Roger Waters in Landgraaf, 11 May 2008
Yep, finally. I'm going to try and put my adventures in a blog. I already wrote a huge report yesterday, too bad that was written in Dutch. It can be seen here, for those who like to read Dutch Pink Floyd Fans Nederland
Now I have some serious translating to do.
Anyway, here's how the story goes... hope you enjoy reading!
ost (if not all) pictures in this blog are resized, so if there's anything you'd like to have in the original size, please give me a yell and I'll be happy to share.
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Roger Waters in Landgraaf, 11 May 2008
The day started pretty early for me. I was wide awake at 7.30 AM already! That wasn't quite how I had planned it, since I sort of figured I wouldn't be able to make it to the front row anyway because I was supposed to meet Roger before the show. I got up anyway, and took my time getting ready. I think my brother and I left home somewhere between 10.30 and 11.00.
We hoped to catch the 11.17 AM train but for some unclear reason it wasn't there and never came. So we had to wait 30 minutes before the next train arrived. Our journey down South had begun. Two and a half hours of trains, we had to change trains twice. I wasn't looking forward to the train ride, but in the end it wasn't all that bad. In fact, I quite enjoyed it. And there weren't any delays, which is quite unique over here!
We arrived in Landgraaf around 2.30 PM. We walked to the venue, which according to one source had to be a 15 minute walk and according to other sources it could also be 20 or 30 minutes. Turned out we had picked the right one, ours was 15 minutes exactly.
It wasn't very crowded there yet, probably due to the fairly hot weather. Maybe there were about 50 people sitting in front of the gates. We sat ourselves down on the floor, which wasn't very pleasant to sit on to be honest. It really hurt my ummm... backside after a while.
The gate was supposed to open at 5.00 PM but opened around 5.30 instead because the band was doing a soundcheck at the time. I guess they arrived at the venue pretty late.
I always love hearing the soundcheck, it helps me get even more into "the mood". It gives me this tingly feeling, when you know you're going to be in for a great gig.
When the doors opened we quickly made our way to the field and much to my surprise we ended up on the front row!
Within a few minutes my cell phone rang. It was this lady from Mojo Concerts who tried to give me the details for the meeting. Tried, since it was so noisy there. I even had to leave my front row spot for a few minutes to make sure I got everything she said.
The meeting was going to be held in the break instead of before the show. I didn't mind that much, because now I could at least be up front for an hour or so. Yay!
We walked back to our spot quickly and while we waited for the gig to start we had a bite to eat and some drinks. The atmosphere was good and very relaxed. At least it was where we were.
And then! 8.00 PM SHOWTIME!
I was getting more and more nervous (and excited!) every minute. Especially after this really gorgeous smile Rog gave me at one particular point. *melts*
I found it so strange and hard to believe that I was about to meet him in less than an hour.
Here are a couple of my pictures from the first half of the show.
^ Hide! He's looking! Hide!
During Sheep (last song before the break) we had to make our way out of the crowd. I totally missed out on the pig flying away towards the moon, and Sheep being one of my all time favourite Floyd songs I kind of didn't want to leave yet but there were more important things to do.
The lady from Mojo had told me something about a Chiquita Bananas stand, and we were supposed to meet her there or something. This whole thing almost went entirely wrong, but to make a long story short... I grabbed my cell phone and quickly dialed her number and eventually we found her. Whew!
I became very nervous again as soon as I saw I wasn't the only person who was going backstage. I had expected at least 2 other winners (they won through a competition at my favourite radio station) but there were 10 people, my brother and I included that is.
I have to admit that was a bit of a bummer.
We all received a sticker, call it a backstage pass if you like.
We followed the Mojo lady and made our way backstage. We all lined up in front of the dressing room and were told we were all allowed to have 1 item signed.
Since there was a professional photographer from a local newspaper involved, we weren't allowed to take pics ourselves. Daaamn!
A couple of minutes later Rog emerged from his dressing room, and I was all like OH MY GOD! Excuse me for getting all fangirly here, but he really is incredibly gorgeous.
I had taken an album with me just in case there was going to be a signing, but I also was on another mission. My good friend Sarah and I referred to it as "Operation Sheep" last week.
I had bought this little plush sheep I wanted to give to Roger as a little present. I just thought I had to do something original and this was at least that.
The story behind the sheep in short; somewhere on stage with Rog is this plastic pig (it's actually a watering can, I own one too). I wanted to give the sheep to him as being a friend for his pig. I had it all planned out in my mind what I was going to say, but ofcourse it didn't quite turn out that way as you will read later on.
First there were two people having a book signed, then there was the reporter from Metro. You can see him in this picture with Roger.
My brother and I are in it too, as you've probably noticed.
After that it was my turn. I think my heart must have skipped a beat or two. I was there face to face with my Rog. He shook my hand and said "Hi!". *melts*
I was so impressed by it all, I forgot to hand him my cd booklet to sign so he kindly asked if he could have it.
Right after I handed it to him the photographer was about to take a picture of us, but I had no idea. I simply wasn't paying attention! "Look at the camera my dear," Roger then said and trust me I melted again right there
wasn't done melting yet though... Rog then nestled himself against me and as he did that I automatically put my hand on the back of his arm (oh, it was all so cosy and sweet) and out of all that came this photograph.
In the pic you can't see I am touching his arm, but the memory will always be with me. For those of you who want to know, his skin felt really soft.
I couldn't stop laughing when I received the picture yesterday afternoon. We both have the same silly grin on our faces. I can assure you my family couldn't stop laughing either!
It's quite unique that he's smiling too by the way. I have seen countless fan pictures and he never really smiles in any of them. I guess he must have liked me or something.
After the picture had been taken Rog asked me my name, which I spelled out for him too. When he finished signing the booklet he said my name and that had to be my next "melting moment".
He gave me back my cd booklet, but I still had to fulfill my crazy Operation Sheep! It didn't turn out to be the version I had planned out for myself, it was a rather quick and short version instead.
Before Roger wanted to move on to the next person (my brother) I quickly said "I got you a present." or something like that anyway. I handed him the sheep. There was a tiny card attached to it with a little thank you note written on it. "Thank you!" he said and smiled, "That's very sweet of you, thank you."
Ok, do I have to say *MELTS* ?
That was it for me, now it was my brother's turn. We initially thought there wasn't a picture of him, but it turned out they did take one.
Thankfully (!) they didn't take this pic while I was checking out Roger's butt. *blushes* You can't blame me! What else should you do when you're standing right behind him?
lus it's just gorgeous. I had to resist the urge to pinch it.
There wasn't enough time to ask any questions, but man it was extraordinary! Amazing!
When we returned to the field I chatted to another winner (the one from the radio station).
Only a few minutes later the break was over and the show was on again. We were a few more rows back now, I think we were in 3rd or 4th row and a little bit more to the right than before the break. We still had an awesome view.
Here are a few pics from the second half of the show.
It didn't take long before I suddenly realised what had just happened to me. I just met "my Rog", he who means so incredibly much to me. How was that possible?
I cried a couple of times durin Dark Side of the Moon. This meant so much to me, that this had happened to me was so special. It made me feel very emotional, and I can't explain what I was feeling at the time. My brother kept looking at me with this concerned look on his face. Awww.
Around 10.45 PM the show ended. I had saved the money I received for my birthday a few weeks ago especially for this event. We quickly walked to the merchandise stand and I got myself two shirts.
We made our way out of the venue soon, and tried to find the way back to the station. Made one mistake but we managed to get there in time.
We (as well as countless other fans) couldn't get any further than Eindhoven, because of the stupidity of our Dutch Railways. Anyway, my dad had agreed to pick us up in Eindhoven. Turned out both my parents were there. LOL. I hadn't expected that, they must have been so curious to know how it went!
We made it home safe, somewhere around 2.45 AM I think.
The whole train fiasco didn't really matter. I have no right to complain after such an adventure! I still can't believe this happened to me, and I realise I am very lucky.
Oh, one more picture left...
Our backstage passes and signed items.
The End