Indiana Wildflower

depression: (noun) de·pres·sion \dē-ˈpre-shən\

One Direction Concert Review, Setlist And Photoset From Their August 23, 2015 Concert At Soldier Field In Chicago   As I sit here, with my cat purring on one side and my dog snoring on the other, and the faint sound of wind chimes dancing in the cool, soon-to-be-fall night air, I think back to exactly one year ago. One year ago, since my final One Direction On The Road Again concert at Soldier Field in Chicago, IL. One year ago, since Justin Wilson’s tragic accident at the IndyCar race at Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, PA. One year ago of the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. I do some pretty crazy, there’s-no-way-in-hell-this-will-all-work-out-but-I’m-going-for-it-anyway things, but attempting to work the IndyCar race in Pennsylvania AND attend the One Direction concert in Illinois on the same day ranks right up there.

After a fun, but already long, work weekend at the track, I was allowed to leave at the drop of the green flag to haul ass to the airport for One Direction.

On the flight to O’Hare, I received a few text messages saying Justin Wilson had been airlifted to the hospital after a bad crash. My boyfriend, Ryan, is friends with Justin. What was butterflies in my stomach over making the concert in time, turned to a pit in my stomach thinking about Justin and Ryan. My flight was to arrive at 6:28 PM. The concert started at 7:00 PM. I knew I would miss the opener. I was hoping I wouldn’t miss the headliner.

Surprisingly, especially for O’Hare, my flight was a few minutes early. I sprinted for a taxi, yelled out the name of my downtown hotel to the cab driver and threw my carry-on in the backseat. Surprisingly, especially for Chicago, we got to my hotel rather quickly. I threw open the cab door, yelled out my room number to the doorman and left my bag and a tip. Surprisingly, especially for downtown, we got to Soldier Field relatively easy. I threw open the cab door, yelled out thanks to the cab driver and ran for the entrance. I DIDN’T hear any music playing. I knew that meant I hadn’t missed any of One Direction! I found my seat and my friends and, as I hugged them hello, the intro video started...HERE. WE. GO. AGAIN. Setlist Clouds Steal My Girl Little Black Dress Where Do Broken Hearts Go? Midnight Memories Kiss You Stockholm Syndrome Fireproof

Liam singing “Fireproof” right after asking what froyo is. lololol (First shirt.) Setlist Ready To Run Better Than Words

Niall introducing “Don’t Forget Where You Belong.” Setlist Don’t Forget Where You Belong Little Things

Harry’s perfect profile during “Little Things.”

Black-and-white Harry during “Little Things.”

“You can’t go to bed, without a cup of tea...” Louis smiling/singing during “Little Things.” Setlist Night Changes

Harry’s perfect profile during “Night Changes.”

Niall’s beautiful blue eyes during “Night Changes.”

Larry singing “Night Changes.” Setlist 18 No Control

Harry’s phallic mic stand during “No Control.” Setlist Drag Me Down

Liam looking intently at someone during “Drag Me Down.” (Second shirt.) Setlist Diana What Makes You Beautiful

Liam dancing in front of us to “What Makes You Beautiful.” Setlist Through The Dark Girl Almighty Story Of My Life While we waited for the encore, the girls introduced me to the sweetest young man sitting in front of us, Brett Wheeler. Brett loooooves 1D, even more than I do. 😊 I hope to God he got to meet the boys afterwards. He’s Louis’ #1 fan. 💗

Encore You And I

Niam singing “You And I.” (Third shirt.) Encore Act My Age

Nouis up to no good during “Act My Age.”

Louis, I love ya, but there’s no way in hell you’re 5′9″.

Harry exclaiming how much he loves pizza and...VEGETABLES, to which everyone groans.

Harry thanking us for coming out. Encore Little White Lies Best Song Ever

This video shows just how awesome #OTRAChicago was and how amazing a One Direction concert really is.

Fans post-concert in front of The Field Museum.

Enjoying the beautiful downtown Chicago views, as we walk through Grant Park.

The Sears Tower at night. My mom decided to scare the bejesus out of me the next day.

Of course, August 24, 2015 is the day we found out One Direction was taking a break. 😢   And then everything went from bad to worse, Ryan called and said Justin had passed away, due to his crash injuries. We spoke for a really long time, and I told him I’d come home early, but he insisted I stay in Chicago and have fun with my friends, so, with a heavy heart, I did. ❤️ Upon returning to Indy, I decided NOT to go to One Direction’s August 29th #OTRADetroit show and pay it forward instead by giving my ticket away.

Hopped up on coffee (tea for me) and leftover Halloween candy, my friends and I road-tripped from Indianapolis to Chicago for One Direction’s Made In The A.M. First Listen last Monday. It was an unseasonably warm day, so with the sunroof open and the windows down, basking in the beautiful fall foliage, we sang and seat-danced the entire 1D catalog all 200+ miles. At a nondescript movie theater in a nondescript north Chicago suburb, we took our seats amongst young ladies (and one dad, we did find one dad) from as far away as Ohio. Right before the lights dimmed, two bespectacled teens in “WTF is a chonce?” (an inside fan joke on how Niall Horan sings “chance”) t-shirts were greeted with a round of applause. They weren’t quite sure what to do with this sudden adulation, so they froze.  They were too cute. Instead of previews, we watched music videos of “What Makes You Beautiful,” “Live While We’re Young,” “Kiss You,” “Best Song Ever,” “Story Of My Life” and “Steal My Girl.” As a closeup of each fan’s favorite was shown, they’d scream. There was dead silence for Zayn Malik (who departed the group in March), except for one Zayniac’s whimpered cries. The listening party included a description of each song by individual band members (from where the song was written, to who their influences were), followed by the song with fetus-through-OTRA (their just-ended On The Road Again tour) behind-the-scenes. In fact, One Direction has so much footage, I would not at all be surprised, if the rumor of a documentary being released in 2016/17 ends up being true. Incredible footage, really. It appears they’ve filmed everything the past five years. We milled around the lobby, talking to other fans afterwards. We all seemed to have different favorite songs, which is always a good sign. All killer, no filler. My friends and I then celebrated, Niall-style, with dinner at Nando’s (good chips) and Guinness by the fireplace at The Hidden Shamrock. As my 1D besties snoozed on the ride home, I hummed the new, catchy-as-all-hell tunes, as the low-hung moon guided us past golden Indiana fields back home.

To say that I was jazzed to receive a preview copy of the deluxe-edition of Made In The A.M. would be an understatement, so when it arrived via FedEx on Friday, I was buzzing, but I knew I had to wait for nightfall. There are only two ways to properly listen to a new album (besides a movie theater listening party, of course); either cranked, in your car, on a midnight stretch of lonesome highway or lying on the floor, in your room, headphones on, candles lit, with your dog beside you. I managed both for HOURS this weekend. IT. WAS. HEAVEN.

HEY ANGEL When I first heard One Direction’s 2014 album FOUR, “Clouds” didn’t make a huge impression on me.  It was a good song, in among, great songs.  I didn’t “get it,” until it opened their On The Road Again tour. As Harry Styles has stated, “Hey Angel” is OTRA’s “Clouds,” although the bridge is extremely similar to the bridge in “Moments.” “Hey Angel” is a great album opener. It’s like getting out of an air-conditioned car to 105* Phoenix heat hitting you in the face. “Hey Angel” let’s you know this album is going to be hooooot. SO. HOT. ”Yeah, I see you at the bar, at the edge of my bed, backseat of my car, in the back of my head. I come alive, when I hear your voice. It’s a beautiful sound. It’s a beautiful noise.” DRAG ME DOWN The first single, released in late July and played live for the very first time at my very first One Direction show, “Drag Me Down” is the band’s way of saying, “Oh, so you don’t think we can carry on without Zayn? Well, we’ll show you!” It’s 1D’s nicest-way-possible of giving the naysayers the finger. I totally get why they released it, as their first new music without Zayn, but it’s not the strongest song on Made In The A.M. I understand “Drag Me Down” was submitted for GRAMMY nominations. Again, there are better songs here that represent One Direction and represent what this band is truly capable of artistically and vocally. Bands really should consult me on these things. ;) It would, however, make a great tune to be played at sports stadiums, say when a running back has a big carry or a kickoff is returned for a touchdown in the NFL. It’s big, it’s anthemic, it gets your fist in the air. ”I’ve got fire for a heart. I’m not scared of the dark. You’ve never seen it look so easy. I’ve got a river for a soul, and, baby, you’re a boat. Baby, you’re my only reason.” PERFECT The second single, and a supposed response to Taylor Swift’s “Style” (whom Styles once dated), “Perfect” is an “I like you. You like me. Let’s have some fun.” song. It’s no-strings-attached, let’s-not-put-a-label-on-this, I-don’t-want-no-drama-mama “love,” which sounds...well, PERFECT to me, Harry Styles. Hint-hint. Poke-poke. The backbeat on this song is superb, Sandy Beales and Josh Devine. “But if you like causing trouble up in hotel rooms, and if you like having secret little rendezvous, if you like to do the things you know that we shouldn’t do, baby, I’m perfect. Baby, I’m perfect for you.” INFINITY This song soars. It builds and builds, taking you higher and higher. Although Niall repeatedly sings about being “down to earth,” this song is like a spaceship taking you up to “count the stars.” There’s no coming down from this song. This rocket’s blasting to “Infinity.” It’s a ridiculously well-crafted pop song. “Siiiiiiiiiick,” as Louis Tomlinson would say. If someone hasn’t done it already, it should be dubbed to the “Drag Me Down” music video. Visually and sonically, they’re a match. “How many nights does it take to count the stars? That’s the time it would take to fix my heart.” END OF THE DAY When I first heard “End Of The Day” at First Listen, I thought, wow, this song is...well, WONKY. The verses, chorus and bridge are in different time, so the rhythm is all over the place. When they someday play this in concert,  we’re gonna f**k the clapping all up on this, I swear. Half the Directioners will be on the 1/3 and the other half on the 2/4. After repeated listens, I’M STILL SO CONFUUUUUSED! It feels like this is 1D’s attempt at Fun’s “We Are Young.” It’s unusual, but I’m not sure unusual is necessarily good. There are eight writers on this song, and it kind of shows. There are some lyrical gems here though. Maybe I’ll eventually be able to dance to this, but, then again, I’m a terrible dancer. I really want to like this song! Why don’t I like this song?! *bangs head against desk* “The priest thinks it’s the devil, my mom thinks it’s the flu, but, girl, it’s only you.”

IF I COULD FLY Hands down, this is the most beautiful song One Direction has ever written or recorded. Heartbreakingly beautiful. I totally had a tear-stained pillow, listening to this song over and over again. My dog even sensed my vulnerability and licked my face and rested her head on my chest, looking up at me with her big, sad eyes. *sniff-sniffle* The boys’ vocals have a fantastic fragility to them. It’s the best all four have ever sounded on a ballad. They were definitely feeling this one. “If I Could Fly” is overwhelming and wonderful. What an amazing song! *whispers* Larries will have a field day with this one. “For your eyes only, I’ll show you my heart, for when you’re lonely and forget who you are. I’m missing half of me, when we’re apart. Now, you know me, for your eyes only.”

LONG WAY DOWN “Long Way Down” is a tip of the hat to 90′s Britpop’s best big ballads, like Oasis’ “Don’t Look Back In Anger” and Robbie Williams’ “Angels,” both songs I absolutely adore. Niall sounds particularly pleasing opening this one. I can see where people might think this is about the disintegration of the boys relationship with Zayn. Not as a dis, but more a “We were living the dream, together, then you bolted and we’re hurt.” My only complaint about this song is that it’s not long enough. “The point of no return and, now, it’s just too late to turn around. I try to forgive you, but I struggle, ‘cause I don’t know how. We built it up so high and, now, I’m falling. It’s a long way down. It’s a long way down from here.”

NEVER ENOUGH We need “Never Enough,” at this point. After the heartache of “If I Could Fly” and “Long Way Down,” 1D wants us happy again. This song is if Bobby McFerrin’s “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” and Phil Collins’ “Sussudio” had some kinky-ass sex on an 80′s synthesizer, while Def Leppard’s Joe Elliott watches, yelling “COME ON!!!” ????? Strange visual, I’m sure, but you’ll get it, once you hear it. Heh-heh. The synths on this are super, Jon Shone. Again, Niall shines on this, as he should, he wrote it. I can see why it’s his favorite. Apparently, they’d play this at parties to gauge people’s reaction. I bet the response was very good. Liam Payne is going to have so much fun beatboxing and scatting the hell all over this live. I can’t wait! “COME ON!!!” “Wanna pull an all-nighter and get into something we’ll never forget. Wanna stay up and party the weekend away and not know when to quit. Wanna drive in the night to the end of the earth and go over the edge. Wanna wake up with you and say, baby, let’s do it all over again.” OLIVIA While “Olivia” is a lovely, lovely song (and this girl, right here, is a Beatles nut, *points to self*), it’s maybe a little too much of The Beatles’ “Penny Lane” (switching the upscale and downscale in the verse and chorus) and Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory’s “Pure Imagination.” The strings were even recorded at Abbey Road, where The Beatles laid it down. One Direction has a tendency to wear their influences on their sleeve, and while they do have excellent taste, “Olivia” shows that that taste can follow a recipe a little too closely. Sometimes, you need to throw in a pinch of your own personality and a dash of your own distinction to fully find your own flavor. One Direction is still learning, and I really do like the song, so I’ll give them a pass on this one. “When you go and I’m alone, you live in my imagination. The summertime and butterflies, all belong to your creation. I love you. It’s all I do. I love you.” WHAT A FEELING “What A Feeling” is One Direction’s now-apparently-one-song-on-every-album nod to Fleetwood Mac. This time, they’re obviously in love with Christine McVie in “Little Lies,” and why wouldn’t they be? <3 “Fireproof” is one of my favs from FOUR, and Louis and Liam’s songwriting skills really come through, once again, on this one. Their voices blend beautifully on the chorus. Damn, these guys can sing. I LOVE THIS SONG.

“What a feeling to be right here beside you now, holding you in my arms. When the air ran out and we both started running wild, the sky fell down. But you’ve got stars in your eyes, I’ve got something missing tonight. What a feeling to be a king beside you somehow, I wish I could be there now.”

LOVE YOU GOODBYE

“Love You Goodbye” is written by Louis and described as his most “personal.” It’s a beautifully-arranged love song about wanting one last night with your ex. There’s a maturity not heard in other One Direction songs. I really enjoyed Liam’s voice in this. He doesn’t seem to be as dominant on this album, but he does emotive so well. Love my Lima Bean. Louis, also, has a marvelous high note here. Definitely one of those songs you’re going to cry-sing, when you’re heart’s been broken. “It’s inevitable, everything that’s good comes to an end. It’s impossible to know, if after this, we can still be friends, yeah. I know you’re saying you don’t want to hurt me. Well, maybe you should show a little mercy. The way you look, I know you didn’t come to apologize.” 

I WANT TO WRITE YOU A SONG

“I Want To Write You A Song” is a delightful little ditty. The kind of tune you want your boyfriend to sing to you, sitting on the edge of your bed, playing guitar, while you sit on the floor, gazing up at him, lovingly. It sort of reminds me of “Hey There, Delilah” by the Plain White T’s. Such a sweet song. It’s Liam’s favorite, a song, he says, he’s always wanted to write. Did he write this? You can hear pencil to paper at the end, as if he’s writing it just for you, and it sounds like this was recorded live, which is quite nice. Lovely, lovely, lovely. Gorgeous guitars on this, as well, Niall and Dan Richards. “I wanna write you a song, one as beautiful, as you are sweet. With just a hint of pain for the feeling that I get when you are gone. I wanna write you a song. I wanna lend you my coat, one that’s as soft as your cheek, so when the world is cold, you can have a hiding place you can go. I wanna lend you my coat.” HISTORY

“History” is a love letter/thank you letter to fans, crew and anyone associated with One Direction. The video to this, at First Listen, was of fans. They sincerely do love their fans, and want them to know their upcoming hiatus is a break and not a breakup, as Louis repeatedly sings “This is not the end! This is not the end!” It’s very uplifting and reassuring. This song is going to be very, very special live for both fans and band. Thank you so much for this, guys! <3 “You and me got a whole lot of history. We can be the greatest thing that the world has ever seen. You and me got a whole lot of history, so don’t let it go, we can make some more, we can live forever.” TEMPORARY FIX

“Temporary Fix” is power pop at it’s finest. This is another great one from Niall. ROCK ‘N’ ROLLLLL!!! I like how he describes a one-night-stand/booty call as a “grungy night out, every now and then,” when discussing “Temporary Fix.” I LOVE IT! When I try to explain to non-Directioners that One Direction is a great rock band, this will be one of the songs I’ll play for them. THIS SONG ROCKS! “You can call me, when you’re lonely, when you can’t sleep, I’ll be your temporary fix. You control me, even if it’s just tonight. You can call me, when you feel like, I’m your good time, I’ll be your temporary fix. You can phone me and we’ll call this what you like. Let me be your good night.”

WALKING IN THE WIND

Jazz guitar. Who’s playing jazz guitar? Niall or Dan? Harry says this is influenced by Paul Simon’s Graceland album, and I can certainly hear that. I love how Harry listens to music from before his time. I do that, too. A LOT, actually. This is a song about seeing reminders in the every day of someone you’re missing. How a certain sound or location will bring back a flood of memories. It’s not a sad song, but a song of hope for the future, when you’re together again. I guess it could apply to Directioners and the band. :) “We had some good times, didn’t we? We wore our hearts out on our sleeve. Goodbyes are bittersweet, but it’s not the end. I’ll see your face again. And you will find me. Yeah, you will find me, in places we’ve never been, for reasons we don’t understand, walking in the wind, walking in the wind.” 

WOLVES

This song is guaranteed to put a bounce in your step and a smile on your face. For a song Liam describes as “Wolves” circling your girl at da club, it’s surprisingly upbeat. I love how the “Oooohs” sound sort of like wolves howling. Very fun. I will definitely be dancing in front of the bathroom mirror and signing into a hairbrush on this one. “In the middle of the night, when the wolves come out, headed straight for your heart, like a bullet in the dark. One by one, I’ve got to take them down. We can run and hide, ain’t going down, without a fight. I hear them calling for you. I hear them calling. In the middle of the night, when the wolves come out, headed straight for your heart, they go straight for your heart.”

A.M.

I love, Love, LOVE this closer. It’s a great way to end Made In The A.M. The subject of this song really warms my heart, as some of my best times have been with friends, on the drive home or after the party, when you’re all slaphappy and giggling and everything is funny and perfect. Niall has a great description of this, saying, “If you can’t remember what happened at 2 AM, you can remember at 6 AM, because you’ve sobered up a bit.” Dedicate this one to your best besties. <3 “Won’t you stay ‘til the A.M.? All my favorite conversations, always made in the A.M., ‘cause we don’t know what we’re saying. We’re just swimming ‘round in our glasses and talking out of our asses, like we’re all gonna make it, yeah-yeah.” I thoroughly enjoyed Made In The A.M. It’s every bit as good as Midnight Memories and FOUR, the latter of which was my favorite album of 2014. I’m not quite sure yet, for 2015, as I have a few more new ones to listen to, but we’ll see... ;) I appreciate the opportunity to attend the listening party and preview the album, and thank you to those involved in entrusting me with this. Hopefully, I’ll get to cover more. Also, thanks to Syco/Columbia for lyrics and a tracklisting on Made In The A.M.’s deluxe-edition CD. They were both sorely missed on FOUR. My personal hope for the 1D hiatus is that, after a well-deserved, well-rested break, OT4 take that “lads holiday,” maybe holed up someplace, like a lake house in Chicago (where writing for Made In The A.M. seemed to be fruitful) to work, as a collective, on the next album. On every album, I’m usually able to tell which member wrote what song with what producer, so I’d like to see them write, as a unit, exclusively. I think their varied influences and immense talent, together and cohesive, could make the most-amazing, life-changing album. I know what Louis/Liam songs sound like, what Harry songs sound like, what Niall songs sound like. I want to hear what an entire album of One Direction songs sounds like. That’s my 1D dream, anyway.   November 17th marks my one-year anniversary as a Directioner. I was lucky enough to attend three shows and have completely fallen for the band and their fans this past year. Y’all are good people. One Direction’s Made In The A.M. comes out this Friday, the 13th. Pick up a copy and let me know what you think! CHEERS!