Musical Interlude
I feel so refreshed. Ten hours of straight sleep will do that to anyone. I'm so awake and feeling good that I actually took the time to blow dry my hair this morning and style it.
Before I go on about the concert and yack on and on about the fabulous time that we had, I must let you in on something amazing. I have never used this feature, but have heard of it and now as I currently type up this post, I am jamming out to Franz Ferdinand's entire album. Before it comes out in stores! Isn't technology great? Enjoy.
Now...the concert.
We had perfect concert weather. Warm, but not too warm, a slight breeze and not a cloud in the sky. Just glowing sun that forced everyone to smile, no matter how sad, and show off their pearly whites.
Mel and I stopped by the house and quickly got changed into concert outfits. I certainly couldn't rock out in my black high heels. I could try, but would more than likely fail miserably. We had two water bottles getting cold in the refridgerator and remembered from the last time just how dehydrated we were. Of course it was a million degrees hotter, but we also took into account that there was going to be a lot of screaming and our throats may like to have some water every so often from going completely dry and hoarse.
Once we made it over to Mendy's house we had to run over to Costco for some pictures that she had developed from when Ash was here and then we grabbed some food from Chevy's. They were both mmm mmm good.
Eventually we got into the car and began to make our way up to Merriweather. I got a little worried with the traffic that was staring at us in the face but as soon as we got the White Stripe's CDs going all was well. It was then that it finally hit me that we were really going to be seeing them live. I love it when that feeling washes over me. The actual realization that yes, this will be happening and no, I won't be dreaming.
It turned out that we didn't even really need to be rushing. It looked like three people had parked before us. There wasn't a line, people were just chilling, and we got a kick ass parking spot. There wasn't any fighting or waiting like the first time and I wasn't complaining.
After we hiked up the longest and steepest walkway to have our bags and tickets checked, we kind of just hung out and took notice at how empty everything was. It felt wrong. How come people weren't here sooner? It's the White Stripes for goodness sake! Then we thought, "well, if nobody still comes when they start performing, we're getting closer. Much closer."
We found our seats and they were directly in the middle. A little bit closer than The Killers and Keane, but nicer. We wouldn't be viewing anything at an angle. We had about an hour to kill and we quickly got bored. Mendy whipped out some homework reading that she had while Mel and I played, "find the beer" and "guess this artist" on Merriweather's big screens. They soon became predictable though.
A little while later, a guy who looked exactly like Jack White sat in front of us. He had it all; the red cowboy shirt, the jet black hair, and even that weird goatee/mustache/caterpillar thing that he likes to sport. Mendy tried to snap a picture of him without looking suspicious but they all came out blurry.
Then, the lights dimmed on the stage, the crowd that had gathered began to cheer, and the first act came out. It was M Ward. I had never heard of him, but out he came out with his hat that covered his entire face. He rocked out a guitar solo before he introduced the two other members of his band. I don't know the girl's name who took drum playing to a whole different level, but she made me want to learn how to play the drums just like her. It was really good and nice to tap my fingers to.
The Shins came out shortly after them and I danced along in my seat as they played. I had heard of them before, but never gave them a proper listen. I know now for sure that I will be enjoying the soothing sounds of The Shins. Their music glides along nicely and they all have distinguished personalities that add to their live performance. I fell in love and scraped my knees in the process.
It didn't take long for the White Stripe's roadies to set up the stage. They were all decked out in black suits to match and go along with the official White Stripes theme. It was all delicious eye candy and I couldn't get over how really nice it was. There were white trees on the edge of the stage, a red and white back drop, three different guitars, a xylophone, a piano, Meg's drums, random microphones stationed at certain points, and even these tiny figurines sitting on top of some silver instrument cases.
It was hot.
When the lights dimmed for a final time, the crowd was completely full. We stood, clapped our hands, and cheered. They began to play intro music while the back drop started to glow and show off a white apple. Before I knew it, out walked Mr. Jack White himself with his "big sis" Meg. Musical orgasm number one was had.
They kicked things off with White Orchid or Dead Leaves on the Dirty Ground. I can't remember. I danced and pumped my fists in the air. I screamed while shouting/singing along. I stood on my tippy toes until I almost passed out. It. Was. Awesome. They played most of my favorite songs and a couple that I had never heard. Meg rocked out In the Cold, Cold Night with her kick ass leather pants (I was strangely attracted to Meg and wanted to find her backstage so we could make out) and Jack White demonstrated that miracles are possible while he ripped out blissful notes from each of his guitars. While Meg would play her drums the camera would get a close up and show that she was singing along while Jack would stand at one of the mics. One of the cutest things ever. Jack even helped her play the drums briefly. There was also a moment when the camera got close up to Jack's hand and we could see on the big screen that he was holding a daddy long leg spider. Not cool. I just wanted to say, "Jack, sweety, put the spider down and keep on playing your glorious music."
Two straight hours of them just playing. They didn't really say much. Or well, Jack didn't say much. Meg didn't say anything at all, she only sang, which was mucho fab. It was all just really mind blowing and we definitely got our money's worth.
After we got finished singing along with Jack (at his request), they said good night to us all and walked off stage. I couldn't move. Literally. My knees were in such pain and I found it difficult to bend them. Mel, Mendy and I locked our arms together so we wouldn't get separated and continued back down the steep hill with the massive crowd towards the parking lot. The temperature had severely dropped as the night grew darker. So much so that I could see my breath.
We found the car, hopped inside and cruised back home where we let our muscles relax and the painful repercussions set in. We made really good time and I finally shut my eyes at one thirty in the morning. Not too shabby.
Just loads of fun all around (such an understatement) and I can't help but think, if I was going crazy over the White Stripes whom I do love but aren't crazy-obsessed with, I'm going to die when we see Coldplay TEN FEET IN FRONT OF ME.
We shall see.