I had planned on doing the Walk that they host in every city, which is where they meet fans (and anyone else) in front of the venue the afternoon of the concert and host a 1 mile walk (yes, they walk with you!) to raise awareness for people in the world who don't have shoes (you are technically supposed to do the walk barefoot to get the full effect). They have walked the equivalent number of miles (and moreso even) that it takes to circle around the earth- pretty impressive! The other cool thing, for every person that takes the walk and fills out a form, the band will donate $1. Pretty neat cause, and they have been doing it every concert date, in every city, for the past 3 years. And combine that with the fact that they walk with you (meaning, you can talk to them) makes it all the more better.
In any case, back on Friday I had looked up the meeting time for the walk on Saturday and saw it was at 3pm, so I was determined on dragging Adam out in the heat for this 1 mile trek (and yes, it was well over 100 degrees with the heat index on Saturday).
That morning we drove out to Independence, where the animal shelter there was hosting an event offering $10 microchip and $5 rabies shots. Annabelle got chipped and Minnie got chipped and a shot (she was the only cat there...I think the people thought we were insane. But hey, it didnt say it was dog only and she needed her shot! And it was cheap!) and we took them back home and I changed and got ready for the show. At around 1:45, Cassy (who had flown home to Omaha from DC just for this weekend of shows) texted me and asked if I was doing the walk. I said I was and I would be there at 3...well, she sends me a text at 2:12 saying that Zac was looking pretty good, and I thought "Well, that's cool they are mingling with fans 45 min before the walk..."
We rush down to the venue (I'm running late...hey, what's new?) and get there right at 3 only to sadly find out the walk had started at 2...what?! I get on my phone and look at their site- determined I had seen the start time for 3- only to find out that it DID in fact say 3pm start... EASTERN time. Yeah.
So we hung around for a few minutes until the group (which was probably a couple hundred people at least) came back from the walk and got a prime spot where they would stand to talk about it.
Taylor has his trusty megaphone, though it has gotten progressively more fancy over the years (it was decked out in red paint with logos and whatnot on it). I swear, he is a bit too much of a fan of that thing, seeing as I have never seen any of the others use it. But anyway, he said some things about the walk and what its purpose was, and then they were off for down time and their sound check while us fans waited in the heat. Isaac was also there with Taylor, though he didn't say much. Zac, on the other hand, must have a problem with the heat (similar to Adam, who just about dies every time we step out the front door) since he was at the back of the line of walkers, and instead of standing by Taylor and looking supportive, he went straight to the tour bus, allowing me to catch only a slight glimpse.
Let me re-iterate the fact that I find Zac incredibly good looking- much to the irritation of Adam. Adam knows this (and has since we met) and therefore pretty much hates Zac's guts...even though they have never met. So he was smirking and quite amused that the reason I had made us get to the walk in the first place was so I might have a chance to say hi to him...and not sound stupid like I did 3 years ago at my first walk.
ANYWHO, I told Adam we could sit in the car until the line got to be insanely long so he could have the AC, so we sat there watching the people suffer in the sun before we headed to a coffee house next door. Then it was back to the car where we watched Hanson's sisters walk around the tour bus looking like they would probably rather be anywhere but in Kansas City in August. Ha. We also got a glimpse of Taylor's many kids...SIDE NOTE: I have NO idea how they can ALL travel the country in the same bus like they do. Yes, their entire families travel TOGETHER in one bus. We're talking the 3 of them, their wives, their kids (of which they have like, 6 soon to be 7 of between them. They might have more.), their mom and dad and their siblings (3 sisters and a brother). Heck, there's probably a few dogs on the bus too for all we know. But they ALL travel on the SAME bus...every day. The bus is big, but it isn't THAT big! How they do it without wanting to kill each other...no idea. And props to their wives for not going insane either. Especially Zac's wife, who is very pregnant.
ANYWAY. At around 5 they opened the gates hustling us around to the back of the building where we had to stand for an hour before they let us inside. Adam was not a happy camper here, since we were all crammed together in a narrow alleyway behind the venue and it was hotter here due to lack of air. He was also one of only a handful (and by that I mean I think I counted 3) guys who were in line this early (also with their girlfriends/wives). Ha. But we made it in at 6 and while I could have gotten quite close to the stage, I opted to take one of the 6 seats on the side of the stage next to a rail. Partly so Adam could sit down, partly so I could sit up on the rail once the show starts and therefore have a better view than if I was in the middle of the giant crowd (hey, I am SHORT!).
They had 2 opening acts, one of which was the local contest winner. Another thing they do in every city is hold a contest for local bands and the winner gets to open- pretty cool. Sadly the winning band from KC kind of sucked...but they only performed a handful of songs so its ok. Rooney was next, and I actually really enjoyed them. They were fun and got the crowd going. The place was pretty full (and yes, many more guys had shown up by now).
Hanson finally came on a little before 9 and played until close to 11:30. They always play for a long time- one of the reason I love their concerts. You definitely get what you pay for and more. They were amazing like always- even though I think they must have had a fight or something earlier that day because they didn't talk to each other or interact with each other ONCE during the show. In fact, they stayed pretty much as far apart from one another as you can get and didn't even shake hands at the end of the show. And let me tell you- I've been to see them many times, and they ALWAYS interact with each other- a LOT. Not this night. Even Adam noticed the difference. I chalked it up to spending all that "together" time on the bus... Ha! But they were still great none the less and played a lot of my favorites.
I swear though, they need to put Zac a little bit closer to the front. EVERY concert I go to I am always stuck on the side, and unless you are smack in the center, you dont see him at all during the show. This time we had a very nice view of Isaac, and when he moved I could catch a glimpse of Zac back there on the drums, but I just wish for once I could have a clear view. Adam, on the other hand, was quite happy that I couldn't see him. He is such a great husband to let me goggle over another guy for an evening- and come with me to let me do it! :D I love him for that!
He looks SO happy doesn't he?! Haha.
Best picture I could get of him playing the drums :(
This was during their acoustic part of the show. Too bad it isn't in focus!
My camera fails at taking night pictures, so these were the best I could get. I couldnt bring in my fancy pro camera (believe me, I would have) but these are better than nothing. I was sad I didnt get to go to the Omaha show the next night on Sunday- it was the first time EVER that they performed an actual concert in Omaha (aside from the radio promo they did back in 1999 which wasn't a concert just a stop to interview at the radio station where they played 3 songs) and I was really hoping to get to go. I would have went if they weren't in KC, but for once I didn't have to drive a few hours to see them so I just settled for the one here (ironic that I have ALWAYS driven to KC to see them, and the one time I dont have to, they actually play a show in Omaha. Ha.). I did hear that the Omaha show was SOLD OUT- so YAY to the Omaha fans! Maybe that will make them come back there now!
No comments:
Post a Comment