When I started at a new school aged 14, I made a very special friend who has been with me through thick and thin ever since. She's one of those friends that I can't really imagine how one goes through life without.
At my previous school, I had struggled somewhat to fit in; it's not a sob story, I wasn't bullied or mistreated in any way and had some very nice friends there too. But it just wasn't really for me.
One of the things I tried so hard but failed miserably at, was keeping up to date with mainstream pop music. Funny story: I used to try and memorise some lyrics of top of the chart songs before going to birthday disco parties so I didn't have to feel like an idiot! (like that didn't make me one...)
But I loved the music my dad liked, like the Beatles, U2, Bruce Springsteen, Queen... I was an old soul at heart, I suppose.
Anyway, then I met my friend S. She introduced me to bands and singers I probably would never have discovered myself, like the Frames (the lead singer stars in the movie Once). For my 19th birthday, she took me to their concert in an intimate venue where we were standing right up front, because at the time they weren't as famous as they are now. It was one of the best nights ever.
Another band she got me into was Bell X1. I listened to their first two albums over and over through lots of little milestones in my teenage years, as did S.
So when she told me she had got us tickets to go as a birthday gift, I was beyond excited! I never thought I would see them live.
The concert was at Union Chapel, an amazing venue with a cosy atmosphere.
They played some of my favourite songs, including the beautiful Eve the apple of my eye, which gets to me every time. Their songs have fantastic lyrics, and they just speak to you.
Here are a few more of my favourites by them if you're up for a listen:
I hope S and I will have many more nights like these!