As the "about me" section suggests, I'm Laura, 18. My main obsession interest would have to be Las Vegas band, The Killers and I'm very lucky to have seen them this year at Hard Rock Calling in London, which so far goes down as the single greatest day of my life. In a main summary of the day I would describe it as amazing. The word amazing is overused. I've never experienced anything quite like it.
a·maz·ing
[uh-mey-zing]adjective
causing great surprise or sudden wonder.
zɪŋ
I started the day feeling a mixture of excitement, dizziness and annoyance at my boyfriend having contracted his man flu after lovingly looking after him for the few days before! Nothing would stop me getting to London though. Nothing would stop me seeing my babies. Nothing would stop me looking upon Brandon Flowers in awe. I'll skip what happened between the morning and getting into Hyde Park as it mostly involved trains and mediocre snacks.
However, as the moment arrived that we were allowed into the park, emotion came over me and I was struck with disbelief as I wandered through the gates, my friends Cathy and Jonny knowing how big a deal this day was to me. My pulse stirred as we neared the stage- nearer and nearer- until finally the shock hit me that this wasn't going to be as I had expected.
In my head I had pictured that we'd get about halfway towards the stage and we'd think ourselves lucky to be that close, never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that turning up only 1 hour before gates opened would mean that we were amongst the 3rd row of fans waiting for The Killers. In a crowd of what would reach 60,000 people, myself, Cathy & Jonny would make it as far as the 2nd row from the barrier and I constantly had to remind myself that this was really happening.
The day went on and support acts began appearing onstage, although I grew more and more impatient as I seemed to be feeling gradually worse. Having taken the last of my Cold & Flu tablets not long before, I thought I would perk up for "james", the 90's band whom I wasn't really looking forward to anyway if i'm honest. As they played I had a terrible feeling in my gut. I knew I was either going to be sick or pass out, and in such a tight space of people who I didn't want to hate me, I went for the less vomity option. Everything went white and I fell into Cathy who caught me and lowered me to the ground. I came round a few seconds later knowing that I ran the risk of security taking me from the crowd what with being so near to the front. That was not an option.
Cathy & Jonny joined me on the floor as we took advice from the band who were singing their most well known hit, "sit down".
In a bizarre moment where the lead singer stood on the barrier ahead of us, he towered over us as if to be noseying into why we weren't watching the show.
A kind lady gave me some chocolate, Cadbury's Fruit & Nut- a personal favourite. Though, as Cathy pointed out, it was a good job I wasn't allergic to nuts! I would've been in real trouble then and god help the woman that would've prevented me from seeing my boys.
The next act were the Kaiser Chiefs and by now I was feeling great. The cold & flu medicine had kicked in and I was back to myself- good old sickly Laura! The Heavens opened as the band blasted into "I Predict a Riot".
Kaiser Chiefs were brilliant and the crowd went mental, just a taster for how mad they were going to go in less than an hour, when the Vegas four-piece would take their places.
As the Leeds lads finished their set Cathy turned to me. She knew what this meant and she knew how I was feeling. Excited isn't the word. I looked at her, squealed & jumped in anticipation of what we were about to witness. The crowd roared with excitement as the roadies wheeled out the iconic "K", signalling that this was really happening. We were all really there. We were all really about to see The Killers. I was surely about to die!
The stage was set and time ticked on, the crowd becoming a mixture of impatient and excited. Then it begun. The walk on music.
I screamed and was not alone in my premature enthusiasm. I've never heard a louder sound than that of the roar of the crowd, as The Killers cfinally strolled onto the stage, so casually and with such an air of cool. They looked out accross the sea of fans, waves upon waves of adoring arms reaching for them, willing them to make this night incredible. And my gosh, they did not fail to deliver.
As Brandon burst into "Glamourous Indie Rock & Roll" I felt myself come alive with relief, joy and adoration. The crowd sang along with every word of that song, and each other song until the end too. I can't describe to you every single song because just thinking back to that night sends me over the top with emotion and pride that I witnessed such an amazing event with my own eyes and ears.
Some of my highlights of the night though were Moon River & When You Were Young.
Moon River because it was just beautiful. Brandon and Dave illuminated by a single spotlight on a pitch black stage, right in front of where I was stood. There's a part of the song that Brandon sung which truly put a lump in my throat then, and each time since that i've listened to it too. It's where Brandon sings the words "We're after the same rainbow's end". It's a moment I'll never forget and it'll never not make me want to cry with bliss.
Moon River because it was just beautiful. Brandon and Dave illuminated by a single spotlight on a pitch black stage, right in front of where I was stood. There's a part of the song that Brandon sung which truly put a lump in my throat then, and each time since that i've listened to it too. It's where Brandon sings the words "We're after the same rainbow's end". It's a moment I'll never forget and it'll never not make me want to cry with bliss.
When You Were Young was the opposite end of the scale; equally beautiful but so much more intense and full on. It was the finale, the final farewell to London and an astounding end to the greatest day of my life. The rain seemed heavier than ever before but we didn't care, we were in ecstasy, singing along to every word like we would never sing again. We jumped and sang whilst the rain beat against us, a welcome shower to the heat that radiated from the crowd's loving aura. Cannons of white confetti exploded above us like thunder and fireworks illuminated the crowd of thousands. The confetti trickled down and stuck to us all like glue.
And as the song came to it's end, the gorgeous Brandon Flowers wished us all a safe journey home and said goodnight. The man, who was so much more beautiful in real life than I thought possible, took a bow and was gone. Ronnie "the rhythm maker" Vanucci wrapped things up with what felt like the longest drum solo I had ever seen.
We never wanted it to end! Ronnie embraced the crowd's final wave of energy and took a bow along side his remaining band mates. And then they were gone.
I was left overwhelmed and for the first time in my life, truly speechless.
Now everytime I'm in my room and my babies come on shufffle, I look at my posters and can't help but smile like an idiot as I reminisce.
Utterley beautiful.
♥
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