It took me 2 days to write this. I still haven't even found the right words to do this now, but I just feel like I should do it soon or I'll lose the soul to share in the writing.
So I eventually went to a Paramore show. It still feels surreal to this very second I'm writing. And I might just be too much but I don't care. I think the struggle my friend Amel and I did to enjoy this particular concert is worth an exaggeration. So here's the drama...
SUNDAY // May 8th, 2011
We went really fucking early in the morning to queue for the pre-sale tickets. We lined up for 4 hours and 15 minutes before we finally got our tix. I still think it was a very cheesy thing to do but I always knew it would worth the pain.
FRIDAY // June 20, 2011
I sent a resignation letter to my previous office. It didn't have anything to do with the concert, but it means in one month I'd be in the new office and would not be able to take a leave until I work there for a year. I usually took a leave when I attend concert, knowing my job is everything about sudden briefs. I don't want to miss concerts for any reason, sorry. That's my money I spend.
So I kept praying to God I'd be able to attend Paramore concert in any way.
SATURDAY // June 25, 2011
Amel and I went to an event held by the promotor of the concert and the local fanclub of Paramore. It was called "Parafest" and for the rest of the story you can read here.
TUESDAY // July 19, 2011
Had overtime until 5.30 in the morning. Never did plan it at first but it turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Until one month after an employee had overtime pass 5 a.m., (s)he can take a day-off as an exchange. YESSSSSSS!
Mark my day-off on August 19, please!!!
FRIDAY, THE FRIDAY WE'VE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR // August Fucking 19, 2011
I was fasting. But Amel and I knew we just HAD to be at the venue hours and hours before the show started. So we arrived at about 2 p.m. and people were starting to line up in front of the gate half hour later! It was 6-something hours before the show started, god dammit! Weren't you all fasting??
But hell, if you can't beat those teenagers; JOIN THEM.
So Amel and I lined up with them because we wanted to be in the very front fucking row we don't care how. Though it was fucking hot and tiring, but it wasn't really boring because they had this welcoming stage with bands entertained us with some Paramore songs.
At about 4 p.m. there were these people gave free ice teas away. You just had to give them your ticket and they would tear the edge of it as a mark.
I think it was 'batal massal' thing. LOL!
Finally the first gate was opened at 6 p.m. But not until it was 6.30 that we could get into the actual venue through the second gate. When it happened, Amel and I ran our way as fast as we could towards the stage to find out if there was still some spot in the front.
RESULT?
VERY. FIRST. FUCKING. ROW!
Mission accomplished!!!
Now to wait for Paramore for another 2 fucking hours. By that time I was exhausted already I was so sure I would pass out. Girls from the crowd were already passing out and the officials had been bringing maybe about 10 of them to the health tent. I REFUSED to be one of them.
So my brain told my body to stay collected it doesn't care how. It just had to fucking do it because I had spent 600 fucking thousand rupiahs for this! show and it was Paramore show for God's sake! I just CANNOT miss it.
Thank God the officials by the stage always had these watercups they gave away for free for anybody in the crowd. So I just kept asking for watercups. LOL!
8 p.m. the opening band called The Swellers started to perform. They played about 5 or 6 songs (I didn't count) and I liked none of them. Hehehehe.. Sorry, Amel, I know you kinda enjoy their songs but the only punk band I like is Paramore. So I was, like, when will you end it, The Swellers? Please.. I want my Paramore. NOW.
*photo credits to Amel*
AND FINALLY!
At 9.30 p.m. Jeremy Davies, Taylor York, Hayley Williams and their other 2 additional players hit the stage with a rocking intro before 'Ignorance'! OMG, NOW I'm gonna pass out! From overexcitementttttt...!!!!
*photo credits to Amel*
The show left me speechless for two days -- and if tomorrow I still wake up with this surreal feeling then it left me speechless for three days. Theory applies to the next and next days until I can feel the ground again.
They played almost all of my favorite songs; that 'Ignorance', 'Brick by Boring Brick', 'Decode', 'LOOKING UP' (!!!!!!!!), 'The Only Exception'... I was hoping they played... umm.. wait, I don't remember hoping they would play some certain song. I think this is the only concert where I didn't care what song the band would play. It was, like, ANYTHING WOULD DO, maannnn!!! LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The only thing I spotted at this show was it was kinda template. From what I'd been watching on YouTube and reading on tumblr and everything, what they did at this show was almost exactly the same with their other shows everywhere (at least this year). Everything that Hayley said in between the songs, everything that she and the boys did the whole performance -- like the flip, the lying-on-paramore-box thing, the bend over with hair reaching for gravity... and last but not least; THE 'ASKING SOME PEOPLE FROM THE CROWD TO GET UP ON STAGE TO SING THE LAST SONG "MISERY BUSINESS" WITH THEM' thing!
I knew it was coming. I think Amel knew it was coming, too. It was actually my second mission after being in the first row. But I was too shy to scream "HAAAAYYYYYLLLEEEEEYYYY PICCCCCKKKKK MEEEEEEE PLEEEEAAASSSEEE!!!!", let alone doing a poster written 'You know you want me, pick me up' like one of those lucky bastards did.
BUT ANYWAAAYYYYSSSS....
I'm extremely grateful that I could finally watch Paramore live in concert!
In the very first row!
O how God is great.
Let's do it again!
Umm.. some time later when I have the guts to go through all of that again :p
