Entry by : Evan, from Brown Univiversity, AIM: TheScorcho12
=W= Show Experience: 4th time (The Warped Tour in Anaheim 08.30_00, Long Beach 11.24_02, Irvine, "biggest headlined =W= show ever", 08.09_02)
The day began at 2pm when my friends and I set up camp outside the Avalon. The sky was grey and it was quite cold. It didn't matter that we still had five hours to wait until the concert began; we were about to see the =W=. The hours rolled by quickly and before we knew it, we were being ushered into the venue.
As we began to run towards the stage, many Avalon employees began to shout at us.
"Don't run. SLOW DOWN!"
In accordance with their requests, we slowed to a brisk power walk. We ended up about 10 feet from the center microphone (the future site of Rivers) and started to freak out about how close we were. More and more people piled onto the floor, pushing us closer to the restraining bar and causing the temperature inside to skyrocket.
Before the house lights were completely turned off, the opening band, Ringside, had arrived on stage and donned their instruments. The crowd was rather unwelcoming to Ringside, shouting expletives, flipping them off and frequently shouting, "Get off the stage." I was very upset by this behavior. I actually enjoyed Ringside and thought they put on a fairly good show. Their songs had a great mix of 80's like synthesizers (but not as cheesy), a great beat and melodious guitars. They deserved more respect.
I started getting closer to the beginning of =W='s set and the anticipation was overwhelming me. I saw Karl walk across the front of the stage and started shouting to him. While my stare was fixed on him at the far corner of the stage, the men of =W= walked out and the lights suddenly went out. I was speechless. While this was the fourth time I had seen =W=, there was something very special about it that I cannot explain.
They started off with one of my favorites, "Tired of Sex", but Rivers did not seem very into it and it left me
longing for something more. He didn't even move during the solo. Since everyone in the crowd was singing along, it was quite difficult to here Rivers' diminutive voice. It wasn't until they broke into "This is Such a Pity" that the concert really got going. After the crowd's raucous approval/response to the song, Rivers approached the microphone.
"Thanks guys. That felt really good."
After that, Rivers sang the songs louder, he smiled and was visibly enjoying playing for us.
Of all the new songs they played that night, "Hold Me" had to be the highlight. Rivers was so vulnerable for the majority of the song. It was emotional and beautiful. During "Say it Aint So", I saw Rivers lose himself in the solo. He would close his eyes and bend backwards as he bent the strings. That song was one of the highlights of the night.
Following "Island in the Sun" Rivers again approached the microphone and introduced the rest of the band. He finished the introduction with an amusing introduction of himself.
"And I'm Rivers. But for now, you can call me Jonas."
Wow. That is all I can say about "Jonas". It was a rocking good sing along.
After an awe-inspiring conclusion to the pre-encore set, Rivers approached the microphone one last time.
"So we tricked you. We are going to play two more but you've got to do something for me. Promise me that you'll come see us when we come back."
Don't worry, Rivers. I'll be there.
Rivers put his guitar back on and they broke into "Undone". While "Undone" is not one of my favorite =W= songs, this performance was the best one I had ever seen and rekindled my love for the song. To close the show, they played "The Good Life". I was rocking out so hard that I had to dance. Like "Undone", it was the best performance of "The Good Life" I had ever seen. During the bridge of the song, a light was shone on the disco ball, illuminating the ballroom with little specs of light. It was a moment that I will always remember.
It was life changing. Seeing them so close... rocking out to the =W=... oh wow. Ridiculous. I thoroughly enjoyed the increased role Brian took in the show. He took the microphone for "Getchoo" and did not disappoint anyone in attendance. During Beverly Hills, he led the crowd in clapping for the intro and blew my mind with his two guitar solos. The concert was the best =W= concert I have ever seen. It was an amazing experience to share with my girlfriend; bringing together the two most important things in my life. |
