SUNBURNT - FIRST CONCERT EVER

In this First Concert Ever segment, JT, from the pop punk/alternative rock band, SUNBURNT, talks about the story of his first experience with live music. You can check out the story below:

The year was 2002 and I was drowning in Hot Topic gear (Taking Back Sunday shirt, arm sweatband, Dickies shorts, checkered Vans). I was about to start JR. High School and my mom was wondering why I was straightening my hair & wearing eyeliner. The emo/pop punk music scene was thriving and I was obsessed!

And that's when I was invited to go to the Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre in Irvine, CA (RIP, miss this venue) to see Weezer & Dashboard Confessional. I remember being so pumped for my first official concert and it was to see some incredible bands! A band called Sparta opened on the main stage before Dashboard but they also had a side stage near the food area where Rooney played. The multiple stages gave it a festival type vibe which little did I know I'd be attending my first Vans Warped Tour a year later and would be overwhelmed with all my favorite bands.

Fast forward through the night, I've crushed some chicken tenders & fries/lemonade and was ready to watch Dashboard! I remember screaming, "Screaming Infidelities" & "Hands Down" as loud as I could just like I did in my bedroom on a nightly basis. I was amped up by the time they finished their last song & Weezer was yet to go on. Now you have to remember Weezer was a massive band by 2002 and were playing every 10 minutes on KROQ or MTV. So, when they played their smash hits I remember hearing the entire amphitheatre singing along & I had this electric feeling. I couldn't help but think how would I feel if I had a sea of people sing along to my songs.

Shortly after this concert I asked my mom if I could take guitar lessons. After I learned how to play power chords I joined my first band. Roughly 20+ years later I've played in several bands, toured, and have played sold out venues. Thinking back to that first concert experience I still get that same electric feeling every time I get on stage to perform.

Keep up with SUNBURNT on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok.