Riff riff riff raff. Bling bling bling blang.

By Michael Hopkins

Riff riff riff raff. Bling bling bling blang. Pause. Whispered lyric. Anticipation builds. One two three. BANG!!! Jump up throw my head down. Push the guy next to me. Start again. Pound the fist in the air like I am mad at the lead guitar. High hat hits and I keep the beat with my head. I YELL LYRICS!!! The crowd goes wild. It is hot.

Next song. Find the pit. Round, round the people go. I dodge. I jump. I dance around the circle. I bang my head to the beat. I trip the guy running past and push the other fleeing away from me. I get pushed and shoved and pushed again. It is hot. The lights move as fast as the pit does. I trip. Up again and I get out. Pits are dangerous. I'll be back in a little while.

Riff riff riff raff. Bling bling bling blang.One two three. BANG!!! Jump up. Throw my head down. Push the guy next to me. Start again. Pound the fist in the air like I am mad at the lead guitar. High hat hits and I keep the beat with my head. I YELL LYRICS!!! The crowd goes wild.

Tap, tap, tap on my shoulder. I turn and a stranger points two fingers up. I lock my fingers and brace. He sets his foot in my entwined fingers and I launch him over my shoulder on top of the crowd behind me. The crowd sways, struggles, and breaths. It is hot. I can feel bruises while I watch the band. Riff riff riff raff. Bling bling bling blang. Lyrics lyrics lyrics.

I tap a stranger and do the international sign for “I want to float” and the guy locks his fingers. I put my foot in. I fly backwards.

AAAAAAA. The fresh cold air. It is just a few feet from the crowed but it is no longer heated by the breath of the crowd beast. It is so refreshing. Hands hold me up and I look at all of the fans worshiping the band. I understand again why they call it floating.

Riff riff riff raff. Bling bling bling blang. Pound the fist in the air like I am mad at the lead guitar. High hat hits and I keep the beat with my head. I yell lyrics! PLOP, I hit the ground but the beast quickly lifts me to my feet again.

Recovered. Riff riff riff raff. Bling bling bling blang. Pause. Whispered lyric. Anticipation builds. One two three. BANG!!! Jump up throw my head down. Push the guy next to me. Start again. Pound the fist in the air like I am mad at the lead guitar. High hat hits and I keep the beat with my head. I YELL LYRICS!!! The crowd goes wild. It is hot.

I hope I never grow too old for this. I love it too much. Riff riff riff raff. Bling bling bling blang.