Now...for my review.
Now that my bruises have started to appear, I have gone back to work (where I was pretty much a grinning fool all day, thank you for asking- that more than made up for working with a prickly MM for an hour and a half, because I reused to let his bad day run over my good mood) and- oddly enough- my period actually started on Wednesday morning (how is that for prayers answered? LOL), I feel more than ready to digest and discuss my time at the concert last evening.
First off, I left my house at around 3:30 p.m., dressed to the nines in my best concert black and platform-ish lace-up shoes, on my way to pick up frackattack. We actually didn't run into any major traffic, and were there in less time than I expected. Which was fine, I was glad that we were able to find it with no issues. Plus the parking was prime and we didn't have to walk a mile. We walked over and got on line (never mind I almost fell walking over there- too excited I suppose). We chatted for a bit when we see this bus pull up. I looked at her and said, "Nah....there ain't no way. That would be too damn easy." The longer the door didn't open the more I was convinced, though we had assumed they were already there (another bus- Aiden's- was already parked when we got there). So then it finally opens and the first person off is Linde (the guitarist) with his 'dread cap on (they are at his waist now), followed by Burton (who I have to admit is easy on the eyes up close), then...the man himself. I was too stunned to even give out a little 'eep' sound. (Prior to them disembarking, I was making frackattack get her camera out....err...more like, "get it out, get it out, he's coming he's coming!" Yup- ever the supportive friend is me.) He was wearing a little scarf round his neck, an Iggy Pop t-shirt over a long sleeved shirt and black pants and sneaks. He coulda passed for a pretty boy rocker on the streets...which just endeared him to me more. (The Iggy shirt sealed the deal.) I just watched him go inside, speechless and sure it would not get much better.
As frackattack stated, I struck up a convo with a fan who was at the show with her mom. (We saw quite a few of those mom/daughter/son or dad/daughter/son combos. My folks would have not been into taking me, not on a school night.) She was probably the coolest mom I had run into in ages- her favorite artists were The Prodigy, Marilyn Manson, the Foo Fighters and Motley Crue! That's something yu don't hear every day. We talked cute a bit before they started to let us inside.....where we waited another 45 minutes. I wasn't too fussed, though I suddenly felt sleepy while we were waiting. I would have been fine if we didn't have these teenies (though I knew they were at least college age) in front of us just being....well...pretty fucking obnoxious, to me. I have a low tolerance for silly girls anyway, so they crossed my line early. I was half tempted to just tell them to shut the fuck up already. Thankfully, once we got inside, we were nowhere near them, so all was well. I went off to get merch pre-show, as I always do (1 program, two keychains, a shirt with the man himself on the front, a poster and a free shotglass) then re-joined her at our postion which we thought we'd have for a while.
Ha- best laid plans. I was somewhat familiar with Aiden's music, but not as much as I thought, or I'd have seen what was coming when they started their set...... a mosh pit opened up right in front of us. I hadn't been in a pit in about 10 years and believe me when I say I had not missed it. In the middle of it, starting it, was the brotha we saw eariler that she said reminded her of her brother. And I'll be damned if he wasn't into it hardcore. (As big as he was, of course he's not gonna get hurt- the smaller brotha, I don't know how he didn't get beat up more.) Suffice it to say that while I loved Aiden's set (those boys can rock their fucking asses off...and of COURSE they would be just babies, ugh- figures, eh?) and really got into it, the moshing was a bit rough on a girl and her body. Next time, I am getting way in the front to avoid the pit. LOL I couldn't tell you all the names of thier songs, but I know they performed 'See You In Hell' and 'Die Romantic' (which I love, by the by). They gave a good, hard and energetic set- when Wil (the lead singer) dove into the crowd, I swore I was gonna get a chance to touch him, but no such luck. Oh well. :) For once, in a rare instance, an opening act was worth getting there early for.
So, we were thankfully given time to recover. It wasn't too hot outside, and there was a cool breeze, so that helped matters along. I admit- even though used to standing up for long periods at work, my feet were starting to ache something terrible. But I knew it would be worth it.
I guess another 30 minutes passed, as it got darker....perfect ambience. The stage was set up....the instruments tuned and checked....the candelabra lit...it was almost time. I could feel my heart starting to thump already, even though I had seen then not so long before. Mige, then Gas, followed by Burton and Linde (who is a stone cutie too)...and last but not least, Ville himself, hair brushed into a cute style and liner on those gorgeous greens, dressed now in a black blazer, black shirt with red writing on it, black pants....and black and red checked Vans. (Have I mentioned that I love this man?) He came on smoking and pretty much stayed on there smoking the whole set. Sadly, my mind goes blank at the first song they played, but I do recall most of the set: 'Wings of a Butterfly', 'Wicked Game', 'Killing Loneliness', 'Behind the Crimson Door','Play Dead' ....most of 'Dark Light', actually; 'Buried Alive By Love' and 'Poison Girl', to name but a few. I admit- I was way into the vibe of the entire show and have forgotten words and titles. They are quite the powerhouse band in person, and now In understand how people react to thier shows so strongly now. Having lost my H.I.M. virginity, I can fully appreciate the experience of the live show. I was already in love with thier music (and obviously the singer).
Ville has one of the most rich, beautiful and lush singing voices I have ever had the pleasure of hearing in person. It can go up and reach a sweet falsetto then drop down and hit notes so deep it should hurt a person. But he sounded breathtaking- I have never seen a singer light up, take a puff, then belt out an entire verse without sounding raspy as hell afterwards. On that stage, the sexist thing I have ever seen was him singing with his eyes closed, a cig in one hand, singing with so much power and restraint that it was a wonder stayed on my feet the whole show. And his smile (which we saw a lot of) was fucking adorable. (There goes my fangirl moment......) I was an instant and total live H.I.M. convert. Total and complete. And his speaking voice- like a cross between a Brit and a Scandinavian accent. And you KNOW how I am over accents. He does the most sweetly goofy stage patter sometimes- my fave was this one:"As you know, we're from Finland *crowds cheers*- you know the place where Santa Claus comes from and once a year visits the States to deliver toys....anyway, the men in Finland have small peckers and low self esteem, so could you give my bandmates some love up here?" (As Dave Berry once said, I am not making this up. :)) They were cracking up at that one. But the encore lines were priceless (thank you frackattack for relating those!), just for his accent alone.
And he slipped a couple of choruses of Madonna's 'Frozen' in the middle of one of their songs that almost made me scream in delight- hearing him sing 'If I could melt your heart' almost made me a puddle.
I was actually pissed when they finally had to go. I could have heard them play all night. Seriously. They were that good.
When the crowd thinned out after the show (and I was unsuccessful in getting a copy of the set list), we made our way over to the merch table again, this time seeing a few members of Aiden there posing and taking pictures with fans (I bought their first cd). The drummer has to be no less than six-three, if he's anything. Boy is *big*. And Wil...for someone whoe threw themselves all over that stage, he's so slight and little. Kinda like Brian Molko. And so personable as well! Very very sweet guy. He hugged and kissed every girl who was there (I almost didn't, but I got brave). frackattack went ahead of me and hugged him first, then I took a cute picture of the two of them (she was right, she had to lean into him). I finally got up to him and asked him to sign my poster, then told him my name and how she had gotten me into thier stuff. I go to pose for my picture- my head on his shoulder, his head leaned over as well....and the camera dies. The humanity. So she adjusts it, and cheeky me says, "I don't mind waiting!' my arm around him a little tighter. He chuckled playfully and some girls were like, "She actually said that!" So she goes to take another picture...still won't work. I was sad, but I got another large hug from him instead (YAY!) and so many words of thanks for coming to see them. He was so damn adorable that I wanted to take him home with me.
We finally limped our way out of the club and to my car, spent, sweaty, a bit sore and grinning like mad. We drove off and she says,"That was a good show." Pause. "That was a *great* show." Another pause. "That was an *awesome* show!" I wa slike, "Truer words never spoken!"
We drove back to Miami flying on air, rehashing parts the other missed and listening to 'Dark Light' the whole way. I dropped her off, headed home, grabbed a bite and came on in. I was so woired I couldn't sleep before six in the morning. I fell asleep with the program opened to two gorgeous pics of Ville looking at me.....tired, sore, and happy as all hell.
I think that is about all I can wring from my brain about the show....it's still fresh and new, that I feel like I drempt it all and are still dreaming it. It was quite the experience.....quite the powerful experience. I shall not forget it anytime soon.
Now....*whew*...with that, I am off to bed. This took *way* longer it should have, but I hope you all enjoyed my recap. :) Ta till later, kiddies!
First off, I left my house at around 3:30 p.m., dressed to the nines in my best concert black and platform-ish lace-up shoes, on my way to pick up frackattack. We actually didn't run into any major traffic, and were there in less time than I expected. Which was fine, I was glad that we were able to find it with no issues. Plus the parking was prime and we didn't have to walk a mile. We walked over and got on line (never mind I almost fell walking over there- too excited I suppose). We chatted for a bit when we see this bus pull up. I looked at her and said, "Nah....there ain't no way. That would be too damn easy." The longer the door didn't open the more I was convinced, though we had assumed they were already there (another bus- Aiden's- was already parked when we got there). So then it finally opens and the first person off is Linde (the guitarist) with his 'dread cap on (they are at his waist now), followed by Burton (who I have to admit is easy on the eyes up close), then...the man himself. I was too stunned to even give out a little 'eep' sound. (Prior to them disembarking, I was making frackattack get her camera out....err...more like, "get it out, get it out, he's coming he's coming!" Yup- ever the supportive friend is me.) He was wearing a little scarf round his neck, an Iggy Pop t-shirt over a long sleeved shirt and black pants and sneaks. He coulda passed for a pretty boy rocker on the streets...which just endeared him to me more. (The Iggy shirt sealed the deal.) I just watched him go inside, speechless and sure it would not get much better.
As frackattack stated, I struck up a convo with a fan who was at the show with her mom. (We saw quite a few of those mom/daughter/son or dad/daughter/son combos. My folks would have not been into taking me, not on a school night.) She was probably the coolest mom I had run into in ages- her favorite artists were The Prodigy, Marilyn Manson, the Foo Fighters and Motley Crue! That's something yu don't hear every day. We talked cute a bit before they started to let us inside.....where we waited another 45 minutes. I wasn't too fussed, though I suddenly felt sleepy while we were waiting. I would have been fine if we didn't have these teenies (though I knew they were at least college age) in front of us just being....well...pretty fucking obnoxious, to me. I have a low tolerance for silly girls anyway, so they crossed my line early. I was half tempted to just tell them to shut the fuck up already. Thankfully, once we got inside, we were nowhere near them, so all was well. I went off to get merch pre-show, as I always do (1 program, two keychains, a shirt with the man himself on the front, a poster and a free shotglass) then re-joined her at our postion which we thought we'd have for a while.
Ha- best laid plans. I was somewhat familiar with Aiden's music, but not as much as I thought, or I'd have seen what was coming when they started their set...... a mosh pit opened up right in front of us. I hadn't been in a pit in about 10 years and believe me when I say I had not missed it. In the middle of it, starting it, was the brotha we saw eariler that she said reminded her of her brother. And I'll be damned if he wasn't into it hardcore. (As big as he was, of course he's not gonna get hurt- the smaller brotha, I don't know how he didn't get beat up more.) Suffice it to say that while I loved Aiden's set (those boys can rock their fucking asses off...and of COURSE they would be just babies, ugh- figures, eh?) and really got into it, the moshing was a bit rough on a girl and her body. Next time, I am getting way in the front to avoid the pit. LOL I couldn't tell you all the names of thier songs, but I know they performed 'See You In Hell' and 'Die Romantic' (which I love, by the by). They gave a good, hard and energetic set- when Wil (the lead singer) dove into the crowd, I swore I was gonna get a chance to touch him, but no such luck. Oh well. :) For once, in a rare instance, an opening act was worth getting there early for.
So, we were thankfully given time to recover. It wasn't too hot outside, and there was a cool breeze, so that helped matters along. I admit- even though used to standing up for long periods at work, my feet were starting to ache something terrible. But I knew it would be worth it.
I guess another 30 minutes passed, as it got darker....perfect ambience. The stage was set up....the instruments tuned and checked....the candelabra lit...it was almost time. I could feel my heart starting to thump already, even though I had seen then not so long before. Mige, then Gas, followed by Burton and Linde (who is a stone cutie too)...and last but not least, Ville himself, hair brushed into a cute style and liner on those gorgeous greens, dressed now in a black blazer, black shirt with red writing on it, black pants....and black and red checked Vans. (Have I mentioned that I love this man?) He came on smoking and pretty much stayed on there smoking the whole set. Sadly, my mind goes blank at the first song they played, but I do recall most of the set: 'Wings of a Butterfly', 'Wicked Game', 'Killing Loneliness', 'Behind the Crimson Door','Play Dead' ....most of 'Dark Light', actually; 'Buried Alive By Love' and 'Poison Girl', to name but a few. I admit- I was way into the vibe of the entire show and have forgotten words and titles. They are quite the powerhouse band in person, and now In understand how people react to thier shows so strongly now. Having lost my H.I.M. virginity, I can fully appreciate the experience of the live show. I was already in love with thier music (and obviously the singer).
Ville has one of the most rich, beautiful and lush singing voices I have ever had the pleasure of hearing in person. It can go up and reach a sweet falsetto then drop down and hit notes so deep it should hurt a person. But he sounded breathtaking- I have never seen a singer light up, take a puff, then belt out an entire verse without sounding raspy as hell afterwards. On that stage, the sexist thing I have ever seen was him singing with his eyes closed, a cig in one hand, singing with so much power and restraint that it was a wonder stayed on my feet the whole show. And his smile (which we saw a lot of) was fucking adorable. (There goes my fangirl moment......) I was an instant and total live H.I.M. convert. Total and complete. And his speaking voice- like a cross between a Brit and a Scandinavian accent. And you KNOW how I am over accents. He does the most sweetly goofy stage patter sometimes- my fave was this one:"As you know, we're from Finland *crowds cheers*- you know the place where Santa Claus comes from and once a year visits the States to deliver toys....anyway, the men in Finland have small peckers and low self esteem, so could you give my bandmates some love up here?" (As Dave Berry once said, I am not making this up. :)) They were cracking up at that one. But the encore lines were priceless (thank you frackattack for relating those!), just for his accent alone.
And he slipped a couple of choruses of Madonna's 'Frozen' in the middle of one of their songs that almost made me scream in delight- hearing him sing 'If I could melt your heart' almost made me a puddle.
I was actually pissed when they finally had to go. I could have heard them play all night. Seriously. They were that good.
When the crowd thinned out after the show (and I was unsuccessful in getting a copy of the set list), we made our way over to the merch table again, this time seeing a few members of Aiden there posing and taking pictures with fans (I bought their first cd). The drummer has to be no less than six-three, if he's anything. Boy is *big*. And Wil...for someone whoe threw themselves all over that stage, he's so slight and little. Kinda like Brian Molko. And so personable as well! Very very sweet guy. He hugged and kissed every girl who was there (I almost didn't, but I got brave). frackattack went ahead of me and hugged him first, then I took a cute picture of the two of them (she was right, she had to lean into him). I finally got up to him and asked him to sign my poster, then told him my name and how she had gotten me into thier stuff. I go to pose for my picture- my head on his shoulder, his head leaned over as well....and the camera dies. The humanity. So she adjusts it, and cheeky me says, "I don't mind waiting!' my arm around him a little tighter. He chuckled playfully and some girls were like, "She actually said that!" So she goes to take another picture...still won't work. I was sad, but I got another large hug from him instead (YAY!) and so many words of thanks for coming to see them. He was so damn adorable that I wanted to take him home with me.
We finally limped our way out of the club and to my car, spent, sweaty, a bit sore and grinning like mad. We drove off and she says,"That was a good show." Pause. "That was a *great* show." Another pause. "That was an *awesome* show!" I wa slike, "Truer words never spoken!"
We drove back to Miami flying on air, rehashing parts the other missed and listening to 'Dark Light' the whole way. I dropped her off, headed home, grabbed a bite and came on in. I was so woired I couldn't sleep before six in the morning. I fell asleep with the program opened to two gorgeous pics of Ville looking at me.....tired, sore, and happy as all hell.
I think that is about all I can wring from my brain about the show....it's still fresh and new, that I feel like I drempt it all and are still dreaming it. It was quite the experience.....quite the powerful experience. I shall not forget it anytime soon.
Now....*whew*...with that, I am off to bed. This took *way* longer it should have, but I hope you all enjoyed my recap. :) Ta till later, kiddies!