Wow... Simply wow...
Sorry it took so long for me to post here since the concert Friday, but got pretty tired once I got back and it was scorching hot yesterday, busy day and all... Basically all in all not really a calm enough time to post properly.
I didn't get to Amsterdam as early as I had hoped, giving me plenty of time to grab some dinner and all, so instead I just hopped into a cafe across from Bitterzoet, the venue she'd be playing in, grabbed a coke and then around 18:20 walked across towards the venue. There were about a dozen other VIPs there, but many internationals. I didn't really speak to others, but I caught some Portuguese & French for example. In a city like Amsterdam, you never know if they'd planned anything around Haley's concert, or decided to go to her concert while being in Amsterdam any way. I would hope for the first - and honestly, it wouldn't surprise me at all.
It took a while before they'd let us in - scheduled for 18:30 - but we got in at approximately 18:45, no issue at all, though! They'd scan our ticket then cross-check our names with a list and off we went. The venue was smaller than I thought, but once we stepped through the door we could immediately see & hear Haley and the band play - we actually walked in on them jamming some Jackson 5 - I want you back, which was a nice surprise!
Once the song was done, she greeted us and gave us two more songs and introduced the band members to us, before stepping off the stage for the meet and greets. With quite a few VIPs already lined up, I turned around and headed to the merchandise table and introduced myself to Angela. She hadn't really had the time to properly organize yet, so when I bought two CDs and two shirts, she had to rummage through the piles of shirts to get the right sizes. I apologized for being such a pain, at which she chuckled and said it was fine haha! Proceeded to pay her, then turned around towards the stage, while slowly removing the plastic from the CDs to have them signed
.
Here's where my complete and utter awkwardness kicked in and my star struck self, usually not really at a loss for words - as probably shown by the immense length of this post - just mumbled things like "You're amazing" and "I had to come see you when I noticed the European tour". It took me a while to compose myself and explain I'd watched her on American Idol, then followed by her return for the duets on AI and her work on PMJ. Following, I brought up the fact I was supposed to bring someone along, but couldn't make it and if she would be okay with signing two CDs, one for my friend and one for myself, which she was very happy to do! During the conversation, I mentioned where I was from and although there were many who came from much farther, she thanked me quite a few times for coming this way and alone, to come see her. She was incredibly humble during it all. Then, for some weird reason, I felt rushed and like I had to be quick and not keep her from getting to anyone else and having her prepare, I stumbled when mentioning my friend's name for signing. She repeated the name back, but it's a name that can be spelled a number of ways, I guess, so when she spelled what she thought were the last two letters and signed, I said 'yes, correct...' and then wanting to continue with two more letters completing the name, she'd taken my 'yes' and finished the signature! Ugh, my awkwardness reigned supreme that night! Hope my friend won't mind too much...
Either way, with all this, I totally forgot to get a picture! So in the meantime, I'd stumbled towards the bar, where I'd spoken to another Dutch girl who had entered late. She pretty much felt slightly awkward as well and only asked her for a photo, which reminded me - "Oh crap!". Luckily, Haley and Angela were just passing by so I jumped off the stool and gently called out to Haley, apologizing and asking if she'd mind taking a picture with me. Luckily and didn't expect anything else - it wasn't a problem at all, Angela took the photo. Me, always and consistently disliking my photo being taken failed to give a proper smile miserably, but at least I'll have a photo now as well!
After the photo, she went to prepare for the concert and I headed back to the bar, to grab a beer. Didn't want anything to drink before - not that I couldn't handle it or anything, but I wouldn't want to smell of alcohol obviously... Even though I'd still be perfectly fine after a single beer haha!
Either way, time passed and I talked some more with the girl, who then proceeded towards the stage as slowly people started getting in after the doors opened for the public. It took about half an hour for the place to be filled with some people getting in ocassionaly.
About 8.50pm, Willie-Ray walked by where I was sitting to head towards the stage and I quickly tapped him on the shoulder, wishing him good luck! Probably not the best thing to say, but it was a split second and the best my feeble mind could come up with. He kindly thanked me and moved along. Just around 9pm, Jesse started playing something on the keys, which immediately got everyone's attention. Lights dimmed, everyone turned face and got drawn in. A few minutes later, Haley walked out and the crowd obviously cheered.
Basically everything's been covered already by for example XAtlantic and I can only concur! The energy, drive, passion, everything was just spot on. From the more energetic songs to the quieter ones, it was pretty amazing! There's already been videos posted of the performance, mostly from the other side of the floor - and no, you can't see me in that footage
, so I guess all of that speaks for itself!
Regarding the 'encore', as the videos show as well, she did have a quick costume change, while the crowd was chanting 'We want more! We want more! We want more!'. Thinking back of seeing the setlist on here, I knew there was more coming and she obviously wouldn't skip over performing those three last songs.
After the concert, I stuck around for a bit, maybe hoping Haley would come out again - after what was said on here that those who purchased a bunch of merchandise would get a quick moment. I was thinking about the photo I had taken and the signature, maybe hoping I could ask for another photo, righting the wrong of having a terrible face on the photo not showing I was enjoying myself - which I was(!), and a quick fix of the signed CD because of my aforementioned awkwardness, but security was quick to mention there was a very slim to no chance she'd be coming out. There were a few others who were hoping she'd come out as well - two young girls for instance, twins, had gotten their shirts signed by the band members and were hoping she'd come out as well, but didn't. I did get to say hi to Willie-Ray again and introduce myself - he introduced himself as just Ray - and congratulate him on an awesome performance (including the great solo). Also, the venue was preparing for their night schedule so we were all asked to leave the building and at the exit, security repeated that she wouldn't and would be quick to leave for Zurich, with less time spent after the concert because of the tragedy recently.
Either way, I left a happy guy, who had gotten to meet Haley and have a quick and on my part completely awkward conversation, a signed CD (and one for my friend, albeit with two letters missing
) and two shirts (one for my friend), having heard a few songs during the sound check and then an amazing performance throughout the evening. One thing I would like to mention, that has already been mentioned, was the moment Haley and Ray had during Love Is Worth Fighting For - magical. Every song had at least one very special moment, such as the duet, backing vocal or just simply Haley being amazing with little things here and there that make every performance unique.
I could probably go on and on, but it's already an incredibly long post - apologies(!) - but I have no regrets whatsoever going by myself. I know for a fact I'll be going to her next tour in Europe and bring my friend this time! Pretty much hoping she'll come to the Netherlands again and I'm sure she will, but if not, I'll definitely make sure I get to a concert in a neighbouring country! I'm positive she can go larger and still sell out - although I like the setting and her being in a 'smaller' venue!
Anyway, just my two cents, or maybe 200 cents in this case...
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