T & S

Tegan and Sara provided the soundtrack for my coming-out years. In my room I would unceasingly play the air guitar, the air drums, and the air keyboard, to all their bitchin’ tracks (when mom wasn’t home). To see them live at Stubb's was a full-circle treat.

My friend and I ate a greasy barbecue sandwich during Northern State’s set. But as soon as they left the stage we forced our way toward the front. We wanted to be sandwiched, pressed, forced to jive with total strangers (the cool breeze kept the claustrophobia at bay). We couldn’t avoid the tall people with disruptive hairstyles and one girl barfed dangerously close to our sneakers and sandals, but it didn’t matter. We belted out terrible sing-along attempts … to every song. They combined their newest album with plenty of old favorites.

In between songs the twins told us cute stories about their explosive tour bus and their other visits to Austin. Apparently this was the first U.S. city they visited on their musical debut.

Needless to say, I felt silly and 17 and, judging by the wave of dancing fans, I wasn’t the only one. Add in the booze and the eye candy and a good time was had by all. It was gay-reat.