BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Emma Oliver has been begging her grandma, or "Nana" to take her to see The Revivalists for three very long years. So when the New Orleans eight-piece brought their soulful brand of rock 'n roll to Boston's Rockland Trust Pavilion Wednesday night, grandma surprised Emma with tickets to celebrate her upcoming 10th birthday (in August). She was thrilled - but never expected to be part of the show.
Emma made friends with some concert goers near the stage and was being help up high above the crowd when a security guard came by telling the helping hands to put the little girl down. No one listened, so frontman David Shaw invited Emma onstage.
"When I got onstage I was happy," Emma told WBZ NewsRadio. "And then when I looked at the crowd I was scared!"
Emma's confidence grew as her family, and the crowd, cheered her on. "I was fine," she explains matter-of-factly. "I sang, and then I was good."
The young fan's special night continued as her family left the seaport venue, Emma riding piggy-back, waving to her new fans.
You can watch footage of Emma's performance below:
The band also posted about Emma on their Instagram page Thursday.
"Last night was special on so many levels but this moment really brings it all into perspective," they wrote. "It’s a lot for anyone to stand in front of a 5,000+ crowd screaming your name, but Emma stood up to the moment and conquered any fear that came with it!"
(Photo courtesy of the Sorenti family)