Page 99 - ION Indie Magazine November December 2019 Issue

The Plaza Live

https://www.plazaliveorlando.org/

Orlando, FL • September 21, 2019

Story and Photography by Alex Dixon
https://shotbydix.myportfolio.com

It was September 21, 2019 -- a warm Saturday night in downtown Orlando,
though it still felt like summer. As I was driving into the parking lot of The
Plaza Live to cover The Growlers, I saw multitudes of 2-3 person groups
walking up to the front of the venue. Some of them consisted of 2 boys and
a girl, or two girls and a boy, or just all girls. They all had one thing in
common though…well, actually, two things…each person in their group
dressed like it was still summer and they all had this energy about them that
almost convinced me that fall hadn’t yet begun.

After parking, I sat in my car and pretended to ready my camera bag for the
show (like I hadn’t quadruple checked it four times before making my way
over there) while I people-watched.

I’ve been to a number of concerts before and have met different people
each time, but there was something about the fans going to this concerts
that emitted an especially carefree vibe. I just couldn’t put my finger on what
it was.

Walking up to the doors, I tried my hardest to figure out what it was about
these fans that made them so lively and why there was such a warm and
inviting feeling in the air. I decided that if I talked to some people I was
bound to find out.

I saw another photographer there and decided I’d start with him and see if
he could provide me some insight. He told me that he it wasn’t his first time
seeing The Growlers and shared that he thought that The Growlers are a
good band that makes great music. Thus, he had requested a photo pass.
I guessed it was his impression of the band that had him inspired to shoot
the show. So I moved along in my pursuit of answers…

On the way to the photo pit, I noticed that there were much fewer people in
the main lobby than by the show room, which is to be expected with the
opening act. But again, these fans were something different than I’m used
to seeing. Something was in the air…