Summer is a fun time for concerts. Shows are typically outside, the energy is fun, and the best artists go on tour in summer. There were a bunch of artists I wanted to see this summer — Hilary Duff, Noah Kahan, Harry Styles, Morgan Wallen and Olivia Dean — but, sadly, I only made it to one.

It didn’t look like I was going to see any of the artists I wanted, but, last minute, I got to see Hilary Duff. One of my friends had extra tickets and asked my friend Danielle and me if we wanted them. Out of all the artists I listed above, I think she is the one I wanted to see most. I was the biggest Lizzie McGuire fan when I was little. I watched the show, the movie, I had the soundtracks … I loved it all! So when I found out I was going to the concert, I couldn’t contain my excitement. The concert was everything I hoped it would be. She played a good mix of her older music and her newer music. It also brought a sense of nostalgia because she talked about growing up, Lizzie McGuire, what it meant to her that everyone showed up for her and the montages she played. She played photos of herself when she was younger on the set of TV shows and movies, touring, making music and more. You could really tell how much it all meant to her. I am so glad I was able to go; it was one of the best concerts I’ve been to.

Although he wasn’t on the list of artists I wanted to see, I also went to see Bruno Mars at Lincoln Financial Field. We bought last-minute tickets the day before the concert. The seats ended up being pretty good. We knew they were going to be a limited view from the side, but we could still see pretty much everything. Unfortunately, the opener was two songs into her set when the concert had to be stopped because of severe thunderstorms. The concert was postponed for two hours. Luckily, the rain stopped, and Bruno Mars was able to perform his whole set. I didn’t realize how many of his songs I knew until I was at the concert. He sang a lot of his older, popular hits as well as some of his newer songs. He even brought out Anderson Paak for his Silk Sonic era. If you ever get the chance, I highly recommend seeing Bruno Mars. He puts on a fun, energetic show!

I have one more concert I am looking forward to before the summer ends: Role Model. Role Model has quickly become one of my favorite artists. I have wanted to see him for a while now, so I can’t wait for the concert in a couple weeks!

— Mary Melnick, digital content producer