emotional charm emanating from within.
Live performances were incredibly infectious!
"If you don't swim, you'll drown
But don't move, honey"
As the song shifted in style, the band's performance briefly paused for a moment. During that pause, there was a big smile on Ronan's face, tinged with pride. It was as if he was quite satisfied that his performance had successfully misled the entire audience.
That playful mischief subtly merged with the melody. With Ronan leaping high and then landing heavily on the stage, a powerful release followed.
Boom boom boom!
Boom boom boom!
Drums! Guitars! Bass! Singing!
All the sounds converged, like a galaxy descending, pouring forth in a mighty cascade. The resounding roar reverberated in the ears, and eardrums and hearts vibrated in harmony.
The uncontrollable excitement synchronized with the drumbeats, and the audience was truly immersed in the band's realm.
"She look so perfect standing there
In my American Apparel underwear
And I know now, that I'm so down."
It turned out to be a love song, and the preceding lyrics suddenly took on new meaning. A young couple, misunderstood by others, who believed that first love was a bitter experience.
"High school sweethearts" were seen as unable to withstand the trials of life. Yet, deeply in love, they refused to compromise or bow down, ready to give it a try.
If you can't swim, you might drown, but if you don't try, you'll only be consumed by the tide. On the contrary, taking the plunge might just give you a chance.
As he set eyes on her, he knew he had made up his mind.
Listening, it was the young lovers singing to each other.
"Your lipstick stain is a work of art
I got your name tattooed in an arrow heart
And I know now, that I'm so down"
"Hey! Hey, hey, hey, hey
Hey, hey, hey"
Boom!
With surging emotions, exhilarating drumbeats, and a driving rhythm, the audience was involuntarily drawn into Ronan's enchanting tale.
Under normal circumstances, it might have taken some time for the audience to get into the mood, but after being immersed in the carnival atmosphere, as long as there was a hint of drum rhythm, it could electrify them.
And at five o'clock in the morning, with confused and dazed minds, they had no capacity for thought; they could only feel their blood pumping along passively with the surging rhythm, jumping in response.
Jump!
Jump!
Boom! Boom!
Nodding, swaying, and bouncing in tandem with the beat, the audience effortlessly became part of the performance.
The mid-tempo rhythm was especially welcoming to the audience, who were feeling woozy with their internal organs churning and heads spinning.
With just a slight nod, they could easily follow the beat and groove to the rhythm without thinking. They didn't even notice that Ronan, standing on the stage, was jumping with his feet together, using his body movements to synchronize with the band's rhythm.
The beats from Maxim to Ollie all converged on Ronan's movements, blending seamlessly. The audience, too, felt this enthusiasm.
Their movements weren't spontaneous but were influenced by the cues from the stage. They jumped wholeheartedly along with Ronan, as if the rhythm had become a part of their blood.
Note 1: She-Looks-So-Perfect (5-Seconds of Summer)