#when i watched his coachella stage last year n the people in the crowd were just losing their fucking minds over this guy n i was like damn😭

[pporappippams]

bitches will be obsessed w dpr ian n then ask how u knew they had a Disorder

[bethelighthalazia]

Gone too far

Summary:  What if San notices his sasaengs in the crowd near you at Coachella and suddenly you are nowhere to be seen anymore?

Genre: angst, hurt/NO comfort

Pairing: bf!San X fem!reader

Additional Characters: ATEEZ - members

Word Count:  1601

Warnings: kidnapping, sasaengs, death threats, reader getting hurt, blood, panicked San, angry San, angry ateez, possibly weapons mentioned, major character death

networks: @mirohs-aurora-society

notes: I apologize in advance for any tears and heartbreaks <3

other links: n/a

© by bethelighthalazia. Do not repost, copy or translate. Unless stated otherwise, those works are mine and born from my own ideas. I don't have any claim on the mentioned real existing Idols whatsoever.

Only a week ago, San had introduced you to ATINY as his girlfriend after a bit over a year of dating now. None of the boys would have thought that this would start a chain of actions that end up with what happened today and the following days.

It's the soundcheck for Coachella. You were settled near the stage, watching and cheering for San and the boys, while they made sure that their big performance would go perfectly fine. You knew that they're nervous, but you always believed in them. Every now and then, San glanced over to you, just like the other seven boys do, they all grew close to you, since you made San happy. 

Unbeknownst to you, there had been some of San's fans, mainly one specific sasaeng and her friends, but San had spotted them already. He had looked worried, but you thought it would only be because he's nervous about the performance, after all, they're the first korean boy group to perform here. This thought is quickly discarded when you feel something pointy being held against your side, a hand quickly wrapped around your face to cover your mouth while you're dragged into a little crowd, out of San's view.

You could hear his voice falter through the microphone, him whispering your name first before shouting it, the panic in his voice evident. Hushed voices told you to stay quiet while you were dragged away, the sharp object by now cutting into your flesh, since you only wore one of San's crop tops he brought with him. The last thing you heard before someone knocked you out, was San's broken voice calling your name again and again, followed by the sound of his microphone dropping and some faint sobs.

— San pov —

“Where is she?” Hongjoong asked, he's fuming with anger and his voice merely an angry hiss. After San broke down on stage during the sound check, they had looked everywhere, but no one had seen y/n anywhere. Now, San was sitting on the sofa, Wooyoung trying to console him while San's eyes seemed void of any life. His hyungs were discussing the search with the bodyguards and managers, but they haven't found any lead to you yet.

While Wooyoung quietly talked to San, the door to the backstage room burst open and Jongho arrived with Yeosang, some paper in his hands. “Hyung! We found this at the spot where y/nnie was watching us from…” The maknae said quietly, handing the paper to Hongjoong. It was a collection of cut out letters, blood splatters on it. The letter said that San should forget you, or the blood wouldn't be the only thing you'd lose. With a quick glance at San, Hongjoong clenched his fists, feeling angry, but also helpless. What if these people truly hurt you? What if searching for a way to get you back to his younger member would endanger your life?

“Hyung…what's that?” San's croaked voice rang through the room, his eyes focused on the paper in Hongjoong's hand. The older one already wants to put it into his pockets, yet San was quicker, snatching the paper from the captain's hand, Wooyoung and Jongho trying to stop him but failing. When San finally reads the letter, he feels tears clouding his vision, squeezing them shut to try and refocus his eyes on the cut out letters. It doesn't take too long and his legs give out under him, causing San to drop on his knees, his breath shallow and his heart feeling as if an icy hand grips around it. “It- this…this can be a coincidence…right? We don- don´t know if this really is-” He stutters, hyperventilating while speaking. Wooyoung quickly gets down next to his best friend, trying to calm him down, but it doesn't help at all. The final blow is Jongho, who holds out his hand and then opens it, your necklace, a locket with a photo of you and san inside, dangling from his fingers, the silver of the chain and pendant covered in a crimson red.

San ́s eyes widen at this sight, frozen in shock for a few moments before he just falls against Wooyoung´s chest, sobbing uncontrollably and muttering out your name between the sobs. Hongjoong watches this for a few more moments, thinking about a solution. The letter said not to include police, but it did not say anything about getting help in other ways. The captain and Seonghwa exchange a short glance before Seonghwa gets out his phone to start a livestream from backstage, Hongjoong speaking, while the eldest makes sure to get San into the view of the camera as well.

“Hello Atiny. We know our stage should begin in a few hours, but we felt the need to come live to ask you for help. As you guys can see, San is devastated, and not only him, but all of us. Y/n, San´s girlfriend has vanished and we know that she had been taken by someone. They have sent a letter, telling San to not think about her, but his fans,” Hongjoong says calmly, but his voice is shaky as he holds up the letter they got, followed by a picture of San and you. “If any of you have seen her in the last hour, please let us or our staff know, so we can get our y/n back.”

Most comments were useless, only talking about how unfair it is that you got to be his girl, not even showing concern for you at all. However, one comment got Seonghwa´s attention, his eyes wide. ‘I saw her with friends, she seemed passed out drunk tho’. He immediately sent a private message to the person through the group´s account, asking if they could explain more. The commenter explained that you seemed somewhat out of it, one of your assumed friends holding you up but when they had asked the group if they needed help, the friends seemed to have run away. Seonghwa tried to get some more answers from the commenter, but they couldn't tell him much more. A knock on the door did pull the attention away from Seonghwa´s phone and towards the door. 

Hongjoong was the one who answered the door, everyone holding their breath when they stared into the face of San ́s manager who only shook their head. “What-” The captain asked, but got cut by the manager´s words. “They´ve found her…But i don't think you should go.” He says quietly, but it's loud enough that all the boys look at him now. San tries to get up and walk towards the door, but wooyoung is quick to catch him, because his legs just give up halfway when a police officer appears behind the manager. “We need one of you to confirm that it's her.” The officer said and with a quick nod, Yunho already walked up, gesturing to the others to take care of San. Exchanging looks, the members nod, but then Wooyoung looks up at the others and waves Seonghwa over to take over holding San, so he could accompany Yunho.

The walk to where they found you felt like hours for them, neither Yunho, nor Wooyoung talking the whole time, both lost in their own thoughts. When the police officer stops, he looks at both with a concerned look, frowning. “It's not a very nice sight. But we need to know if it's her. Please step away if the sight makes you nauseous.” He says, then leads the two men to the spot they found you.

You laid there, your empty eyes staring up to the sky, at least the one that's not covered by the blood coming from a big hole that was smashed into your temple. Wooyoung grabs Yunho´s arm tightly to hold himself up at the sight, Yunho only nods and then has to avert his gaze, looking away from your destroyed body. “It- It´s y/n…” Wooyoung mumbles before stumbling away from the scene, barely holding onto his hyung before crouching down to empty his stomach outside of the police barricades. Yunho just supports his younger member before they both slowly make their way back to the backstage area where they had left San with the others, but they freeze in their tracks when they hear the blood curdling scream from the spot where the police had found your body. 

Somehow, San had convinced the others to bring him here and before anyone could manage to hold him back, he had fought his way through and stumbled through the barricades. Now, he's just kneeling there, staring at your body that quickly gets covered with a white sheet, which turns red fast. His head dropped forwards on his chest, his eyes looking empty, as if all life had drained from them. Yunho and Seonghwa hurried to grab him, pulling him up and away from the scene by his upper body and San doesn't even resist, his legs dragging over the grass. The only sounds that can be heard from San are whispered words, or rather, one word; repeating your name over and over. Without hesitation, Hongjoong cancels the second Coachella performance and all concerts and anything for the next few months, even making a video statement that because of what happened, they won't be doing any live performances or anything for the time being. Then, he returns to taking care of his members, tears in his eyes because you were loved by all of them, they all were grateful for the love you gave San all the time.

taglist: @mingis-mizu, @tinyelfperson, @hotteokkay, @minkilicious, @bunnliix,

@gong-fourz, @yeosangiess, @dinossaurz, @scuzmunkie, @h3arteyes4mingi,

@vnessalau

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[imaginedeux]

Girl At The Rock Show (E.D. Imagine)

A/N: So Warped Tour happened like almost a year ago now, and I've been wanting to write something. I’ve read a couple of imagines where the reader goes to Cochella with the twins, but I haven't read them going to Warped Tour, and that’s honestly a concept. The show is going to be in San Diego, but i’ll be putting set times from when I went.

“Hey whats up guys! We’re back! Well, I’m back, Grayson is sick and can't film/ can't leave the house, but don't worry, we have four other amazing people here to help me with today’s video! Please introduce yourselves to the camera!” Ethan yelled at the camera from the passenger seat, pointing it at you.

“Hey! It’s (Y/N)! And I’m currently driving E’s car the three hour journey to San Diego.” You fake groaned, before you smiled at the camera, making sure you stayed in your lane. Your three other friends in the back seat all yelled hello before Ethan said he would update them when they got to the location.

“Awesome, now for a 3 hour nap.” Ethan sighed, putting his feet onto the dashboard.

“Oh, heck nah! You have at least three hours to learn one song from one of the bands playing today.” You explained, giving him your phone that was tethered to the car’s bluetooth. “I have a playlist on Spotify with a bunch of songs from some bands playing today, so you better get learning.”

“I’ll give you 3 seconds to guess where we are today!” Ethan yelled at his camera as you grabbed your draw string backpack from the trunk, ready to get the long day stared. “Well you’re probably wrong, or you're right cause you read the title to the video. I’m at the LAST Vans Warped Tour in San Diego! As you know a couple of months ago, Gray and I surprised (Y/N) with a ticket to Cochella, and she had the time of her life. Now a month-ish ago she surprised Gray and I with tickets to Warped Tour, but unfortunately Gray got sick, so we gave his ticket to one of (Y/N)’s friends since they didn't have the chance to buy a ticket before it sold out. So now we’re here, I’m not sure how much i’ll be able to film because it is a sold out gig and there are going to be a ton of people, I might just get (Y/N) to film for me.”

“I’ll only film for you if you end up crowd surfing, everything else is on you.” You shook your head closing the trunk of his car, after making sure everyone had what they needed. “Alright lets head out!” A five minute walk from the rather sketchy $20 parking lot later, your group came across the end of the line. “No fucking way, the entrance is literally around the block, and the doors don't open for another hour.”

“See, I told you we should have brought the cans of food, we would have gotten early entrances.” Your friend Carla, lectured as people with bags of food cans walked by.

“I completely forgot about them! I could have sworn I had them at the apartment before we left, but I couldn't find them this morning.” You explained, groaning. If you had non-perishable cans of food, or even an old cellphone, and you donated them, you'd be able to enter the grounds, about half an hour before everyone else did.

“Wait, were they all cans of corn?” Ethan asked from behind you. Turning, you gave him a look.

“Yes...” You answered squinting your eyes at him. “Did you take them?! I swear E, if you did...” You started before Ethan covered your mouth with his free hand, the other holding onto the camera recording the scene in front of him.

“No, wait, they’re in the car. They were in the cardboard boxes next to the first aid kit.” Ethan explained, pointing the camera at himself, before the group of you started to yell.

“E, can you PLEASE, go and grab them? Please! I’ll buy you a whole pineapple pizza to yourself when we get to the hotel tonight.” You pleaded, taking the camera away from him. A laugh at the group later, he was sprinting back towards the car, ready to get this long day started.

“Thank you guys for the donations, you all have a good day!” The woman taking the cans said, scanning your tickets.

“Likewise!” The lot of you smiled back, making your way towards the grounds. “So how is this going to work? Cause I know Carla, Kevin and Jack wanna go and see Crown The Empire, and it looks like they’re one of the first to play at the White Lightning Stage, and that’s on the other side of the venue.” You said looking up between the inflatable line-up and the venue map you payed way too much for. 

“Well, it looks like All Time Low is gonna be the last to play today at the Right Foot Stage at 8:30, and thats a band we all wanna see so we can meet up at the end of the day of thats what you want?” Jack, said pointing at the line up. This was one of the things about warped, most of the time the bands you wanna see play at same time and on opposite sides of the venue. 

“Wait look, Chase Atlantic is playing at 7:55, isn't that the band you wanna see?” You asked looking up at Ethan, who was looking back at the line up.

“Yeah it is, but its at 7:55, which means that we’ll be late to the band y'all wanna see.” Ethan realized, looking at how long Chase would play. “I know you’ve been wanting to see All Time Low for years, and I don't want you to miss out on them.”

“Thats nonsense, so looks like we have a plan. Jack, you, Carla and Kevin wanna see the same bands, so you can stick together. I’ll stick with Ethan, so we’ll meet you at the Right Foot Stage at around 8:30, if anything I brought an extra battery pack so I can text y'all.” You smiled at the group before the five of you split. 

“You ready to see a real rock show?”

“Ready as I’ll ever be, maybe its a good idea that Gray didn't come, he’d be freaking out about Chase, he’s the one who got me into them.” Ethan laughed as the two of you walked by multiple vendors trying to sell the two of you things you really didn't need. 

“Get your free bracelet for the opportunity to meet State Champs!” A vendor yelled as you walked by, causing you to stop dead in your tracks. You weren't sure if it was the State Champs t-shirt you decided to wear with a pair of high waisted black shorts and your trusty Sk-8 Hi black Vans, or if it was the multiple home-made SC patches that decorated our backpack, that made the lady yell the moment you passed by.

“E, give me a second.” You whispered, before you hauled ass towards the booth with the lady who was yelling. “Hi, is it true you’re giving fans a chance to meet State Champs?”

“Yup, I saw your patches and I couldn't let the opportunity pass. So, it is a free meet and greet, all you have to do is watch this video, its only 2 minutes long so it won't take too much time out of your day, then after its done, we’ll go ahead and give you a bracelet for the meet and greet at 1:30 at the tent right next door.” She explained pointing at the places that you needed to go to, to be able to meet your favorite band at the festival.

“Can I get to meet them too?” The hazel eyed boy asked from beside you.

“Sure, just go ahead and watch a quick video and I’ll give you a bracelet to meet them at 1:30 at the tent next door.” She gave him the same smile she gave you, pointing everything out. The video was short and to the point, don't smoke, it'll kill you. “Thank you so much for watching the video, and here are the bracelets you need to meet State Champs. The meet and greet will start at 1:30 so if you want to get here before hand thats alright.”

“Thank you!” The two of you yelled, walking away from the tent not sure what to do next. “So are there any bands you wanna see?” 

“DID YOU SEE THAT?!” Ethan yelled coming back up from behind you, you had to admit that you were surprised to see Ethan actually crowd surf his way to the front where Mayday Parade was playing.

“Of course I did, and you're gonna be happy I got that all on film.” You laughed at him, with the camera in your hand. You and your friends were concert goers but not brave enough to crowd surf yet. “This video is going to be killer to edit next week.”

“Dont worry I’ll get Gray to edit it since he was too sick to come along.” Ethan laughed looking over the crowd as they jumped and danced along to the band covering Blink-182′s Girl at The Rock Show. “Not even at Coachella are people this hyped to see their favorite band or artist. We need to come to more of these.”

“Some of the bands have been making music since a lot of these kids were young, they grew up hearing these bands. Warped is decently priced so this might be some of these peoples only chance of seeing their favorite band live.” You explained as the lead singer, Derek thanked the crowd for letting them play main stage, and said they would be playing their last song next, which was a fan favorite. “Come on E, Mayday’s almost done, so that means its almost 1:30, its time to meet State Champs.”

~~

“Next please!” The already annoyed merch employee yelled as some kids stepped out of the tent.

“Holy shit E, it really is them!” You mumbled covering your mouth as you and Ethan stepped into the tent.

“Hey yall, how’s warped tour going?” Derek, the lead singer asked as the two of you came face to face with one of your favorite bands in the last couple of years.

“It’s good so far, it’ll be even better once I see yall play! By the way, can I get a hug please?” You asked almost shaking, this band was the reason you got out of the comfort zone of your hometown and are the reason you moved to L.A., they gave you the courage to do everything you were scared to do before.

“Come on in here!” Ryan, one of the guitarists laughed bringing you in for a bone crushing hug. “You to my man! Hugs for everyone.” E’s laugh rumbled through the tent as the group of you came in for a group hug. You never thought that you’d ever be able to meet them, much less hug them.

“Can we get a group picture?” Ethan asked this time, you’d honestly forgotten about asking for picture with them, being in the same city as them was good enough for you.

“Sure, anything you guys wanna do?” Tyler, the other guitarist asked.

“How about 90′s rap cover group picture?” You asked shaking out of your state of shock. “Honestly its the only thing I can think of and I’m just remembering the photo of pigeons that looked like they were about to drop the greatest rap album of the century.”

“I know which one you’re talking about! Dude I honestly didn’t think anyone remembers that photo.” Tony, the bass player grinned at the thought of the pigeon photo. Handing over his phone, Ethan quickly squatted down in front of you, Derek doing the same as the rest of the band stood next to you, allowing you to be in the center of the picture. 

“Thank you again for coming to Warped Tour, thank you for being a fan of us and allowing us to come out and play all away across the country from our hometown.” Evan said giving you another hug. 

“Thank you all as well, your music gave me the courage to move out of my little hometown to L.A., without ya’ll, I don’t know where I would be.” You grinned, before you hugged all of them one last time. “Can’t wait to see yall play later!”

~~

“I still can’t believe that we met State Champs, they’re all as beautiful as they look like on Instagram.” You gushed biting into one of the ice pops the two of you bought for way too much.

“(Y/N), that was like two hours ago, you even got to see them live. How are you still going on about them?” Ethan asked chucking the stick into the nearest trashcan, it’d been a couple of hours since State Champs played and the two of you decided to wonder around the festival grounds.

“I don’t know, their music gave me so much courage to be myself, they’re the reason why i’m standing here in San Diego, because without them I wouldn’t have moved to L.A., met you, Gray, Carla, Jack, and Kevin, and without yall, I wouldnt have gotten the chance at meeting them.” You explained grinning at Ethan. “I really do owe it all to them. So, anyways, what do you wanna do now? We have a couple more hours till Chase, so we have time to do anything you want.”

“We haven’t filmed anything for the vlog in a while, why don’t we find a place to sit, and talk to the viewers.”

“Sorry it’s been a minute since we’ve updated you, but the group was disbanded so we could watch the bands we wanted to watch. What bands have we seen today?” Ethan asked, looking between you and the camera the two of you set up on an empty picnic table you were able to grab.

“We’ve seen Mayday Parade, we got to see a part of 3OH!3′s set, which was at more lit than I thought it was going to be, we saw my band State Champs, go follow them on all social media you wont regret it, when we finally got out of the pit, we got to see the last couple of songs for Simple Plan, and we just finished watching Bowling For Soup’s set. For those who dont know, Warped Tour is consisted of six different stages, the Journey’s Left Foot and Right Foot stage are the two main stages of the festival, while the other four are smaller stages, two are for the heavier bands and the other two are for smaller bands. Anyways, the reason we’ve seen 5 bands, is because they’ve been on the Left and Right stages so they’re right next to each other. Now we’re waiting for Chase Atlantic’s set and we’re going to meet back up with the group to watch All Time Low, another band you should go and follow on all social media, just follow all the bands, they’re all good.”

“Wow, talk about that plug. But I have to admit, their music has been really good, a lot of music you could work out too for sure. Oh, we also met (Y/N)’s favorite band State Champs, and they were actually really cool, they seemed really down to earth,” Ethan started before you gestured to put the photo in the video. “Insert picture here, I dont know how it looks and (Y/N), chose the pose, so if we look like idiots, blame (Y/N).”

“Hey, I’m giving them quality content, so you’re welcome.” You sassed looking down at your phone. “My friend from back home is mad at me that I’m Warped without her, and shes telling me to go check out a band if they haven’t played yet. Can I borrow your phone, to see if they’ve played yet?”

“So demanding,” Ethan joked as you grabbed his phone out of his hand. “If you have a chance at trying to come to one of these shows, do it. If you don’t mind walking around for hours, or being around large groups of people, and some of these band’s fans do go hard and start moshing, but if you don’t mind any of that, it something everyone should do at least once in their life.” 

“Hey, the band my friend is talking about is going to play in like 30 minutes, can we head over? It’s on the same page Chase Atlantic is playing at.”

~~

“We’re With Confidence, we’re all the way from Sydney, Australia, thank you so much for letting us play few songs for you guys today!” The lead singer, and also bassist said smiling. “I’m Jayden, this beautiful man on guitar is Inigo, and this equally beautiful man on drums is Josh. If you guys dont mind we’ll be meeting any one that wants to meet us, right at our tent over there, it’s big and pink you cant miss it. We’ll be signing your things and if you want, you can pre-order our album coming out at the end of the summer, and you can get both a physical and digital copy when you buy today.” 

“Oh my god, do you hear those accents? Why are they so beautiful?” You gushed as they played a new song coming out on the album they were talking about. Like most of the other songs they had played, they were all high energy, the kids up at the barricades were jumping along to the beat, and some of the kids in the middle of the crowd were opening up the pit for a circle pit, the dust flying up into the air as they ran around in a circle. That was one of the perks of being far from the barricades, and on the outside perimeter of the pit, you were able to see everything, and how the kids were reacting to the band. “I’ve never heard of this band, but they are amazing, i’m definitely signing up for a CD.”

“First, State Champs, now these guys? Who don’t you love, (Y/N)?” Ethan sighed, rolling his eyes as you got footage of the band and of the kids in the moshpit.

“I fall easily, all it takes is a pretty face and an amazing accent.” You stuck your tongue out at Ethan as the band started to play their final song.

“This entire video is going to be just you meeting bands.”  Ethan laughed as you pulled him to the meet and greet line for With Confidence.

“Hey, i’m at least giving you content E, you would have probably just pranked Gray if it wasnt for me.” You grinned at the camera knowing it was true.

“I mean true.”

“And, i’m giving your Instagram followers content as well, y’all have no idea how many times E has taken his shirt off today because of how warm it got, and he’s definitely gotten some stares from some of the kids here.”

“Hey! It’s not my fault it’s gotten warm!” He explained grabbing the camera from you, pointing it at himself as he tried to defend his actions.

“Um, I told you to wear shorts and a tank top, but no! I know how to dress for a festival, and its not going to get hot.” You mocked Ethan, grabbing the camera out of his hands as you used his cool voice. “And here he is suffering in black plaid jeans and a white long sleeve.” Laughing you showed the viewers the outfit he decided to wear to a summer festival.

“Well you’ll be the one complaining later when we go and see All Time Low, and you’re freezing.” Ethan shot back as one of the security guards started allowing the first kid to meet With Confidence.

“That’s what you think! While you were meeting some of fans, I went and bought myself an All Time Low hoodie so HA!” You laughed, shoving the camera towards Ethan to grab the hoodie you got from your favorite band. “They didnt have my size so I had to get the next size up, but its so comfortable guys.” You could already feel the shift in temperature so it was the perfect time to put on your hoodie. The hoodie reached below the hem of your shorts, and the sleeves went passed the tips of your fingers with ease, it looked like you were ready for bed, not ready to rock out at a concert.

--

Meeting With Confidence was a whole other experience, they were so happy to see people lining up to meet them. They were constantly thanking you and Ethan for being there to see them, and giving their band a chance. They were happy to hear that you were going to buy a CD and a couple of shirt from their merch stand, and were like that with the kids before and after you. A couple of heavier bands later, and Chase Atlantic started to play is when you started recording the crowd’s reaction to the band. Both you and Ethan realized that the music they’ve released, is played differently live. Rather than the sensual RnB vibe, they sounded like all the other rock bands that played that day. Midway through their set they thanked everyone for stay to see them play since they were one of the last bands playing that day, as they continued to thank the crowd, Ethan grabbed the camera and started recording the crowd from his perspective. This is something that the two of you had been doing all day, so both of you could enjoy the band, and it would give Gray more angles to edit. Its once Ethan started recording the crowd and the band that he realized how well you knew the lyrics to the songs. You swayed when the music slowed, you jumped along to the kick drum, you spun around as the lead singer sang the lyrics all the kids in the crowd knew. Ethan stepped back and started recording you as the lead singer stopped singing, allowing the crowd to sing the lyrics to one of their more famous songs. Although the temperatures continued to lower, that wasnt causing the blush on Ethan’s cheeks to appear.

“Alright, this is going to be the last song we play tonight, thank you for allowing us to play here to night, and I hope you guys have an amazing rest of the evening.” The lead singer, Mitchel, thanked as the band started playing the last song.

“E, come on! We need to head to the Right Foot Stage, Carla, Kevin and Jack are already there!” You yelled, literally pulling him out of his day dream and out of the crowd. As the two of you ran to one of the last stages still up, the two of you could hear the sea of kids singing along to some of the songs that were playing through the speakers, waiting for the final band to play. “Look, there they are!”

--

“Thank you guys so much!” Alex thanked the crowd before he started the last song of San Diego’s Warped Tour. 

“I’ve got your picture, i’m coming with you. Dear Maria count me in, theres a story at the bottom of this bottle and i’m the pen!” The entire crowd sang as, Alex, Jack and Zack jumped around the stage and around Rian, who was playing the drums. By the time the lot of you had gotten to the stage, you were a good twenty yards away from the stage, but it didnt bother you. If anything it allowed your group to step back, and be able to dance along to the songs you grew up with. It also gave Ethan the opportunity to record you guys without being shoved around in the pit. Then the song reached the long awaited climax, as Jack and Alex threw their guitars across the stage, the confetti cannons showered the crowd in multi colored paper. Although the sounds of the cannons startled Ethan, he never took his eyes off you as the pieces of paper fell around you. It was the gasp that made you stop spinning around to look at Ethan. 

He could have sworn that the sound of the crowd drowned out his gasp, but apparently it was loud enough for you to hear and stop spinning. It was the smile that put the nail in the coffin for Ethan. It was the biggest, and the realest smile he’s ever seen from you. Since the beginning of your friendship with Ethan, there was a difference in it. It wasn’t a normal friendship the two of you shared, it was something more. although the two of you refused to admit it. The two of you could lean on each other, the two of you were closer than even the fans knew about, and a majority knew how close the two of you lead on. The two of you talked about everything, from things that you saw that reminded you of each other, to desires of what you wanted to do in both the near and far future. When you started talking about how you wanted to go to the Last Cross Country Warped Tour, Ethan instantly jumped on the chance to buy the two of you tickets. So, no, Grayson wasn’t sick, he knew about the little plan his twin brother was creating. But since you weren’t aware, you invited your friends, who weren’t aware of the plan Ethan was planning either, along since they also had tickets.

The thing was, you had a plan up your sleeve as well. You knew from the very beginning that your friends were going to be watching groups you and Ethan hadnt heard of before, so you knew you would have some time with Ethan without feeling pressured by your friends to make a move. Through out the day the two of you laughed at random jokes, you shared your drinks and food with each other, you even encouraged each other to do things you’d never have the guts to do if you were by yourself. As the day continued, the two of you held on to each other as the bands you were watching played the slow song of the set. You hugged Ethan longer, and harder after meeting With Confidence, and State Champs, quietly thanking him for sharing the experience with you. With a smile still on your face, you brought Ethan in for a hug, one harder than any of the ones the two of you had shared before.

“Thank you so much. You have no idea what today means to me. It wouldnt have been the same without you.” You confessed looking up at him.

The look in your eyes were ones Ethan had never seen before. There was something about them that were different, but looked familiar.

Its the look my parents have when they look at each other. You realized as Ethan looked down at you, swaying the two of you back and forth. As the song started to fade, you started to stand on your tip toes as Ethan started to lead down. Little did the two of you know that your friends were sneakily taking a photo of the moment, something they had been doing all day. Besides seeing their favorite bands, your friends knew of the plan through Grayson, and were capturing the moments neither of you were getting on camera. What a better way to end Warped Tour in the arms of someone you cared for deeply, and that care for you the same way.

[prettymuchwriting]

Can you do something where the guys are possessive/protective over their girls?? I love them all but just a little more of Zion... 😏

Sure! 

*G/N = Girl’s Name

*Y/C/N = Your Cousin’s Name

Brandon

You sat on the ground with Brandon at the Coachella main stage waiting for main act. The area was pretty empty since the set didn’t start for another 2 and a half hours. You had dragged Brandon over here because you wanted the best possible seat when 7:15 hit. You were sitting up on your phone and Brandon laid next to you with his arms folded under his head and his lips pursed, humming a tune.

“You sure you don’t want to go see someone else?”, Brandon asked abruptly.

You peered up from your phone and thought for a moment.

“Nah, I’m good but you can go find the boys. I’ll just wait here and save your spot”, you told him. It was unfair for you to make him wait here when you knew he would rather be with his friends. Brandon hopped up quickly and pecked you on the top of the head.

“Thanks babe, I’ll be back soon.”

About an hour later, people started trickling over and filling up around the main stage. You still had a pretty good space for you, Brandon and the rest of the guys. It was drawing closer to 7:15 and Brandon still hadn’t returned yet. You were about to text him when you felt a light tap on your shoulder. You turned to find not Brandon but a random guy standing behind you.

“Hi! My name’s Dylan. Is this spot taken?”

He didn’t give you much time to respond as he planted himself down next to you. There was still enough space for everyone else so you didn’t complain. You and Dylan began talking for a few moments and you didn’t sense your boyfriend and his friends come over minutes later. It was only until Brandon forced a cough that you noticed he was there.

“Who’s this babe?”, he asked slinging his arm over your shoulder. His grip was tight but not enough to hurt. He gave your shoulder a protective squeeze. Dylan introduced himself but Brandon didn’t seem interested. Instead, he pulled you closer to his group and away from Dylan. 

“You didn’t  have to do that. Dylan was pretty nice”, you said as Brandon relaxed.

“He may have been nice but I don’t like any guy that close to my girl.”

Edwin

Edwin held your hand as the two of you made your way to your seats at his friend’s fashion show. The line was pretty underground so there wasn’t many people there. The two of you were settled in when Edwin spotted one of his friends. He excused himself and went over to say hi. You just sat and took in the scene as people continued to file in. A girl, around your age, sat down in the empty seat next to you. You were a bit awestruck about how pretty she was. She smiled at you and you turned away, cheeks burning. You distracted yourself by looking through twitter on your phone. Curiosity crept it’s way back and you peaked over to see what your mystery girl was doing. She was looking around and the two of caught eyes.

“My name is (G/N)”, she said holding out her hand. 

“I heard the show’s going to be pretty long so we might as well get to know each other.”

The two of you hit it off extremely well. She was a aspiring model and had a friend that was walking in the show. You told her about how you were working towards being a stylist and about Edwin but didn’t get to finish your thought as he came back over. He had an unreadable look on his face as he sat down. He immediately wrapped you up in his arms as the lights dimmed and the music started. The music was loud, so you pulled him closer so he could hear you.

“What’s wrong?”, you asked him. 

His hand had practically attached itself to hip and he showed no signs of letting go.

“I’m fine”, he replied plainly. 

You shook your head knowing that he was lying. You peered over at (G/N) who was watching the two of you. You shrugged at her and she had to place her hand over her mouth to muffle her giggle. Edwin’s hand squeezed you unexpectedly and you gave him a look. He now looked ticked off. 

“Now you definitely have to tell me what’s wrong”, you informed him. 

He could tell you weren’t going to let this go. 

“I’d appreciate it if no one stole my girlfriend tonight”, he said motioning towards (G/N). 

You rolled your eyes and leaned up against his chest.

“As cute as she is, she could never take me from you babe.”

Austin

Ice cream dripped on your hand as you and Austin sat in a skate park near Venice Beach. He had come to visit on the boys off day and the two of you had spent the whole day together. Austin picked up his skateboard as you finished off the ice cream cone. You watched him skate around and do some tricks on a half pipe. A skateboard sat at your feet but you hadn’t set foot on it all day. Austin had tried to teach you but the scrape on your knee was all the proof you needed that skateboarding just wasn’t for you. However you weren’t the one to give up so quickly. So, you cleaned off your hand and picked up the board. You tried just going forward and did that with little trouble. There was a short ramp that you thought you could clear so you headed for it. You regretted the decision immediately as you completely missed the ramp and fell flat on your face. Austin was there almost instantaneously.

“Babe are you alright?”, he asked peering down at you. He helped you up and dusted you off.

“Yeah I’m okay”, you say looking down at your knee. Your other knee was now bleeding and you vowed to never skateboard again.

“Why didn’t you wait for me to help you?”, he asked kneeling down and pulling a bandage out of his wallet.

 You huffed and folded your arms, not wanting to hear his lecture.

 “You know I’m just looking out for you right?” 

You looked at him and your heart melted. You kissed his cheek and rested your forehead on his.

“I know.”

Nick

Somehow you had gotten separated from Nick as the two of you were walking through Times Square. He was in Jersey, visiting his family and he came to visit you at NYU. You texted him and entered a Starbucks to get out of the madness. Since it would probably be a few before Nick made it over to you, you decided to get something to drink. When you got up to the front, you realized your cousin was the barista.

“The usual?”, he asked picking up a venti cup.

“Of course”, you told him going into your purse for your wallet. 

“Don’t worry about it (Y/N), drink’s on me”, he told you.

 You walked over to where people were waiting and peaked at your phone. Nick hadn’t responded yet and you were growing anxious. You bounced back and forth on your toes waiting for your drink and your boyfriend. Your cousin called your name with your hot chocolate in hand. You talked to him for a brief moment since the crowd had seemed to died down. His manager called him back and you turned around to find Nick standing behind you with his arms folded. 

“Hey babe”, you said reaching for his hand. He reflected your attempt but let you follow him as he sat down in a corner booth.

“What’s your problem?”, you asked sipping on your drink. His face was turning red and you could seeing him growing angrier by the second.

“Nothing. It’s cool that my girlfriend is literally flirting with some random barista while I’m freaking out about where you were. The only reason I found you was because a fan saw you in here. But I guess you weren’t as worried about me.”

To his surprise, you busted out laughing trying not to spill any of your drink which made him furious.

“You think this is funny?”, he asked hotly. 

 You placed a hand on his arm as you regained your composure.

“It’s hilarious actually because if you take a good look at that Barista again, you’ll realize that it’s (Y/C/N). You guys met at my mom’s birthday last year.”

Nick took a good look again and the color drained from his face.

“Babe..I don’t know what to say”, he said wiping his face with his hand.

 You laughed and gave him a kiss.

“Don’t say anything love.”

Zion

The house was packed and you could barely see over all the people. More importantly, you couldn’t find Zion. You guys were with the boys at a friend’s party in the Valley. He had some how lost you though the two of you had been together the entire night. It was now 4am and you were ready to leave. As you pushed through the crowd, you felt a hand brush over your waist. Before you could figure out what was going on, you found yourself face to face with some overly drunk guy who had firm grip on your waist. Ironically, Would You Mind was blasting over the speakers. You tried to wriggle out of the guys grasp but to no avail.

“What’s wrong babe”, the guys slurred in your ear.

Things had gotten more than uncomfortable for you and you tried to signal someone for help. A girl had caught your distress signal and made her way over. She tried to reason with the guy but he barely understood what she was saying. No longer wanting to mince words, she kicked him in the crotch. She pulled you away from him as soon as his hand left your waist.

“Mind your manners dude”, she said walking off with you.

 You grasped her arm as you guys found the wall. 

“So this is going to sound weird, but have you seen a tall, light skinned dude, with blond colored dreads, probably dancing anywhere here?”, you asked her. 

She thought for a moment before answering. 

“I think I saw him in the kitchen”, she replied.

 You thanked her with a kiss on the cheek that left a dark crimson spot. You headed for the kitchen where sure enough, Zion was in the midst of a Milly Rock battle with Edwin and Nick. You made a move to head over to him when a familiar hand latched onto you again. 

“I thought I saw you come in here babe”, the dude from before said practically falling on you.

 If it was even possible, he seemed more drunk then before. You tried pushing him away but he just wouldn’t leave you alone. You had turned to try and get Zion but he had already made his way over. Before you could say anything, Zion’s fist collided with guy’s face. He released you and Brandon pulled you back as Austin and Edwin grabbed Zion who was now fuming.

“If I ever see you near her again, you won’t even live to regret it,” Zion yelled after the guy who was now stumbling back into the living room. 

He tried getting out of his friend’s grip but something Austin said calmed him down. He turned towards you and the two of them let him go.

“You good baby?”, he asked wrapping you up in his lanky arms.

“I’m fine, just never leave me again please.”

[ghoulgirlelle]

Litter Girl & Bottle Boy - ( E.D )

SUMMARY - you work at Coachella and a cute boy makes your job a lot easier

Warnings - none

- This wasn’t your first year working at Coachella, in fact it was your third year. So far you’ve been giving water bottles out to people who where stuck at the front of the barriers when watching bands, exchanging tickets for wristbands and today you where put on litter duty. although it wasn’t everyone’s idea of fun you got to go to Coachella for free and only had to work 5 hours a day and then you could wonder off and enjoy the festival you also got paid which was a bonus.

Today was the last day and it seems to be the hottest, all staff were dressed in dungarees or shorts with their land yards and hats that clearly started they were there to help anyone who needed it. It wasn’t long before the first couple of bands had finished their sets which meant you had to work quick in order to clear up all the plastic cups and wrappers laying around before the other bands came on and it got too crowned.

you were collecting paper plates and cups when “hey! excuse me, can I give you my empty bottle?” Someone shouted not too far away. You glanced up at a boy with over grown hair wearing a black top with blue shorts and black shoes. Sadly his sunglasses covered his eyes but you knew he was good looking. “Of course!, thanks for asking.” you said happily as someone had asked instead of just throwing rubbish at you. The guy walked closer taking his sunglasses off and giving you a cute little half smile. “Thanks..” he trailed on “y/n” you said with a smile of your own. “Well thanks y/n it must suck working in these conditions” he said whilst looking into your eyes intensely. You laughed “yeah it sucks but at least I get to see some of my favourite bands later” you told him. “Touché” he smirked and put his bottle in the bag you were holding. “Well y/n, i best get back before my brother freaks out and I’m assuming you should probably go too considering the next band is about to start and I wouldn’t want you to get hurt. I’ll see you around cutie” He said with a sly wink and walked away getting lost in the crowd. You blushed but did what he said and made a b-line to get out the crowd that had started forming.

4 hours had gone by pretty quickly and unfortunately you hadn’t seen bottle boy again but you did finish your shift for the day which meant quickly changing in the toilets. you changed into a off the shoulder fitting top with dungarees and a white bandana around your hair that you had put up in a bun. You looked cute to say the least.

It wasn’t long before your favourite band had come on stage and you and a few workers that you had become friends with went to see their set. As you were all dancing and giggling you saw a dash of black and blue from the corner of your eye. You turned your heard to see bottle boy and what looked to be his twin brother stood next to him. You wasn’t going to lie he was all you could see, he didn’t compare to any other boy at Coachella. He was too damn hot to be missed.

He glanced over and did a double take. Once he realised it was you he came over looking rather shocked. “Hey, its Litter Girl y/n” he said cheekily. “Hey! Bottle boy nice to see you again” you said equally as cheekily. He laughed “my names Ethan sweetheart” you blushed at his little pet name. “well it’s nice to meet you again Ethan. Have you enjoyed it so far”? You really didn’t want to stop talking to him there was something that made you want to know him more. “not really, but then I met this girl who took my breath away could of been the girl of my dreams. She was picking up little and I gave her my bottle but, I can’t seem to find her I don’t know where she went. Can you help me?” he smirked looking down at your blushing face. “Girl of your dreams did you say? Well she must be a lucky girl” you winked. Ethan laughed and grabbed your hand and got a pen from god knows where and wrote a number on your arm. “Give me a call sometime y/n so we can arrange a date of my dreams yeah?” He said shyly “of course Ethan I love making dreams come true” you flirted. It was his turn to blush now “I have to go but promise to call me okay?” he said “I promise and Ethan” you said waiting for him to look at you. You tugged on the bottom of his shirt to make him come closer and you leaned up to give him a sweet peck on the cheek. “ I’ll see you around bottle boy” you said before running off to find your friends.

Ethan stood in awe not sure what really just happened all he knew is he had met his match and he needed to start planning that date soon. “Best Coachella ever” he said as he watched your hourglass figure walk away. Would he see you again? Who knew but one thing Ethan knew is he was excited for the future.

- This was inspired because I got a job working at a festival in June and I’m super excited about it. also I’m still taking requests so if you have any send them in. thanks for reading feedback always appreciated and I promise this is my last coachella imagine haha. xox

[cynthiajayusa]

British Soul-Singer Jessie Ware Talks Wig Snatching, BFF Sam Smith

Jessie Ware only recently learned what “wig snatching” means, and fresh off the European leg of her current tour, I’ve taught her “guncle.” The 33-year-old British songstress takes full advantage of this latest lesson in queer-speak, breaking from our phone chat just long enough to inform her gay brother, Alex, he’s a guncle (“I’ll take that,” he says). With Ware’s nearly-two-year-old baby girl in tow, the siblings have just arrived at a Palm Springs lodge they rented, a family vacation before Ware’s Coachella performance.

For her solo live shows, Ware’s culled a set list encompassing her three musically varied releases: her debut Devotion (2012), which features her breakout single “Wildest Moments;” her even-more sophisticated Tough Love (2014); and last year’s experimental Glasshouse, a collection so deeply personal she tells me she wants to turn around and record a full album of escapist club music next.

Though jet-lagged, Ware discusses her plans to start watching RuPaul’s Drag Race, her supportive friendship with Sam Smith, and how the queer community helped her through a very challenging time.

Speaking of your brother, is he dating one of your gay fans yet?

No, he isn’t dating one of my gay fans yet. But he was on tour with me and we were in Berlin, and I could see it was a really gay crowd. It was such a wild night, and I was like, “Listen, guys, my brother’s looking fab tonight, it’s Berlin, a lot of very handsome men out there; who would be up for taking my brother out?” It turns out that my brother had been on a date with one of them previously in the day, and Alex texted me after the show, “I don’t need you to pimp me out. I’m fine.” But I have tried. There’s been some admirers, but I definitely think he’s enjoyed — I’m sure he’s definitely used it to his advantage before. But no, we don’t have a new guncle to add.

WATCH:

“Taking in Water,” a song from your first album that’s about your brother’s struggle to come out, is so special and has meant a lot to many queer people.

You’re making me wanna put it back in the show. I haven’t got it in the set. I haven’t sung it for years, and I love that song. I remember how much people loved it, and you’re making me think maybe I should practice it with my band.

I’m sure that would make a lot of gay people very happy. By the way, I hear there’s been some wig-snatching going on at these performances.

Oh my goodness, the wig snatching has been a revolution and also so fun.

Didn’t someone throw a wig on stage at your Manchester show?

I’ve had multiple wigs, thongs, bras. The first wig I accidentally dragged around with my heels like a dead cat. I hadn’t seen it come on the stage, and then I walked around with it. It kind of ruined the wig-snatching moment; it wasn’t as fabulous as it could have been. But it did make everyone laugh.

A wig is one thing, but what prompts a fan to throw a thong on stage?

I don’t know if they’re all just trying to entertain me and they know I find it hysterical… but you know, it’s not just gay men — I think maybe that was from a gay woman, and that was fabulous.

Or a drag queen.

Or a drag queen! Absolutely. I’d kind of love it to be from a drag queen, but I didn’t see any in the audience. When the song “Midnight” [the first single from Glasshouse] came out, I had been away [from touring] for a bit. I came back and “Midnight” was this kind of fierce diva moment for me. I really sang out, and I think my fans really enjoyed it.

The online world has always been pretty positive for me, but just hysterical — memes and gifs. I feel like such a fucking old woman! It was just so fun, and I didn’t know what wig snatching was. It comes from RuPaul’s Drag Race, right? And I feel really bad because RuPaul has always been really sweet. From the beginning, RuPaul would retweet videos of mine, and I think some contestants have performed some of my songs on the show. So, I need to watch it because I had to Google what “wig snatching” meant, and it was kind of embarrassing. It made me feel very straight and very old.

You kept Whitney and Barbra vinyls in the recording studio while making Devotion. For Glasshouse, which divas were guiding you?

I think spiritual guides for Glasshouse were probably Carole King and Nina Simone, even though you probably can’t hear that in the record. And Joni Mitchell. I really got obsessed with the art of songwriting. That was something I felt I needed to improve upon, and I really appreciate what [those artists] were doing.

When we spoke in 2012, you couldn’t quite explain why the queer community connected with you. Six years later, has the root of that bond become clearer?

If I’m being honest, I still don’t know why they embrace me, but I enjoy it. It’s been so important to my shows: It’s given me energy, it’s given me confidence.

When I was a rabbit in the headlights [starting out] five years ago, they gave me the confidence I needed to feel like I could go into — as much as it was maybe tongue in cheek for me — that diva mode, which I think they really celebrate. And I tried to do that for this show. It’s almost escapism and it’s fun, and that’s how a live show should be. I’ll never forget how loyal they’ve been; that counts as something when you’re three albums in and fans come back from five years ago.

Sam Smith is a devoted fan and has been tweeting about you since the beginning of your career.

He’s a really good friend of mine, and we’re so proud of each other. He’s so supportive. And I love that all his backstage shots are of him in, like, the highest heels — that I can’t even wear — and a wig. Seems like every day he has a different wig and a different heel on. Above all, he’s a really good friend. He’s at the end of the phone [when I need him]  — like I am for him when he has worries and he wants to complain about this bloody industry. It’s a tough, old industry, and he’s incredibly supportive, and I love him. I love him so much.

What industry challenges have you had to deal with?

Sometimes the business side of the industry was [eclipsing] the creative side, and it took me to really just stop and be like, “I feel a little bit dead on the stage.” I was lacking confidence. I just had a baby; I thought people were going to judge, however stupid that sounds. It’s a very male-led industry — straight, male-led industry — and they have opinions. And those seep into you whether you like it or not. I’m a pretty strong woman, I think, but you can’t help but have that. You come back from having a baby, and I felt I had so much to prove. I had to kind of be — pretend to be — this superwoman who could do everything. It was just … it’s been exhausting.

This record was really important for me to write because it was documenting a stage in my life which was new. And I have all these emotions and feelings, and I think sometimes you feel a little bit dead, you run out of new feelings. Having a child was a different kind of love, which was so inspiring and amazing to write about, but also the most challenging. I think what’s next for me is, I wanna make a record that’s pure dance, and I think it’s because of the queer community.

What, personally, inspired this upcoming dance detour?

I think it’s a reaction to doing something so autobiographical for this third record. I don’t feel like I need to do that again. I wanna test myself — it’s a challenge. I see the reaction to songs like “If You’re Never Gonna Move” and “Midnight,” these more bombastic, uptempo things — I hate the word ‘uptempo;’ it doesn’t make it sound as important — but I feel like I really wanna enjoy that soul boogie. Can I say ‘disco’? I don’t know.

Club music?

Club music! Which is where I came from! Sometimes you kind of forget — I haven’t forgotten where I came from. I have a lot of love for that world that embraced me at the beginning, and I feel like I wanna go back to it and enjoy it and dance.

Who are your dance divas?

Chaka Khan. Any of the Whitney upbeat stuff. I love Róisín Murphy, I love Tina Marie.

Sounds like this album could help loosen you up.

And I think that’s what I need! This job is supposed to be fun, and sometimes you forget. It’s something that especially the queer community will enjoy. I’ve done enough mid-tempo ballads. It’s time for a bit of a switch-up.

source https://hotspotsmagazine.com/2018/05/09/british-soul-singer-jessie-ware-talks-wig-snatching-bff-sam-smith/ from Hot Spots Magazine https://hotspotsmagazin.blogspot.com/2018/05/british-soul-singer-jessie-ware-talks.html

[demitgibbs]

British Soul-Singer Jessie Ware Talks Wig Snatching, BFF Sam Smith

Jessie Ware only recently learned what “wig snatching” means, and fresh off the European leg of her current tour, I’ve taught her “guncle.” The 33-year-old British songstress takes full advantage of this latest lesson in queer-speak, breaking from our phone chat just long enough to inform her gay brother, Alex, he’s a guncle (“I’ll take that,” he says). With Ware’s nearly-two-year-old baby girl in tow, the siblings have just arrived at a Palm Springs lodge they rented, a family vacation before Ware’s Coachella performance.

For her solo live shows, Ware’s culled a set list encompassing her three musically varied releases: her debut Devotion (2012), which features her breakout single “Wildest Moments;” her even-more sophisticated Tough Love (2014); and last year’s experimental Glasshouse, a collection so deeply personal she tells me she wants to turn around and record a full album of escapist club music next.

Though jet-lagged, Ware discusses her plans to start watching RuPaul’s Drag Race, her supportive friendship with Sam Smith, and how the queer community helped her through a very challenging time.

Speaking of your brother, is he dating one of your gay fans yet?

No, he isn’t dating one of my gay fans yet. But he was on tour with me and we were in Berlin, and I could see it was a really gay crowd. It was such a wild night, and I was like, “Listen, guys, my brother’s looking fab tonight, it’s Berlin, a lot of very handsome men out there; who would be up for taking my brother out?” It turns out that my brother had been on a date with one of them previously in the day, and Alex texted me after the show, “I don’t need you to pimp me out. I’m fine.” But I have tried. There’s been some admirers, but I definitely think he’s enjoyed — I’m sure he’s definitely used it to his advantage before. But no, we don’t have a new guncle to add.

WATCH:

“Taking in Water,” a song from your first album that’s about your brother’s struggle to come out, is so special and has meant a lot to many queer people.

You’re making me wanna put it back in the show. I haven’t got it in the set. I haven’t sung it for years, and I love that song. I remember how much people loved it, and you’re making me think maybe I should practice it with my band.

I’m sure that would make a lot of gay people very happy. By the way, I hear there’s been some wig-snatching going on at these performances.

Oh my goodness, the wig snatching has been a revolution and also so fun.

Didn’t someone throw a wig on stage at your Manchester show?

I’ve had multiple wigs, thongs, bras. The first wig I accidentally dragged around with my heels like a dead cat. I hadn’t seen it come on the stage, and then I walked around with it. It kind of ruined the wig-snatching moment; it wasn’t as fabulous as it could have been. But it did make everyone laugh.

A wig is one thing, but what prompts a fan to throw a thong on stage?

I don’t know if they’re all just trying to entertain me and they know I find it hysterical… but you know, it’s not just gay men — I think maybe that was from a gay woman, and that was fabulous.

Or a drag queen.

Or a drag queen! Absolutely. I’d kind of love it to be from a drag queen, but I didn’t see any in the audience. When the song “Midnight” [the first single from Glasshouse] came out, I had been away [from touring] for a bit. I came back and “Midnight” was this kind of fierce diva moment for me. I really sang out, and I think my fans really enjoyed it.

The online world has always been pretty positive for me, but just hysterical — memes and gifs. I feel like such a fucking old woman! It was just so fun, and I didn’t know what wig snatching was. It comes from RuPaul’s Drag Race, right? And I feel really bad because RuPaul has always been really sweet. From the beginning, RuPaul would retweet videos of mine, and I think some contestants have performed some of my songs on the show. So, I need to watch it because I had to Google what “wig snatching” meant, and it was kind of embarrassing. It made me feel very straight and very old.

You kept Whitney and Barbra vinyls in the recording studio while making Devotion. For Glasshouse, which divas were guiding you?

I think spiritual guides for Glasshouse were probably Carole King and Nina Simone, even though you probably can’t hear that in the record. And Joni Mitchell. I really got obsessed with the art of songwriting. That was something I felt I needed to improve upon, and I really appreciate what [those artists] were doing.

When we spoke in 2012, you couldn’t quite explain why the queer community connected with you. Six years later, has the root of that bond become clearer?

If I’m being honest, I still don’t know why they embrace me, but I enjoy it. It’s been so important to my shows: It’s given me energy, it’s given me confidence.

When I was a rabbit in the headlights [starting out] five years ago, they gave me the confidence I needed to feel like I could go into — as much as it was maybe tongue in cheek for me — that diva mode, which I think they really celebrate. And I tried to do that for this show. It’s almost escapism and it’s fun, and that’s how a live show should be. I’ll never forget how loyal they’ve been; that counts as something when you’re three albums in and fans come back from five years ago.

Sam Smith is a devoted fan and has been tweeting about you since the beginning of your career.

He’s a really good friend of mine, and we’re so proud of each other. He’s so supportive. And I love that all his backstage shots are of him in, like, the highest heels — that I can’t even wear — and a wig. Seems like every day he has a different wig and a different heel on. Above all, he’s a really good friend. He’s at the end of the phone [when I need him]  — like I am for him when he has worries and he wants to complain about this bloody industry. It’s a tough, old industry, and he’s incredibly supportive, and I love him. I love him so much.

What industry challenges have you had to deal with?

Sometimes the business side of the industry was [eclipsing] the creative side, and it took me to really just stop and be like, “I feel a little bit dead on the stage.” I was lacking confidence. I just had a baby; I thought people were going to judge, however stupid that sounds. It’s a very male-led industry — straight, male-led industry — and they have opinions. And those seep into you whether you like it or not. I’m a pretty strong woman, I think, but you can’t help but have that. You come back from having a baby, and I felt I had so much to prove. I had to kind of be — pretend to be — this superwoman who could do everything. It was just … it’s been exhausting.

This record was really important for me to write because it was documenting a stage in my life which was new. And I have all these emotions and feelings, and I think sometimes you feel a little bit dead, you run out of new feelings. Having a child was a different kind of love, which was so inspiring and amazing to write about, but also the most challenging. I think what’s next for me is, I wanna make a record that’s pure dance, and I think it’s because of the queer community.

What, personally, inspired this upcoming dance detour?

I think it’s a reaction to doing something so autobiographical for this third record. I don’t feel like I need to do that again. I wanna test myself — it’s a challenge. I see the reaction to songs like “If You’re Never Gonna Move” and “Midnight,” these more bombastic, uptempo things — I hate the word ‘uptempo;’ it doesn’t make it sound as important — but I feel like I really wanna enjoy that soul boogie. Can I say ‘disco’? I don’t know.

Club music?

Club music! Which is where I came from! Sometimes you kind of forget — I haven’t forgotten where I came from. I have a lot of love for that world that embraced me at the beginning, and I feel like I wanna go back to it and enjoy it and dance.

Who are your dance divas?

Chaka Khan. Any of the Whitney upbeat stuff. I love Róisín Murphy, I love Tina Marie.

Sounds like this album could help loosen you up.

And I think that’s what I need! This job is supposed to be fun, and sometimes you forget. It’s something that especially the queer community will enjoy. I’ve done enough mid-tempo ballads. It’s time for a bit of a switch-up.

from Hotspots! Magazine https://hotspotsmagazine.com/2018/05/09/british-soul-singer-jessie-ware-talks-wig-snatching-bff-sam-smith/ from Hot Spots Magazine https://hotspotsmagazine.tumblr.com/post/173767114710

[hotspotsmagazine]

British Soul-Singer Jessie Ware Talks Wig Snatching, BFF Sam Smith

Jessie Ware only recently learned what “wig snatching” means, and fresh off the European leg of her current tour, I’ve taught her “guncle.” The 33-year-old British songstress takes full advantage of this latest lesson in queer-speak, breaking from our phone chat just long enough to inform her gay brother, Alex, he’s a guncle (“I’ll take that,” he says). With Ware’s nearly-two-year-old baby girl in tow, the siblings have just arrived at a Palm Springs lodge they rented, a family vacation before Ware’s Coachella performance.

For her solo live shows, Ware’s culled a set list encompassing her three musically varied releases: her debut Devotion (2012), which features her breakout single “Wildest Moments;” her even-more sophisticated Tough Love (2014); and last year’s experimental Glasshouse, a collection so deeply personal she tells me she wants to turn around and record a full album of escapist club music next.

Though jet-lagged, Ware discusses her plans to start watching RuPaul’s Drag Race, her supportive friendship with Sam Smith, and how the queer community helped her through a very challenging time.

Speaking of your brother, is he dating one of your gay fans yet?

No, he isn’t dating one of my gay fans yet. But he was on tour with me and we were in Berlin, and I could see it was a really gay crowd. It was such a wild night, and I was like, “Listen, guys, my brother’s looking fab tonight, it’s Berlin, a lot of very handsome men out there; who would be up for taking my brother out?” It turns out that my brother had been on a date with one of them previously in the day, and Alex texted me after the show, “I don’t need you to pimp me out. I’m fine.” But I have tried. There’s been some admirers, but I definitely think he’s enjoyed — I’m sure he’s definitely used it to his advantage before. But no, we don’t have a new guncle to add.

WATCH:

“Taking in Water,” a song from your first album that’s about your brother’s struggle to come out, is so special and has meant a lot to many queer people.

You’re making me wanna put it back in the show. I haven’t got it in the set. I haven’t sung it for years, and I love that song. I remember how much people loved it, and you’re making me think maybe I should practice it with my band.

I’m sure that would make a lot of gay people very happy. By the way, I hear there’s been some wig-snatching going on at these performances.

Oh my goodness, the wig snatching has been a revolution and also so fun.

Didn’t someone throw a wig on stage at your Manchester show?

I’ve had multiple wigs, thongs, bras. The first wig I accidentally dragged around with my heels like a dead cat. I hadn’t seen it come on the stage, and then I walked around with it. It kind of ruined the wig-snatching moment; it wasn’t as fabulous as it could have been. But it did make everyone laugh.

A wig is one thing, but what prompts a fan to throw a thong on stage?

I don’t know if they’re all just trying to entertain me and they know I find it hysterical… but you know, it’s not just gay men — I think maybe that was from a gay woman, and that was fabulous.

Or a drag queen.

Or a drag queen! Absolutely. I’d kind of love it to be from a drag queen, but I didn’t see any in the audience. When the song “Midnight” [the first single from Glasshouse] came out, I had been away [from touring] for a bit. I came back and “Midnight” was this kind of fierce diva moment for me. I really sang out, and I think my fans really enjoyed it.

The online world has always been pretty positive for me, but just hysterical — memes and gifs. I feel like such a fucking old woman! It was just so fun, and I didn’t know what wig snatching was. It comes from RuPaul’s Drag Race, right? And I feel really bad because RuPaul has always been really sweet. From the beginning, RuPaul would retweet videos of mine, and I think some contestants have performed some of my songs on the show. So, I need to watch it because I had to Google what “wig snatching” meant, and it was kind of embarrassing. It made me feel very straight and very old.

You kept Whitney and Barbra vinyls in the recording studio while making Devotion. For Glasshouse, which divas were guiding you?

I think spiritual guides for Glasshouse were probably Carole King and Nina Simone, even though you probably can’t hear that in the record. And Joni Mitchell. I really got obsessed with the art of songwriting. That was something I felt I needed to improve upon, and I really appreciate what [those artists] were doing.

When we spoke in 2012, you couldn’t quite explain why the queer community connected with you. Six years later, has the root of that bond become clearer?

If I’m being honest, I still don’t know why they embrace me, but I enjoy it. It’s been so important to my shows: It’s given me energy, it’s given me confidence.

When I was a rabbit in the headlights [starting out] five years ago, they gave me the confidence I needed to feel like I could go into — as much as it was maybe tongue in cheek for me — that diva mode, which I think they really celebrate. And I tried to do that for this show. It’s almost escapism and it’s fun, and that’s how a live show should be. I’ll never forget how loyal they’ve been; that counts as something when you’re three albums in and fans come back from five years ago.

Sam Smith is a devoted fan and has been tweeting about you since the beginning of your career.

He’s a really good friend of mine, and we’re so proud of each other. He’s so supportive. And I love that all his backstage shots are of him in, like, the highest heels — that I can’t even wear — and a wig. Seems like every day he has a different wig and a different heel on. Above all, he’s a really good friend. He’s at the end of the phone [when I need him]  — like I am for him when he has worries and he wants to complain about this bloody industry. It’s a tough, old industry, and he’s incredibly supportive, and I love him. I love him so much.

What industry challenges have you had to deal with?

Sometimes the business side of the industry was [eclipsing] the creative side, and it took me to really just stop and be like, “I feel a little bit dead on the stage.” I was lacking confidence. I just had a baby; I thought people were going to judge, however stupid that sounds. It’s a very male-led industry — straight, male-led industry — and they have opinions. And those seep into you whether you like it or not. I’m a pretty strong woman, I think, but you can’t help but have that. You come back from having a baby, and I felt I had so much to prove. I had to kind of be — pretend to be — this superwoman who could do everything. It was just … it’s been exhausting.

This record was really important for me to write because it was documenting a stage in my life which was new. And I have all these emotions and feelings, and I think sometimes you feel a little bit dead, you run out of new feelings. Having a child was a different kind of love, which was so inspiring and amazing to write about, but also the most challenging. I think what’s next for me is, I wanna make a record that’s pure dance, and I think it’s because of the queer community.

What, personally, inspired this upcoming dance detour?

I think it’s a reaction to doing something so autobiographical for this third record. I don’t feel like I need to do that again. I wanna test myself — it’s a challenge. I see the reaction to songs like “If You’re Never Gonna Move” and “Midnight,” these more bombastic, uptempo things — I hate the word ‘uptempo;’ it doesn’t make it sound as important — but I feel like I really wanna enjoy that soul boogie. Can I say ‘disco’? I don’t know.

Club music?

Club music! Which is where I came from! Sometimes you kind of forget — I haven’t forgotten where I came from. I have a lot of love for that world that embraced me at the beginning, and I feel like I wanna go back to it and enjoy it and dance.

Who are your dance divas?

Chaka Khan. Any of the Whitney upbeat stuff. I love Róisín Murphy, I love Tina Marie.

Sounds like this album could help loosen you up.

And I think that’s what I need! This job is supposed to be fun, and sometimes you forget. It’s something that especially the queer community will enjoy. I’ve done enough mid-tempo ballads. It’s time for a bit of a switch-up.

from Hotspots! Magazine https://hotspotsmagazine.com/2018/05/09/british-soul-singer-jessie-ware-talks-wig-snatching-bff-sam-smith/

[themomsandthecity]

Tots Take Coachella: Why So Many Parents Bring Their Young Kids to the Music Festival

Charlotte, age 3, pushes her own stroller across a grassy hill, a pair of pale pink, noise-blocking headphones placed over her blond locks. Her mom, publicist Jenni Weinman, is at her side. No, the mother and daughter aren't spending the day at the playground; they're at the Coachella Music Festival. Jenni Weinman and Eric Voake with daughter Charlotte at Coachella's main stage. Image Source: Courtesy Jenni Weinman Weinman and her husband, music photographer Eric Voake, have brought Charlotte along to the event every year since she was born. For Weinman and Voake, there was no question that Charlotte would become a part of their existing Coachella tradition when they started their family. "We love her, and she's totally rad, so we want her to be everywhere we are," Weinman told POPSUGAR. "The other thing is, it allows for her to kind of be indoctrinated early to culture. To see different people, different things - the exposure of it all." Voake, who photographs Coachella bands, gives his daughter a lift. Image Source: Courtesy Jenni Weinman The Weinman-Voake family is not a rarity at Coachella. In fact, a novice might be surprised by the number of toddler-age kids at the Empire Polo Club fields in Indio, CA, every year. And many parents and parenting experts agree that it's evidence of a larger trend of urban, upwardly mobile moms and dads incorporating their kids into their existing lifestyles. Those parents today seem less apt than previous generations to drastically change their lives once they add kids to the mix or to cleave to traditional ideas of separate "kid" and "adult" realms. The Coachella Scene Father and son watch a puppet show at Woodstock in August 1969. Image Source: Getty / Ralph Ackerman The phenomenon of kids swaying side by side next to their parents at music festivals is nothing new. After all, there are plenty of black-and-white photos of literal "flower" children cavorting half naked in the mud alongside their parents at Woodstock. Still, it's hard to compare Woodstock's relatively minuscule and homogenous crowd and widely held hippie ethos of peace and love to a modern music festival like Coachella. Coachella is less a music festival than a massive cultural event, drawing a cross section of musicians, fashion bloggers, foodies, burnouts, brand consultants, party promoters - and, yes, families with kids. In short, Coachella looks nothing like Woodstock, and Coachella today looks nothing like Coachella did when it began in 1999. Then, a mere 25,000 people showed up to hear bands like Beck and Rage Against the Machine play for $50 per day. Cut to 17 years later, and the music festival itself is simply the hub of a major cultural and commercial event. This year's headliners were as varied as '90s hair rockers Guns N' Roses, EDM star Calvin Harris, and hipster rapper A$AP Rocky. Last year, more than 198,000 people attended the two weekends of Coachella, and the resulting $84 million in ticket sales made it the highest-grossing music festival in the world, according to BoxScore. Beyond that, easily thousands of others descended upon the Coachella Valley to attend the myriad parties and events that pop up on its fringes each year. Those bashes are hosted by fashion, media, and music companies and lifestyle and consumer brands, all eager for the cache of cool and the access to an upscale, youthful market Coachella weekend offers. How Kid Friendly Is Coachella, Really? Eileen Zyko Wolter, a marketing and PR manager who now lives in the NYC area, first took her kids to Coachella in 2011. At the time, her youngest son, Graeme, was 3, and her eldest, Luke, was 7. She says she was surprised by how easy and comfortable their experience was, allowing that she and her husband, David, who's currently an EVP of A&R for RCA Records, had VIP and backstage access. For Wolter, bringing her kids along was a no-brainer. "We're not superfussy parents, and our kids are really sort of gung-ho to do stuff," she told POPSUGAR. "The biggest thing we were worried about was having a stroller." As Wolter learned, strollers are indeed allowed at Coachella - though there's nowhere to check them - and there are a few other amenities available to families and kids listed on the festival's website. (Coachella declined to comment for this story.) Children under 5 are free, and the website states that women seeking some privacy are welcome to breast pump at any of the three medical tents on site, where washing stations and sanitizing cloths are available. But in comparison to Coachella's sister festival, Stagecoach, Coachella seems downright unaccommodating to kiddos . . . at least on paper. Stagecoach, a country music fest, is also held at the Empire Polo Club field. There, kids under 10 are free, the night ends "by or before" midnight, and there is a published code of conduct that threatens ejection for "obscene clothing," "irresponsible use of alcohol," and even "offensive gestures, imagery, or symbolism." Stagecoach boasts the "Halfpint Hootenanny," staffed by a chapter of the Girl Scouts council, where kids can enjoy an animal barn, jewelry-making bar, and performances from kid-friendly musicians. (In some cases, those musicians are actual kids, like one of this year's performers, 11-year-old Emi Sunshine.) Interestingly, though, arrests at Stagecoach outnumber those at Coachella. This seems to correspond to its more lenient alcohol policy; at Coachella, alcohol sale and consumption is limited to specific "beer garden" areas, while at Stagecoach, alcohol can be consumed anywhere on the premises by those 21 and up. And at both festivals? Marijuana, medically and legally prescribed or not, is verboten. (Though if you get close to the stages during almost any Coachella show, you will eventually wander into a cloud of weed smoke.) Sgt. Dan Marshall of the Indio Police Department told POPSUGAR alcohol is easily the number one law-enforcement issue at either fest. And in his 13 years at Coachella, he insists that he has never dealt with, or even heard of, a case in which a young child was separated from his or her parents on the grounds. "No. We do not have that. We just don't see it," he said. He adds that, of last year's total of 93 Coachella arrests, "zero" were for crimes against or involving young children. "Our mantra is: everybody is going to go home in the same condition they arrived in," Marshall said. Dr. Jen Trachtenberg, a NYC-based pediatrician, says there are, of course, legitimate health and safety concerns parents should have about their children's well-being at an outdoor festival like Coachella: namely, the heat and noise. "You always have to remember with children: they're much more sensitive to the environment and toxins in general," she says. But if responsible parents are armed with noise-blocking headphones, sunscreen, water, hats, sunglasses, snacks, and bug repellent? Trachtenberg reasons: "Kids are definitely going to be exposed to things. You can't live in a bubble. I haven't been to one of these music festivals firsthand, [but] if you still set your limits and you set an example for your children, they're still going to be exposed to other things. But you need to set a good example for them, and I think things can be OK." While we did spot one toddler sans any hearing protection at all sitting with his 30-something parents near a loud, large bank of speakers during punk-rockers Rancid's set on Sunday afternoon, that family seemed to be the exception. Of the remaining parents we saw or spoke to at Coachella this year, most seemed prepared with an arsenal of baby-friendly gear- and an understanding that while baby was along for the ride, they would likely need to make kid-friendly accommodations for things like nap needs and time in the shade. Michelle McCurter and Kerry Schaperow with son Kamden. Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Lindsay Miller Michelle McCurter and Kerry Schaperow had their 2-year-old son, Kamden, in tow on Sunday, when temperatures hit 90 degrees. The San Diego parents detailed the "hours and days" of preparation that went into planning and packing for Coachella. McCurter said her must haves included: "Baby wipes, sunscreen, a water bottle with a filter so you can keep refilling it at the water station, chapstick . . . headphones, definitely. And there are a bunch of tents with air conditioning that we jump around from." What Coachella Kids Say About Modern Parenting So, does this microtrend of parents choosing to bring their young kids to Coachella reflect something larger? Do modern parents choose to incorporate their kids into their lives and interests more heavily compared to previous generations? "Yes, yes, yes," says Dr. Tovah Klein, who has studied toddler development for nearly 30 years and authored the book How Toddlers Thrive. Klein says it's a shift she's witnessed herself in her work but raises some concerns with. "When we become parents, our lives should change. They should change in wonderful ways. Because adding a child to your life is a wonderful thing, it's also a trying thing. And as with any transition in life, moving forward also means letting go of something. Maybe you can't go to the music festival." The desire to incorporate kids into classically "adult" cultural activities is gaining steam across the country, especially in metropolitan areas among parents with high incomes. (Coachella itself demands a very high price. Weekend tickets cost from $399 for general admission to $899 for VIP admission, meaning that the festival draws an overwhelmingly upwardly mobile crowd.) In NYC, dining club Nibble & Squeak - with its tagline "Dining For Parents With Pipsqueaks" - makes upscale dining easier for foodies with kids by reserving kid-friendly spaces in high-end restaurants, some of which have Michelin stars and $100-plus tasting menus. In LA, at the Jessica Biel-bolstered Au Fudge, parents can enjoy steak frites or French omelettes in the dimly lit dining room while the kids dine on grilled cheese sticks and chicken nuggets. Or, if mom is craving a grown-ups-only tete-à-tete, she can drop the little ones well within eyeshot in the "creative space," where "au pairs" oversee kids in crafts and games for a $15 admission. Anecdotally, parents these days seem remarkably open to taking their young kids with them when they go out to meals, museums, or even a friend's house party, as opposed to leaving them home with a babysitter. Grace and Nelson Stewart arrive at Coachella with their 19-month-old twins. Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Lindsay Miller Grace Stewart and her husband, Nelson, decided to take that tack at Coachella this year. The couple arrived as gates opened on Friday with their 19-month-old twins, Nelson and Grayson Elizabeth. The Scottsdale, AZ, parents - who were looking forward to seeing Ellie Goulding, Bat For Lashes, and Of Monsters and Men - said they were "ready to go," toting two bags of extra sweatshirts, blankets, sippy cups, and snacks. "When we were pregnant and we were trying to have kids, we always talked about it: 'If God blesses us, we really want to show them what we can, bring them everywhere we can,'" Grace Stewart told POPSUGAR. "We want to culture them at a young age.'" The Stewarts' ethos is one shared by parents at Coachella and beyond; POPSUGAR Studios' own director of audience development, Kat Malinowska, and her husband often take their 9-month-old daughter, Aleksandra, to "grown-up" events and social occasions in their San Francisco neighborhood. "We take her to brunch basically every weekend. She chills on our laps and tears up napkins. More unusual places [we've gone] include a hockey game, the museum, an art opening, and house parties," Malinowska said. There's also a practical financial concern for parents in mid- to large-size cities: "Babysitters are $16-$20/hour in SF. Not crazy, but getting a babysitter tacks on an extra $100 or so to anything you do." Ida Kay works in marketing and communications for Red Bull and had her first child, daughter Sophia, in January. The Santa Monica mom has taken her baby to fashion events and even a facial appointment - which she admits was not the most successful outing. "When we got pregnant, more than one couple told us the trick was to incorporate the baby into your lifestyle from the beginning . . . or else it will never happen," she said. "The baby is obviously the boss in many ways, but if you incorporate them into your lifestyle, you are much more likely to have a balanced life." That sentiment is one POPSUGAR Moms Director Rebecca Gruber says she is very familiar with. "Parents these days are having kids later than earlier generations, so they had time to enjoy the 'good' life before kids and don't want to give it up now that they have kids," she observed. The Kids-at-Coachella Controversy Still, as with seemingly any parenting choice in the internet age, families at Coachella have been the subject of some online scrutiny. A 2015 Huffington Post article put the issue in rather stark terms with the title "Bringing Kids to Coachella: Good or Bad Parenting?" And if the parents happen to be public figures, the opinions are amplified. When Alicia Silverstone brought her 11-month-old son, Bear, to the festival in 2012, she faced a chorus of mommy bloggers lamenting her choice. In a post for Mommyish.com titled "Sorry, Alicia Silverstone. Your Toddler Shouldn't Be at Coachella," writer Lindsay Cross - who seemingly had not attended the festival herself - addressed the star: "I don't care how adorable he looks in his noise-cancelling headphones . . . Let's think about the biggest story to come out of Coachella this year. In case you missed it, Rihanna tweeted a picture of herself possibly doing coke off a bald man's head." (Some might argue that characterization depends on where one gets their news.) Royal ✌️💖👧🌴✨🎶 @coachella #foreveronvacation A photo posted by @alessandraambrosio on Apr 20, 2014 at 12:07am PDT My favorite little person💖💖💖 #bff #coachella2014 #myangel #amor #familia A photo posted by @alessandraambrosio on Apr 21, 2014 at 11:27am PDT Similarly, when Victoria's Secret model Alessandra Ambrosio Instagrammed several photos with her 5-year-old daughter, Anja, at the festival in 2014, some commenters called her parental judgment into question, while others jumped to her defense. "Uh, taking your kid to Coachella is probably not the smartest thing to do," wrote one user underneath a photo of Anja midconcert, propped up on an adult's shoulders. "I've been to a number of concerts and have seen kids at them all," another Instagram user countered. "This is an all ages event. The kid can go! She looks pretty happy so I don't know why people are freaking out." That sort of parent-on-parent pile-on irks Lenore Skenazy, whose book Free Range Parenting might be one of the most well-known and impassioned tomes against so-called helicopter parenting out there today. (Her book synopsis? "Fighting the belief that our children are in constant danger from creeps, kidnapping, germs, grades, flashers, frustration, failure, baby snatchers, bugs, bullies, men, sleepovers and/or the perils of a non-organic grape.") "If the parents think that something makes sense for their kids, or their kids are ready for X or Y - barring any obvious and egregious reason why we shouldn't trust the parents - I trust them to make fine decisions," she wrote in an email. "Maybe not the same ones I'd make or you'd make. But I don't believe in second-guessing everyone else's parenting. It's not a spectator sport." So, was there anything these parents ran into that gave them pause during Coachella? After a beat, Eileen Zyko Wolter, the Coachella veteran, was able to remember one. "We did come across, at the end of one of the nights, a bunch of people passed out on the ground," she recalled. "And we just said, 'Oh, you know what happens when you stay out in the sun all day and get tired. They're taking a nap!'" http://bit.ly/2oom3Un