It was September 2001, 08:45. I was hunched over on a too-large white grandma bike with red tyres, and once again I was late. In my trouser pocket was a Discman, and in my ears were very cheap earphones. Everyone I cycled past could hear it: Shit, piss, fuck, cunt, cocksucker, motherfucker, tits, fart, turd and twat. I fucked your mum.
A few days earlier, the drummer from my brother’s band had given me a copy of The Mark, Tom and Travis Show, the live album by punk rock band Blink-182.
A great love was born.
Today is Friday, August 13 in the beautiful year 2010. My summer has been memorable, with holidays to Zeeland, Chersonissos and lots of lovely moments. The absolute highlight of the summer should without a doubt be Lowlands 2010.
But I am not feeling it. There is no love. So far, I am not excited. And I do not understand it.
Earlier, I had already been wrestling with the idea of selling my ticket, not going, choosing to skip this year.
In February 2009, I received good news. A few years earlier, my favourite band, Blink-182, had broken up. Suddenly I had to make do with bands like Angels & Airwaves and +44. Those are also very good bands, but it is not the real deal.
But Blink-182 is back. They are touring and releasing a new album. Lovely. Huge love. A feeling of invincibility. A feeling of: screw the world, I am king. And once again: huge love.
Tomorrow is the day we leave for Lowlands. And the feeling still is not there. The love is still missing, and there are still no butterflies.
But my favourite band is playing there.
I have seen many bands and artists perform in my life. But after nine years, I can finally see my favourite band live. Blink-182 in the Alpha tent will probably be the highlight of my career as a music lover. Together with my good friends, also huge Blink fans, I will probably stand at the front all day, waiting for my heroes.
And I am sure that the moment the first strings are hit by Mark Hoppus and Tom DeLonge, I will be overwhelmed by a feeling of enormous love.