The City Comes Alive

Warning: Long Post filled with heaps of photos!

A couple of weeks, it was one of my favourite times of the year, Soundwave Week! Despite the line up not having a lot of bands I was interested in, I love the feeling of knowing that all these bands were in Australia, it didn't matter who they're were. Mainly I was really excited for All Time Low, and I decided to go their side wave because at least I would get a chance to see them. On the Friday before the Brisbane soundwave, I went into the city to try my luck at band stalking because the last time I met All Time Low, they were so sweet and nice! Unfortunately I wasn't so lucky in finding them, I did see other band people but I didn't recognise them. There was so much aimless walking alone, and there is not so much to Brisbane city, just basically a strip mall and a couple of side streets. I had a missed call from a random number, and they had left a voice mail, and normally I don't check voice mails, but since I had nothing better to do, I did. It was from a guy who said there was a surprise for me. Back up to a few days before, I was orientation trying to get freebies, and signing up randomly to  contests. One of them was a Soundwave ticket, I got really excited and ask all my friend ps to sign up as well but just use my number for ease. I didn't expect to win, because I rarely win anything. However, I didn't want to get too excited about the call or get my hopes up, so i called back the number, and "I" WON THE SW TICKET!!!! The I is in quotations because it technically wasn't me, it was one of my friends. The conversation with the guy was a little suss, he asked me what my name was and it didn't match the one that won, he also said that there were multiple names for the same number! Anywho, the festival was the following day I doubt he would have found another person to collect the ticket on short notice. I was super excited, and felt so underprepared, I didn't have my camera with me which was disappointing.

Fast forward to Saturday, the day of soundwave, I planned on arriving later because All time Low didn't startr playing until 4ish. It felt very weird not turning up early or at least on time! I got there around 1ish and just walked around the venue, which was so much bigger than Melbourne, and a lot more people. The layout was confusing and I had to refer to my map so many times! First off I had so food to eat, a  chicken bun because it was one of the more cheaper foods. It was quite lonely being by myself but I kinda just took in the atmosphere and people watched.
Then I went to the signing tent, the ATL signing was unfortunately sold out, but I still wanted to see them. It was a little unfair that they seated them the furthest from the window and they were also late. I nearly died when they walked out, they looked so perfect and how did they get even more good looking?? Whenever they would acknowledge the outside crowd, I would go a little crazy inside, I tend not to fan girl in public. I took some little videos, but couldn't get any decent photos.

They weren't playing for another hour, so I went to see Sleeping with Sirens, I haven't listened to any of their music, but at least I knew who they were. Their set was amazing, I got really into it despite not knowing the songs! Since then I'm in love with their music, and kicking myself for listening sooner. All time low was playing afterwards, so stuck around the stage, I eventually got to the third row and had pretty decent views. I was surprised because I never thought I would get that close. all Time Low were running late so their set was cut short :( However they were amazing live, I love their  jokes, and the way they interact with each other, and how Jack's always doing something weird, like pulling faces. He's just gorgeous, well they all are! Rian looks amazing with his hair and Zach looked very happy playing. They just did an awesome job overall and I was so glad I got to see them play.

There was a lot of down time, which I spent walking around and eating, I bought Nandos chips which went up 50c and it was a small portion. It did feel a little lonely at times, and I was jut feeling really tired that day.
Next up was Paramore whom I was pretty excited to see although I haven't heard many of their songs.  The crowd was massive, there was just so many people! I just had to look at the big screen because Hayley was very very tiny from where I was standing. I actually really liked their set, Hayley had an amazing stage presence, and I fell in love with the way she spoke with the crowd. By the end, I developed a girl crush on Hayley, and I could why so many people like her, she just has this lovable quality. There were a couple of songs I recognized, including their latest 'Now' which they started off with. Towards the end of their last song, she brought a lucky fan on stage, and asked her to help out with the singing! It was amazing, I felt so happy for the girl, she must of been dying inside, but she kept her composure quite well, I would probably start panicking in that situation.

After Paramore's set, I was waiting for Blink 182 which didn't start until a while later. I decided to buy some Nandos chips to keep up a tradition, it was a little disappointing that they increased the price by 50c and the portion was tiny. While waiting, I heard one of Linkin Park's song and decided to watch their set until Blink 182. When I went to the main stage, i was just blown away, I couldn't believe how many people were there, it was just like a stadium that was filled with people, the stands and the standing area. I tried to take a photo but it was too dark, I just could not comprehend how much people there were, Melbourne had such a comparatively smaller crowd. Anywho once I stopped looking at all the people, I watched Linkin Park, again I didn't many of their songs but their set was entertaining, I kinda wish I appreciated them more than I should. Straight after Linkin, I walked over to Blink and so did everyone else, the place was so packed, we were just shuffling everywhere, taking tiny steps. By the time I got to Blink's stage, again A LOT of people. I was just watching from the big screen, but it was a little hard to get into their set because they added a weird filter on the screen which made it harder to see. I wish I could of have gotten a glimpse of the stage but I was just too far back. I saw the inspiration that All Time Low took from Blink, they had similar dirty jokes onstage, and I thought that was really cute, so that's not the right word but I've been using that word for everything nowadays. I realized I barely knew any of their songs, but I was just thinking how happy they are making their fans because it's been such a long time since they have come to Australia. It was really cool at the end, because they release paper confetti, and it looked amazing against the backdrop stage lights and just flowing to the back of the crowd. I wish I had taken a decent photo, because it looked incredible!
The last band of the night was Pierce the Veil, again I haven't listened to any of their songs but they are grouped among the bands that I listen to. Their music was a little too hardcore for me, but Vic had a nice singing voice albeit slightly feminine. I loved it when he talked, they were so glad to be in Australia, for the first time I think. There a little boy in the crowd, he looked about 10 (but he must of been older because of the age requirements), and wore a PTV singlet and was really into the set, I found it so cute and gorgeous, I don't mind if my children become fan-girls/boys. Again in their last song, they released the paper confetti and I was felt all fuzzy inside.

At the end of the day, it was a depressing feeling, like how I feel every time I leave a concert. By the time I got to the station, I had just missed the train, so I had to wait another hour for the train. I was just way too tired to care. The train itself was super slow and took and extra 30 mins to get back to the Gold Coast, I finally got home at around 1.

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On the following Wednesday, it was the All Time Low sidewave, I was very excited for this although I did contemplate not going because I was driving into Brisbane. I got to the venue at around 3.30, I was happy there was parking right outside the venue and I didn't pay for it (even though it was metered). Zach walked by at one stage, and he looked happy and acknowledged the crowd, asking how we were doing, he looked very perfect. I think he was going for a run. I think that moment redeemed how I felt when I met him last time at the airport. Masketta Fall also came to greet us in line, I would have liked to talk to them because  I like our Melbourne connection, but I was by myself. They played some acoustic songs, and were pretty good. I was singing along to one of their songs, and at the end, the singer acknowledged it. I can't believe how hard and dedicated they are to bringing their music to more people, and their music is actually good as well. I wanted to listen to more songs but the line was moving and it was time to go in. When I got into the venue, there were already a lot of people, I don't know why I bothered to go into the mosh pit, in hindsight I should have stood back. The first two bands were pretty good. Chunk No Captain Chunk are from Paris, so I loved it when the singer talked in his adorable accent. The crowd was already slightly crazy and my view wasn't the best. By the time All Time Low was on stage, my view was just gone, and the crowd just went crazy. I was just dying inside the mosh and couldn't fully enjoy their set.I wanted to get out, but I was just a tad far from the barrier, and I couldn't move backwards, so I was stuck. All Time Low's set was similiar to their Soundwave one, but I think they played a few extra songs. They played therapy which was one of my favorites,  I just wish I had a better view or any view of the stage. By the end, as I got out of the mosh pit, my shirt was drenched not in my sweat by the way, and my hair was very gross, greasy, kinda had this dread lock look, it wasn't a very pretty sight. The security was being very mean and told everyone to leave the venue, I really wanted to stay back to hopefully see All Time Low, but I think they didn't come out after the show anyways which is a little sad. Obviously, I don't expect bands to come out after their show, but it's always just brings your concert experience to the next level by meeting the people who inspire you. It made me wish I had taken the chance to have a photo with them back in Leeds. I drove back home, a lot earlier than expected and I just wanted to crawl into bed and sleep.