Katie assured me it was going to be a small crowd. That was until we saw a line wrapped around the block. For confirmation, we swaggered to the top of the line and asked, 'Are you guys in line for Matt Nathanson?' To our surprise the answer was yes, and at that point, we realized that our little man had encapsulated quite a crowd.
We thought the doors would open at 8, but no as much as life is a box of chocolates, we had no idea about what we were actually going to get. Katie and I finally got in, but not minus our laser advertisement experience. Apparently this company takes whatever you have advertise, sets up on a building front, and lends a little Stone Mountain laser show. Needless to say, this laser show has nothing on 'The Devil Went Down to GA.' (For those of you not familiar, 'The Devil Went Down to GA,' is pretty much a must in the deep south. It is kind of like memorizing the beattidues or at the very least the ten commandments). But for the sake of storyboards, let's all appreciate the light that laser advertising brings to us. I feel enriched at least. I can say with certainty that watching those laser ads changed my life. Not.
Ok, in the first shot I tried to point toward the crowd, but unfortunately only pointed to the back of the parking deck. Although I feel very strongly about parking decks, I have to say that this shot is more of a true representation. Point is.. there were a lot of freaking people at the show.
So Katie and I find this 'side' room on the 'side stage' where we could sit, relax, and enjoy the music without all of the drunken college somethings. But then we got booted and were left with fighting the general admission crowd. You know, general admission is a great idea.. if you are 6 foot 5 inches. For everyone else it blows. Thanks for the gesture, but no thanks. Not to mention, we get a good spot and then our younger and cooler counterparts rush into the extra two feet in front of us. Of course, none of these girls/guys were less than the required 6 foot 5 inches to get a clean view of the band. Thinking as Captain Positive would, all I could think was, 'I was watching cooler shows than this when you were still asking for help to wipe your ass.. so we're even.' So the opening band was Ingrid something and her guitarist. Although Ingrid has scored a song on Grey's Anatomy and a Target commercial, I personally found her guitarist way more enchanting. Don't know why?!? ;)
Who knew a show that started late would still include both openting acts. But I digress, and I won't bake on Melee (there's an accent in there somewhere I'm almost sure). The lead singer reminded me of a cross between Ben Foldes Five and Jerry Lee Lewis. I know you're thinking that the only thing they have in common is that they play the piano, and yeah, that's true. But the band was entertaining (as my feet officially starting hurting). Any interesting parties should check them out. I definitely had a few moments where I would have joined the mosh pit if one had been started.
So they show was well underway, granted no Matt Nathanson headliner yet. But I decided to take a picture, for the sake of documentation. This was the crowd behind us. This is me standing on my tiptoes to even take the picture. Moral of the story, when you are 5 feet tall in a general admission crowd? You'd just better hope nobody yells fire.
Don't most concerts start around 9 or 9:30? I mean, the main band should at least be on by 10. Not the case in the ole 'loft' that night.
Did I mention that it was late and getting later? I kept waiting (admist big tall people pushing and sweating) for Mr. Matt to arrive on stage and woo us with his words and wit. But no, we just kept waiting.
Don't ignore the voices of wisdom when you hear, 'Just step into the light.' Although I was a bit hesitant, I realized at this particular moment that Madonna had asked, 'God?' and well.. the trinity has spoken directly to me. 'They' told me to keep my wits about me, get another brew, and wipe the sweat off my forehead. In other words, if I had read my horoscope for the day it would have read something like this: 'You have been down on your luck lately, but your luck is about to change. Embrace patience and realize that you have to endure some sticky times in order to reach your goals. Lucky numbers- 33, 15, and 3.14.'
Dear God it is hot. Why am I the only one demonstrating this for the camera. Is Katie not also with me, pit stains in hand? Geez. I need to find the smoke room, or perhaps I'll just go the bathroom and use the moist towelette that the attendant gives me for a tip. Speaking of, have you ever notice how complicated moist towelette(s) have become? Back in the day, you went to the store and you bought some sanitized wipes. Now it's all about lilac and summer scents and extra mosturizing and rejuvenation for dry skin. Besides, doesn't the word moist just make you want to find a convenient toilet and puke? It all makes me just want to wet a washcloth and call it a day.
Finally, our Mr. Matt Nathanson arrives. And I have to admit, he doesn't disappoint. My favorite story of the evening was when he told about an autograph signing in Chicago. Apparently this woman had been high for about a week, and she stumbles up and asks for an autograph. Matt asks her name and she replies with a slur, 'Chicago because that's where I'm from.' Fair enough. But of course Matt has to dig deeper. He says to her, 'Well I was just in Chicago, where are you from in Chicago?' And she replies with a stutter, 'I'm from Chicago Illinois.. you know in.. North America.' Classic. But seriously he rocked the house, and for a moment or maybe several I forgot about the bickering girl and guy beside me. It seems that one was pushing the other and neither could see the stage very well. See what I mean about general admission? It blows. And as their conflict escalated I just hung closer and closer to Katie and our gang next door. Yeah the gang was drunk, but at least they weren't hostile.
So the show ends. Success. Heard the man and escaped with no bodily injuries. By the way, if you look closely at the blurred photo you can see our actual venue.. 'the loft.'
I've had a few wild nights. Well I take that back. I yearn for wild nights. But I have to admit, in all my concert going days, I've never had a show that lasted this late. Are we too old. Hell no. Were we on the upper age cap of the concert groupies? Yes. But you know, that's what keeps us young. Youth is not a state of mind, it is a state of action. And by god, we are keeping up with the action. I am a proud 30 something who is still cool enough to hang with the up and coming.
I could go on and on, but basically this pic is to prove that yes we were there.
Must end with a culminating shot. The double deuce, Thema and Louise, Bo and Luke, Kevin and Brittany (ok that might be a stretch). But good times, good times. I know I've moved away, not that far, but away. However this picture reminds both of us that steadfast friendships are not easily shaken. Granted I can forget you birthday ;) But I know you'll love me just the same. Let's do it again soon, shall we? And next time, let's plan to catch a show in my new hometown. Happy bday dear. The storyboard is all yours.
2 comments:
we want our storyboard! we want our storyboard!
and we have success. another great storyboard from another eventful concert outing. very nice. and thank you for the birthday wishes. :)
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