Okay, so it has been a while since i posted a blog on here, because frankly I was speechless after the Joplin concert. What a rush!
Mandy and I started out from here early in the morning, thinking that since the people at the Foundry had told us that the box office didn't open until 6pm that we would be way early. You can imagine our surprise when we get there and see the sign that says the box office opened at 1pm. We only missed the opening by half and hour but it made it so that we were not first in line. I can't believe someone beat us to it.
We did have fun watching the guy try backing the truck into the dock. I think it was about the 15th try when I had the urge to go back the crazy thing in myself, but I restrained myself. I really didn't want to get tossed by security before they even unloaded the gear. That would be embarassing.
We did have great seats on the concrete floor in order to wait the five and a half hours for the concert. We ended up chatting with the guys from Cinder Road and then cheering them on as they attempted(and succeeded) in climbing the rock wall at the venue. We chatted and laughed with the people around us and it didn't seem like we waited that long. Of course, after about 10 minutes, I had to start asking "Are we there yet?" in my most anoying Erkel voice about every 20 minutes just to make sure we didn't miss it.
I am stunned that no one claimed the VIP passes for the show, but I do know that there were several people in line with us that might have missed out because they had to travel so far to get there. Unless you have mobile access to the web, checking your email can be quite difficult.
The mad rush to the stage was great, especially since we ended up front and center. We were behind a group of nine year olds and helped keep the crowd from trampling them.
Again, we made friends with the people around us and talked and laughed to pass the time. There were even a couple of sing-a-longs that actually didn't sound half bad.
Much to my surprise, the crowd in general didn't seem to get too excited about either one of the opening acts, but I really enjoyed both of them. I can't wait for Cinder Road's new CD to come out. Of course, when the lead singer of Eve to Adam leaned over and spit on the stage I was a bit put off, but you know, sometimes you just gotta spit.
As the crowd impatiently waited for 'the band' to come out on stage, I could feel the crowd start to press forward and the energy level in the room tripled.
I loved it that there were not even any lights going during the first thirty seconds, because you didn't need them. There were so many flashes going off, it looked like strobes. I don't know how you guys keep from going blind.
The show was everything I expected and more.

I knew that I loved the music, but there is nothing that touches your soul like a live performance by Daughtry.

I am not usually a mushy, I love you, kind of fan. In fact I usually feel that those people are just going over the top in order to impress someone, but I can truly say, I adore you. Not just Chris either. The whole stinking lot of you! Keep playing the small venues. It makes the experience so personal and you are able to touch people with your music that might be lost in a huge concert hall or stadium.
I guess I will find out. I will be there for RiverFest in Wichita. Hopefully, I will get to see for the sound check before the show, but if not, look for me somewhere near the front, because we will be camping out the night before.