My recap of Ste. Agathe en Feux; I have no idea what's going to pour forth, so feel free to scroll.
The day was warm and the sky was quietly gray. The drive to Ste. Agathe took a little over an hour. The town was kind of "shabby chic"; worn, but warm - with many quaint shops and friendly, thankfully bilingual people. Our inn was separated from Lac des Sables by a little two-lane road that rose gently towards the venue. The walk to the entrance took a leisurely nine minutes - so there was no need of a car once I arrived. The ticket office was a trailer; and the little road to the venue was closed except for 'official' vehicles. The next street was only for handicapped parking; but the street a block over, even before noon, was lined with cars and obvious Lambert fans. Reminded me of a tailgate party before a 49er game.
The venue would permit lining up at 5PM; gates to open at 6. Sandysva and JustKaren had checked things out the night before, when they picked up their special tix that reserved a place in line for the first 500 or so fans. I will be forever indebted to them for thinking of me, and finding a way to get me a ticket, as well!! A group of us found a sidewalk cafe and I ordered "Poutine" in honor of Quebec and my birthday - - sounded like a perfect birthday meal to me! The fries and cheese curd and gravy arrived in one big bowl, and having not eaten all day, I chowed down. It was good - especially when accompanied by a glass of wine.
We walked the few blocks to the venue. In line, we were greeted with the sound check!!! So many happy fans; we were all eager to learn where we came from and what were our first individual moments of discovery. The first guitar notes from WWFM rang out, and hundreds of us sang along with Adam, and exploded in cheers at the end - - I hope he heard us! Then came more guitar notes that were unfamiliar to me; and maybe Adam's voice; but I couldn't make it out clearly. My heart danced; could it be I was hearing something new?
Line began to move. Bags inspected, and then the run to the grassy (well, mostly dirt) spectator meadow was on! Sandy and Karen told me just where to go, and I ran around a two-sided fence that bisected the area and stood my ground. It was easy! The area was vast, with a covered, elevated VIP concour off to one side, and another covered area about 50 yards from the stage which was set up for cameras and recording equipment.
For the next three hours, we got to know one another better. Watched the crew set up a myriad of spotlights. Now and then a DJ would excite the crowd, asking for a 'shout out'; and photographers would entice us all to flail and squee while the camera rolled. The preshow recorded music was not impressive! I don't think the DJ had a clue about Adam - - no 'Sex on Fire' - someone raised a request sign for a hot Rhianna song. Hardly any dancing. What he played was quite tame, so most of us either went for another beer or sat on the ground and texted or excitedly watched the skies as the time grew closer, closer. A commotion ensued in front of the stage. Screaming! I thought some 'crasher' was being removed by security. No! It was Sauli, and he walked quickly down the fenced center walkway; so quickly my only picture of him, from maybe 3 feet away, is a blurry mess! I have since learned he watched the performance from the photography tent in the center of the venue.
And the skies! The grey disappeared, and we were treated to a clear blue sunset, with only a few wispy clouds in the distance. Looked like any predictions of rain were wrong. A gorgeous, balmy evening was ours as the shadows lengthened. Already I knew that traveling 3000 miles for the moments awaiting me were worth it. I was in heaven.
Anticipation created the inevitable GA crowd surge. We stopped it in its tracks! I put my bag in front of me; looked at Q3 on my left and Hoopla on my right, and we stood elbow to elbow. It ended! Our forces, our auras, I think, made the area feel sacred.
Adam was a fierce rock god. How can someone walk on to the stage; take 5 or 8 steps to the center, and claim the territory as if a lion roared? He turned around, surveyed his kingdom, and began. We belonged to him before the first note of FYE. He looked, gorgeously, like someone who would capture me in a dark alley on a moonless night. Smoky, mysterious, masterful, intoxicating. I would do anything for this man.
I confess I wish his pants were tighter. Not that it matters. He gave us the sex with the songs. I think I learned how he likes to be stroked. Which song was that? I had left myself by then anyway. I was no longer grounded; I've always wanted to soar above and towards a zenith - it was happening. And then Adam said he had a new song to sing.
We knew! A few words of 'I've been working. ." and the sound was so deafening he couldn't keep on. Oh - we've been so parched. He was fianlly offering the drink to sate our thirst. The orgasmic thrill of it! Then he began. Those guitar notes I'd heard earlier, at the sound check. The frenzied crowd (albeit for a few screamers) tried to control and silence itself; we could hardly hear as the song began.
For months now, I've contemplated what new music might mean. I just can't figure out how a new song can be written; a new emotion conveyed; when it seems every note, every melody has been played before. Somewhere, in the seed of joy that is Adam, that resides in my changed soul, I've known something awaits. And, here it was. The saddest broken heart of the man who has captured us all was broken open in front of me.
I cannot describe it well. But I have this movie that keeps running in my head, and I see Adam looking my way, saying "We can't change" - and I understand. We are who we are. And then, his perfect, anguished face, and his exquisite voice said to me, quietly crystal clear, "They say we'll rot in Hell" - and the hell of intolerance owned me. The revealing heartbreak continued, even as Adam reassured me "I don't think they will ". "Hearts and homes are broken". Why, oh why? I began to cry.
Stunned. Wanting to caress and create chaos at the same time. Soon after, the lightning began. And the sky broke open; and the Adam Storm began. Rain like I've never felt in my life pelted me, cleansed me. I let it soak me to the bone. And Adam drank it on the stage. Put his arms out and threw his head to the heavens, the Universe. We all felt the same rain.
When it was over, after WLL and PH, and his blown kisses to everyone, and his honest amazement that we stayed in the deluge as if in homage to him, the fireworks began. This, after all, was the festival "Ste. Agathe en Feux" - Ste. Agathe on Fire! The display was beautiful, but for me the bursting of the cosmos had already taken place; the recorded music and the 'bombs bursting in air' were the backdrop as the rain continued and we walked around and through the crowd back to the inn.
When I say soaked, I mean soaked. I took off all my clothes and threw them into the bathtub. They were still not dry when I returned home yesterday. I kind of hugged my jeans before throwing them into the wash. They still held moisture from the magical night.
Back to July 29 . . . Wearing dry clothes, we proceeded to the bar at the inn. There, we toasted to all of you precious people at Adamtopia, who shared this epic evening with us. Sortilege was loved by everyone except Q3 - which shows why our leader has the best taste among us!! We were kicked out close to 2AM - and then continued the party in my room (after all, I am momtomany) till the sun began to rise. So, not only did I experience the beginning of the Adam Storm, I also fell in love. I am in love with every single person I met, or re-met, at this concert. You know who you are. My kindred spirits.
I'm still in awe over a flawless performance! Adam gave us all of his love, and showed his otherworldly talent in every note, every gesture, every move. I know we hear "This was the best concert ever!" after each concert. I've done it thirteen times. But this WAS the best concert of my life. I was moved beyond myself, away from my ordinary being. I'm not the person I was before. Have to believe I'm wiser; if not 'more knowing'. I'm at least 'more ready to learn'. Until "Outlaws of Love" I hadn't felt the pain, although I knew it existed. I want to embrace the wound as my own, and find a cure; a way to heal it. I want to change the world. Adam inspires me to be fearless.
July 29 felt like religion. I've never been religious, but I am impassioned for what is right. Don't be skeerd. Passion is okay. Passion leads me to this moment, when before, the moments passed by.
This has got to be one of the longest posts ever. Now I know why I'm not on Twitter. 140 characters? No way! I can't convey love, wonder, ecstasy, joy, angst, anticipation - simply. I'm always ready to learn; but, for now, here we are. There is always more to say. Especially when the experience is beyond words.
!! Thank you so much! This is for the mp3's, too!!
I think i'll save this and read bits and pieces here and there, don't wanna scroll pass anyone's recaps,