Columbus Against The World
Dedicated to Judy Heumann, Mother of the disabilities rights movement
1947-2023
Newport Music Hall opened on Ohio State's campus in December 1921, and many big bands have played there! As I've mentioned, my brother, Ryan, is in a band called Cousin Simple. The members are Will/Hash (frontman), obviously Ryan (lead guitar), Mitch (bass, pianist, and ukulele), my other brother Luke (rhythm guitar), and Dave (drums). Ever since Cousin Simple started, they have dreamt about playing the Newport, and last Saturday, March 4th, 2023, they achieved that dream.
The show they played was called "Columbus Against The World" because all the bands who played were local. Cousin Simple, co-headlined with "Spirit Of The Bear" and "Adam Paddock," and the opener was a band called "Left Out." At 4:10 pm, I picked Noah up and drove to my parent's house. My mom's college roommate Shannon, her husband, Tim, and my cousin Austin were with my parents on the back deck waiting when we arrived.
We got to the Newport at 4:40 and got in line for the VIP show. At 5:00, the doors opened, and we were given signed posters, t-shirts, and baseball cards with each band's stats on them. For the VIP show, each band played a single acoustic song. By the time Cousin Simple played an acoustic version of their new song "Vacation (Taylor Swift)," Noah and I had talked our way up to the front of the crowd.
When the doors to the regular show opened at 6:00, the mosh pit started filling up. I had convinced Noah to join me in the mosh pit for Cousin Simple, but I didn't want to make him stay in the pit all night. So I got as close to the front as possible, which was right next to where my grandma (Nimba), grandpa (Papa), Austin, and Noah were sitting. While waiting for Left Out to start, I saw a girl wearing a Cousin Simple shirt. I noticed that Will and Ryan had signed the shirt. After talking to the girl for a minute, I turned around to talk to a few more people and hype people up a bit. When I turned back around a few minutes later, Nimba was signing the girl's shirt!
When Cousin Simple was about to play their set, Noah was led into the mosh pit with my brother Josh, our cousin Nicholas, and Luke and Josh's bandmates, Freddie and Max (Box Seats). Shannon had also convinced Mom and my aunt Melissa (Nicholas's mom) to join us in the pit. Before Cousin Simple started playing, Noah said, "Let me know when it's time to jump!"
"Okay,” I told him, "I will just put my hand on your shoulder when it's time!" The problem was I realized when I would take my arm off, he would stop jumping. So I ended up jumping up and down hugging him the entire show. Now I'm used to going crazy at these shows, but I usually only have to control one body. So what ended up happening was I was crushing people with my friend… I made enemies, guys! It was a night of epic proportions, and I am very proud of my brother and his friends for finally achieving one of their biggest dreams!
Have a Greattastic Day and Be Safe!
J. Mitchie Ulibarri
