Big Time Rush who?

I’ll admit I had no idea who Garret Elias was. My ticket was a spontaneous purchase, mostly spurred on by my friends who had also never heard of the lineup or been to the 526 headquarters nestled in the heart of Frat Row. We’re excited, though.

When we spill into the brownstone, we’re first greeted by cases of Red Bull—welcome gift, how sweet. My group prances upstairs, taking in the drifting smoke, flushed faces, and sparse decor. The couches are beat in, everyone is sweaty, but the ambiance is great. Very college. ADPhi seems to take pride in their lighting system, with neon pinks and blues bouncing off the wood-paneled walls and washing over buzzed attendees. My friends and I mingle for a while before I inevitably sneak off to the first-floor pool table.

The fuzzy green surface is splattered with mysterious shadows and crumbs, but I’m all over that thing in seconds. I’m a pool demon. My shirt is damp from the heat of dancers and chainsmokers upstairs, so the rudimentary match downstairs is much appreciated. We play through the first two acts before the shuffling of rearranging speakers and the twang of instruments switching hands beckon us back upstairs. 

Garret Elias and his band are fantastic. The bass shakes the floorboards and our ears ring, everyone is jumping, and it’s the best time ever. The point where I ascended, though, was when they unexpectedly played my favorite Oasis song, Don’t Look Back in Anger. The group’s cover was beautifully spirited and energetic—it was truly 10 dollars well spent. 

I’m not sure what I expected. But I had fun, the performing bands did too, and I’m sure the same applies to everyone who occupied ADPhi’s curiously decorated townhouse that night.

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