Absolute Radio 'Live Stories' – Forum Competition (Entry now closed)

[Malcolm-Edge]

Quote:

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Originally Posted by lucyb123;3219836
Here is mine! PLEASE enter it, as I CAN be at Wembley!

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I remember that, your story is truly amazing! I hope you are a top 4 finalist. You have my vote. As well as the t-shirt design guy.

[Texasluvsjonny]

OK do you want concert reviews or just stories about going to the concert?

[ApproximatelyInfinite]

^that's what i'm struggling with. mine is so far a concert story, and i'm now at the part where i should be reviewing the concert and i'm stuck. i feel like everything that's been written about them live has been written...i'd rather hear the unique stories and circumstances of people getting there and enjoying it.

[Texasluvsjonny]

The main reason I asked is because Jenji said to think about how the pro's write theirs and they don't usually go into the story part but more of the show parts.

[Jenjie]

I was thinking more about language, ie sentences & grammar. rather than txt speak, smilies etc.

[busybeeburns]

It seems a very open ended competition, but I guess that way Absolute will get all kinds of wacky, wierd and wonderful stories both on and off stage to keep it interesting. Keep plugging away folks!

[walkryfe]

I have to start writing this down before I forget; and these past few days, i want to remember. There is more to the story, but I’m going to go with June 9, 2009 as a starting point. The first thing that happened as i started on my journey, was that I ended up on this long, winding road behind a truck with the word “YELLOW” written across it! The journey continued, and through many a confusing exit and traffic jam, I eventually found my way to the motel I was going to stay in, in a town called “Battle Ground.” I checked in, then decided to drive to where the amphitheater was so I wouldn’t end up getting lost on my way to volunteer for Oxfam the next day. I was also very hungry! I noticed a mini-mall with a grocery and such, and decided to stop on the way back.

I found my way to the amphitheater, figured out where the box office/Oxfam meeting point was, and headed back to find dinner. In the mini-mall, there was this Thai restaurant, called the Golden Tusk? While I like Thai food, I’d pretty much convinced myself that I should just go with the granola bar in my purse when this group walked past on their way into the restaurant saying, “Yeah, Guy says this place is ...” -um, lets just say that the rest of the sentence was a compliment! So as silly as it sounds, I took it as “a sign” (and anyone reading this now thinks me a lost cause and a complete nutter). Hey, I really did want that food, but was reasoning against the expense. As it was, it was good for me to get a warm meal into myself. I bought this wonderful tofu curry with rice! I did decide to do some grocery shopping, and bought some veggies and water/juices/etc. for later. Parked outside of the grocery store was this funky silver car with British flags on its doors!

Back at the hotel, I started downloading my travel log “thus far” and to my anguish, though I thought everything was okay and saved, somehow the videos were never really downloaded! It would have been okay, except that I’d already deleted almost all of the videos I thought had transfered! Including this really cool side of a mountain that looked like a face --like Rock Biter from the Neverending Story! I was very sad and upset to have lost that image! Anyway. I was also disappointed to discover that the Internet from my room was dial-up and was not “secure” which meant there were certain things I wouldn’t get to do! Downstairs, I found that the “business office” computer was secure, but practically all my favorite haunts were blocked! Annoyance upon annoyance.

I tried getting other work done, but couldn’t sleep for the longest time! I finally did. The next day, I discovered the Fred Meyer store. As I walked around, I saw groups of excited people buying flowers, food, etc. chatting... about Coldplay! I looked all around and realized... that all these people were headed toward the same experiential context... literally thousands of people! It was so strange, to feel that sense of unconscious unity, that unseen link. Now, as i found out later at Oxfam, just because Coldplay fans agree on Coldplay, doesn’t mean that they agree on everything else . . . or anything else! But I’m getting ahead of myself.

Upon arrival at the Clark County Amphitheater, I was directed to the VIP parking zone. I explained several times that I wasn’t sure this was the right place, but everyone but me seemed certain; then the head security guy decided to agree with me! I think because hot on my heels were several other carloads of “Oxfamily” that were just as lost! We were redirected to parking lot B (I think, already forgetting details!), then finally told to go to parking lot K. (the “K. ‘Stena’ James” parking lot, obviously). I walked to the meeting point, no Soha yet, but volunteers started gravitating together; it was amazing!

Canvassing is hard. You would think it easy, because of the goodness of our cause, but many people just “--don’t want to be bothered.” Some were receptive, not all. Others are more than receptive! Oxfam training tells you that most people won’t want to talk to you, but everybody seemed to have something to say to me! I nearly lost my voice with all the discussion! Soha is so great though. As was Alexis, our local coordinator! Amazingly calm, secure, kind, brilliant women! We volunteers all knew well in advance that we would be sitting space available on the lawn, so it was an incredibly strange, unreal, and fantastic happenstance to be given tickets for seating near front and center! Whooohooo!!! I remember just sort of standing there, in shock, wondering at it all. As challenging as it was, I’d do it all again. (Soha, you ever need some help and I can get there in time, you got my number!)

The show was magnificent. Everything was perfect! Although i nearly killed myself falling off of a chair I was standing on during The Hardest Part. The reason I fell, was because my back was to the main stage, and I forgot that Will would be harmonizing from there! I heard his voice and I reeled around so fast that I lost my balance! I’m not sure, but I think he saw me and gave me a little smile. After my brush with “death by awkwardness,” I was gently asked to please stay off of my chair for the rest of the show. I think I was lucky not to get evicted altogether though! I’m certain my ecstatic dancing and screaming made me a total nuisance to everyone around me!

I tried to capture some of the show on video and in pictures, but to be honest, I don’t know how anyone manages this! My head may tell me to keep still, get clear footage, and focus on one thing, but my feet wouldn’t listen! I was spinning around, looking at all the cool stuff there is to look at, video globes, projection screens, people, the band, floating yellow balloons, and rainbow butterflies! It was just impossible for me not to dance and sing and yell and spin about! Everything was so perfect, I never wanted it to be over; but half-way through “The Scientist” was the prearranged cue to go back to Oxfam tent. When it’s time to go, it’s time to go. It was so great to work with everyone on the Oxfam team! We gave each other hugs, and then for me it was back to the motel, to try to get a couple hours of sleep, before I had to be up and away again to get to the Gorge show.

“What!” you say? “The Gorge show too?!”

I had gotten a ticket to that show before I found out about the Oxfam/Coldplay alliance, and this particular volunteer opportunity. When i did find out about this, I signed up for the Portland show, not actually expecting to get to participate, but thinking that at the least Oxfam looked like a wonderful organization. When I got the mail asking if I still wanted to volunteer for Portland show I was on the moon! I immediately said YES.

Then I realized the marathon I was in for.

Let’s go back to the night after the Portland show, day before the Gorge. It took me until almost 1 a.m. to get through the traffic back to my hotel room. I lay down on the bed and wept strange, happy/sad tears; that’s really not like me. Part of it was being tired, but part of it was that it had been such a perfect experience. How many of those do you get in life? Where you really feel like “Hey! somebody up there likes me!” Yeah, i know. One should feel that way about every day, but. . . one doesn’t; or I don’t. I even thought, “Maybe I shouldn’t go to the Gorge, because, like, nothing could ever be better, right?” Then I further thought, “Nah! Coldplay will be awesome whatever!” As it was, my seat was “Section C, Row 42, Seat 3” which had made me laugh originally when it was my random selection from Ticketmaster! As i wrote in my journal: “Section C, Row 42, Seat 3 = Crazy Answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything <3 (the number three with a less-than sign in front of it: a heart emoticon meaning love). Given the novelty, I was okay with whatever view “C 42 3” would happen to be.

The morning of July 11, 2009, I wasn’t thinking very clearly. I got lost straight away for about half of an hour before finding a way to proper direction. I was running on 3-4 hours of sleep that had been had 34 hours previous. I nearly ran off the road or into road barriers three times, because I would fall asleep at the wheel with my eyes wide open. It wasn’t like nodding off, it was as if I suddenly wasn’t awake or seeing the road anymore, then I’d be “aware” again. One moment I’d be driving and keeping everything in line, the next i’d realize I was headed for a cement barrier! Very scary. I did make it back to my parents’ home though, for to rest a couple of hours; a short break before continuing on to the Gorge show.

Recumbent at my folks’ home, I’ve rarely been so tired, yet so wired that still couldn’t sleep. I wrote a couple of blip and twitter updates, then lay down on the bed. The next thing I knew, I was awakened by my cell phone ringing! It was Soha? She had phoned me mistakenly! She was answering my message from yesterday. It was providential, though, because I would’ve probably overslept! As it was, I had just enough time to make it to the Gorge and see some of both of the guest artists’ shows!
Sorry, getting ahead of myself again.

It was easier traveling in general, but the line of traffic to the Gorge itself, which is a two lane road, is arduous. I arrived, and started toward the venue, eventually meandering through this entrance where all these limos were parked; “VIP” camping? I tried to visualize what that could mean: gold-plated tent stakes? Le Cordon Bleu chefs roast your marshmallows for you? I moved to exit to the venue entrance, and the lady usher standing at the “VIP Camping” exit gate, said that technically she should turn me away and I should have to walk all the way around this other direction, but she was very kind and just let me go through.

Those that have been, will tell you “The Gorge is the most beautiful, breathtaking, amazing venue on the planet,” but until you go and see it, you are incredulous. Having been, I have to tell you: “The Gorge is the most beautiful, breathtaking, amazing venue on the planet!”

As I meandered though the crowd sitting way up on the lawn ridge of the venue, I realized how lucky i’d been to get a ticket in the seated area at all! There were about 24000 people at the Gorge July, 11, 2009. It was a long journey from the ridge top to the seated area. When I got there, there was no seat where mine should be! I was worried, but then this man came, looked at my ticket, looked at me, said “You’re alone?” and yes, I was. Then with a little smile, he flipped through a stack of tickets and gave me a complimentary ticket, pointing silently to the section, row, and seat; it was for SEC C, ROW 6, SEAT 15! Brilliant! Even if I did get reprimanded for dancing in the aisle during the opening sets.

Again, I proved a terrible nuisance to everyone around me! Hands in air, swinging my minicam around, yelling, singing. The show seemed more intense to me than it had the night before, for some reason; or perhaps many reasons. And I should say, that while I got some footage, I had a lot of technical difficulties --like dropping the camera when I nearly fainted at one point in the show (lack of sleep, slight dehydration, and “the nearness” are probably responsible). Also, I ran low on battery power, camera memory, and the minicam just didn’t seem to “feel like” functioning! I’d press the “rec” button, and nothing happened! Most of the time after that, I just surrendered to the experience and accepted I would not be able to capture every moment. I just felt badly, knowing that there are Coldplay fans out there that would love to have gotten that close, and might never ever have the opportunity! I would’ve liked to be in a better position to share that experience with them. Of course, out of 24,000 people in attendance I know I’m not the only one that was filming! Somebody out there is bound to have gotten excellent video!

It was so much good all at once. I’m not used to that; feeling like there is someone or something on my side. I guess I don’t know where I am right now, heart wise. I think, that I’m a little depressed? Some sort of “Post-Concert-Traumatic-Stress-Syndrome,” maybe? I miss it all! “It” . . . that frantic getting between new places, feeling a part of something interesting and beautiful, even if it's only for a day!

Don't let me give the impression that I'm not grateful for my “normal” life; for what I do have in life, because I am! Yet clearly, I want things to be different; less quiet, less routine, less in my head all the time, less on my own. Which occurs to me is one of the things an excellent concert can do for the heart and head; make them start listening to each other. Many thanks to any patient reader that has made their way through my story, and many thanks to Coldplay, for “such a perfect day,” times two!

PS: I don't think we are supposed to do this for purposes of the contest, but I wanted to share the vlog I made. I think it expresses things better than I've just written:

YouTube - Coldplay Odyssey: The Gorge

[SueDeNimes]

Quote:

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Originally Posted by walkryfe;3225598

PS: I don't think we are supposed to do this for purposes of the contest, but I wanted to share the vlog I made. I think it expresses things better than I've just written:

YouTube - Coldplay Odyssey: The Gorge

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Thanks for posting the vlog!!!
It's so nicely and professionally done and by watching it I got a better idea what it was like there!!

Thanks so much!!

[walkryfe]

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SueDeNimes;3225676
Thanks for posting the vlog!!!
It's so nicely and professionally done and by watching it I got a better idea what it was like there!!

Thanks so much!!

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Professional? No, but it's very, very kind of you to say! It was such a perfect day. I wish I could have gotten some better images of what it is to look back and see everyone. So many brilliant faces and smiles! Hands reaching for dancing balloons; two little girls carefully gathering paper butterflies one by one; a couple, just listening to the music, holding each other, smiling and swaying together; amazing things happening every moment. Thank you for the good words!

[Texasluvsjonny]

Jan 28, 2003- Houston, Texas
Let’s Go Back to the Start

It was my first time to see the band live. I was so excited when the tour dates were announced and was on line to buy my ticket the second they went on sale. I tried to get someone to go with me. “Who? Coldplay? Never heard of them,” was the response I got. Forget them, I will go alone!

After months of waiting, finally show day arrived. At the time I was living about 100 miles from Houston, so I left out extra early because I wasn’t exactly sure of the venue location or what traffic would be like. I absolutely had to be up front. It was a general admission ticket, so if I could get there early enough, I should be able to be in the front row.

I got to downtown Houston around 1pm and passed their tour buses parked on the street on my way to the underground garage. My heart was racing and I couldn’t park my car fast enough. I parked and asked some guy how to get to the Verizon and he said to take the stairs and it was right there. I go up the stairs and come out on the street just next to where the buses are parked and Jonny, Will and Guy are all on the street right there just walking around! I almost fainted. In my rush to get topside, I had left my camera in the car . I didn’t even have anything for them to sign. I said hi to Will first, then Guy and then Jonny. They were so beautiful in person. Will was very nice, not scary like in most of his pictures. Guy was so skinny; I just wanted to feed the poor child. Jonny was so tall, had the sweetest voice and the most beautiful eyes. I was in love. It amazed me that they were just so normal! And so shy and amazed that anyone knew who they were. They went into the venue and I rushed back to my car to get my camera, but when I got back, they didn’t come back out. People were starting to arrive for the show, so I went and got in the line. Some girls came and got in line and said they had come back out just after I had left. I wanted to cry. Anyway I was at the front of the line and was for sure going to be front row.

At around 3pm, a lady from Capitol Records comes out and asks if we are there for the contest. They had a contest on their website for 10 people to attend the sound check. We said no and then she got all uppity and asked why we were there then. Well they are playing a concert here tonight you know. A few of us tried to talk our way in, but Miss Capital wasn’t having any of that. The radio station was setting up tables next to where we were standing and came over and told us that they would be interviewing Chris after the sound check right here next to us so that perked us up. Just before the interview started, they moved the tables inside the building and did the interview inside. We had to settle for watching Chris through the glass. Bummer!

It took what seamed like for ever for gates to open. Once inside venue we had to stand in line again. Come on already! There was a mad rush to get to the front. Don’t run! Yeah right! Get out my way! Everyone ran to the center, I ran to where Jonny would stand. Front row baby, front row!

Outside security was firm on the No Cameras rule. Inside security could care less. I could have brought my 35mm instead of cheap disposable I smuggled in. Mos Eisley and Ron Sexsmith were openers. I liked Ron, but thought he was a bit too slow paced for an opener. Sorry but I didn’t care much for Mos Eisley.

Stage set up was pretty simple. Four large screens hung at the back of the stage. Chris’ piano facing toward Jonny. Will’s silver drum kit at the back Guy stage right and Jonny stage left. Small video cameras set up in front of each person. They had what looked like blue rope Christmas tree lights outlining the edge of the stage.

Finally, house lights down. My heart is pounding! The crowd is screaming and whistling. Movement on stage, I see them! My pulse rate shoots up to about a million. Organ sounding music filled the room and a quick “Hello” from Chris and we were off!

Politik starts, lights flashing, piano banging, Will beating those poor drums to a pulp, and the crowd bouncing along with the beat. Chris sounds awesome live. He’s bouncing on his piano stool like a mad man and I thought he might knock himself out at any second.

When the song ends, we get a quick speech from Chris about being back in Texas then straight into Shiver. A definite crowd favorite and sadly the last time they would play it on this tour.

Spies was next with this trippy sounding guitar opening from Jonny. Chris flubs the first line of the lyrics and gets the giggles, which gives Jonny the giggles. It’s OK because the crowd picks up the slack and sings it for him. He quickly recovers and the rest is just beautiful.

Daylight and Jonny singing! What, Jonny sings! Eyes closed and singing, deep sexy voice, right in front of me….. “Slowly breaking through the daylight”. I might have fallen over if it had not been for the crowd to hold me up.

Chris has a guitar malfunction and the crowd gets introduced to guitar tech, Hoppy, who looks a bit like Brian Adams according to Chris. Guitar repaired and Warning Sign started. What can I say? It’s one of my favorites off AROBTTH and sounds just so beautiful live.

One I Love was next. What a great song. It allows them to totally rock out. Why it wasn’t included on AROBTTH I will never know.

Don’t Panic up next with this U2 sounding intro guitar and quick time drum part. Jonny gets the harmonica solo on this tour. He finishes the solo, looks down, walks to toward me and throws it right at me. Some tall person standing behind me snatches it from the air just above my outstretched hand. I was gutted.

Chris then dedicates next song to Destiny’s Child. Everything’s Not Lost is what happens if George Bush runs your country according to Chris. Will singing back up! Wow! He has a voice just the softest sweetest voice. Big crowd sing along.

Chris then introduces a new song, Moses and informs the crowd that Jonny is more handsome than Justin Timberlake. I agree! The song is beautiful! This was back before songs appeared on the internet 10 minutes after the show was over, so we knew they were playing new stuff but had not heard it before the show. It remains a favorite of mine.

God Put A Smile Upon Your Face followed and it is much better live than on the record and it’s pretty awesome on the record! Chris says it’s about not moaning when you got it all. Guy’s bass line is so great on this song. And Chris lets loose, dancing and jumping about.

“Your skinnnnnnnnnnn. Your skinnnnnnnnnnnnn. Jonny.” Then the open notes of Yellow and the crowd goes ballistic! Matt was playing Chris’ guitar part during this tour so he could jump about and go insane along with the crowd and that’s pretty much what he did. I thought he might actually jump over his piano at one point.

Main set ended with The Scientist which is so beautiful live it makes you want to cry. Jonny playing both acoustic and electric guitars. Chris’s voice is just so beautiful.

Encore starts with Clocks. The laser, the giant green laser! There is just so much energy in this song. And I just love the piano riff.

Will smashes the opening to in In My Place and Chris does his “climb the ladder” dance. Yellow and In My Place were the only songs where Chris didn’t play an instrument and he really let loose with the dance moves on both as only Chris can.

Trouble complete with epic audience sing along followed.

Chris announces one last song. A new song just written only a few weeks ago and its “good”, Ladder to the Sun. Yes it is. Wow two new songs at one show.

After the show I went and hung around the back by the buses hoping to meet them again and after standing around for about an hour decided on plan B. I didn’t have a ticket for Austin. I didn’t have a place to stay in Austin. I wasn’t even sure how to get to Austin, but I knew I would regret it if I didn’t see them again. So off to Austin I went. An obsession begins.



part 2 to follow........

[Texasluvsjonny]

June 10, 2003 Cleveland, Ohio
Away Day

Cleveland was my first time to travel away to see the band. I had seen them around Texas, but I don’t consider that traveling. Traveling requires getting on a plane in my book. I had met Mary on the old Coldplay message board. We worked similar schedules so we were on line at the same times each day and became friends. The band was nearing the end of their AROBTTH tour and we wanted to try and go to a show together. Why Cleveland, a question we would ask ourselves after seeing Cleveland, but basically because it was a general admission show with tickets still available. We had to have a GA show so everyone that wanted to go could get their ticket and we didn’t have to worry about getting seats next to each other. We had people coming from all over to meet us there, me from Texas, Mary and Lulu from Indiana, Britney and her friend from Ohio, Abbey from Arizona, Todd from Vegas, and Leah from New Jersey. I rented a suite at a downtown hotel so we could all stay together. At work everyone told me I was going to be killed by “internet people”. Yes, those mad axe wielding psycho Coldplay fans, they are always on the news. We got into town the night before the show so we could have a look around and get to know each other but that is a whole other weird story. On with the Coldplay bits.

Woke up early the next day and most of us went down to the venue at 8am. Ha! What we needed to be down there that early for I don’t know because the band wasn’t even there yet. Their crew wasn’t even there yet! We didn’t care. We got in line anyway. We had a walk around to the back to see where the band would be coming in. This venue was basically as Chris put it during the show, “a car park with a tent over it, next to a river, under a giant bridge”. At around 10am we could see the band’s buses up on the highway as they made their way in, so some people held our places in line and we ran to the back to greet them. Mary had made everyone a shirt with Will’s picture on it. I can only imagine what must have gone through their heads. They have been driving for hours from Chicago and arrive to find a bunch of crazy people all wearing the same Will shirt waiting at the venue at 10 in the morning. They start parking the buses and Rocky their security guy comes and tells us we need to stay on the corner across the street from where the buses are being parked. We wait and Mary gets up and does her “Clocks Dance” outside the band’s bus as they wait to park. I don’t even know how to describe it, but basically it involves her dancing while swinging her arms around like the arms on a clock. I am sure they are now too frightened to get off the bus. Finally all buses are parked and one by one they exit and go into the enclosed backstage area. Will is last off and he doesn’t go backstage but instead walks right over to us! He is wearing his now famous green Nike shoes and pink shirt. You can tell he is so embarrassed about his picture on all our shirts. It’s just so sweet. He signs stuff and takes pictures with us. He leaves and goes back stage.

We hung around in the back for most of the day, but eventually went and got back in line. We could hear them sound checking later in the day. The played some of their stuff and some Smiths and then Happy Birthday. Happy Birthday? OK, that’s interesting.

We soon discover that this venue is strange and security here is even stranger. Before gates opened some security dude comes out and gives everyone free water. Well that’s a first. I have never received anything free from a venue before. Then they make a no backpack announcement which sends some people into frenzy. They took a cab to the show and had no place to put their packs. There are signs on the fence which surrounds the venue stating the dangers of moshing. Once we get inside we all make it onto the first row and then security makes everyone sit down until the bands come on. Sit down like we are in kindergarten or something. There are enough security guards at the front to invade a samll country. Most shows have 3 maybe 4 at the front, they had at least 12. Well if that dangerous Coldplay mosh pit gets out of control, they will be ready! Stage at this venue is very high, around 6 feet. Who do they think will be able to jump up on that stage? Openers were again Mos Eisley and Ron Sexsmith. Eisley still not good. Why me? We could see the band sitting on this giant hill of dirt that was behind the venue watching Ron Sexsmith’s set, drinking beer. Between bands the security guard standing in front of me keeps telling me he doesn’t like Coldplay. What ever dude, leave me alone.


After what seamed like an eternity, the band is finally ready to come on stage. Lights down, band on! Chris is his normal bouncy self. How can one person have so much energy? Jonny has a porn stash! It is beautiful.

Politik still the opener. For a crappy tent venue, the sound was pretty good. Chris bounced madly on his stool, the crowd bounced madly in unison.



God Put A Smile Upon Your Face up next with Guy’s fat bass line and Chris dancing with his guitar.



A Rush of Blood to the Head. Finally! I had been so disappointed that they didn’t play it in Texas. Why they didn’t play Rush on the Rush tour until near the end of the tour, such is the Coldplay. It is so beautiful and worth the wait.

Daylight with Jonny singing. Why don’t they let Jonny sing more!

Trouble moved up in the show. Much better in this spot I think. The Security guard that told me how he doesn’t like Coldplay now comes over and asks the name of this song because he “knows it and likes it”. A feat he repeats several more times that night much to my agitation. Leave me alone dude, I am trying to watch Jonny!

One I Love, rocking out. Man I wish they would play this one again.

Don’t Panic. No throwing of the harmonica. There must have been some kind of riot for it so they had to stop throwing them into the crowd. But I was ready this time.

Moses. More road tested now and sounding brilliant.

Everything’s Not Lost. How does a guy that smashes drums like that have such a sweet angelic voice? Big crowd sing along.

Pour Me. New songs are awesome. They played so many new songs on this tour.

Yellow. Crowd goes nuts, jerk security guard again agitating me with questions.

The Scientist. I remember watching Chris’ hands up on the 4 giant screens hanging at the back. He has really pretty hands. This song is just so beautiful.

Encore
Clocks. In the six months since I had seen them in Texas, Clocks was released as a single and it was huge. It got a bigger reception than Yellow I think. And the green laser is just awesome! Here’s s shocker, security dude loves this song too.

In My Place. Chris’ dancing not improved but so adorable.

Amsterdam! YES!!!!!!!!!!! Britney had brought a yellow helium balloon to the show and we wrote “Play Amsterdam” on it and floated in front of their faces all night. Ha! Amsterdam and AROBTTH, I could die in peace now.

I can’t remember what all Chris said during the show, but I do remember him talking about the venue and Jonny’s sexy stash. We also found out the reason for the happy birthday sound check. Chris started coughing and their assistant Vickie Taylor comes out on stage to bring him a drink but he was just faking. He grabs her and announces it is her birthday and has the crowd sing happy birthday and Jonny gives her flowers. How sweet are these guys. The mystery of the Happy Birthday sound check solved.

After the show was over, we met the Oxfam people on the way out and signed up. Bought some stuff from the merchandise stand. Then we all headed to the back of venue to wait for the band to come out. God I miss the days when they toured by bus. If the bus is there, they are still there. Huge crowd at first, but people started getting tired of waiting and started leaving. Finally around 2am Chris and Jonny were first out. They came out with Rocky. They walked along the line of waiting fans and signed stuff, people taking pics. Mary had brought the picture of them wearing the black afro wigs to get it signed. Chris had to ask which one was him so he could sign next to his pic. I remember that they smelled really good and how nice they were. Jonny’s porn stash up close is just a thing to behold. He looked so thin. And he didn’t have his then trademark red hat. Said he had lost it. But he did have a stripy shirt, so yah! Chris started walking down the street and the crowd and Rocky all followed him. Jonny was left behind with just me, Mary and Todd. Some drunk dude came out of nowhere and staggered into him and almost knocked him over. He didn’t get mad, just said something like whoa mate. We asked for a pic and he stood between me and Mary and Todd took the pic. Jonny smiled, Mary smiled, I smiled and gave his bum a bit of a squeeze. Best picture ever! Chris made his way back up the street, crowd in tow and they left and got on the bus. Most of the fans left after that. After a long wait, Will came out next. Rocky joked that his fan club was waiting for him. That made his ears turn bright pink. How can people think this guy is scary. Pink shirt, pink ears. He’s just a big old teddy bear. He signed everyone’s stuff and posed for pics. We waited and waited and waited for Guy. After what seamed like forever, he came out and walked straight to the bus and got on. Not even a wave. Meanie!

The next day we found a store near the hotel that could develop film and dropped off the pictures. I can remember people staring and us as me and Mary jumped up and down screaming in the streets “JONNY SANDWICH” when we picked up the prints. Mary and I talked about how it would never be the same again. I saw how the popularity of the band had grown in that six months. They would be playing Madison Square Garden a few days after that. That was the last tour where they lived on the bus, where they sold general admission seats, where they hung out after the shows and met with fans on a nightly basis. At least I can say I was there.

[worldtrav]

Angie, I absoluetley love your story!!!!

P.

[Texasluvsjonny]

thanks

[lucyb]

Houston 1/28/03 Austin 1/29/03 Dallas 1/31/03 Cleveland 6/10/03 Indianapolis 8/12/05 Alpine Valley 8/13/05
Dallas 9/23/05 ACL Taping 12/9/05 Houston 2/25/06 Dallas 2/26/06 Milwaukee 3/19/06 Today Show 6/27/08
Chicago 7/22/08 Chicago 7/23/08 Washington DC 10/31/08 Philadelphia 11/1/08 Orlando 11/07/08
Ft Lauderdale 11/09/08 Houston 11/18/08 Dallas 11/19/08 Birmingham 5/18/09 Indianapolis 6/5/09 San Antonio 6/10/09
Dallas 7/21/09 Houston 7/22/09 Alpine Valley 7/25/09 Tampa 8/9/09 London Wembley 9/18/09 London Wembley 9/19/09.....

HOLY CRAP TheAngie! I have HUGE admiration for the amount of shows you have been too and am a little jealous!!! x

[Texasluvsjonny]

I am a show-ho.