There’s nothing quite like seeing one of your favorite bands live for the first time. As a Two Door Cinema Club rookie, I was unsure of what to expect. So as I approached The Manhattan Center, late as usual, my eyes widened to see a line stretched down and almost around the block. It was a perfect October night to be hanging outside in the city, but what was about to go on in Hammerstein Ballroom could not be beat.

As I watched the elaborate venue fill up I realized Two Door Cinema Club had a bigger fan base then I ever imagined. I remembered people waiting on line talking about how shocked they were that so many people showed up. This curiosity led me to dance around the crowd to try to catch conversations about the bands previous shows. I wanted to hear from the people who knew Two Door Cinema Club best – their loyal fans. One man spoke of the bands set at this year’s Coachella, saying it was “the best experience of his life.” While going on and on about how they stole the show from other every band there, his girlfriend held her hand to her chest and simply gazed at him. I could tell they were envisioning Two Door Cinema Club shows of the past, and I was eager to make some memories of my own.

After St. Lucia finished their upbeat set, it was time for the magic to begin. The ballroom came alive as Two Door Cinema Club walked on stage, ready for a truly special performance. The first few chords struck and “Undercover Martyn” began. But it didn’t last past the first chorus as the band stumbled upon sound problems and were forced to stop playing. Instead of anger, a sigh of support rushed through the crowd and soon everyone was on their feet chanting “Two Door Cinema Club! Two Door Cinema Club!” After a few short minutes the band rushed back on stage with power and excitement.

They quickly jumped into playing a few songs off of their new EP Changing of the Season. From what I heard the new record wasn’t entirely different from their first few EP’s, but the songs had more heartbreak in them. Tourist History and Beacon felt like parties; just about every song on those albums made you snap your fingers, move your body and sing like no one was watching. But the lyrics in Changing of the Seasons are deeper. Obviously the young band is evolving, but still the crowd sang along to every word.

The night was starting to get hazy. The drinking had increased, people were starting to slow down, but the band had saved their best stuff for last. Cue the first few notes of “Something Good Can Work” and a little message to the fans. Before jumping into the song the band thanked us all for being there for their big return to New York City. I remember the front man Alex Trimble saying it was “such a wonderful room full of wonderful people,” and I couldn’t have said it better myself.

To sum up my first Two Door Cinema Club show, I remember feeling like Alice in Wonderland. As I soaked it all in, I noticed the kaleidoscope of blue, purple and green lights that filled the room from floor to ceiling. My legs become wobbly after hours of dancing with random strangers. I spent an entire night belting out the words to my favorite songs without getting out of breath. I was high off the experience. I had fallen down a rabbit hole that Two Door Cinema Club opened and I didn’t ever want to come back up.

– Kelly Freund

[cover photo courtesy of NYPics]

Great video by Jennifer Cortez:

Video of “Handshake” via OneFooFighter: