CHICAGO 4/11
Last night was really great. I've never seen an actual acoustic set live of any band before. So, this was a first time experience. My mom is always like, "do you have to see The Academy Is... AGAIN?!?" (because I've seen them manyyy times before). However, it was nice to say "Mom! This is different! It's an acoustic set!"
Anyway, the night went well. I arrived at the Bottom Lounge around 5pm. The security guy searched my bag and was like "do you have booze, drugs, gun? You better tell me right now" I was confused because I thought he said "gum" not "gun" (I'm an idiot) so I pointed to the pack of gum in my bag. But hey, at SWG, security threw my Sharpie away, so I don't know what they're looking for!
The venue had really cool lights by the merch table. The person I went with (a friend I played in an acoustic duo with: Alex) had a hard time deciding what shirt he wanted because the lights distorted what the colors of the shirts really were. I tried to help him but he didn't believe me! Hahah.
Finally, Evan Taubenfeld (Alex had been pronouncing it "too-ben-field") came on. He was so funny, a great opening to the show. He's definitely quite a character. I think one of my favorite things that he said was "which ever side is louder, all of the people on that side will get this one, ONE of a kind pick...I don't care how it's one of a kind, don't get into the technical details!" I liked his music but I liked his personality even more. I wouldn't mind if he did stand-up comedy for his set, I would watch it.
Empires was up next. They actually took the stage faster than I expected. Me and Alex were standing in a good spot near the side but after a song or two, I had to use the restroom. As I was walking back to our spot, I spotted Tony and asked about the meet & greet / signing. He told me that SLH would have priority. He asked if I was in SLH and being in it, I said yes. He then asked if I could do him a huge favor, which was photocopying my membership card. I only have the old one, but he said it was okay. He then sent some guy to make a copy and I just waited there with him, making small talk. After a bit, I told him that I was going to go back into the crowd and watch the show and he said he would get my card back to me. I went back to the crowd and after the set, I went back and he wasn't there. Instead he left it with one of the merch guys. I saw Tony a bit later and he asked if I got it back. Seems like everything ran smoothly!
Next, me and Alex went to meet Sean. He was really nice and we talked for a bit. We actually missed William's first song but that was okay. We then went to watch William set which was incredible. His voice is amazing live, a trait many people cannot pull off. However, he seems to do it with ease. Although I like Remember Maine, during Eastbound Traffic, I decided to go meet Tom Conrad. He was actually really nice! I said hi to him and stuck out my hand for a handshake. He fumbled around to free his hand and said "sorry, I'm kinda nervous" which was cute, I thought. To be honest, from the stories I've heard, I didn't think he'd be nice, but he was. I told him that Empires is great and that I wanted to come back and see them on May 22nd. He mentioned his "return", which I'm guessing is his return into the music world after TAI. I said that I was very happy for him blah blah blah. He then asked if there was anything he could sign for me and I gave him a bandana that I get all bands to sign. I also asked for a picture and of course, the settings weren't right. It was on ISO so I apologized. I took another but the flash wouldn't go on, so he decided to help me. Finally we figured it out and he was like "you see that lightning bolt icon? You know what that means" DUHH. I don't know why my camera went weird on me. I haven't had trouble with it before. Finally, I got my picture, gave him a hug and ran back into the crowd.
William ended with About A Girl and all hell broke loose when he said that he would be signing by the merch table. There was pushing, shoving, and people heading towards the other direction. Finally, Alex and I found out that they had changed the signing location so we started headed the other way too. There was a small table for him to sit at but in the chaos, he had to stand. He came in escorted by Tony and it was madness. So much for SLH priority! No pictures is technicqally allowed but William let the first group of people. I lost Alex so I pushed forward. When it was my turn I held out my MONDAYEYES bracelet for him to sign. They were getting strict about photos but I pressed. Then again, my camera malfunctions! I was so angry and flustered, I tried twice and it didn't work. William, for some reason I don't know, said to me "when you're ready" and turn to some other people. Guards didn't push me out or anything, I was almost shaking from this luck. In a bit, he came back to me, it worked and I thanked him. I was so thankful, you have no clue. I don't know what happened. Had I been pushed out, I would have understood. I don't know, I was speechless. It was probably the worst of my TAI encounters but I am so happy and thankful that I even got to meet him again. I wanted to tell him how my 3-year-old cousin know the lyrics to "About a Girl" word for word and how I ran at a track meet against Barrington High earlier that day (true facts, Barrington was fasttt. They either got first or second place at the Illinois High School State competition last year). However, there was no time to say such things. No heart-spewing. Nothing. I understand the rush though, because there was another show at 10pm.
In all, everything went well and I had a fantastic night :)
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