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The "reader's digest" version of the Friday Ferndale show - WOW.
Okay, now my LONG version of Ferndale- Last night was the night... my very
first Duncan Sheik Concert! My bestest friend Helen and I went early to
the
Magic Bag and stood in line for an eternity (or so it seemed that long
-
there were sound problems being worked out, and every time one of the staff
opened the door, Duncan's voice came floating out, like it was teasing
us-
"I am right here, you have to wait, but I am just behind these doors and
through these big bouncer guys, oh so close, oh so close"). We had a chance
to talk and catch up on things since I last saw her in March, and we met
some people from the message boards (Lisa, Melissa, Ryan, Kathleen - all
happy, beautiful and wonderful Donuts! I love you guys!).
Eventually, the big bad bouncer man let us in at 8:30, and we beelined
for
the stage. The pit in front of the stage was open, but since I am a
"slightly stumpy" 5'4", I would have had to look up peoples' noses all
night. Did I want to see the inside of Duncan's nose? NO. Helen and I
settled for a spot right against the rail of the raised platform opposite
the stage, which was a mere 20 feet away from where Duncan would eventually
play. It took a long time to get everyone in since the place was sold out,
so in the meantime I conversed with the Donuts and I sent happy PTAN
thoughts to just about everybody I have ever met because I was enjoying
the
atmosphere so much. Fisher came on and they were very good, though they
played kind of loudly so it was hard to hear sometimes. By now I was getting
footsore (darn standing room only! Argh!) but the time was drawing nearer.
Finally, Duncan came out... you could feel this wave of peaceful bliss
wash
throughout the cheering crowd when he took to the stage. He was MAGNIFICENT.
I was at eye-level with him for the rest of the night, and I was truly
moved
by the energy and the passion he put into every song he sang and played
for
us. I could not have been any happier in my wildest dreams, as Duncan met
and exceeded all of my expectations for the concert. The audience was fairly
decent and very appreciative (though the back of the room was noisy due
to
the bar), Duncan and his bandmates were very friendly with the crowd (at
one
point in tuning, he muttered "Twelve strings are a bitch" and everybody
roared with laughter), and Helen and I both enjoyed ourselves thoroughly.
I
was allowed to take flash pictures, and since I was so close, I CANNOT
WAIT
to get them developed.
After Duncan retreated to the dressing room, the staff at the Magic Bag
was
trying to close down and clear everyone out of the place. Since it was
hot
and I already reeked of enough smoke and booze, I thought Helen and I could
go and wait by the tour bus to get an autograph and a picture (I had brought
him a single daffodil too and I wanted to give it to him). As it turns
out,
by the time we got shuffled outside and could no longer get back in, Duncan
had come back out on stage and was signing things for the people still
inside. RATS. We figured that we still stood a good chance of at least
a pic
with him since we were waiting by the bus, though. Most unfortunately,
this
was not to be... As it happened to be, a very disturbed man had been
hovering about (drunk? probably. drugs? maybe. needs help? definitely.)
and
he began to scream obscenities and rant and rave at all of us as we waited.
Eventually, someone called the police because he seemed more and more like
a
danger to himself and to others. He was wrestled into a squad car and
shuttled off to spend a night in a lock up somewhere, but apparently his
presence out there upset Duncan (rightly so... he frightened me with his
"bad vibes" - I saw him when we were waiting before the concert and took
an
instant dislike to him. My intuitions on character are highly accurate...
)
and he was not going to come out to the bus and greet us.
Duncan's band members all came out to the bus and we were able to speak
to
them, and they are all fabulous guys. I believe it was Matt who announced
that Duncan had left already, but Gerry told me that Duncan would probably
come out after everyone had left just for safety's sake. Either way, I
missed my chance at giving Duncan my flower and my hug on this tour, so
I
asked Gerry to give the flower to Duncan for me. He accepted it and whisked
it away into the tour bus, which made me a little happier. Gerry (I love
this man! He was so very nice to all of us) asked if we could all write
our
addresses down so that maybe he and Duncan and the rest of the band could
arrange for us to receive something like an autographed picture by mail
once
they were available. That was incredibly appreciated by all, since we all
expected to be sent off with nothing and ended up with at least a little
hope. No matter, for even though the "afterparty" stunk , I still had one
of
the best nights of my life and I took away lots of film, lots of memories,
and an even greater appreciation for the man who has made the music I have
lived for for six years. I cannot wait until he comes back again... the
Moon
was worth the wait. I am still tingling head to toe...
*Courtney*
/)__~
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festivities. That's Courtney and her best friend Helen on the left! :-) |
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