Noticing Ronan's calm and composed gaze, Maxim's thoughts gradually settled down, and his scattered mind returned to focus. They needed to prioritize, but Maxim still grumbled a couple of times, "You're changing the subject now, don't think I don't see it."
Ronan didn't deny it, meeting Maxim's gaze directly, as if to say: Yeah, yeah, you're right, so what are you going to do about it?
Maxim's retort got stuck in his throat, and in the end, he didn't say anything more. "We're here to perform, so let the music play!"
Performance! Performance! Performance!
This was the highlight of the night!
Because of the delay at the back door, the band's preparation time was squeezed. Luckily, they had arrived at the venue early and had allowed plenty of extra time, otherwise missing their slot would have been a real disaster. Even so, the band was still a bit rushed, quickly finishing their preparations and already heading backstage, ready to go on.
At this moment, the stage was bathed in deep blue light. A petite female singer with a guitar was quietly singing her heart out –
She looked like Taylor Swift in her early days, also playing country music with a captivating voice. Her thick eyebrows and big eyes gave her a charming and sweet look. Bathed in the stage lights, her soft and low singing effortlessly captured the attention of the entire audience.
This wasn't an unknown artist but a rather famous singer, especially in Nashville, where country music reigned supreme.
Kacey Musgraves, this twenty-four-year-old singer had already gained recognition in 2007 when she finished seventh on the fifth season of the talent show "Nashville Star." Before that, she had been performing in various venues since she was eight years old, continuously accumulating experience. However, after the show ended, her music career didn't really take off, and she remained in the independent scene.
According to history, Kacey wouldn't release her first official album until 2013, which went on to earn her four Grammy nominations, including Best New Artist. Then, her next two albums in 2015 and 2018 steadily built her foundation, and her third album shone brilliantly, sweeping four Grammy Awards the following year, including Album of the Year.
Seeing Kacey at the Full Moon Party, especially in the 4:30 to 5:00 AM slot, inevitably sparked speculation –
"Could she also be here for Scudder?" Maxim voiced everyone's thoughts.
After all, Taylor Swift was a major turning point in the full resurgence of country music and truly built a pop music commercial empire. If Scudder was planning to have Kacey replicate that miracle, it would undoubtedly be something he'd excel at. Moreover, Nashville was overflowing with musical talent, and since Kacey hadn't found her opportunity there, coming to New Orleans to break the deadlock was a reasonable choice.
Ronan, however, thought of something else. In his previous life, Kacey released her first album in 2013. So, could her opportunity have been created at the Full Moon Party? From a timeline perspective, it was a perfectly logical deduction.
A guitar and a voice, that was all, but it was also all Kacey needed. A smile played on her lips as she effortlessly commanded the stage. It was as if being on stage was like returning home, the place she was most familiar with, most relaxed, and most comfortable. Her light and lively singing made everyone feel happy –
As it approached five in the morning, after a whole night of revelry and excitement, the audience indeed needed a little time to unwind.
But for Ronan, he could sense a faint sadness and anxiety behind Kacey's voice. She had cleverly hidden it within the melody, but the most special thing about music was that truly excellent music left both the performer and the listener with nowhere to hide, forcing them to honestly face their truest selves, something that couldn't be concealed no matter what –
That was what made music beautiful.
Compared to the One Day King band, Kacey had traveled a longer and harder road. From the age of eight until now, she had persevered through a haze of uncertainty. Five years had passed since the talent show ended. She had won opportunities, countless opportunities, but each time it ended in failure.
So, she began to question herself: "Am I not suitable for this?" "Did I make the wrong choice?" "Should I give up?" The hardship and loneliness of walking alone in the dark slowly eroded her soul. She began to lose confidence and faith, she began to lose direction and her sense of self.
For an outsider, "five years of waiting" might seem like a short phrase. But for the person involved, it was over eighteen hundred days and nights of agonizing waiting, every minute and every second a torment. It was just like the One Day King band, Maxim and Cliff's arguments, Ollie's silence, Ronan Cooper's struggles, all of it.
Her nervousness, her relief, her struggle, her effort, all were hidden in her singing. Her gentle voice seemed to skillfully conceal her wounds.
The faint unease and fragility in her singing were emotions Ronan could truly capture, and it was something different amidst the grand spectacle of the Full Moon Party.
Ronan couldn't help but wonder, in the quiet of the night, how did those emotions transform into the melodies beneath Kacey's fingertips? And what kind of determination did Kacey hold as she came to New Orleans from Nashville?
In the midst of his wandering thoughts, Kacey's performance was nearing its end, as the backstage crew informed the band members to get ready.
Pulling back his scattered thoughts, the band members all gathered in a circle. Maxim held his chest with both hands, feeling the powerful thumping of his heart against his ribs, almost making it difficult to breathe. He couldn't help but exclaim, "Ah, my heart is going to explode." He was so invested that he was anxious about the outcome.
Ronan, who was also too nervous to speak, reflexively replied, "Don't worry, hearts don't explode that easily."
Maxim looked over with a ghostly expression. Ollie and Cliff were no exception. Only Ronan looked completely serious and said earnestly, "I'm telling the truth, do you want to try it out?"
Pfft.
Ollie was the first to burst out laughing, followed by Maxim and Cliff. The tense atmosphere gradually dissipated. They stood in place, gently stretching their limbs. Their spirits, slightly dazed from lack of sleep, now re-focused.
Then, they heard the backstage crew's voice, "Musgraves is off, One Day King is on," the same words repeated three times.
Ready. Set. Go.