I decided to take a step away from my usual on-campus adventures and write about the world outside of ASU, or really just five minutes away. In all the years I have lived in Arizona, I had yet to go to a concert at the Marquee Theatre. But this last week I finally lost my Marquee virginity.
While browsing online I decided to be spontaneous and look at upcoming concerts at the Marquee. I started clicking on random dates hoping to get something worthwhile, when finally I stumbled upon a date for my favorite artist, Sara Bareilles. And when I saw that the tickets were only $20 — compared to other $200-and-up concert tickets — I purchased them that very moment.
Not only was I going to see Sara Bareilles and hear her sing her infamous and overplayed “Love Song,” but I was also finally going to a concert at the Marquee.
The theater is located on the other side of Tempe Town Not-So-Much-A-Lake-Anymore. So walking would be plain stupid, riding a bike would still be a trek, taking a cab could be expensive, and hitchhiking would not be all that smart. So instead I decided to take the easiest transportation, the light rail.
Off I went on the light rail, and in only five minutes I were let off right in front of the Marquee. From the light rail, I could see the sign lit up in red letters and with the Arizona flag lit up beneath them. I actually made it to a concert at the Marquee.
Walking up to the doors I had my bag checked by scraggly guy smoking a cigarette who had an overly laid-back personality. Inside the theater there was a lively bar to the right of us and a massive line with impatient people looking to buy t-shirts. Inside the actual stage area there was a huge concrete floor area with no seats at all, only standing. I thought I was screwed since I am only five-foot-one, and with my luck, I'd have a six-foot person stand right in front of me
My friends and I decided to push our way though the tight crowd and beer bottles to try to get closer to the front. However, we just ended up getting yelled at by overly obsessive fans and landed somewhere in the middle of the chaos.
Finally Sara Bareilles came on stage. When I tried to jump slightly up to scream, my feet stuck to the ground from all of the spilled beer. So if I wanted to move at all the entire night I really had to rip my feet up hard.
Throughout the concert I continuously shifted from left to right and back again in order to see the stage, unstuck my feet from the beer floor, sang my heart out to “Love Song,” screamed and laughed, danced and clapped to the music, unstuck my feet and shifted some more, and sang the rest of my heart out to the best music I have ever heard.
Aside from the sticky beer floor, tall people standing in front of me dripping in sweat, and the angry front row mob, I experienced one of the best concerts at the Marquee. The theater gives off a relaxed atmosphere unlike other venues. I felt more up close and personal with the music.
The Marquee hosts every type of artist imaginable from local artists to big name bands, and has concerts all throughout the year. So take an adventure outside of ASU life and spend a night out at with the Marquee Theatre.
Get Fresh Tips:
- Check out the opening bands before hand. If they don’t interest you, you can show up for the actual artist.
- Bring water; you will get dehydrated from sweating and standing there all night.
- Wear shoes that you don’t mind getting drinks spilled on and that can handle a sticky floor.
- You may also want to wear platform shoes if you are short.
- Try to push your way to the front without getting people angry at you,
- Bring extra cash for those t-shirts or posters.
- Check out this website for concert dates: http://www.luckymanonline.com/Calendar.aspx.
Hello fellow Freshmen, and others who have stumbled upon this blog. My name is Marlee Bever. I will be your number one stop for advice during our crazy freshmen lives. I’ll help you survive in this overwhelming jungle of Sun Devils, one step at a time. As I make it through each week of my freshman year, I will write about my experiences and give advice on how to survive the Sun Devil way. So stop searching Google for advice; all of the raw, “Get Fresh,” advice is right at your pitchforks. Don’t hesitate to email at mbever@asu.edu, or find me on Twitter @lilMarMarBev.
