Haley slays at Lollapalooza 2012

[Tusk]

Woke up, got out of bed,
dragged a comb across my head,
made my way downstairs and had a smoke,
somebody spoke and I went into a dream......

And that dream was Haleypalooza 2012!!!!

It was anything and everything it could have been and so so much more. All the hemming and hawing about not being taken seriously and "kidzapalooza" if Haley used her family for back up ... all that consternation was what it seemed, a bunch of "hoo haw" .... I had to laugh that I even had one ounce of doubt the Slayer would KILL IT.

She. Freaking ....and I mean FREAKING rocked that BMI stage......

So let me put this down before my short term memory loses everything to the ether.

Last night I found out the camera I used in LA had a higher HD setting. When I selected the option, a message popped up saying recording at this setting will be too large to put on a DVD. I chose it anyway.

I was up pretty late posting about events of yesterday in Wheeling. The clock on my computer didn't adjust to central time and before I knew it it was 3:30 am.

I set my phone alarm to wake me up in time to greet Himm2 and Babbs who were coming down on the train.

The dang thing didn't work, but fortunately I woke up half hour past when I planned to wake up and began organizing.

Lolla Wristband. Check.
Extra shirts for the coming sweatfest. Check
(I brought a couple of my Haley T-shirts as well, one for Babbs and one other in case I met any Halien I might bump into...one of my disappointments was not meeting new Haliens, I 'know' there )
Batteries and Cameras. Check
I didn't bring a pack for Lolla so had to settle for my laptop bag, so that meant I had to leave my new laptop behind (I never trust leaving valuables in the hotel if I can avoid it, unless it's reputable)...Which the one I stayed at , Club Quarters on West Adams, was great. meer blocks away from the event. Free ice water in bottles and free laundromat and coffee... very handy

Called Hertz to make sure I wasn't going to be overcharged from the day before.

Pulled out the Lolla packet with my wristband and rules, also checked the site to make a tentative battle plan for the day. Turns out I was mistaken and only those with 3 day passes get to go in and out. So the choice to leave for a break and return was out.

Plenty of time to grab a light breakfast (yogurt, fruit and granola with a cup of coffee) shortly before Himm2 and Babbs arrived. Meeting Babbs for the first time was a great addition to what was to come....lots of energy and enthusiasm. We were worried because she hadn't informed her other half that she was going 'til yesterday.... "I'm going, deal with it"

Himm2 proudly wore my T-shirt that Haley signed and he added the image of "Listen Up!" added to it. I told Babbs I had one for her too, but would keep it for now, as she didn't bring a pack or anything to carry it in.

So all accounted for, we made one more stop at a Walgreens for water (They allowed two 1 liter, sealed water bottles). Himm2 and I also bought what turned out to be a good purchase: A spray bottle with a fan to mist the water onto your face .

On the way, we acquainted ourselves with each other. It was starting to heat up, but so far, not insufferable. There were plenty of rules, but entering was not so bad, we walked passed a scanner that we ran our wristband past and was waved through. I had my laptop bag searched because, who brings a laptop bag to an outdoor concert?

There was a water dispensing area where they efficiently dispensed water to anyone with a container. We took the opportunity to fill our spraybottle fans.

Next step, locating the BMI stage. pretty much across from the entrance past a huge fountain. As we approached, we were pleasantly surprised that the entire crowd area was shaded by trees and a cool breeze blew in from the water from behind the stage into the crowd area. Not, hot. Not Dusty. Not Sweaty. Perfect.

We went to the front and scanned the area for anyone that was obviously a Haley fan. The people there were pretty young, late teens, early twenties (There was a young girl...maybe eight who wore a home made T shirt with Haley related words on her shirt, with her mother). We decided to stake a spot at the front, stage left. There was a black screen 'fence' to our right that appeared to be where the performers to enter the stage. It wasn't opaque and you could barely make out the features of the people behind it. I would look back there in case I might spot the "Reinhart Mane".

Suddenly a shrill screaming from a young group of girls a little behind us came up. We turned to see if it might be Haley. It turned out, it was the guitarist from the group that would perform before Haley, the Ambassadors. The screaming were apparently coming from family members. Himm2 commented, "I thought it was for Justin Bieber" ... I disagreed "Nah, would have been MUCH louder" LOL.

I had forgotten that there would be someone performing before Haley. It was actually serendipitous that someone performed before Haley because we heard how LOUD it was where we standing. The bass vibrations were such that I felt my arm hairs being blasted back and Himm2 would later say he saw the water in his bottle shake so much he thought it was going to be carbonated .

During the set, Babbs spotted Patti poking her head out of the back of that screen fence. Some Reinhart friends and family, I guessed, were allowed to the back..... Soon, the "Reinhart Mane" can be seen through the mesh. I went over and tried to reach up as high as I could to maybe catch anything, but alas it was too high.

So I recorded a bit of the Ambassadors' performance (They were actually pretty good IMO and I will probably get their album). I left the area to a quieter place and played it back to see how 'bad' the audio would be. I recorded a 'quiet' song, more acoustic, because Himm2 guessed that Haley's set won't be blasting like this was. As I suspected....way too loud and distorted.

This is where Tusk "took one for the team" I realised this would not be acceptable to post, so I left Babbs and Himm2 at the front and went to a vantage point further from the front. It was a slight incline with concrete stairs. The best vantage point, over people's heads and see most of the stage (I never saw Courtney or the Drummer ) There were two trees, but I could zoom in between them. I wanted badly to be at the front with the others, but this was Haley at Lollapalooza and distorted audio was unacceptable.

While I was there, I talked a bit with others who were there, one older guy and his younger friend who I determined lived in Seattle for a couple years. The older gentleman didn't talk much but eventually he told me that when he saw Haley with Irvin Mayfield in NOLA was when he really noticed Haley.... He had been to that bar before and really appreciated Haley's performance.

Soon after the Abassadors's set, I saw Johnny and Courtney start setting up. I recorded bits and pieces, Harry appeared and was setting stuff up, stage right, with Johnny. Harry also pulled out his camera and took a scan of the crowd, saw Babbs and Himm2 and acknowledged them. I was on the hill far away, but I also enthusiastically waved, I think he might have got me....

I realised that the battery I was using was half full from yesterday, so I switched it to a fresh full battery. I wasn't going to let a dead battery mess this up.

Soon enough, a roar came from the crowd...Haley came onto the stage... Angie, looking AMAZING (a Reinhart trait) and Patti took their places behind Haley for back up singing duties.

I have to look back at the film to fill in the rest. Mysenses were overwhelmed, it was all I could do to keep the camera from shaking. I was so so THRILLED. All I can report for now are things you already know, SHE FRIGGING RAPPED. She was so into it, I could swear she was head banging as that Reinhart Mane was flying everywhere... the entire band and the Reinhart Women were Energized through the entire performance of "Oh My" .... It was amazing .... No B.o.B All Haley!!!

And "Spiderweb"!!!! I tried to contain myself, I'm sure I let out a couple of enthusiastic yelps and cheers during these performances.

I will let the vids speak for themselves (after I edit them because I think they might be huge, judging from the warning from the camera)...I am a bit worried, because when I quickly checked the recording, for some reason, probably the size of the file, the entire recording was split into two files....the second one 'starting' in the middle of "Spiderweb".....Ugh..... I'm hoping when I get to edit the footage the split won't be noticeable.... I recorded the entire LA performance without a problem so it HAS to be because of the file size....

After the show, we made our way to the FYE signing tent. We had to buy another copy of "Listen Up!" to be able to line up (between Babbs, Himm2 and myself, I'm sure we account for at least 20-30 copies already....). They were pretty explicit about how this was going to go...have the thing you're going to get signed ready, No photo's with Haley...if you take one, it needs to be before you get there, be quick.
For some reason, they conceeded to allowing one of the security guy to take the picture of you as she's signing the object...so at least I got that, though not flattering.

There was a person who said they were a reporter for the Daily Herald that approached Himm2 and asked him how and why he came to see Haley....the second time he's been interviewed at a Haley event LOL. I reminded Babbs about my T-Shirt for her, which she decided was what she would get signed. A young girl who was behind her saw it and enthusiastically asked Babbs where she got it? Babbs told her I made it, and I showed her the other one I brought. OMG could I buy it? I told her they weren't for sale, I didn't feel right accepting money for something that was a 'fan' item. She graciously understood, but was still really enthusiastic and obviously happy to be there and see Haley..... After a few minutes, I determined that, yes.... she is a fan. So I gave it to her... She was extatic and showed her mother(?) and thanked me. She had Babbs take a picture of her with it on her phone. This is what she would also have Haley sign.... All for the cause and for an obvious Halien

Soon Haley arrived. I tried to take a pic (as we were 'allowed' earlier) but under the tent was too dark and the day was too bright, my camera couldn't get anything. The couple ahead of me were obviously friends of Haley as she broke the 'rules' got up and hugged them both and had a short conversation with them.

Then it was my turn. I put the CD I had just bought in front of her to sign. Just as Haley was about to sign it, she looked up and BEEMED "Hey! I remember you!!!" I hurriedly told her how happy she made all her fans with her performance today and that I recorded the whole thing and will send Harry a copy. I was aware the security was a little flumoxed because the other couple took longer that they should have and was not going to let it happen again. I stepped aside, Babbs was next... She told me, she told Haley, that I flew all the way from Seattle to see her and was a big fan (thx Babbs). She got her T-Shirt signed. Himm2 was next and had Haley sign a couple things for him, including his Chicago White Sox hat which he proudly displayed.

Unfortunately, I never got to meet the other Reinharts, I didn't expect to, but it would have been nice. Perhaps another time. I don't think we were in a position to be invited to any after party, as we went on to see the Afghan Whigs, The Shins, The Head and the Hearts, and the first half hour of Black Sabbath. It was getting dark and Himm2 and Babbs had to take the train back. They walked me back to the hotel and we thanked each other for a very special event.

So tonight or tomorrow, I will look at the footage, and hope that the 'break' of the files in the middle of "Spiderweb" won't have a noticeable effect..... It was an awesome performance and would be a shame. Hopefully I can marry them and it will be seemless.

I will try and get what I can to Miguel. If I can't get it done tomorrow (I plan to go to the Lolla shop tomorrow, to another signing, but will see what I can do on my laptop), I have to leave for Vegas Sunday, so hopefully something by Monday. I'm hopeful that the higher HD will mean better footage, but I haven't seen it yet.....so ..... fingers crossed.

Freaking fabulous day spent with friends at an unforgettable event.... Much, much more than I could ever have hoped for
(BTW...I could be wrong... I was stunned, but I'm pretty sure she didn't perform Benny)