Fall Out Boy, All American Rejects and Hey Monday Concert (Sydney 21/02/09)
So, Fall out boy concert last night. It was amazing. Me and Emma (my sister) left around lunch time (late lunch, and later than I had hoped) to drive alone. Alone. First time driving to Sydney alone, and doing a concert alone; which was exciting. No problems driving to Sydney, except for a heavy rainstorm with hail. I was really worried about mum's car, but aside from two small chips, it came through fine. Got to the hotel, checked in, ate in the room and got into out concert clothes (I wore different clothes to drive down in). Then we headed across. Lined up, with a fair number of people in front of us. Decided not to go and push for merch (specifically the orange hoodie with the ears on it).
Holding it during the concert would have sucked, I may have lost my place in the line (and my sister) as well as dealing with the lines. So we decided not to. Oddly enough, I'm still okay with that choice. Mostly.
People are idiots. 1. Too many girls squealing/shrieking loudly for no reason while waiting. 2. Pointlessly rushing forward, so we're standing together like sardines, despite having previously been sitting down, with nothing going on, and nothing about to happen. I was already slightly deaf before we even got into the venue. Got in eventually, and we were far closer to the front than we thought (still not close, but we did move forward while they were moving us in). The wristband wasn't too tight this time, so that was fantastic, I wasn't worried about losing my hand this time. We were made to sit in a side room while the Q&A winners people were in the arena. More stupid pointless pushing and standing together; as well as talking while venue staff were telling us important things, like how to get back to our area after toilets/drinks etc. I also laughed at the number of people getting in trouble for running, or silly people wearing silly things (I'm a bitch, yeah, but silly people are silly). Some lady got me to mind her kid (about 10yrs maybe?) while she went to the loo. So apparently I look mature and responsible.
So we were fairly close, particularly during hey monday. I'm not a huge fan of their stuff, but its good boppy music, so a good time seemed to be had by most. Give them some time and they could be really good. They've got the looks and enthusiasm, so all it'll take is some hard work now. I'm looking forward to seeing how they go in a couple of years. I did feel bad that it was only FBR tragics who knew who they were / knew the songs (hell I'm a tragic, and I didn' t really know all the songs),but hopefully now they have some new fans.
All American Rejects were awesome. Tyson is an amazing showman. He didn't ask the crowd to scream, he made them scream (an important distinction). The band is oddly manly (oddly if you consider the bands I listen to), and yet there is ample hotness in it. Tyson scored points by telling security to get us water. Bands don't have to do that, but it’s sweet when they do. I loved how they talked about america shitting on the world, and that 'people don’t leave you when they die'. Honestly, I was only a singles fan before this, but I've been converted; happily. I'm still confused why such a major band isn't doing their own headlining tour (maybe it’s cheaper this way), because I’m sure that would rock; but it was great anyway.
And finally, Fall Out Boy. Dear lord people were acting like idiots in the mosh. I have no problem with rocking out and jumping etc, but that shouldn't mean people abandon all sense or courtesy. But enough about the idiots. I was on Joe's side, specifically because I knew Pete's would be crazy. And gosh, those boys are short. I knew it, but half the time they were easily blocked by heads in the crowd, and I was less than 10 lines back. Pete's stories were amusing as always, and Patrick talking is odd, because he does so little of it. I just wish there had been more light on Andy, he was impossible to get photos of where I was. Then again, they had enough lights and effects to make us hot, so they must have been melting.
We went and got merch afterwards. Emma got a poster, I got a lanyard, and we both got drink coolers. It’s not a limited edition hoodie, but that's okay. Then back to the hotel to rehydrate, eat and sleep. Far better than a late night, 2 hour drive home.
I'm seriously wishing I could tour. I love performing, and watching shows. But the depression afterwards sucks. The come down from the endorphins gives me major mood swings and depression (which is kind of the last thing I need, I'm not exactly Captain Lollipop anyway). My only cure....keep going to shows/performing, but sadly that's not really an option. If I could come up with some way to tour and perform, I would. Either way, great time. Now only a few more bands to see, like MCR.