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This was something I thought of doing recently.
Here's a small memory (or two or more) from every concert I've attended.
Heart ~ Ribfest in Vinoy Park, St. Pete, FL (November 10, 2012)
This was my first concert. I just remember being blown away by Ann's voice, it was so powerful. It was also the first time I got to experience the feeling, the AMAZING feeling that is a concert. My mom wanted me to wear a sweater since it was cold but it just ended up sitting on my lawn chair I brought. I also remember leaving with my dad during the band's cover of "Black Dog" and the last person I saw on stage was Nancy Wilson. I think somewhere in the back of my mind, I thought it would be cool to be the one up on a stage like that.
Yes ~ Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater, FL (April 2, 2013)
We ended up meeting up with my dad's good friend Timmy during the intermission. He came all the way from Orlando to be at the show. I also remember being blown away and completely mesmerized by Steve Howe's guitar solo in "Starship Trooper". Just... WOW.
Heart w/Jason Bonham ~ The Amp in Tampa, FL (June 18, 2013)
The show was the day before Ann's Birthday, so I made a sign for her. We were waaaaay in the back of the Amp so I doubt she ever saw it, but I tried. My dad held up his lighter in front of it to help illuminate it, but that didn't help. My dad even helped me give it to a roadie of theirs after the show. To this day, I still don't know if she ever saw it, but I'd like to think she did. Then, afterwards we hung around the backstage area and I saw Craig Bartock standing near the fence there just looking at me.
Cheap Trick ~ Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater, FL (October 4, 2013)
My dad urged me to go down front and take some pictures from down there. I was nervous but I went down there anyhow and not a single security person stopped me. I was literally standing in front of the ******** stage right in front of Tom Petersson.
I didn't get any good pictures in the end. xD
Pat Benatar ~ Taste of Pinellas in St. Pete, FL (May 9, 2014)
A time I don't like to think about since s**t hit the fan with my dad afterwards, but Pat can still sing! I was awestruck when she sang "Hell is For Children".
Ringo Starr ~ Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater, FL (October 23, 2014)
I won the tickets for the show. :]
And during one of the Santana songs, Ringo left the stage and the rest of the All-Starr Band went nuts! "Boss is gone, let's go CRAAAAAZEEEE!"
ZZ Top & Jeff Beck ~ The Amp in Tampa, FL (May 7, 2015)
I was wearing my Jimi Hendrix shirt and much to my surprise ZZ Top played "Foxy Lady". O.O
Rush ~ Amalie Arena in Tampa, FL (May 24, 2015)
Well, let's see. My dad won the tickets on my Birthday, then he called the station to tell them it was my Birthday and how special the concert was going to be for the two of us. On Friday, we got a call saying that we didn't win the guitar prize pack but we got meet-n-greets. We ended up meeting the ladies who got the whole thing including meet-n-greets, so it turns out someone on the crew may have given them to us. I met Alex and Geddy and didn't pass out. There was even a cute guy with a South American accent standing in front of me in line.
Aaaand, I nearly dropped the camera when some "firecracker" went off on stage during "Far Cry" because it scared the crap out of me.
Duran Duran ~ The Amp in Tampa, FL (April 2, 2016)
It rained all day and prompted Simon to call Florida "the Land of Sunshine! And a little bit of rain." I had waited to see them for a long time and the wait was worth it! They played "New Moon On Monday" and I went nuts. I'm also pretty sure I was the only one in my area who knew all the lyrics to "Notorious".
Bad Company & Joe Walsh ~ The Amp in Tampa, FL (May 28, 2016)
Some lady sitting next to us handed me her bracelet during Joe's set and told me to make music with it like an instrument. I was confused but I did as I was instructed.
Tesla, REO Speedwagon, Def Leppard ~ The Amp in Tampa, FL (August 15, 2016)
My dad and I sang along to "Signs" together and he told me later that he wished he would have filmed me. He hadn't seen me that happy in a long long time. He also won me those tickets since he knew how much I liked Tesla. He's a real pain but I have the best father out there.
The Australian Pink Floyd ~ Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater, FL (August 26, 2016)
I cried once or twice during their set, they were THAT good. It may have also had something to do with the little Syd Barrett montage at the beginning of their set. Maybe.
Zebra ~ Largo Cultural Center in Largo, FL (October 22, 2016)
At the time it was the closest I had ever been to the stage (trumped by the next show however). I saw someone I knew from MovieStop in the audience and he even went up front to the stage a few times during the show. I sang along to everything I knew, which of course was all of it. Then after the concert, the band stayed around to sign stuff and take pictures! So, I jumped in line for that. I was my usual super-anxious self but Randy Jackson made me feel welcome. So, it was worth it. I took a picture with three of my idols and I didn't look too terrible in the photo, so, yeah it was worth it.
Sabaton, Battle Beast, Leaves' Eyes ~ The Orpheum in Tampa, FL (May 20, 2017)
THE BEST FRIGGIN' CONCERT I'VE EVER BEEN TO!
So, this was on my Birthday actually. My brother and I waited for three hours in the escalating Florida heat while wearing black t-shirts. THAT was worth it. We were first in after the VIP people. I snagged a spot on the right side of the stage so I had a good view of Thorsten, Joona, and Chris. :]
We rocked out together, Justin and I.
I fell in love with a Finnish guitarist by the name of Joona Bjorkroth. He even looked at me a few times and smiled at me. I don't know how I'm alive right now.
I've been obsessed with Battle Beast ever since.
Oh yeah and Sabaton.
They RULED!
I had never had that much fun at a concert ever.
Iron Maiden & Ghost ~ Amalie Arena in Tampa, FL (June 11, 2017)
Both Ghost and Iron Maiden were totally awesome! I had a lot of fun during the day before the show since I got to hang out with my brother and his friend Jesse, who is an amazing person. :]
I also discovered my new favorite Iron Maiden song is "Blood Brothers".
Plus, on the way over we got to listen to Metal all the time! m/
Coldplay ~ Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, FL (August 28, 2017)
We travelled all the way to Miami to see Coldplay and it was SO WORTH IT! It rained a little that night but that in no way stopped the band(s) from performing. The concert was something I had been waiting many years for because I've been a fan since I was 9. We were also lucky they decided to come when they did since a week and a half later Hurricane Irma came through. xD
Jack Russell's Great White ~ Largo Cultural Center in Largo, FL (September 22, 2017)
Okay... I didn't expect this show to be as fun as it was! Jack, Robby, Dan, Tony, and Dicki really know how to bring it! When I walked into the Cultural Center theater there was no one up front at the stage yet. There were a bunch of tables that people were taking their seats at, but I said "heck no, I'm standing at the stage!"
I was right in front of the stage... nothing in front of me but the stage. It was amazing. Robby Lochner smiled at me so many times throughout the show. Jack Russell himself even smiled at me! He came and stood right in front of me during the beginning of "Rock Me" and he pretty much got me to go damn near crazy right when that song starts rockin'.
The show was also barely a week after we got our electricity back from Hurricane Irma and Jack actually took the time to mention the hurricane and its impact on the area. He said he hoped everyone was all right and that the band could be there to help lift our spirits after the whole event.
After the show, I stayed around for the meet n' greet and got the whole band to sign a copy of He Saw It Comin'!! Dan McNay even told me he liked my Deep Purple shirt and he gave me a high five!!!!
Dude, I'm still mentally at that concert.
And I even got to see myself in Dan's video on YouTube!
Tesla ~ Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater, FL (September 29, 2017)
I gave up seeing Venom Inc to see Tesla again and it was worth it. The set was way better and way more fun than last year. The guy sitting next to me was surprised by my age and the fact that I had gone to the show alone. We talked a bit in between sets and he was really cool! He gave me a high five at the end of Tesla's amazing set.
Imagine Dragons ~ Amway Center in Orlando, FL (November 10, 2017)
A very fun show! We left several hours before the show was supposed to start (and it takes almost three hours to get to Orlando from here)... but we didn't get to the venue until Grouplove came on. They were right before Imagine Dragons. Traffic was just nuts on the way over. But the concert was beyond amazing.
Sabaton & Kreator ~ Jannus Live in St. Pete, FL (March 10, 2018 )
I had fun that night! My brother and I went with his friend Adam (it was his first concert and I think I have a crush on him now). Adam and I were the only ones of the three of us headbanging and going crazy. Sabaton concerts are too much fun! The five hour wait outside the venue was entirely worth it and just as fun. :] A guy tried to energetically sell us alcohol (when two in our group were under 21, thank you very much), a cop wondered what the heck was going on then softened up when he heard about Sabaton, and we got free food from Carrabba's.
The Eagles & Jimmy Buffett ~ Camping World Stadium in Orlando, FL (April 14, 2018 )
It was a great performance from The Eagles. I wore my Glenn Frey pin and we were sitting waaaaaaaaaaaay high at the top of the stadium. But, we had to leave early due to my father. *eyeroll*
Steely Dan & The Doobie Brothers ~ The Amp in Tampa, FL (May 14, 2018 )
The Doobie Brothers were a lot of fun! Steely Dan's performance was amazing, as well. It was just a fun night all around.
Slayer, Lamb of God, Anthrax, Behemoth, Testament ~ Orlando Amphitheater in Orlando, FL (June 15, 2018 )
ONE OF THE BEST NIGHTS OF MY ENTIRE LIFE (more than likely will only be rivalled and beaten by Helloween). I was super excited to see all the bands performing, especially Anthrax and Behemoth. I hung out with my brother and his friend Adam and the whole night ruled, even when I got injured in the pit. I was "Caught In a Mosh" during "Indians" at the end of Anthrax's set. I got slammed to the ground by members of the pit and after falling into it, I couldn't find my way back up, until my knees were horribly scraped. Someone eventually lifted me out and protected me until the show was done. But that was quite an experience. Behemoth were totally AWESOME, as well as Anthrax. I can't decide whose performance was my favorite, but I'm leaning toward Behemoth.
Alestorm & Gloryhammer ~ The Orpheum in Tampa, FL (September 6, 2018 )
This was a great concert. Because of the fact my brother and I don't drink - well he wasn't 21 yet and I don't drink - we were first in line. We were so close to the stage but a bunch of drunk people started a moshpit during the opening local band and the band encouraged it. Yeah, moshpits are scary enough, so we high-tailed it out of there and watched the rest of the show from the side.
Alestorm killed it. And Gloryhammer was fun!
Helloween ~ Concord Music Hall in Chicago, IL (September 10, 2018 )
So... BEST. NIGHT. OF. MY. FREAKING. LIFE.
Go to my DeviantArt for the full account, but yeah the night RULED.
Kai Hansen smiled at me (he was legit grinning right at me) everytime I did the dance moves he was doing during "I Want Out".
I was right at the frickin' stage! (well, okay, the barrier but whatever)
I saw Piesel and Kosta walk across the stage!! And I saw Jan Bayati on the side, watching.
Michael Weikath (my hero and my savior) made actual eye contact with me and I think he smiled at me, too.
I sang EVERYTHING. I didn't miss a freaking word.
Kai Hansen almost touched my hand but I was stupid enough to be filming a little of the solo section from "Keeper of the Seven Keys" just to have a video to take home, and then Kai came right over to us during the video. Michael Kiske reached down to our side at some point, too.
I got the coolest jacket from the show.
Helloween fans standing in line beforehand were fascinated by my Helloween rubber bracelet, same with my Pumpkins United collage t-shirt.
I want to do it again!
Zebra ~ Largo Cultural Center in Largo, FL (November 13, 2018 )
Another epic concert!
I don't know if Randy Jackson recognized me or not, but he smiled at me from across the stage once or twice.
And get this: FELIX HANEMANN HANDED ME HIS BASS PICK!!!!!!!! He went to set his bass down and get on the keyboards. But, he walked to the edge of the stage and legit pointed right at me, holding his pick out. I was so stunned, the dude next to me had to jolt me back to reality. But I got up and took his pick and I still can't believe it happened. I'll treasure it forever.
Also, at the meet-n-greet afterwards, the guys all signed my poster. Randy told the lady behind me who was getting all buddy-buddy with the band to back off for a minute, so I have my time with them. Guy was having fun looking at the poster and made a joke about the time when he had hair while he was showing it off to Felix. Randy asked me my name and wrote "Sam Rocks" in the corner of the poster.
And I'm gonna treasure that, too.
Ghost ~ Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater, FL (November 25, 2018 )
Awesome show!! My cousin was there but she was way further back than we were. She took a picture of us walking in to our seats. xD
The "Mummy Dust" dollars literally made it as far as the row of seats in front of us.
Steve Miller Band ~ Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater, FL (March 12, 2019)
Nothing super interesting happened. Steve and his band were great. "Serenade" was beautiful.
Slayer, Lamb Of God, Amon Amarth, Cannibal Corpse ~ The Amp in Tampa, FL (May 10, 2019)
Slayer KILLED IT. They were even more amazing the second time around.
Lamb Of God, when I got to actually enjoy their set, were also amazing.
Amon Amarth was the band I really wanted to see out of the lineup and they were super awesome! I got one non-blurry photo but it was ruined by someone's arm getting in the way at the exact second I took the picture. xD
We missed most of Cannibal Corpse's set due to getting there really late. Hearing them from a distance was like walking up to the mouth of a cave where a dragon lives.
Rob Thomas ~ Mahaffey Theater in St. Pete, FL (July 5, 2019)
I was so damn excited to see him. I cried during "Mockingbird" when I did not expect to and I almost did during "Can't Help Me Now". I'm not sure how my mom liked it but I sure as hell LOVED SEEING HIM IN CONCERT. He came out in to the audience to sing at one point and told everyone up in the balcony (us included) to get up and dance during David Bowie's "Let's Dance". He told a funny story about how his dog Tyler influenced "Little Wonders" replete with the now classic "Dad's gone... DAD'S BACK!!!" and "WE'RE ********' WALKIN!" During "Pieces" he wanted everyone in the audience to turn on the flashlights on their phones and basically requested full audience participation. xD
Slipknot, Volbeat, Gojira, Behemoth ~ The Amp in Tampa, FL (September 4, 2019)
We went for everyone BUT Slipknot. All three of them were killer.
I made my brother a Behemoth fan, finally.
Gojira were so much cooler than I expected and I already expected them to be sick. It was so damn magical to hear "The Gift of Guilt" live.
Volbeat were super fun live.
I bought about three t-shirts. xD
We left a song into Slipknot's set but heard "Unsainted" as we were heading back to the car.
Eluveite, Korpiklaani, Gone in April ~ The Orpheum in Ybor City, FL (September 19, 2019)
OH MY GOD KORPIKLAANI WAS AMAZING.
We went to bar beforehand that was pirate-themed, forgetting that it was Talk Like a Pirate Day. My brother had a lot to drink but that meant we could actually get in line early. And getting in line early meant being able to be at the barrier. The barrier!!
The opening band was good - Withering Earth. They threw out foam swords and wanted people to duel. That didn't really happen much but everyone waved the swords around all night.
Gone In April were good. It was cool hearing the stuff from their new album live.
We were still at the barrier for once and the smile came up on my face the moment Korpiklaani walked out and didn't leave until they were done. I saw Cane walk up the stairs in the backstage area off to the side, and Jonne also. Cane smiled at me more than once, Jonne was just so damn happy and I'm sure he smiled at me, Sami was also super happy, Jarrko was just chillin' and playing his bass, and I think Tuomas smiled a bit. My excitement level reached Helloween level and that's super hard to do, let me tell you.
I sang along with every song almost and tried with the Finnish lyrics. My fist met the air many many times during their set. They frickin' played my favorite - "Lempo" - and I lost it. That's when a lot of the band smiled at me, as I sang along word for word. And this happened...
Tuomas came over to our side of the stage (the right in the audience/stage left) and he reached a foot out towards the barrier - it wasn't very far from the stage. He grinned at me and I moved my hand off the barrier. He then proceeded to put one foot there and he kept the other on stage, balancing between the two... AND PLAYED HIS VIOLIN FROM AN INCH AWAY FROM ME IF IT WAS EVEN THAT FAR. I still can't fathom it, that he apparently "chose me". The whole rest of their lengthy performance was epic, too.
Eluveitie was cool but I only wanted to hear "the Call of the Mountains". We left at the end of their set before they even finished.
I got most of the Korpiklaani albums I didn't have at the merch table as well as a sweet shirt.
Tesla ~ Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater, FL (September 25, 2019)
The third time seeing them was easily the best. They played "Breakin' Free" live and it was just something I really needed to hear. I was also only eight rows back from the stage.
Deep Purple ~ Mahaffey Theater in St. Pete, FL (September 27, 2019)
The opening band Joyous Wolf was great. Their singer got off the stage during the last song and ran around through the audience and no one knew what was going on. xD
The nice older couple at the end of my row actually bought me a bottle of water in between bands and I thought that was just so sweet of them to do since I was alone and she said she figured I wouldn't have wanted to go "stand in line with all the old people". I was probably the youngest person there near the front rockin' out like I was.
Deep Purple were phenomenal live. Ian Gillan has a hard time hitting the high notes but he still tried and Steve Morse really is a hellavu guitarist. No doubt. Roger Glover seemed like he was having a really great time on stage and he was very thankful for all the support. At the end of the set, he threw a whole bunch of bass picks around the audience.
And I swear that Steve Morse smiled right at me during "Hush" when the audience thinned a little and the band could actually see me.
 SamWeiki · Sat Jun 10, 2017 @ 08:31am · 0 Comments |
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