Page 36 of Serenade Me

The stomping is louder now that it’s just above our heads. I can see dust falling from the ceiling and it amuses me to imagine tens of thousands of people falling through while they dance, a self-made mosh pit.

The crew helps us up onto the platform backstage.

My heart is racing.

My mouth is dry.

I consider making a run for it.

And then Sebastian catches my eye and his face says it all.

Let’s. Fucking. Do. This.

We reach in and grab each others’ hands, crossing our arms and starting our pre-concert ritual. Just the four of us. A moment to remember where it all began.

The crowd suddenly breaks into a roar as all the lights are killed and we know. It’s time.

The entire venue is pitch black and we make our way on stage, slowly, quietly, just hoping we don’t trip on something.

I hear Jez and Sebastian find their chairs in the dark.

I position my viola and pick up my bow.

And now, I just wait.

We change our set list almost every night depending on how we’re feeling a few hours from the concert. So, they never know what’s coming. But it always starts the same.

Cleansing their senses palette with the pitch black canvas. Before the musical deluge.

“And a one, two, three,” I can just make out Sebastian whisper to himself under his breath.

And it starts.

One brilliant note to wash over the crowd and call their attention. It rings out – loud, unwavering, pure. It primes us all for the sounds to come.

Tonight, we’re starting with a new piece, we call it When Valkyries Cry. It’s our new mash up of Ride of the Valkyries and Prince’s When Doves Cry.

It’s an epic piece that is going to bring the house down.

And it starts with that one note.

Then the lights blast into life, drenching us all in a cleansing white. Before we surrender to the music.

Let’s fucking do this.