Saturday, 18 October 2014

#IWASTHERE: Avril Lavigne: #BlackStarTour Reflection

#Throwback 

December, 2011
I don't remember the exact day I was told Avril Lavigne will include Philippines for her Black Star Tour. What I do remember though, is seeing "Tim Yap" tweet about it. It was only just a rumor then. Maybe the confirmation settled itself as months pass by, you know with promotions and stuff. At this point, I say December, I was very excited. I mean, so excited I'm sure of buying "Patron". I marked February 16, 2012 at that instant, prior to the calendar itself, since 2012 hasn't arrived yet. I remember telling my Mom about it, and my Dad, of course. There was a few conflicts but they settled with a shaky 'YES'. So then, I made myself believe everything will go as planned.


January, 2012
I began to have doubts. I still don't have the money. And everytime I open the topic to my parents, its either they ignore or avoid. I started asking myself the famous twitter question, 'What's Happening?'. Due to my constant approach, they finally confessed, leading to my pain and disappointment. I remember one specific night I couldn't sleep. It bugged me in nightmares. It was a lot of stress. They pushed the idea of me giving up on it and me desperately needing a companion. At that moment, I can only think of one person, well maybe two or three: MY FRIENDS.


February, 2012
I did not give up. Well, that's not precisely true. Of course, there was that point I almost gave up. But my friends insisted for me to go, reviving the hope I lost along my parents' words. So...


February 16, 2012
I woke up numbed. There was not a sign of excitement, nor relief in me. Instead, there was worry and guilt. And just as we got there, at Araneta Coliseum, that excitement bagan to rise up, pushing away my worries. Its the work of light overcoming darkness. Its the miracle of God over human doubts. Its Avril Lavigne over possible regret.


The Big Dome was something I haven't seen before, or been in to. It was way different than MOA's Concert Grounds where I've been once, when Paramore stopped by back in 2009 for a show. It was much bigger, improved, and professional.


OPENING ACT
Someday Dream opened for the show. I couldn't say much about their performance, since I'm neither a fan or hater. Honestly, I didn't know they existed until few days prior. Although I know ONE song, 'Hey Daydreamer'. Maybe if the lights were off, and the speakers were in condition, I could have at least enjoyed good music. But I think the production 'used' them as a sound check.


BLACK STAR
Lights turned off before us and what's only visible is the glow sticks, like stars in outer space. And soon, the stage lit up, and Black Star began to play. Of course, what's a Black Star without the actual 'STAR'? Avril Lavigne rocked her new hair with her Abbey Dawn 'Smile' inspired top with black super tight pants and boots (I am not sure with the boots, though). She was holding a green star that lights up, and she held it tight as she sings the very few lyrics from her song, Black Star. At this point, my heartbeat paced up. I think I even bruised my seatmate's arm. I had a tight grip. I don't think he minds though, he knew very well I've been waiting for this day since Avril's last visit in the Philippines back in 2008.


WHAT THE HELL
Right now, glancing back, I don't remember much from What The Hell, except for I was seated while singing along. Do you know the downside in a seated concert? You're supposed to seat. And how are you supposed to rock while seated? Really, they should re-figure that out.


SK8ER BOI
This time, I stood up. Thank Avril she asked us to jump. Since, I think no one can jump while seated, almost everyone went along with the jumping. I looked around me. Some are seated still, some were standing but looking very awkward. Its a good thing my friends and I know how to enjoy a concert. So we raised our hands, jumped and sang.


HE WASN'T
He Wasn't is one of my favorite performances, not entirely because of the performance itself, but because of the little game we played along with Avril during the Intro. She asked us make noises or scream lyrics (Not so sure. I cannot remember for some reason), then lie low, then again, and lie low. Until we got used to the pattern, it went on. The funny part is, we got so used to it that we anticipated it. And when Avril asked us to lie low, we did, then afterwards, we 'almost' made noises even without her gesture. That time, we laughed. I know I did. Even Avril cackled.


I ALWAYS GET WHAT I WANT
This track wasn't released except for the UK Edition of Under My Skin, which has it with as the 13th song. Its almost as if its a B-Side, and not all people knew about it. But I do, being a huge fan and all. At this time, I can only hear a few sing along, including me. And I feel as if my other seatmate got irritated. But she didn't say a word, so I didn't stop.


ALICE
Same with this song, only few knew about it. I sang along a few lines, but I let myself rather enjoy Avril Lavigne as she sings the high notes, taking this time to catch my breath, and actually... reflect. There was a point during the concert that I closed my eyes and smiled. It could be at this part, or not.


When You're Gone
This is a very famous song among Filipinos, so almost everyone sang along.


Wish You Were Here
This is also one of my favorite performances, mainly because I believe we were standing up at this point, singing along Avril. Since this is also a famous song, everyone sang along.


Girlfriend
Hmm... Can't remember much for this one. I know I sang along though. XD


Airplanes + My Happy Ending
Avril did a cover for this song of B.O.B. ft. Hayley Williams. And as she sang, I can't help but wonder if she's going to do rap. That would be epic. But she didn't, instead, the music continued to My Happy Ending.


Don't Tell Me
Don't have anything to say for this one. :))


Smile
Since Smile is a difficult song to sing to, I didn't sing along for the whole thing. I remember feeling so proud at this point. Why wouldn't I be?


I'm With You
One of my favorites. Almost everyone knew the lyrics, so its more fun to sing along. I love the part when Avril let the audience sing, with her band lying sort of low, to hear our voices. It was magical. These are the exact words:


"It's a damn cold night. Tryin' to figure out this life. Won't you take me by the hand, take me somewhere new... I don't know who you are by now." (x3)


BREAK
At this point, I think some thought the show wrapped up. But being familiar with the setlist, I know it wasn't. So when the crowd cheered "WE WANT AVRIL", blood rushed in on my veins, giving life to my pounding heart. Some even stomped their feet. A scene flashed before me as I hear "We will, we will, ROCK YOU" in my mind. That was witty.


I Love You
Finally, Avril came back on stage. I Love You is a song from Goodbye Lullaby, but it wasn't released as a single. Since I own the album, and I actually listen to it, I know somewhat its lyrics. This time I'm sure I was the only one singing along.


Complicated
Its the final song for the night. This is also one of my favorites. I didn't thought singing,


"And you fall, and you crawl, and you break, and you take what you get and you turn it into... Honestly, you promised me, I'm never gonna find you fake it... No no no."

It was that fun. Now I know everytime I will listen back to this song, I will imagine myself singing along with those people at Araneta-Coliseum for Avril. Oh and mind to say, she cart-wheeled for us before leaving the stage. I think that counts for something.

LEAVING THE VENUE
My Dad arrived 30 minutes early to pick us up. And I thought exiting would be difficult for us, but thankfully it wasn't. All I can remember is a vivid glimpse of my friends at the back of the car, sleeping or pretending to, while I held in my hand, the stick that glows green, and the smile on my face I knew would last for a while.




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