Chasing pavements, chasing Adele!

Talk about throwback.

Where do I even begin?

When they announced her concert a couple of months ago, of course I was one of the millions of hopefuls who can’t wait to get my hands on that ticket. Yet, all of my hopes came crumbling down when of course, the ticket was like 200 quid. As much as I love her, I didn’t think spending that big amount would be worth it. So, just like that time I missed Beyonce’s concert, I just went to itunes and spent 10 quid on her album instead. Sayaaaaaaang.

It was Tuesday, and I was in Cambridge for my study day when I just randomly scrolled through one of the ticket sites when a popping £80 ticket caught my attention. It was literally just 5 hours away from the concert and there I was hyperventilating at the idea of being able to come to her show anyway- after already accepting the fact that I could’t. It was in the middle of class, so I was pretend listening so I could focus a bit more, trying to rush to the link for that not so cheap but affordable ticket. Then, there it was, too good to be true but true anyway. I checked if it is legit, then texted Gelo if he wanted to watch blah blah blah. After his go signal. Baaam! There goes my email and my e-ticket! I swear after this I was floating away and didn’t even pay attention to the lectures at all. Sorry Richard.

We decided to meet up at O2 instead since I will be coming from Cambridge and he’ll come from work. I got there first so I bought some takeaway and since we couldn’t bring it inside, we just ate at a random bench outside. It was also my first time inside the arena and man, it is huge.

We didn’t have the best seats, but it was decent anyway. We were also convinced we had a good deal since there were friends we knew who bought the ticket for like 300 quid and we’re surprised to see that we had a better view than them.

She opened the night with Hello and we both were in pure awe. She was THAT good! For a moment, I was teary eyed maybe because of the voice, the song, the actual experience, the money (charot). She was phenomenal, PERIOD.
You’re next Beyonce, Coldplay (?)!

Aca-ntahan

Dear No One.

I promised myself that I would live my life to the fullest and experience things I have always wanted. Hence, the travelling. But other than that, I think my friends, or people who know me could attest to my love for music. So this 2016, I promised myself that aside from exploring the world, I will also explore the other side of me – my love of harmony + poetry + expression.

I started out with Panic at the Disco, then Slipknot. I thought I had enough rock on my system so I decided to shift to a bit more relaxed, chill music. Then came Tori Kelly.

I adore song covers. I first saw her around 2009-10 ish. I just finished school, board exams and was unemployed. I don’t know about you guys, but I had this phase where I would eat, sleep, surf the internet then repeat. It was a constant cycle for about 1-2months which led me to AJ Rafael, Cathy Nguyen, Albert Posis, Kina Grannis and of course, Tori! Hahahahaha how uneventful. Nonetheless, I loved her the minute I heard her voice and had been one of her avid subscribers ever since. What I would even do was download the youtube video then convert it to mp3 just so I could listen through my phone, even when there’s no internet. Here’s one of favorites plus my ringtone for quite some time:

Also, during a horrible period in my life that is my break-up mixed with being in a foreign land, she (and AJ Rafael) sung one song from my breakup playlist

And another from my moving on playlist

So, just try to imagine my smile when I knew she was performing here! She had been a part of my ups and downs in life and love (sort of) and I owe her at least this. (Special mention to my love, cause he was the one who saw she was performing and bought the tickets! Woohooo)

We still had work that day so we were a tad late. I was expecting a lesser queue by the time we arrived but I.was.wrong.

I was thankful for the venue and the slopping floor. It didn’t really matter how far we were from the stage, as long as I can see and hear her.
Her voice was even more amazing live.

1.5 hours of soul and pure talent. I wanted to listen to her all night I was too hungover. Anyway, I’ll get my hands on the setlist and I’ll post it here soon, along with some of my clips from the concert.

Till my next music adventure, Ta!!!

Aca-ntahan, Blabbermouth

Sleep, not!

I knew they were performing in London, and I knew I wanted to go but what was stopping me was pure laziness.

Saturday morning, (I was off) after my night shift, Gelo was already starting to ask if we were still going. We checked the website and since there were still tickets available, I kept postponing and told him if we’ll by the next day. I’ve been mostly leaving it to chance. Night of that, we had a random Saturday shindig where I got hammered really really bad and was hung over I thought I wouldn’t make it through my night shift. I did finish the shift though but with my state, I was 90% sure I didn’t want to go anymore.

While I was getting prepped to sleep, I saw this ad.

Suddenly, my heart fluttered at the sight and said hell YEAH! I wouldn’t want to miss this now, especially I’m just a heartbeat away. Charoz! I immediately went to StubHub, GetMeIn and LastMinute.com (reliable ticket sources for concerts,plays etc) to check and luckily, there were still some available. Out of impulsiveness, I bought one without even checking the type of tickets they sold- which was by delivery. After paying, I panicked cause I was afraid the ticket won’t make it to me in time. I thought I bought the e-tickets or pick-up ones but I guess I didn’t. After all of these I just decided to sleep it off (since I’m working again that night) and pray that RoyalMail won’t fail me tomorrow. If it doesn’t arrive, it means destiny is telling me not to go (meganon!!!?)

At work, I was giddy the whole 12.5hours and although I assigned a good amount of breaks, I wasn’t able to use it all up myself. After the shift, I rushed home to check the mailbox–nothing! (Duh!? It was just 8am and they don’t start delivering in our area till 9!). So I waited and waited till about half past 10, the bell chimed. Yazzzz, it is here!

It made me more excited I didn’t feel the need to sleep anymore. We decided to head out a bit early to eat our first and only meal for the day. I originally was craving Korean or Japanese food but, it was Shrimp Tuesdays at BigEasy. Who could even resist?

We arrived at the area around 7, which we intended to do since we didn’t really want a long queue. It was my first time at Alexandra Palace a.k.a Ally Pally and it was quite huge, and had a good overlooking view of London. They also had a skating rink open seven days a week. As you go inside you’ll see a big hall of vendors selling food and really big cups of beer and next to that was the main hall.

The Sixth were performing and man, I just missed going to these types of gigs. I imagined reviving the inner “rakista” in me. I’ve loved different types of music and suprisingly as some people say, I do appreciate what other consider as noise. I was also a bit nostalgic- tattoos, long hair, piercings, black outfit, headbanging, rebel-ish, mosh pit– that was me at a certain period of my life (high school till early years of college to be exact)It felt like I was back to my roots. Haaay, back to story na nga!

After the first act, Suicidal Tendencies performed next. They were good and they really did made full use of the stage. (Ang haharot!). After their last song, we went nearer the stage. It was honestly a struggle for me because first of all, I was short. Second: Brits are really tall. Third: I didn’t want to be squished so I can’t go in the front or middle but. I know how these type of concerts too well.

I was screaming! I can’t believe I am actually seeing them live! and oh, Corey’s voice was just phenomenal.

I was literally head banging, jumping and letting loose! There was even an “almost fight” in front of us but,kebs. Hahahaha! Truly, this is one for the books! I kept on reminding myself after this that I am indeed making the right decision on spending moeny on experiences, on these types of amazing moments rather than material things.

PS. Special thanks to my chaperone. I know he’s not into these types of music, but he accompanied me anyway. Mwuah!