(no subject)
So I'm finally doing my gig recap. Basically I am a lazy fuck and I couldn't be arsed before now, but I have the day of work (and I'm not off for another week) so if I don't do it today I never will
Got on the train fine, then had a moment of panic (no pun intended) when we stopped, I had visions of my train journey to see Avenged in January repeating itself (I had to wait on a train for 4 hours!). Luckily it was just because we were waiting to change drivers.
At 12.45 met marauder-bex at the station. Our original plan was to go join the queue at around 2pm, but it was bloody freezing and uber windy, so we hung around hers til about 4pm when we got hungry and walked to the McDonalds near the venue.
Comedy ensued as we tried to work out where the hell we were meant to go for the meet and greet she won. We were told the box office, but that's in a totally sepearate building, and the venue security didn't have a clue what we were on about. So we wandered back along the queue, and loitered for a bit. Bex spotted Zack and we went over to him, told him she'd won meet and greet and he looked at us oddly, before saying to stand over there by the entrance. We were meant to go in for m&g at 6. By 6.10 we were all freezing, and then we started the trek around the back of the venue.
We got in there at about 6.15, and Zack told us to walk straight "over there", except they'd been testing the dry ice thingys or something, because it basically looked really foggy (you'll see on the pics), luckily halfway "over there" they turned the lights on so we could see the table. Zack had us all line up along the barrier and gave us The Talk. Basically his list of things we could and couldn't do. Examples:
1) No hugs. Someone hugged one of the guys once (my head tells me he said Ryan, but Bex doesn't remember that, so it's possible I imagined it) and had something in her hand and tried to hurt him. So no hugs
2) Don't flail/scream/act crazy
3) Don't faint "if you do we will leave you where you fall and step over you and laugh"
4) Do not lean on my (Zack's) table
There were more, like not getting chests signed because then you're leaning over the table in their space. He basically told us if we broke these rules we'd be kicked out of the m&g and the gig, but that he'd also take our picture and as long as he works for the band ("They're four of my very best friends and they won't fire me" ie forever) we would NEVER see the band play live. Basically Zack is teh awesome.
Bex videoed most of the meet and greet, so I'll link you there for video goodness. It's a good job she did because I basically remember nothing until almost falling when the table moved for our picture. I know I said stuff, but I couldn't tell you what. They liked the pictures we had (Bex had A4 glossies and kindly gave me one to get signed) and they all commented on both of them. Bex had lolsome comments off of Ryan about hers. Then came the pictures.
The guys stood in a line at the table - Jon & Ryan then a gap then Brendon & Spencer. I'm a Ryan girl and Bex is a Brendon girl, so that worked out great. Ryan, me and Bex (and possibly Brendon) all thought it was a really good idea to lean on the table at the same time. It started sliding back, so me, Bex and Brendon all grabbed it to stop it, hence our ridiculous faces. There is however no excuse for Ryan resembling a turtle.
After that we headed outside again for our own separate queue. Zack had given the people who'd been there since 9am numbers, and was letting them in first, and us in second which was amazing (and it turned out quite lucky). It started pissing down just as we got let in which was also lucky.
We got second row which was amazing. I've been to this venue before and it's always really cold, even when the bands are on and the crowd is in full swing. Several of the girls in front of me were actually shivering it was so cold.
First up was Black Gold. I'd only heard one song by them before, but they were good. Brendon came out during one song (Plans and Reveries I think) and had total sex hair. At the m&g it was nice and flat, when he first came out? All puffed up in little spikes like someone had been grabbing it. He smoothed it down pretty quick, but Bex and I decided it was most likely Ryan (tinhat ftw!).
Metro Station were up after, and I didn't pay much attention after the first song because Trace creeped me out a bit. He's very insect like.
I have to note in here somewhere that the crowd was retarded. There was so much pushing (back and forwards and side to side) even when there was no one on stage. Bex ended up about 5 or 6 rows back from second where she started because she nearly had a fight with some utter cock and his gf. She did get good audio on her vids though because she was further away. Mine aren't too bad, you can hear them ok, but the drums kinda distort it a bit. Anyhooz.
Panic!
They started off with We're so Starving straight into NitA. I didn't film those because I have stupid numbers of versions of NitA and everyone else probably has too. Nor did I film But it's Better If You Do. I meant to, but my camera switched itself off after 11 seconds. Camisado and The Only Difference were up next,
Camisado
The Only Difference
and after The Only Difference they told us a little story:
Ryan: We took the train up here today (I don't know why they would instead of driving but hey) and we haven't done that before. You have some very beautiful countryside
Brendon: We got to smell the lovely sheep too
Jon told us about the new album (really? omg I must've missed that they have a new one coming out) and didn't pause for the Pretty. Odd. punctuation before going into That Green Gentleman.
That Green Gentleman
Ryan decided it smelt like toast after that song (sweaty bodies DO NOT smell like toast Ryan Ross...clearly his sense of smell is a little off) and then they played These Tables.
Brendon's (now) infamous "Guys are included!" came before Lying (which I didn't film, it's my least favourite Panic song), and then came The Weight. I pretty much seemed to be the only person singing along to it, luckily because I was close the distortion from the drums means you can't hear me! Notable for Brendon's "Bden Baby" part way through
The Weight
Brendon did his random piano thing and then they did Esteban. Jon high fived everyone and then they played She's A Handsome Woman. Then came Build God. Brendon did a bizarre one fingered crossing of himself at the "any practised catholic" line.
Esteban
She's A Handsome Woman
Build God
Jon told us they're coming back in the summer to play some festivals
Brendon: We'll be taking rollcall and we expect you all to be there
Ryan; (waves hand across crowd) I'll remember you all (or something like that)
Then I Write Sins. This was really good. I remember thinking that compared to the record Brendon sometimes struggles to do that bit where he holds the note for ages near the end, totally nailed it here though.
I Write Sins
Off they went.
Encore time, and Brendon came out alone for his acoustic version of Time to Dance. He asked us to help him with the keyboard part because he had noone up there to play it for him. So he launced into the "Do Do Do" bit and it was adorable, then the crowd took over.
Time to Dance
After that the rest of the band came out
Brendon: You guys have been awesome tonight I have to say I don't think I've said these words in a long time. I love you. And if you were all of age I would do nasty nasty things to you all
Ryan: (gives Brendon a sort of look) He's just kidding
Brendon: Sorry. I have a very dry sense of humour
Jon: He's not nice (or possibly he's not kidding)
Jon did intros to the band and then they played Mad As Rabbits.
Mad As Rabbits
This is Bex video of Mad as Rabbits, becase it's probably the best version I've seen. Her whole recap (with pics and her vids) is here
Managed to find Bex after that and we headed to the merch table. She managed to nab Trace and Mason for autographs for her sister, and the whole of Black Gold. I bought a snazzy tshirt and she bought a bag. We then hung around the back, mainly for amusement value of watching people get random things signed. Zack gave the waiting fans The Talk, and then bought them out. He's clearly not daft that Zack. Brendon came out first on his own, he was very bouncy and happy looking.After he'd gone a fair few fans left. Ryan came next and again, after he'd gone a fair few fans had too. Clearly Zack knows the girls love the pretty ones the best. Jon and Spencer came out together. Bex managed to get the rest of Metro Stations autographs and off we went back to Bex place via the pizza shop.
Got on the train fine, then had a moment of panic (no pun intended) when we stopped, I had visions of my train journey to see Avenged in January repeating itself (I had to wait on a train for 4 hours!). Luckily it was just because we were waiting to change drivers.
At 12.45 met marauder-bex at the station. Our original plan was to go join the queue at around 2pm, but it was bloody freezing and uber windy, so we hung around hers til about 4pm when we got hungry and walked to the McDonalds near the venue.
Comedy ensued as we tried to work out where the hell we were meant to go for the meet and greet she won. We were told the box office, but that's in a totally sepearate building, and the venue security didn't have a clue what we were on about. So we wandered back along the queue, and loitered for a bit. Bex spotted Zack and we went over to him, told him she'd won meet and greet and he looked at us oddly, before saying to stand over there by the entrance. We were meant to go in for m&g at 6. By 6.10 we were all freezing, and then we started the trek around the back of the venue.
We got in there at about 6.15, and Zack told us to walk straight "over there", except they'd been testing the dry ice thingys or something, because it basically looked really foggy (you'll see on the pics), luckily halfway "over there" they turned the lights on so we could see the table. Zack had us all line up along the barrier and gave us The Talk. Basically his list of things we could and couldn't do. Examples:
1) No hugs. Someone hugged one of the guys once (my head tells me he said Ryan, but Bex doesn't remember that, so it's possible I imagined it) and had something in her hand and tried to hurt him. So no hugs
2) Don't flail/scream/act crazy
3) Don't faint "if you do we will leave you where you fall and step over you and laugh"
4) Do not lean on my (Zack's) table
There were more, like not getting chests signed because then you're leaning over the table in their space. He basically told us if we broke these rules we'd be kicked out of the m&g and the gig, but that he'd also take our picture and as long as he works for the band ("They're four of my very best friends and they won't fire me" ie forever) we would NEVER see the band play live. Basically Zack is teh awesome.
Bex videoed most of the meet and greet, so I'll link you there for video goodness. It's a good job she did because I basically remember nothing until almost falling when the table moved for our picture. I know I said stuff, but I couldn't tell you what. They liked the pictures we had (Bex had A4 glossies and kindly gave me one to get signed) and they all commented on both of them. Bex had lolsome comments off of Ryan about hers. Then came the pictures.
The guys stood in a line at the table - Jon & Ryan then a gap then Brendon & Spencer. I'm a Ryan girl and Bex is a Brendon girl, so that worked out great. Ryan, me and Bex (and possibly Brendon) all thought it was a really good idea to lean on the table at the same time. It started sliding back, so me, Bex and Brendon all grabbed it to stop it, hence our ridiculous faces. There is however no excuse for Ryan resembling a turtle.
After that we headed outside again for our own separate queue. Zack had given the people who'd been there since 9am numbers, and was letting them in first, and us in second which was amazing (and it turned out quite lucky). It started pissing down just as we got let in which was also lucky.
We got second row which was amazing. I've been to this venue before and it's always really cold, even when the bands are on and the crowd is in full swing. Several of the girls in front of me were actually shivering it was so cold.
First up was Black Gold. I'd only heard one song by them before, but they were good. Brendon came out during one song (Plans and Reveries I think) and had total sex hair. At the m&g it was nice and flat, when he first came out? All puffed up in little spikes like someone had been grabbing it. He smoothed it down pretty quick, but Bex and I decided it was most likely Ryan (tinhat ftw!).
Metro Station were up after, and I didn't pay much attention after the first song because Trace creeped me out a bit. He's very insect like.
I have to note in here somewhere that the crowd was retarded. There was so much pushing (back and forwards and side to side) even when there was no one on stage. Bex ended up about 5 or 6 rows back from second where she started because she nearly had a fight with some utter cock and his gf. She did get good audio on her vids though because she was further away. Mine aren't too bad, you can hear them ok, but the drums kinda distort it a bit. Anyhooz.
Panic!
They started off with We're so Starving straight into NitA. I didn't film those because I have stupid numbers of versions of NitA and everyone else probably has too. Nor did I film But it's Better If You Do. I meant to, but my camera switched itself off after 11 seconds. Camisado and The Only Difference were up next,
Camisado
Click to viewThe Only Difference
and after The Only Difference they told us a little story:
Ryan: We took the train up here today (I don't know why they would instead of driving but hey) and we haven't done that before. You have some very beautiful countryside
Brendon: We got to smell the lovely sheep too
Jon told us about the new album (really? omg I must've missed that they have a new one coming out) and didn't pause for the Pretty. Odd. punctuation before going into That Green Gentleman.
That Green Gentleman
Ryan decided it smelt like toast after that song (sweaty bodies DO NOT smell like toast Ryan Ross...clearly his sense of smell is a little off) and then they played These Tables.
Brendon's (now) infamous "Guys are included!" came before Lying (which I didn't film, it's my least favourite Panic song), and then came The Weight. I pretty much seemed to be the only person singing along to it, luckily because I was close the distortion from the drums means you can't hear me! Notable for Brendon's "Bden Baby" part way through
The Weight
Brendon did his random piano thing and then they did Esteban. Jon high fived everyone and then they played She's A Handsome Woman. Then came Build God. Brendon did a bizarre one fingered crossing of himself at the "any practised catholic" line.
Esteban
She's A Handsome Woman
Build God
Jon told us they're coming back in the summer to play some festivals
Brendon: We'll be taking rollcall and we expect you all to be there
Ryan; (waves hand across crowd) I'll remember you all (or something like that)
Then I Write Sins. This was really good. I remember thinking that compared to the record Brendon sometimes struggles to do that bit where he holds the note for ages near the end, totally nailed it here though.
I Write Sins
Off they went.
Encore time, and Brendon came out alone for his acoustic version of Time to Dance. He asked us to help him with the keyboard part because he had noone up there to play it for him. So he launced into the "Do Do Do" bit and it was adorable, then the crowd took over.
Time to Dance
After that the rest of the band came out
Brendon: You guys have been awesome tonight I have to say I don't think I've said these words in a long time. I love you. And if you were all of age I would do nasty nasty things to you all
Ryan: (gives Brendon a sort of look) He's just kidding
Brendon: Sorry. I have a very dry sense of humour
Jon: He's not nice (or possibly he's not kidding)
Jon did intros to the band and then they played Mad As Rabbits.
Mad As Rabbits
This is Bex video of Mad as Rabbits, becase it's probably the best version I've seen. Her whole recap (with pics and her vids) is here
Managed to find Bex after that and we headed to the merch table. She managed to nab Trace and Mason for autographs for her sister, and the whole of Black Gold. I bought a snazzy tshirt and she bought a bag. We then hung around the back, mainly for amusement value of watching people get random things signed. Zack gave the waiting fans The Talk, and then bought them out. He's clearly not daft that Zack. Brendon came out first on his own, he was very bouncy and happy looking.After he'd gone a fair few fans left. Ryan came next and again, after he'd gone a fair few fans had too. Clearly Zack knows the girls love the pretty ones the best. Jon and Spencer came out together. Bex managed to get the rest of Metro Stations autographs and off we went back to Bex place via the pizza shop.