Avril was particularly euphoric; she always had this feeling before starting a concert. She had numerous rituals before singing. The first was a long shower, filled with soaps, followed by putting on her lucky clothes, a black shirt, or maybe a new outfit she bought specifically for the concert.
She would rest her head on her bed, hoping to do her best with her singing. During this time, she would eat a packet of chips with Heinz Ketchup, followed by necessary meditation to find the calm needed to focus on her purpose.
She put on her favorite shoes and prepared to make enough time without expressing herself or adhering to any logical idea. She would hum her songs in her mind, followed by meeting the band. After that, the rest depended on the work. She had a national tour, performances across Canada, and was famous, but she didn't expect to compete with the persistent fame Billy carried on his shoulders at the Metlife Stadium, which had a capacity for 89,000 people but could fit 93,000 if adjusted.
On a bus, she saw Billy's band, but without Billy. She decided to keep her distance. Billy was usually somewhat spontaneous. He was thirty minutes away from arriving, and in the current situation, she talked with the band members and laughed.
**
-We're almost on time; the traffic is a bit congested, sir, - said the driver of the black, armored, tinted SUV as they entered through one of the special entrances for the concert. Billy smiled and whispered secretly to the new girl.
Meanwhile, Jerry observed from the passenger seat, watching everything Billy did in the rearview mirror. How long had he been talking to that girl? Wasn't his lover someone else? The situation was strange, at least proportionally.
Both went up to the dressing room. Leighton climbed the steps, with some flashes on the screen, and some photographs surfacing, while the band members were adjusting everything to go on stage. Billy smiled and greeted each band member, introducing Leighton. The dressing room was an improvised space for artists before the concert, protected in a small administrative booth. It was a gray wall with a locker in front.
-You have to listen to me. How else can you enjoy what few can experience? This concert, though it doesn't mean much to both of us, is for you. I will express my emotions for you, my love, -whispered Billy to Leighton.
-Don't say that, - Leighton replied. The words were deep and sweet. She was young, and her defenses were being broken down like paper by Billy.
She nodded, wishing him good luck. Billy's intensity was contagious to those who adhered to his path. His emotions were a crazy rollercoaster. After disappearing for a while, it was his carefree and rebellious way of acting.
The hallway led to a curtain over metal stairs that went up to the stage. The back of the stadium was protected by another giant curtain and some panels that were illuminated with lights and effects. The fog was released from above. There were no fireworks, but the LED screen displayed a mix of lights created by the prerecorded piano sounds. There was one for all of Billy's songs and an improvised one just in case.
Jack, Warner's sound engineer, pushed the sound equipment to its maximum level while Billy adjusted his earplugs. The sound became hollow and reduced; the screams and words faded away. Billy took this measure to avoid headaches after the concerts. It was better to be partially deaf. He could follow the vibrations and the slight sound guided by the microphones. He wanted to play the guitar, but he didn't feel like concentrating that much at the moment.
He hugged Avril, who was sweaty, and talked to her, though he couldn't hear much. The crowd was excited, and although he hadn't used an opening act lately, the use of one alleviated the singer's stress for half an hour. The distribution and payment end up being somewhat convoluted, but the popularity and agreements between record labels are perhaps one of the reasons it's still done.
"You'll do great," shouted Avril, but Billy couldn't hear her. Leighton watched everything timidly, wearing an exit outfit—a white skirt with a fitted blue top and Converse shoes.
Billy looked at the stage as the curtain and lights signaled the beginning. A powerful scream resonated in the stadium, enough to give a sense of presence. The energy Billy exuded absorbed the crowd's attention. On stage, he was a different person, capable of performing for thousands. For Leighton, it was a new image, deepening her infatuation.
He lifted his microphone, and Connor's band hit the drums at a thousand revolutions. It was a rock with rapid lyrics—Youth Nation (POD). The crowd went wild. Billy's voice was incomparable, only a few singers could match him in technique, tone, and harmony. It was a feast for the rock-hungry.
Billy Carson.
Singing: (2000/2048) Level 9: Master
Piano: (600/640) Level 6: Novice
Guitar: (900/1024) Level 8: Expert
Violin: (34/64) Level 4: Semi-professional
Rating: World-class.
Rank: 11/8,340,000
Followers: 21,693,030
...
🎶🎶🎵 🎶🎶🎵
Last day of the rest of my life
I wish I would've known
'Cause I didn't kiss my mama goodbye
I didn't tell her that I loved her, how much I care
Or thank my pops for all the talks
And all the wisdom he shared
Unaware, I just did what I always do
Everyday, the same routine
Before I skate off to school
🎶🎶🎵 🎶🎶🎵
The lyrics carried a sadness, creating a mood for rock protest. The jumps felt like hammer blows, shaking the stadium like a minor earthquake.
His magnetic confidence and charisma were reflected in his lifestyle. Leighton watched everything with bright eyes, while Avril fidgeted in her seat, her gaze traveling from Leighton to Billy and back, biting her lip, unable to quell the anger coloring her cheeks red.
🎶🎶🎵 🎶🎶🎵
But who knew that this day wasn't like the rest
Instead of taking a test
I took two to the chest
Call me blind, but I didn't see it coming
Everybody was running
But I couldn't hear anything
Except for gun blasts, it happened so fast
I didn't know this kid
Though I sit by him in class
🎶🎶🎵 🎶🎶🎵
Music is a way of life that dominates emotions. Billy injected sadness, leaving the crowd on stage with heavy tongues, breathing to avoid tears, followed by anger at life's injustices.
The emotions were mixed, but Billy focused on the woman behind the scenes. The power coursing through him was palpable.
🎶🎶🎵 🎶🎶🎵
Maybe this kid was reaching out for love
Or maybe for a moment
He forgot who he was
Or maybe this kid just wanted to be hugged
Whatever it was
I know it's because
We are, we are, the youth of the nation
We are, we are, youth of the nation
We are, we are, the youth of the nation
We are, we are, youth of the nation
Little Suzy, she was only twelve
She was given the world
With every chance to excel
🎶🎶🎵 🎶🎶🎵
The connection was made, Billy saw it in the audience under his gaze. He began to modulate his singing, bringing the audience closer. Watching them, he eased off the emotions, knowing they needed time to release theirs.
So, he kept singing without pushing emotions; they were already present and accumulating. Billy sang with tranquility.
🎶🎶🎵 🎶🎶🎵
Hang with the boys and hear the stories they tell
She might act kind of proud
But no respect for herself
She finds love in all the wrong places
The same situations
Just different faces
Changed up her pace since her daddy left her
Too bad he never told her
She deserved much better
Johnny boy always played the fool
He broke all the rules
So you would think he was cool
He was never really one of the guys
No matter how hard he tried
Often thought of suicide
🎶🎶🎵 🎶🎶🎵
For Leighton Menester, it was the first time hearing one of his songs live, but eight hours with Billy were enough to bond them. Tears escaped her eyes. She would have mocked any girl in her position for how ridiculous it sounded, but she had never met such a powerful singer.
She imagined the suffering he must have endured to sing that way. He always smiled at people and was cheerful. How much had he suffered to end up singing like that?
-Poor thing, - she murmured, oblivious to the glances she was receiving. First impressions are powerful, and from there, something lasting could be built. The girl was caught in Billy's whirlwind, which wasn't easy to digest.
🎶🎶🎵 🎶🎶🎵
It's kind of hard when you ain't got no friends
He put his life to an end
They might remember him then
You cross the line and there's no turning back
Told the world how he felt
With the sound of a gat
We are, we are, the youth of the nation
We are, we are, youth of the nation
We are, we are, the youth of the nation
We are, we are, youth of the nation
Who's to blame for the lives that tragedies claim?
No matter what you say
It don't take away the pain
🎶🎶🎵 🎶🎶🎵
-As always, Billy is in good form, - remarked Jerry from a private section watching the performance.
🎶🎶🎵 🎶🎶🎵
That I feel inside, I'm tired of all the lies
Don't nobody know why
It's the blind leading the blind
I guess that's the way that the story goes
Will it ever make sense
Somebody's got to know
There's got to be more to life than this
There's got to be more to everything
I thought exists
🎶🎶🎵 🎶🎶🎵
Connor's drums pounded powerfully as all the instruments created a devastating chorus. 80,000 people screamed in unison. Billy, with open hands, received the chorus without singing, creating an iconic image captured by numerous photographers. The audience chanted, everyone sang along, and the start couldn't have been better. In less than three minutes, Billy conquered the crowd, bringing joy and madness. His name began spreading, transforming the unhealthy thoughts of many young rock listeners.
Traditionally, four years are enough to make history without social media, just through news and word of mouth in bars, parks, games, meetings, dinners, offices, and the metro. The force driving people to learn everything about Billy was growing. The US envied the British for the Beatles, but now the British would envy them for Billy Carson.
🎶🎶🎵 🎶🎶🎵
We are, we are, the youth of the nation
We are, we are, youth of the nation
We are, we are (we are, we are), the youth of the nation
We are, we are (we are, we are), youth of the nation
We are, we are (we are, we are)
The youth of the nation (the youth of a nation)
We are, we are (we are, we are)
Youth of the nation (youth of a nation)
We are, we are (we are, we are)
The youth of the nation (the youth of a nation)
We are, we are (we are, we are)
Youth of the nation (youth of the nation)
youth of the nation
(We are) youth of the nation
(We are) youth of the nation
(We are)
🎶🎶🎵 🎶🎶🎵
-Thank you all for coming to see me, - Billy said into the microphone, as the crowd's roar drowned his voice.
-I'm grateful. I hope we can dance in the snow. This next song is for all those who want to add a bit of color to their lives. I want to thank each of you. Shout, and maybe the color will appear out of nowhere, - Billy said.
...