Oh. My. God.
If you don't want to hear me rant and rave about Blue October, move along now.
Like I said...OH. MY. GOD. BEST. SHOW. EVERRRRRRR. Seriously, the best concert I've ever, ever seen. Full of passion and love and friendliness and awesomeness and intelligence and consideration...I'm talking about bands and fans here.
Justin Furstenfeld is the absolute most mesmerizing, fascinating person I've ever seen in my whole 58 years. Hands down. I *wanted* to watch Ryan playing violin..and piano and mandolin and singing. I *wanted* to watch CB because he's just so damn HOT. The only time I had any luck with that was when CB came over to our side of the stage, and I thought I'd better pay attention because it was the only time I could see him close up (guh, what a gorgeous hunk he is!). The rest of the time, all I could do was watch Justin. I could barely tear my eyes away from him, he is such a fascinating performer.
If you ever want to see music performed as music should be, with someone's whole heart and soul into giving that artistic expression to their audience, go see Justin. As much as I have been obsessed and enamored of him/them since January, it was nothing compared to how I feel now. Seriously, if you have a chance to see this band, even if you aren't that familiar with their music now...GO. You definitely get your money's worth.
My only complaint was that they didn't do Chameleon Boy, but that was a small complaint compared to what we did get: Hate Me, HRSA, Independently Happy, What If We Could, Calling You, You Make Me Smile, The Sound of Pulling Heaven Down, tons more, and three of my absolute favorites - She's My Ride Home, Balance Beam (Justin looked like he was watching me through that since I was singing along with every word), and 18th Floor Balcony. It was gorgeous during 18th Floor Balcony...everyone was singing along in their prettiest, softest voices, as if in reverence of the song and its mood...it gave me chills, it was so beautiful. I saw several couples kissing during that song, and that's the way it affects me, too, since it reminds me of Rick and my Valentine trip to Atlanta.
I was using a camera that I was unfamiliar with, the new College camera (the old faithful seems to have died), but it looks like I got some pretty good shots...now I just need to figure out how to get them off the camera and onto the computer so I can show y'all. Oh, yeah....show you what, you want to know? HOW CLOSE I WAS!!! I was front row, hanging on the barricade!!!!!!!!!!! WHOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!! At times, Ryan and Justin were freakin' right in FRONT of me!!!! And I have pictures to prove it!!! If I can just get them from the camera to the computer, as I said. :)
I need to learn that camera better...I know it does zoom but I couldn't find it...I know it does video but I couldn't find it. But I should know more the next time Blue October comes within my reach. :)
For my old Toad friends: The atmosphere, audience-wise, reminded me of Toad fans. Everyone was nice and friendly around me. There was a Yellowcard fan jumping up and down through their set, right next to me, and he never stepped on me or bumped me. People were introducing themselves, talking to people near them, everyone friendly and nice. I ended up next to a woman who looked near my age, and she agreed that she needed the barricade to hang on to after standing for so long, so we commiserated together, firm in our dedication that it was all worth it to see Blue October...she and her daughter had driven down from Cleveland, TN for the show.
Oh, and speaking of fans!! Duh! I got to meet jaeyn finally!!! She got there much later than I did, so she was a couple of people behind me, but we got to meet and talk a bit, and that was wonderful. Jenna, I'm SO glad we finally got to meet!!! And we definitely will have to get together for future concerts! :) *hugs*
The other opening bands: Ozma...you could tell they weren't as polished, not as much experience, but they were decent. Shiny Toy Guns...I need to check out their stuff on iTunes because I really enjoyed their set...they were entertaining AND sounded great. Yellowcard was ok, but I was a bit disappointed because their songs all sounded kinda the same, though they also have a kickass violin player.
But NOTHING compared to Blue October, and right now I feel like nothing ever will again. You Toad girls KNOW that Toad is permanently exempt from being compared to anyone else..they're first, always will be...but Blue October is now (and really has been since January or February, but it's confirmed now) my #2 all-time, my #1 currently-active...and they have the most electric, fascinating, hot, talented, all-consuming, mesmerizing frontman. I love you, Justin Furstenfeld...I'm so glad you're still alive and making music.
Ok, it's after 3am and I have to be up at 6:15am to work. It was worth it, though. :)
Beth...you're in for it while you're here, you know. *grins*
Like I said...OH. MY. GOD. BEST. SHOW. EVERRRRRRR. Seriously, the best concert I've ever, ever seen. Full of passion and love and friendliness and awesomeness and intelligence and consideration...I'm talking about bands and fans here.
Justin Furstenfeld is the absolute most mesmerizing, fascinating person I've ever seen in my whole 58 years. Hands down. I *wanted* to watch Ryan playing violin..and piano and mandolin and singing. I *wanted* to watch CB because he's just so damn HOT. The only time I had any luck with that was when CB came over to our side of the stage, and I thought I'd better pay attention because it was the only time I could see him close up (guh, what a gorgeous hunk he is!). The rest of the time, all I could do was watch Justin. I could barely tear my eyes away from him, he is such a fascinating performer.
If you ever want to see music performed as music should be, with someone's whole heart and soul into giving that artistic expression to their audience, go see Justin. As much as I have been obsessed and enamored of him/them since January, it was nothing compared to how I feel now. Seriously, if you have a chance to see this band, even if you aren't that familiar with their music now...GO. You definitely get your money's worth.
My only complaint was that they didn't do Chameleon Boy, but that was a small complaint compared to what we did get: Hate Me, HRSA, Independently Happy, What If We Could, Calling You, You Make Me Smile, The Sound of Pulling Heaven Down, tons more, and three of my absolute favorites - She's My Ride Home, Balance Beam (Justin looked like he was watching me through that since I was singing along with every word), and 18th Floor Balcony. It was gorgeous during 18th Floor Balcony...everyone was singing along in their prettiest, softest voices, as if in reverence of the song and its mood...it gave me chills, it was so beautiful. I saw several couples kissing during that song, and that's the way it affects me, too, since it reminds me of Rick and my Valentine trip to Atlanta.
I was using a camera that I was unfamiliar with, the new College camera (the old faithful seems to have died), but it looks like I got some pretty good shots...now I just need to figure out how to get them off the camera and onto the computer so I can show y'all. Oh, yeah....show you what, you want to know? HOW CLOSE I WAS!!! I was front row, hanging on the barricade!!!!!!!!!!! WHOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!! At times, Ryan and Justin were freakin' right in FRONT of me!!!! And I have pictures to prove it!!! If I can just get them from the camera to the computer, as I said. :)
I need to learn that camera better...I know it does zoom but I couldn't find it...I know it does video but I couldn't find it. But I should know more the next time Blue October comes within my reach. :)
For my old Toad friends: The atmosphere, audience-wise, reminded me of Toad fans. Everyone was nice and friendly around me. There was a Yellowcard fan jumping up and down through their set, right next to me, and he never stepped on me or bumped me. People were introducing themselves, talking to people near them, everyone friendly and nice. I ended up next to a woman who looked near my age, and she agreed that she needed the barricade to hang on to after standing for so long, so we commiserated together, firm in our dedication that it was all worth it to see Blue October...she and her daughter had driven down from Cleveland, TN for the show.
Oh, and speaking of fans!! Duh! I got to meet jaeyn finally!!! She got there much later than I did, so she was a couple of people behind me, but we got to meet and talk a bit, and that was wonderful. Jenna, I'm SO glad we finally got to meet!!! And we definitely will have to get together for future concerts! :) *hugs*
The other opening bands: Ozma...you could tell they weren't as polished, not as much experience, but they were decent. Shiny Toy Guns...I need to check out their stuff on iTunes because I really enjoyed their set...they were entertaining AND sounded great. Yellowcard was ok, but I was a bit disappointed because their songs all sounded kinda the same, though they also have a kickass violin player.
But NOTHING compared to Blue October, and right now I feel like nothing ever will again. You Toad girls KNOW that Toad is permanently exempt from being compared to anyone else..they're first, always will be...but Blue October is now (and really has been since January or February, but it's confirmed now) my #2 all-time, my #1 currently-active...and they have the most electric, fascinating, hot, talented, all-consuming, mesmerizing frontman. I love you, Justin Furstenfeld...I'm so glad you're still alive and making music.
Ok, it's after 3am and I have to be up at 6:15am to work. It was worth it, though. :)
Beth...you're in for it while you're here, you know. *grins*