From the moment I entered Wembley Arena it was clear I was in over my head. Futuristic architecture, the loudest sound system I’ve ever heard, 12,000 screaming Europeans filled with Foster’s and somewhere in the middle of it all was 5 foot 9 inches of me 2,000 miles from home. Yeah, seeing The Who play “Teenage Wasteland” in their hometown to a sold out audience wasn’t half bad. But then again, seeing another two sold-out concerts wasn’t too terrible either.

When I first got to London this summer to study abroad, I figured I’d catch at least one concert. And just as every semester begins for me I was determined more than ever to keep up both a decent GPA and appearances in class. Well, intentions are nice, but let’s be honest here: we’re young. And If you’re going to pick a time to act a little stupid or irresponsible, now’s your chance.

So with that in my mind and my assignments collecting dust back at the dorm, I made my way downtown to see Ohio’s Magnolia Electric Co. perform. And surprisingly enough the place wasn’t empty. Who would’ve thought songs obsessed with American folklore and a Midwestern workin’-man tone would find relevance in the UK?

That night Magnolia Electric Co. proved why as they turned even casual listeners into diehards. Guitarist and singer Jason Molina ripped through classic Co. tunes such as “The Dark Don’t Hide It” and “I Been Riding With The Ghost” with an almost unparalleled fervor. By the end of the night, the crowd was shouting for a third encore after the band’s hour and a half set.

In much the same spirit (or at least genre) came Bright Eyes a week later. And while much of the band’s newest album “Casadaga” might be considered to be some of their most musically accessible material to date, this concert was anything but ordinary. Dressed in a monochromatic white suit, singer and songwriter Conner Oberst took the stage to join his massive 13-person band (including two drummers) for an unforgettable hour-long set of new songs as well as a few old favorites and rarities.

The biggest shock of the night (other than closing with the underrated and seldom played “At The Bottom Of Everything”) came when Oberst spoke to the crowd for the first time. Once known for the melodramatics of drinking too much, berating his audiences and ranting political agendas, it appears he has finally matured into a true performer now. Oberst even took time to apologize for his behavior at past shows claiming, “I’m a much different person now.”

Now that the madness of summer has ended and with it the countless scores of concerts, here’s a little advice for those school days ahead: indulge in a little irresponsibility. You won’t regret it.