VIP Meet & Greet + Soundcheck started at 5:00PM. During the hour and a half drive to Worcester, I got a text from Veeps confirming 4:00PM check-in, asking to line up under the appropriate signs outside the venue. I gave myself an extra half hour, parking in a garage by the DCU Center; a five minute walk to The Palladium. I called home to assure mom I made it, then searched Google Maps for somewhere to eat. Burger King was too far to walk, as was Dunkin Donuts. There were a few cafes nearby, some bar restaurants, gas stations... I decided to take a walk and see for myself.
Walking down Commercial Street, I maneuvered around construction blocking the road, passed a few bars and found an Uno's by the Hilton at the end of the road. I didn't think I had enough time to be waited on, so I figured: last resort. There was a Mexican place across the street from the Hilton, I saw a sign for Honey Dew, but it was inside a convenient store. I needed somewhere to sit and warm up before standing outside for an hour. I checked my phone to see where I was in relation to The Palladium, and realized I was off-course a bit. I got my bearings and headed down to Main Street, passing the courthouse, where I found the Courthouse Cafe in direct sight of The Palladium.
They served breakfast all day. Pancakes are risky, bagels are a definite no, the pudding parfaits looked delicious, but again: no. I settled for large fries and a strawberry smoothie. Safe foods. And I was starving!
The fries kinda sucked, but the smoothie was amazing! I ate enough to feel better, then hit the bathroom before making my way to the VIP Soundcheck line. There was already a group of people behind the barricades blaring GC for the whole street to hear. I don't make small talk unless someone else starts it, but I do listen. Three people in front of me had been the previous year and saw Joel outside where he was walking among the fans and asked this guy how long it would take for everyone to realize he was there; 4 seconds.
There was a cafe connected to The Palladium, which is where I had planned to go, but completely forgot about on my way over. They serves donuts. Also a risk, but Paris Cafe was probably better than Courthouse Cafe. Oh well... The group in front of me went there to keep warm. I would have too, but even on lexapro, I still need to stay where I'm supposed to be. So I froze my ass off outside for the second time in three days. Even with a sweatshirt and leather jacket, my arms were cold and converse aren't just uncomfortable, but made of very thin material: I couldn't feel my toes! At least the wind was blocked by the building and not whipping directly into my face through iron bars in the middle of the woods...
Around 4:00PM, a guy cam out with a professional-looking camera on a stick, asking people how many times they'd been to a Good Charlotte concert, how long they'd been waiting in line, where they were from, what GC means to them, ect. The first girl he interviewed had been there since 11:30AM, another, 7:30AM. These people are crazy! Even in my die-hard days, I wouldn't show up until at least an hour before entry. Okay, maybe two...I honestly don't remember. I do remember freezing my ass off in Lowell with Mark and Chris back in 2004.
Having assigned seats makes waiting in line pointless, plus the headlining band is last, so the later the better. The Palladium is general admission seating/standing, VIP gets early admission to the auditorium and we all go in at the same time anyway.
I think I grew up when I wasn't looking...
The questions made me think about my own answers, if he happened to ask me, or what I would say to them given the chance. I saw them for the first time in 8th grade...2003? In October they did MA and RI back-to-back. I went to the one in Lowell with Katja and her step father, then Providence with my mom, her co-worker Debbie and her son Adam with his friend. The last was November 2004. So this would be my 4th GC concert. I'm Googling as I'm writing this, at the time I guessed 3 or 4.
I'd only been standing in line for an hour.
And I had no clue what GC meant to me anymore. They hadn't meant much to me for a long time, andI don't like to think about what I was going through back when they actually did mean something to me. I made this drastic change from platinum blonde pop princess to punk rock goth chick in a blink just before being diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis at the tender age of 14. Coincidence? I thought so. After spending a week in the hospital and over a month out of school, I came back having let my black hair fade to a dark orangey-brown, dressed in grayish-white shirts, blue jeans and sneakers with no absolutely no make-up on, avoiding the darkness as much as possible. Since then, I've actively avoided their music at all costs, I guess it triggers me.
When a tour date came to MA, I thought long and hard about going. The first one I remember coming up was the House of Blues in 2016. I didn't go.
When a tour date came to MA, I thought long and hard about going. The first one I remember coming up was the House of Blues in 2016. I didn't go.
When it came up again the following year, I talked myself into going. I had been going through a lot of changes in recent years, and I was actually in a good place. I wanted to confront my past and move forward, hopefully for the better. I got the VIP Meet and Greet package to take photo with them, really doing everything I could to get some closure on that time in my life. Then my foot swelled up DAYS before the concert. I missed work, I couldn't drive. Even if someone drove me to the show, I couldn't walk, couldn't stand... I remember sitting in the living room on my couch obsessively checking Instagram for Thirty Seconds to Mars concert footage. Their tour started in FL the same day GC was in town. At least I got to see parts of a concert, from a better band in my opinion.
I believe things happen for a reason and I just wasn't meant to go to this show.
Just because I actively avoid their music, doesn't mean I won't try whenever they come out with a new album. They were on The Late Late Show not too long ago promoting their new album, Generation RX. I recorded it, since I don't really watch TV that late anymore. The thing with Dr. Phil, although cringe-worthy, was fun.
But that song... I thought of Cas and Dean first, as always. Then I got it: all the tragedies you see on the news all over the world - shootings, pipelines, hurricanes, earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanoes - there's been a lot of "sending thoughts and prayers" but prayers don't do a damn thing. Action is what's really needed.
Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous
But that song... I thought of Cas and Dean first, as always. Then I got it: all the tragedies you see on the news all over the world - shootings, pipelines, hurricanes, earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanoes - there's been a lot of "sending thoughts and prayers" but prayers don't do a damn thing. Action is what's really needed.
I'm not one to preach, unable to do much of anything myself. I don't send "thoughts and prayers" either, because what's the point? When Jensen and Danneel raised money for hurricane relief, I would've donated if I were financially able. Still, I shared the post, stretching it's reach for those who could. This was the first time I could relate to GC in a long time, for the right reasons. That's when it hit me: I didn't stop listening to GC because they weren't good. It's just my own hangups that I really need to get over.
So when I heard they were coming back to MA, I immediately bought a ticket at pre-sale.
"I haven't been to a show since 2005, their music helped me though a really hard time in my life and I couldn't have done it without them."
I didn't want to be interviewed, and I probably would've decline had I been asked. Not because I was too shy, but because I really didn't have much to say. At least nothing that wasn't way personal that I didn't know how to say.
I wasn't interviewed.
Sometime after 4:15PM, the group of people for the Sleeping with Sirens Meet & Greet were let inside. Maybe a half hour later, my barcode was scanned and I finally got my lanyard! We went in not too long after, through pat-downs and bag checks, only to turn right back around and was on the curb, then do it all over again!
Instead of being one of the first people inside, I was close to the open door. Inside, but still cold! Eventually, people squished in more, grouping together within the barrier instead of standing single file. Staff were running a bout, but then a group of guys dressed all in black went through the door. It was surprising how unsurprised I was to see them.
They were to perform one acoustic song, followed by the Q & A, then photos. We were instructed to sit behind the white tape at the front of the stage and not to ask personal questions about their lives or families. When I went through the door, Good Charlotte were sitting on the steps leading up to the stage and everyone else was sitting on the floor. Benji took the lead; singing, playing guitar and answering most of the questions while Joel was on voice rest. Poor thing had been sick the past few days and needed to rest up for the show.
We all lined up for photos up as the guys got on the sage, the brothers at the far ends. Benji had tour bandanas in his hand and Joel stayed close to the side door to run out and cough in peace. I was towards the middle/end of the line and watched white everyone else was doing. When people went up there, they would hug each member down the line, fist-bumping Joel at the end, thing their place in the middle between Billy and Paul, then having a brief conversation with the band, sometimes getting autographs. I also noticed that the photos were taken on each individual's cell phone. So low budget, it was ridiculous.
I'm just gad I got to watch a few encounters. Two people stood at different points in the line, one between to Billy and Paul, the other between Joel and Dean. (Yes, their most recent drummer's name is Dean!) I really wanted to be between the brothers, but if I had to pick just one, it would be Joel.
So, when it was my turn, I gave my camera to their assistant guy, then went up on the stage and said hi. I hugged Benji first, then went down the line to Billy, who asked my name as I was hugging Paul. I don't even know Dean. (I would've loved to have met Chris, but I guess he got sick and left the band years ago.) I hugged him anyway and Joel had his fat up before the hug was over. I must've given a shy smile as I fist bumped with my available left hand as I untangled myself from Dean's embrace. (Typing that is SO STRANGE!) I said hey to Joel and asked if I could get in between him and Dean. They made space for me and I put my arms around them.
This would be so much more exciting with Dean Winchester, but I had my arm around Joel Madden. My 13 year old self would have been over the moon. I was excited for her. Even if all I got were crappy cell phone pics...
After the photo, Joel apologized for being so sick and I told him it was fine and that I had actually been too sick to see their show the year before and was just grateful to be there. Benji handed me one of the bandanas and I addressed them all before leaving, thanking them for helping me make it through middle school.
I grabbed my stuff from the side and put my jacket back on before having my ticket scanned and making my way down to the main floor. I bought a tour shirt for $30 and wandered down to the pit. I hit the bathroom and gave my hands a thorough wash. I love Joel, but I don't want to get sick. If I do, I'm blaming King Richard's Faire anyway. My plan was to sit in the balcony for easy access to a restroom if need be and so I could get decent pictures without being too close. It's a small venue anyway and with the zoom on my Nikon....
I wasn't sure exactly how to get to the balcony, and the booths were roped off so that was a no-go. My mind was made up: I was going to try the pit. I was able to make it through David Duchovny's show in 2016 before my UC decided to act up so I wanted to try again. I was directly behind the people at the barrier. I wouldn't even need my Nikon.
I took off my jacket and tied it around my bag's handle. As more people started coming in behind me, my bag started to get in the way. I untied my jacket from my bag, tied it around my waist , put my camera round my neck and placed my bag on the floor between my feet for security.
Everything went fine during unknown, two-man band The Dos. The unintelligible, loud and, in my opinion, inexperienced guitar/vocalist and drummer made me long for the extravagance of Jared and Shannon Leto. What I could make out of the vocals sounded pretty good, but their delivery needs work.
Knuckle Puck was little more enthusiastic and well-rounded. They were actually pretty good. Great even. Cute, too...Apparently I wasn't the only one who thought so. That's when the crowd surfing began, and was then encouraged by the band throughout the set. I started with my hands in the air, then my finger bent and snapped, so I switched to fists, then forearms covering my head as I ducked down.
I made it through that opener fine, but for Sleeping with Sirens, that wasn't even enough. I was mashed up agains the person in front of me, hand between two shoulders clutching the barrier for stability, only releasing to protect my head and neck from snapping. I had someone land on my neck as I was ducking down, and one girl got kicked in the face. People were pushing so hard, I was squeezed in between people on all sides so hard I couldn't breathe.
After one hard shove sideways, I lost my balance, fell back and to the side, losing my bag in the process. I tried dragging it to me with my one foot still connected to it, and picked it up between songs when the shoving stopped, my main concern being my wallet. It wasn't where it was supposed to be, so I dug around and finally found it at the bottom of my bag. That was it. I was done.
I pushed my way to the back and tried to figure out how to get to the balcony. I walked by the various levels leading down to the pit and decided if I wanted to stand on the floor, to pick a higher level and further back next time. I made my way back up the stairs and followed an exit sign up a walkway to what turned out to be the entrance to the balcony. A portion of the seats were roped off, so I sat on the left side, closest to the middle I could get.
After I found a seat, I left my jacket and wet to buy a water for Tylenol. Being in the pit had given me a headache and my mouth was beginning to throb. I came back, took pills, and tried to find the right setting for the perfect photos. Which ended up being Shutter Priority Auto.
The show was a lot better than I thought it would be. They've been doing this a while and know how to put on a performance and interact with the crowd. Even sick, Joel sounded amazing and I have always loved his voice. Like I said, I didn't avoid them because they weren't good. Honestly, their music is pretty amazing and looking back...it shaped my entire life.
Generation Rx is still new, Self Help is one of the few I could relate to on the album, but The Anthem...there's history. It might actually be my favorite GC song ever. I've hear the words a thousand times, but there's just something about hearing it live. Like Joel is speaking directly to me in a an audience of thousands. I tried college. I never had a real job and can't even cashier anymore. Not that I've ever really wanted any f that anyway. I've always wanted something different. GC opened my eyes to that years before I even knew it was true. And it took me even longer to figure out what it really is that I want for myself. I'm an artist. A photographer. That's always been my thing. And my writing isn't too bad either, I'm just terrified to let anyone read what I write. Blogging is extremely difficult, but I'm pretty sure no one reads this anyway...
Writing. Photography. Wildlife. Travel. Put them all together and that's me.
After jamming to The Anthem, I felt like a weight had been lifted. I accepted that GC still meant something to me after all these years and not in a bad way. I got closure. It took a few trial and errors, but my photos came out to be phenomenal!
I didn't want to be interviewed, and I probably would've decline had I been asked. Not because I was too shy, but because I really didn't have much to say. At least nothing that wasn't way personal that I didn't know how to say.
I wasn't interviewed.
Sometime after 4:15PM, the group of people for the Sleeping with Sirens Meet & Greet were let inside. Maybe a half hour later, my barcode was scanned and I finally got my lanyard! We went in not too long after, through pat-downs and bag checks, only to turn right back around and was on the curb, then do it all over again!
Instead of being one of the first people inside, I was close to the open door. Inside, but still cold! Eventually, people squished in more, grouping together within the barrier instead of standing single file. Staff were running a bout, but then a group of guys dressed all in black went through the door. It was surprising how unsurprised I was to see them.
They were to perform one acoustic song, followed by the Q & A, then photos. We were instructed to sit behind the white tape at the front of the stage and not to ask personal questions about their lives or families. When I went through the door, Good Charlotte were sitting on the steps leading up to the stage and everyone else was sitting on the floor. Benji took the lead; singing, playing guitar and answering most of the questions while Joel was on voice rest. Poor thing had been sick the past few days and needed to rest up for the show.
We all lined up for photos up as the guys got on the sage, the brothers at the far ends. Benji had tour bandanas in his hand and Joel stayed close to the side door to run out and cough in peace. I was towards the middle/end of the line and watched white everyone else was doing. When people went up there, they would hug each member down the line, fist-bumping Joel at the end, thing their place in the middle between Billy and Paul, then having a brief conversation with the band, sometimes getting autographs. I also noticed that the photos were taken on each individual's cell phone. So low budget, it was ridiculous.
I'm just gad I got to watch a few encounters. Two people stood at different points in the line, one between to Billy and Paul, the other between Joel and Dean. (Yes, their most recent drummer's name is Dean!) I really wanted to be between the brothers, but if I had to pick just one, it would be Joel.
So, when it was my turn, I gave my camera to their assistant guy, then went up on the stage and said hi. I hugged Benji first, then went down the line to Billy, who asked my name as I was hugging Paul. I don't even know Dean. (I would've loved to have met Chris, but I guess he got sick and left the band years ago.) I hugged him anyway and Joel had his fat up before the hug was over. I must've given a shy smile as I fist bumped with my available left hand as I untangled myself from Dean's embrace. (Typing that is SO STRANGE!) I said hey to Joel and asked if I could get in between him and Dean. They made space for me and I put my arms around them.
This would be so much more exciting with Dean Winchester, but I had my arm around Joel Madden. My 13 year old self would have been over the moon. I was excited for her. Even if all I got were crappy cell phone pics...
After the photo, Joel apologized for being so sick and I told him it was fine and that I had actually been too sick to see their show the year before and was just grateful to be there. Benji handed me one of the bandanas and I addressed them all before leaving, thanking them for helping me make it through middle school.
I grabbed my stuff from the side and put my jacket back on before having my ticket scanned and making my way down to the main floor. I bought a tour shirt for $30 and wandered down to the pit. I hit the bathroom and gave my hands a thorough wash. I love Joel, but I don't want to get sick. If I do, I'm blaming King Richard's Faire anyway. My plan was to sit in the balcony for easy access to a restroom if need be and so I could get decent pictures without being too close. It's a small venue anyway and with the zoom on my Nikon....
I wasn't sure exactly how to get to the balcony, and the booths were roped off so that was a no-go. My mind was made up: I was going to try the pit. I was able to make it through David Duchovny's show in 2016 before my UC decided to act up so I wanted to try again. I was directly behind the people at the barrier. I wouldn't even need my Nikon.
I took off my jacket and tied it around my bag's handle. As more people started coming in behind me, my bag started to get in the way. I untied my jacket from my bag, tied it around my waist , put my camera round my neck and placed my bag on the floor between my feet for security.
Everything went fine during unknown, two-man band The Dos. The unintelligible, loud and, in my opinion, inexperienced guitar/vocalist and drummer made me long for the extravagance of Jared and Shannon Leto. What I could make out of the vocals sounded pretty good, but their delivery needs work.
Knuckle Puck was little more enthusiastic and well-rounded. They were actually pretty good. Great even. Cute, too...Apparently I wasn't the only one who thought so. That's when the crowd surfing began, and was then encouraged by the band throughout the set. I started with my hands in the air, then my finger bent and snapped, so I switched to fists, then forearms covering my head as I ducked down.
I made it through that opener fine, but for Sleeping with Sirens, that wasn't even enough. I was mashed up agains the person in front of me, hand between two shoulders clutching the barrier for stability, only releasing to protect my head and neck from snapping. I had someone land on my neck as I was ducking down, and one girl got kicked in the face. People were pushing so hard, I was squeezed in between people on all sides so hard I couldn't breathe.
After one hard shove sideways, I lost my balance, fell back and to the side, losing my bag in the process. I tried dragging it to me with my one foot still connected to it, and picked it up between songs when the shoving stopped, my main concern being my wallet. It wasn't where it was supposed to be, so I dug around and finally found it at the bottom of my bag. That was it. I was done.
I pushed my way to the back and tried to figure out how to get to the balcony. I walked by the various levels leading down to the pit and decided if I wanted to stand on the floor, to pick a higher level and further back next time. I made my way back up the stairs and followed an exit sign up a walkway to what turned out to be the entrance to the balcony. A portion of the seats were roped off, so I sat on the left side, closest to the middle I could get.
After I found a seat, I left my jacket and wet to buy a water for Tylenol. Being in the pit had given me a headache and my mouth was beginning to throb. I came back, took pills, and tried to find the right setting for the perfect photos. Which ended up being Shutter Priority Auto.
The show was a lot better than I thought it would be. They've been doing this a while and know how to put on a performance and interact with the crowd. Even sick, Joel sounded amazing and I have always loved his voice. Like I said, I didn't avoid them because they weren't good. Honestly, their music is pretty amazing and looking back...it shaped my entire life.
Generation Rx is still new, Self Help is one of the few I could relate to on the album, but The Anthem...there's history. It might actually be my favorite GC song ever. I've hear the words a thousand times, but there's just something about hearing it live. Like Joel is speaking directly to me in a an audience of thousands. I tried college. I never had a real job and can't even cashier anymore. Not that I've ever really wanted any f that anyway. I've always wanted something different. GC opened my eyes to that years before I even knew it was true. And it took me even longer to figure out what it really is that I want for myself. I'm an artist. A photographer. That's always been my thing. And my writing isn't too bad either, I'm just terrified to let anyone read what I write. Blogging is extremely difficult, but I'm pretty sure no one reads this anyway...
Writing. Photography. Wildlife. Travel. Put them all together and that's me.
After jamming to The Anthem, I felt like a weight had been lifted. I accepted that GC still meant something to me after all these years and not in a bad way. I got closure. It took a few trial and errors, but my photos came out to be phenomenal!
Benji had taken a moment between songs to address the audience, asking how long we'd all been together. Middle School? High School? That's the majority of their audience, and I'm definitely part of it. Having been a part of each other's lives for so long, he said he liked sharing their songs with us. With family. The GC Family.
Joel took a moment to thank everyone for being there, what its the game going on and all. He'd been getting dirty looks all day, like everyone knew something he didn't. He was wearing a Dodger's jersey. I guess The Sox were playing LA that night. I don't follow sports and I'd bene on the road or waiting outside the venue all day, not much access to news sites. He apologized and suffered the boo's while explaining he didn't have another shirt. If he'd known, he would've worn Red Sox.
Halfway through the set, he turned it inside out.
He also explained that he had been sick for three days and woke up that morning unable to speak. He prides himself on never missing a show, while everyone else has for one important reason or another. He got a shot of steroids and was feeling pretty good by the time the show started.
Benji still sang more than usual to give his brother's voice a rest. There was a time he said he let Joel be the frontman because he didn't want to. He'd back him up and play guitar, but it just wasn't for him. Now, he's leading the Meet & Greet and singing for his brother at shows. I'm impressed.
Now I just have to go to a show when Joel isn't sick and get to see his version of a Meet & Greet, get a photo between the brothers, hugging Joel with Benji at my back and the rest of the band around us. And an autograph, because apparently that's a thing.
They ended the show with Lifestyles and Benji said we all were their best friend sin Massachusetts. And Joel screamed that he fucking loves us. Fog explosions whited out the stage as streamers flew out into the audience. It was an absolutely amazing show!
Back in the day, it was just a phase, but GC shaped my entire life.
Little Things. Motivation Proclamation. The Click. The Anthem. Lifestyles of the Rich & Famous. My Bloody Valentine. Hold On. The Day That I Die. The Young and the Hopeless. Movin' On. The Chronicles of Life and Death. S.O.S. Predictable. We Believe. It Wasn't Enough. Misery. The River. Last Night. Alive. Life Changes. Keep Swingin'. The Outfield. Life is Hard. Comatose. Self Help. Prayers. California.
Driving home, the highway was practically deserted and the night was clear. I really miss being on the road...
Joel took a moment to thank everyone for being there, what its the game going on and all. He'd been getting dirty looks all day, like everyone knew something he didn't. He was wearing a Dodger's jersey. I guess The Sox were playing LA that night. I don't follow sports and I'd bene on the road or waiting outside the venue all day, not much access to news sites. He apologized and suffered the boo's while explaining he didn't have another shirt. If he'd known, he would've worn Red Sox.
Halfway through the set, he turned it inside out.
He also explained that he had been sick for three days and woke up that morning unable to speak. He prides himself on never missing a show, while everyone else has for one important reason or another. He got a shot of steroids and was feeling pretty good by the time the show started.
Now I just have to go to a show when Joel isn't sick and get to see his version of a Meet & Greet, get a photo between the brothers, hugging Joel with Benji at my back and the rest of the band around us. And an autograph, because apparently that's a thing.
They ended the show with Lifestyles and Benji said we all were their best friend sin Massachusetts. And Joel screamed that he fucking loves us. Fog explosions whited out the stage as streamers flew out into the audience. It was an absolutely amazing show!
Back in the day, it was just a phase, but GC shaped my entire life.
Little Things. Motivation Proclamation. The Click. The Anthem. Lifestyles of the Rich & Famous. My Bloody Valentine. Hold On. The Day That I Die. The Young and the Hopeless. Movin' On. The Chronicles of Life and Death. S.O.S. Predictable. We Believe. It Wasn't Enough. Misery. The River. Last Night. Alive. Life Changes. Keep Swingin'. The Outfield. Life is Hard. Comatose. Self Help. Prayers. California.
Driving home, the highway was practically deserted and the night was clear. I really miss being on the road...
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