Here I am, in the train, on my way to Adam again. Last night was so very special. Even though I remember thinking that this time I was much more present, the memories are disappearing already as I'm writing.
I had been so unsure whether I would get in the queue before. The weather was supposed to get very bad. And I had a great night before with Betty and her lovely very kind husband. A great night, with a lot of beer.
But when I got up on Adams birthday all I could think about was the show, and I just couldn't help myself. I dressed myself in concert clothes, put a lot of warm stuff over it, got my present to Adam and headed out.
When I got to the arena there were about 20 people there, and they welcomed me with coffee. The first hours of waiting were allright, we talked and got to know eachother. But it got colder and colder, with a nasty wind. And then at around 4PM security started building some railings, and confusion began. They didn't care for our numbers, pushed the group together, people who had just arrived got at the front. And it got colder and colder, I started shivering, my friends from the queue were at the other side of the group, people were pushing and I really had to repeat to myself: 'you're going to be in there and Adam is going to be in there, you are going to be ok, you are going to be ok, whatever happens'. When the doors opened I found quite a lot of people already in, so I settled myself at the front, but in second row somewhere. And then the magic started to work again. People who were there warmed me up, shared fries and beer and stories, kept my spot when I went for a much needed toilet break and somebody even gave me their place at front row. So suddenly there I was again, in front of that curtain and track 13 started playing, smoke and then a shadow on the curtain: not Brian, but Adam!!
The curtain went up and holy shit!! Front row is really really really close! I had the spot directly in front of Adam, and he was more real than ever. His voice was so steady and warm, and just enveloped me. And he became the master storyteller again. Living the songs, sending their message straight to my heart and mind. And I consciously took the time to enjoy more than just his voice and face this time. That magnificent man, right in front of me. I sang and I danced, and I looked him in the eye, and he sang to me. And I soared. And they soared as well, Brian and Roger were so good! I didn't even feel the energy drop when Adam got off stage. If we get vids, check out AKOM! The crowd cheered them on like mad. Clapping and cheering during Brians solo. As if they knew he needed something extra to keep him going that night. Adam knew, obviously, making funny faces at Brian, really firing him on and keeping him entertained. They do take care of eachother.
Random observations that I'm writing down because otherwise I will forget them
- Between songs, when the lights are down, Adam often runs to the side to have a sip of tea
- During AOBTD (I think) Adam turned his back to the audience and RODE that microphone stand like a pole dancer
- Adam frequently took out one or sometimes both of his ear monitors (I think he sang BoRap completely without)
- That lower register during Save Me... unff... It just reverberates around your body. The only other singer that I ever 'felt' like that is Avi Kaplan from Pentatonix, and that is a real bass.
- I think Brian is a god. Something was going on with him, you could tell, but I never would have guessed he was that ill. He really moved me last night.
- I have a new found appreciation for that leopard suit. Who wants to look at the fit of the pants when you have that chesttt right in front of you.
- Adam was SO good! I know he is, you know he is. I have seen him live before, I have listened to streams, watched youtubes, and even then he surprised the hell out of me. He is absolutely amazing. Absolutely amazing.
It was such a good night, none of the ethereal magic that I found in Toronto, but loads and loads of good down to earth fun! Afterwards I went out with a mix of Adam and Queen fans. And we had a great time. In my hotel room I discovered I had forgotten all about the blue glowsticks I brought, but they were all on somehow. I haven't slept much, still full of energy, and every time I woke up I looked at that blue glow in my hotel room. They are still on now, in my bag, slowly dying down.
And as I'm saying goodbye to Cologne, the next show is getting really near. It is surreal. And weird. Adam is finally in my home town, and I'm not. But getting closer. Tonight we party again!