Sewer Pipe Disaster: Portland

Author: Thomas Melbeck

I’m here in Portland Oregon, downtown, at “Sewer Pipe Disaster” and in the middle of Portland! There's also lots of great people, a good group of bands, and an amazing crowd!

The Concert Acts included: Hologram Kurt Cobain, The Strokes, Biffy Clyro, The War On Drugs, M83, Leena Del Rey, Sia + Zedd, Alessia Cara, and The Weekde (The Weeknd Tribute Group).

I've been out here camping infront of the grounds for 3 days to get a ticket. its been crazy to see how many people are tenting here. I asked this one guy, who smelled pretty bad to be honest, how long he has been here in a tent.

He said, "I've been in this tent for 3 months."

I couldn't believe how dedicated some of these guys are. there are probably a thousand tents out here in the street. Here on the lawn, you find tents, just tents and tents everywhere, and from the front, you see a tent right there, and then the lawn is packed and it looks like a giant football field. but in the grass, there is a huge gap right here for the front of the line, and then this whole field is just a giant tent. the field itself is about 100 yards across. They are just everywhere.

I am taken aback by the level of trash, though.

Amidst the vibrant chaos of the Portland festival, the air buzzed with excitement and laughter. It was a scene that epitomized the eclectic energy of the city. I found myself standing in a labyrinth of queues, hoping to secure tickets to one of the festival's star attractions. The crowd was dense, but the atmosphere was electric, each person eager to be part of the festivities.

After what felt like an eternity of patient waiting, I finally reached the ticket booth. Relief washed over me as I secured the coveted tickets, clutching them tightly in my hand like a cherished treasure. With newfound enthusiasm, I turned to leave and delve into the heart of the festival.

As I ventured deeper into the vibrant chaos, I encountered a friendly face amidst the throng—a woman with an infectious smile and a playful spirit. We struck up a conversation, both sharing our excitement for the event we were about to attend. It was as if we were kindred spirits brought together by the allure of the festival.

In the midst of our conversation, she extended a small packet of Sweettarts, her eyes sparkling with warmth and generosity. It was a simple yet heartfelt gesture that encapsulated the spirit of the festival—bringing people together through shared experiences and simple acts of kindness. We both chuckled as we savored the sweet and tangy candies, letting the moment linger.

In that fleeting encounter, amidst the vibrant hum of the festival, I felt a genuine connection—a reminder that sometimes the most magical experiences are not just in the grand events, but in the shared moments with kindred souls. And so, armed with tickets and a newfound friend, I was ready to immerse myself in the festival, cherishing the delightful surprises it had in store.

Later on, I snuck backstage to some rapper’s set with the woman who gave me the Sweettarts, and there were people standing around. I said, "I'm gonna get my ass kicked." I got very dissy, perhaps dehydrated. Then I got back in the limo and the guy asked us for another Sweettart. I said, "I can't take another Sweettart anymore," and he said, "But we got more." I got back onstage and I had to go back. It got very late and I didn't know the guys there, and they started walking up behind me saying, "Hey, why are you getting into a car with that girl? Why are you coming out with this chick?"

So, I was just kind of walking around in a daze, listening to some music and thinking about what had happened in my life. Then I had a vision, and I turned around, looked right into this guy's eyes and said, "I can't do this anymore, I can't be with the people I want to be with."

I was like, "What? What am I talking about? I'm not a person that's going to go out with these people."

Then I went back to the car and went in the bathroom and I took one of her Sweettarts and one of her Xanax. Then I looked at her and I just said, "You're not the one I want." Then the people left, but they never came back. They were just out. I called my dad, and he said it's your fault.

I said, "You did it on purpose, you're a bad girl.”

I started to feel better after all the sweettarts and Xanax but the music became very loud. I can’t concentrate at work. I was a bit upset because my boss is the only one who knew about the problems I was having at work. I felt guilty. Then I thought that the only thing I could do that would help would be to tell the boss. But when I told the boss I was taking the pills again his response was to go in for a drink. I felt bad because I had to be around people all day, so I wasn't allowed to talk about work problems at work. I was very disappointed and very confused and started to think about why. I tried to find out how they had got me on the drug and how much they had used. They told me it had been a lot of pills and they took them all. My boss didn't seem to be a bit worried about it.

He was saying things like, "Oh, we are all on Xanax and all the rest. Why do you think we need to talk about these drugs? We aren't going to die! We are just going to work!"

Eventually I told this to my friend and she said that she had been on Xanax, she wasn't even aware of what she was on, she hadn't had a drink, she'd been on it for weeks, her boss had been quite calm and supportive. I couldn't stop thinking how strange it was that it was possible to be on it all the time and not have to think about it.

Well, the bands were cool. I don’t think I will go again alone. I got confused and scared for a while. The tents were smelly.