Best. Concert. Ever!
Meet & Greet check-in started at 2:30PM. Last time I was so unbelievably late, driving 5hrs to NY in bottlenecked traffic. This time, 45min drive to Xfnity Center, and Dad drove. I got there before they were even allowing anyone to park! I only got in because I was a drop-off. Dad worked everything out with the parking crew, where pick-up would be and how good the traffic flow should be after the show.
I was among a handful already there, VIP parking by the tour busses. One woman had been there since 12:30PM and actually saw Jared ride by on his bike. I was hoping for a glimpse from the busses, but the Mars bus was in the back, closer to the stage.
I hung out with Kat while we waited for check-in, overheard ridiculous conversations form fans around us and I was harassed by an official the person who was sizing up bags. He said mine definitely would' be allowed in. I told him I had a medical thing and he said gate security would decide. Then went so far as to say if it was an inhaler, why not just put it in your packet. People are idiots.
The line started moving around 3:00PM. The second said "medical" my bag was inspected and tagged. I checked in, got my lanyard and was part the first group brought to the Meet & Greet area, meaning I got front row!
Shayla filled in for Reni, explaining the Meet & Greet rules and procedures. She suggested someone ask Shannon about "Remedy" and he might sing it. It was kinda hot, so she offered us all water and everyone got one! It's like $5 at concessions.
Jared came out first and suggested we all point at Shannon when he got there. He asked where everyone was from, locals, who came the farthest, out of state, out of the country, how many shows. One guy had been to 52 shows! Apparently the guys used to live in Massachusetts. ♥
Someone behind me came from England, so he looked in my direction for a while. Looking into those eyes is just as disconcerting as looking into Misha's...it just cannot be done. At least not comfortably. So I'd look at him, then look away; up, down, around... At least I tried. He is so gorgeous!
Shannon came out and everyone pointed. I forget what Jared wanted us to say, but he had us do it twice, so they could film it. They document absolutely everything!
OMG I found this photo on Facebook! I'm in blue, right next to Shannon! Actually, I'm the only one in color, so I'm pretty sure I stuck out. Go me...
There was a lot of laughing! I don't remember much of what was talked about, but I know it was so much fun!
The band name has been talked about so much over the years, so someone asked about the "30" specifically. There's no real answer, band names become something more, different to everyone and that's what makes it special. Also, chatrooms are the only place to find the origin of "Thirty Seconds to Mars" because they will not talk about it and Google has no answers.
Jared had a good sized scrape on his right elbow, which he got falling off his bike in Montreal.
Someone asked about the different album covers. Jared wants to change the name of the album., realizing "America" is a bit heavy handed. He almost told us what he wanted to call it, but thought better of it. Next album.
The track listing on the CDs doesn't include song titles, just "Track 1," "Track 2," "Track 3"... People collect the covers and it happens one every one of them. Jared said it was the record company's mistake and that they should make a note to have them fix it. The digital version is fine.
Shannon said he wasn't ready to perform "Remedy," we think he is. Jared sang the first line and gave us all the beat in "Na na na na na." No one got it. He tried again, explaining. Again, nothing. Then Shannon started imitating it in an annoying "little brother" version and cracking up. It was hilarious! On the third try, Jared got us to sing, and Shannon chimed in; fans giving him the confidence to sing. It was pretty special, all of us singing together.
Jared's favorite of his tattoos is the one on his back that he usually forgets about. When the girl asked to see it, he asked how much she had, lol.
They both got up to leave and Jared saying we'd do pictures next time, lol. The Mars backdrop was behind the seats, so the back row got to go first, the rest of us lining up behind them by row. So, I got to watch everyone else and no one hugged them! A few hugged Shannon and received a huge embrace, but not Jared. I was so nervous, but if I can hug Jensen on the first try, I can hugged Jared Leto on the SECOND!
It's awkward, my hair is a disaster, I sweat my make-up off and forgot to suck in my stomach; I gained back 20lbs since January and you can totally tell! Ugh!!! (Guess I'll just have to try again... 😉)
We all went back to our seats and got our official VIP swag: tote bag, autographed poster and Mars hat...then I spent $140 on merch: tour shirt, beanie, necklace and this unbelievably soft sweatshirt! I stuffed everything into the tote and noticed a text from Dad. I found somewhere out of the way and called him. He and Mom were at dinner after shopping at the Wrentham Mall. It was only 4:45PM.
Early entry started at 5:00PM, so Shayla rounded everyone up, myself included. Once I found my seat, I was able to get situated. I struggled into my tour shirt, one size too small. I would've tried to trade it in for a large, but I didn't think it would come off easy. I figured it would stretch out, so I put my comfy sweatshirt on over it. And the necklace. It's beautiful!
Mars went on at 9:30PM, and I didn't know the opening acts. In the middle of the first one (Joywave, 6:00PM-6:35PM), I searched for the bathroom at the front entrance after checking out the food prices. Soft pretzels were $5.00, fries were $7.00. I bought my cup of fries after washing my hands in the bathroom and that's when my account decided to run out. I held up the line transferring money and the girl behind the counter asked bout the lanyard. She was amazed I got to touch Jared Leto!
The fries were okay, she added some fresh ones to the top.
I was scrolling through Facebook between sets (Misterwives, 6:45PM-7:25PM), and this gorgeous photo of Domino's pizza fills my screen. Dad left Mike money this afternoon for that pizza. I was starving and so jealous of my brother! I told him so in a text.
The sets beside me were empty throughout the night, then these two guys come out of nowhere on their way to the pit. Apparently, Mars wants the pit filled, so they were filling it with anyone who wanted in.
I almost jumped out of my seat and ran! However...I am 5' 3" and the pit was filling fast. I had my Nikon camera around my neck specifically for amazing photo quality, my purse and tote at my feet...so many reasons I couldn't jump in the pit. I actually had to talk myself out of it because I forgot about all the reasons I didn't buy a pit ticket in the first place - the biggest one at the time being unpredictable UC.
I haven't been to a concert in a while, but I'm pretty sure there has to be more than two people to make up a band...the openers had at least five, so without Tomo, it was just Jared and Shannon on stage, with the rest of the crew behind the scenes. Stevie had a brief guitar solo, but that was about it. But, the fans love the music and the guys are hot, so as long as we're willing to pay, I'm sure they'll keep touring.
SET LIST:1. Monolith
2. Up in the Air
3. Kings and Queens
4. This is War
5. Dangerous Night
6. Hail to the Victor
7. Do or Die
8. The Kill (Bury Me)
9. Stay
10. One Track Mind
11. Rescue Me
12. Walk on Water
13. Closer to the Edge
My camera was a waste of time. Jared wouldn't stop moving and they give Mars flags to people in the pit so every one of them blocked my view. The only good photos I managed to snap were when Jared was rendered immobile up on the platform above Shannon, singing Rhianna's "Stay."
My god, that chest....he is absolutely gorgeous!
This backdrop was a pretty impactful statement I just had to photograph...and edit. It came up to the intro of "This is War."
I'd seen photos of the these white balls of various sizing...that in no way compare to the real thing. It was incredible, and they were so light! I hit one of the bigger ones with a few people from surrounding rows.
Jared started picking people out of the audience to come on stage for "Closer to the Edge," and half the pit just went up. Now I know how it works! I was too far away last time, but now I know: M&G, pit tickets, smaller bag, no camera and jump on stage for the last song!
Mars does not do encores. When the show let out, I noticed a text from Dad from an hour before telling me where he was in the parking lot. I told him I was on my way out. I thought about stopping at the bathroom, but figured it would be too crowded and it was only a short drive home. I walked through 2 parking lots until mom flagged me down. She had been listening to the show for the past hour with the widows down. I'm glad she got to enjoy it, too. It didn't take long to get out, traffic was flowing pretty quickly and we were on the highway in no time!
At home, I showed off my swag, squeeze out of my shirt and gave my free hat to Mike. He wore it the next day.
I measure the signed poster before going to Wal*Mart a few days later and bought a frame fit to size. I'm pretty proud of myself actually. It hasn't made it to the wall yet, but I know the perfect spot!
More pics here:
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