(Imma warn you now, this is one long ass blog. I wrote this mostly because I want to remember this night for a long time and I have this to refer to in case I'll forget it)
'No, his name isn't Jack
and no, he will not play Konstantine.'
After 5 years of being in love with the band Jack's Mannequin with 2 albums on constant repeat I finally got to see the man who helped me through the toughest times Andrew McMahon, perform live. Now for me, this is like seeing the pope for a devout Catholic or someone meeting an A List actor who stars in their favourite movie of all time. When you're about to see your idol, the one who comes right after Jesus for you, yeah sometimes you have to pinch yourself to make sure that this is actually happening to you.
It was a night of raw music, him performing on the keyboard and his bandmate Bobby on the guitar throughout the whole night playing songs acoustically from JM and SoCo. The concert's concept was kind of similar to what I experienced at the Tegan and Sara concert; it was intimate and obviously for the fans. The fans here were a mixed audience. Some Something Corporate and some Jack's Mannequin and some both. I'd say there were more SoCo fans than anything since they were old and dressed kinda punk-y and stuff. So supporting act was Leena, who I swore I had heard of before but then realised no that's Lena winner of last year's Eurovision contest LOL. Then Andy (he shaved!) in his sandals and Bobby came on stage and did their thang. The songs he chose to play were almost perfect! The almost part comes from the fact that he didn't play all of his songs haha. Although I'm glad he didn't play Caves since I don't think that the SoCo crowd would have appreciated it as much...also I wasn't ready to hear it live otherwise I probably would have cried and been a mess. We were also the first country to have the privilege of hearing a song from the new album in the making! The room was absolutely dead silent during this song, it was that beautiful.
My top 5 little great moments:
1. Andrew opening his concert with Hammers and Strings. About the second line where he goes 'of one thousand American towns' some girl screams 'WOO! Americaa!' He stops to laugh then goes back to the song but then fails because he can't stop laughing. It was just so unexpected because it's such a soft heartfelt song with just him and his piano xD
2. The Resolution. It's not in my Top 10 favourite songs but last night, with everyone singing the chorus together with so much passion with Andrew made pure magic.
3. I wouldn't say this was a great moment, but it was pretty funny to see this happen since I've heard this happens at every single concert...
Annoying girl next to us: KONSTANTINE!!
Andrew to the crowd: You know I have to hand it to you guys for going this long without saying it
Andrew: This song is about a girl who I dated-
Some guy: Was her name Konstantine?
Andrew: not that there's anything wrong with this keyboard-
Some guy again: Do you spell it with a k?
Andrew: Okay can the person next to him just give that guy a whack on the head? xD
Although I have seen a couple of other videos of the Australian tour and I'd have to say our crowd was much better about it than the others
4. Seeing him up close. The security guard shooed us out as we waited in the venue ( :( ) 'He'll meet you outside,' she said. (OH MY GOD). Yeah yeah if the news hasn't broadcasted it yet I kinda turned into the biggest doofus when I met him. I spent days before thinking about what to say. How I listened to his music since my early teens that helped me become the person that I am today. And how long I had waited to see him perform and how excited I was. Or even to thank him for playing such a great show.
But when I actually had the chance I had to muster all the strength I had left to get my legs to hold me up and stop myself from crying. I mean I knew I'd be a nervous wreck but didn't expect me to get that bad. He had some kind of aura to him he was practically glowing from all that humble Andrewness that it took me by surprise. So all I managed to get out before my throat closed up was 'Hey Andrew, could I get a photo...or something?'
JUIEFCG#RUYGJKEJCIUEWG
He was so sweet about it and agreed as if I wasn't the biggest loser in the world. I mean, this girl said she travelled all the way from Perth, then the girl after her (and before me) said she came from New Zealand to see him for the show as well. How was I going to top that?!
I did say thank you as sincerely as I could (I made sure to keep eye contact at least) though and I think it registered to him that I meant more than just a thank you for the photo. Well at least that's how I'm going to remember it for my sanity's sake. He replied but I forgot what he said (I was gone by then). I really hope he comes back within the next two years for his next album...before he gets too famous here. 'Cause already all his shows get sold out in America and I need that chance to meet him again and do it properly and tell him how I feel :(
5. Feeling at home, and knowing no matter who I will be in the future that I would always feel at home when I hear him sing. Finding a type of music that ignites your soul and allows you to see pure happiness is the kind that I think everyone shouldn't quit searching for and when they do, hold onto it. Because really, it's one of the greatest feelings imaginable. I know it sounds corny but I think other people who listen to music for this reason would know what I'm talking about. I'm just so grateful I was lucky enough to stumble upon Andrew's music so early on in my life. It's so fortunate he was able to kick cancer in the balls to continue making beautiful songs. And now I'm even more grateful to have met him and seen for myself that he is everything I was hoping him to be and more.
