By popular demand, I am posting my story of May 28th.
As many know, my favorite pastime is researching, downloading and listening to music. My music library is a little out of control and I can't seem to get enough. If someone were to ask me who my favorite is, it depends on the day, but this band is always in my top 3.
Lyrically, I am moved. Musically, I am inspired. Put the two together, and I need to see and hear these people who create such masterpieces live in action.
When I saw they were finally coming to the U.S. and a quick trip to L.A. away, tickets were bought the moment they went on sale.
This is how most conversations went leading up to my trip:
Person: Why are you going to L.A.?
Me: Going to a concert.
Person: Who ya going to go see?
Me: You don't know them.
Person: Oh, who is it?
Me: Seriously, you won't know who they are. It's an Alt rock Indie band.
Person: I listen to that genre, really, who are they?
Me: Elbow
Person: Who?
Me: Elbow
Person: El-bow?
Me: Uh huh.
Person: Oh, I don't know them.
And then I proceed to try and explain how great they are meanwhile, all the person is hung up on- is the name 'Elbow.' Hence, why it's easier to say, "You don't know them." If you were to say 'Elbow' in the U.K., guaranteed most know who this band is because, lets admit it, most of the best music originates there.
I've waited seven years to see them live, so we left Phoenix and went straight to The Wiltern in Los Angeles. I wanted to be first in line, which would mean first inside, which meant first and front in Guy Garvey's eye view during the concert. We got in line at 4 p.m. and doors didn't open until 8 p.m. Before you judge, how long did you wait in a line on Black Friday??
We made friends with the people next to us (also from AZ), had some good one on one conversation, people watched (never lacking or disappointing in L.A.), and enjoyed being out of the AZ heat.
When they finally opened the doors I felt like a kid at Christmas rushing down the stairs to open my first present. When I opened that present, it was socks.
Apparently, being the first in line for general floor admission didn't mean you got the front and center next to the stage. You got the first tier of the floor. Next to the stage happened to be the floor pit and we still haven't quite figured out how those tickets were purchased. Theories have been, after talking with other fans who waited hours, were 1. Reserved for the first 100 tickets sold. or 2. The Wiltern advertised becoming a VIP member of The Wiltern which offered more perks. Either scenario didn't sit well. Why? 1. Most of those individuals in the pit were way older than us. I find it hard to believe all of them knew how to use the internet and buy tickets in a timely fashion. Jason went online and bought the tickets the second they went on sale. If he wasn't within the first 100, then there had to have been a pre-sale that wasn't advertised. 2. This VIP crap ticks me off. It's annoying to watch people walk in 5 minutes before the show and mosey on up to the very front, meanwhile I invested 4 hours on the sidewalk. Who's the better fan? The one who is patient and endures or the one who pays the most? Obviously, money talks. It's this kind of shenanigans that led Pearl Jam to boycott and eventually start what became Coachella.
Our view was still great, just not what I had wanted or expected. We still had the front of the tier and I didn't have to worry about a 6 foot man in front of me.
The concert was definitely not a disappointment, other than it flew by. I was in awe. Their sound was perfection, with every instrument balanced. It was different than any concert I've experienced. Not only was the crowd mellow, but they actually held their applause until the last notes were finished because every second was art that you didn't want to miss. Guy's voice is almost better live than recorded which is a rare gem to find. One of Jason and I's favorite moments was the final song "One Day Like This" and ironically that moment wasn't because of the band. At the end of the song, Guy turns the microphone to the audience to finish the last few lyrics and all 1,500 attendees sing in unison. Then he asks us to sing in harmony and like a professional choir, half the crowd automatically switches to harmony. That many voices, singing together beautifully to something those artists created, what a tribute to what they do.
...and then things get awkward.
When the show is over, the lights come up and security starts pressuring us to exit the building. I'm always taking it slow, hoping to get a copy of the set list or some other form of memorabilia.
As we start slowly exiting, Jason spots a celebrity but can't think of his name. Immediately, I notice it's Brendan Coyle a.k.a. Mr. Bates from Downton Abbey. He's speaking with an older couple and I decide to eavesdrop and hope to possibly get a picture with him. I pull the ol classic- jump in the lunch line stunt-which I had mastered in high school. Just walk up, stand there like I belong, and if I'm lucky- interject in the conversation. We all know how these things and me usually go. (Read past experiences here).
OK, scene is set, here's the script:
Brendan: (Talking with older couple, has a blonde friend with him who ends up walking away. I gather Brendan is a little tipsy by signs of slowed speech and back and forth swaying movements while he thinks he's standing still.) "Hey, I want to introduce you to a friend of mine, this is Julie." (Pointing to me).
Me: "Hey everybody, I'm not Julie...Julie went that way."
Brendan: "Oh, who are you?" (Said in an interested way)
Me: "I'm Jen, and I was hoping I could get a picture with you."
Brendan: "Uh, sure. Are you here with this guy?" (Pointing to some random dude).
Me: "No, I'm with THAT guy." (As I point around him towards the back of the room, where Jason is ready with the camera.)
Brendan: "Oh, he's a lucky man. You're very beautiful . He's a handsome chap.
Here, come sit down with me for awhile."
Me: SCREAM!!! (Inside scream, but totally cool and chill on the outside, all the while thinking, Don't screw this up, please, not this time.)
So we sit and chat for a few. I'm doing well.
Innocent. Nice. Polite. Good conversation.
Then either the last shot of vodka kicked in or my American charm won him over and he became VERY close.
Close enough that he said he wanted to kiss me. Uh, that's a joke right?? Isn't it usually the other way around, the fan kisses the celebrity?
He proceeds to tell Jason that he's going to kiss me and for him to get a picture.
If you look close enough, I think you can see my face muscles straining to resist his hand pulling me towards him. And like any great husband would, instead of fighting for his woman, Jason takes pictures because he succumbed to the charm of a man with an accent telling him he was handsome.
At that moment I went blank. I'm sure Brendan tried to get my number, stole a few strands of my hair, and had the best cheek kiss of his life, but the next thing I remembered was security giving us our last warning to exit the building.
I've actually had a few (crazed Downton Abbey fans) say, "Jen, why didn't you kiss him??" "You know how many girls would die to be in your shoes?"
First, what you do in a situation and what you think you would do in a situation are two different things, and more importantly, I already have my Lord of the Manor.
If you ever have a chance to hang with some Brits, it will be the night of your life!
And for the love...get to know this band: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUUASDWrBdc
Here are some pics of The Wiltern. Fantastic historic venue.
