Thanks You Lawson!

Hiya guys,

I had just started Year 10 when one of my old friends decided to take me to an Avril Lavigne concert and I had never been more excited. What I didn't know was that, as 4 boys walked onto the stage as the opening act, my life was going to change.

This post comes at a really weird time and I think I've been in denial for a long time and haven't really wanted to write this post. Those 4 boys that supported Avril Lavigne turned out to be the band Lawson and ended up being some of the most important people in my life. Lead singer Andy Brown has just posted a video from their last tour date at Islington (that I was lucky enough to go too), he spoke about them going their separate ways and how they need our support on their solo projects. I've known for a while that Lawson were going on a break but I think that nostalgic video made it all too real! Before I get ahead of myself, I want to reiterate that this is going to be a positive post of Lawson memories, I just want them to know how much they meant to me.

From the moment I first laid eyes on them at the O2 Apollo on the 23rd September 2011, I knew that this band was special and that I'd follow them until the end. Andy Brown, Joel Peat, Ryan Fletcher and Adam Pitts had come into my life and were going to leave a massive mark on it.

Lawson's music managed to capture my heart and Chapman Square and Perspective have some of my all time favourite songs on it and have produced some of the most magical music videos I've ever watched . It was the first time I'd found a band whose music I could relate to in every way possible. If I was sad, I'd listen to Stolen, if I was happy, I'd listen to Taking Over Me, if I wanted motivation, I'd listen to We are the Fire. I've listened to their songs so many times that they almost began to feel like they were written for my life! Even to this day, I can't listen to these albums without feeling something because each song is so special to me and to all the Geese out there.

Live music is probably my favourite thing in the world and I have probably seen Lawson live about 8 times. Each show that I went to was completely different even though there were always overlaps with the songs, which I never got tired of! I would lose my voice without fail as I'd be singing along, at full volume, to every single song! I'd laugh when banter was thrown *I still remember Manchester shouting piece of meat at Ryan in 2013* and I'd be upset once the set had finished. People always asked me if I got tired of seeing them, because sometimes I'd see them 3 times in a year, but each time was so special that I just wanted to go back for more!

So, after seeing them live that many times, I finally got to meet them at a CD signing and and it was one of the best days of my life. I then got to meet them again 2 years later and the moment was just, if not more, special than I could've imagined. They say that its never good to meet your idols because it'll never match up to your expectations but Lawson managed to meet and surpass mine. They were warm and friendly and managed to make me feel appreciated and that I had personally made a difference to their career. There was no real sense of urgency in the line and I felt as if each of the guys was giving each fan his 100%! I know that each fan must've left that signing feeling a little bit better about themselves, just from meeting Lawson.

They also managed to connect with fans in other ways, it didn't matter if you couldn't make the trip to meet them, they'd find a way to make you feel as if you were with them on every step of their journey. From their witty tweets like this:

To the world-ish famous Lawson Lie-In's, I never felt disconnected to them and I felt as if I was living this journey through their career with them. I watched them listen to the first playing of their first single When She Was Mine to going on tour across the country to releasing Chapman Square. I finally felt as if I was seeing a small band blossom into superstars!

So, Andy, Joel, Ryan and Adam - I can't thank you more for the last 6 years because your music has been the soundtrack for so many memories and you have been much more than just a band for me. You've made me friends, you've made me memories and you've made me as a person. Whatever the future holds for each of you, you'll always have my support and I'll follow you wherever you choose to go. Hopefully, one day, Lawson can get back together and I can make even more memories to add to the ones I hold so close to my heart!

Thank you for the memories Lawson and lets make some more!

From Sonal Lad (A Goose from 2011)