The Seattle show was a blast! I had a seat in section 104, and NO ONE sat during the entire gig. For most of the show, hands were raised and flailing, people were screaming, yelling and singing. Nearer the end, I think they ran out of steam a bit.
I know I yelled and screamed as much as I could, although the smoke sometimes choked me ... oh well, I tried.
I managed to get a Tour VIP pass, in part for the snafu at the LAForum, which surprisingly allowed me backstage. An hour before showtime I was poking around a bit, looking at the 6 truck trailers of equipment, and the 3 roadcrew busses. Everything was setup, crew was eating, but the band had not yet arrived. I took a look at the catered self-serve banquet prepared for the crew and the band, but I was in no mood for food.
The only food I had all day was 7 hours earlier, and that was a couple hours before our pre-show meetup at the Spunkey Monkey (Tropical theme). We had a good time meeting new and old Maiden friends and fans. In attendance:
Myself
Eddieline (Joe)
& Kevin (buddy)
Aaronmosher
& Richard (buddy)
Doorknob (Eric)
& Benny (Son)
Joseph
& Eva
Montsegur1970
& Crystal (daughter)
Metalfan
& Sandy (Wife)
& Ken (buddy)
& Kyle
Gomaiden
& Nancy
Darthrya (Ryan)
& Luda (Wife)
Bedard
Dale
Diehard0123
Scooter
Dragontears
Rufus the Red
& Camryn
I know there were a few more, so if I missed you, or misspelled your name, let me know.
So there I was chatting with the event staff backstage, when the boys arrived. They got off the Hotel courtesy vans and as they walked in, they all walked right by me. I managed to greet every one of them by name, and got back a few "Hi mate" and "Hellos". I nearly pissed myself. I was probably the only fan backstage, I think everyone else was crew or staff. I gave a special "hello" to Rod, this was the first time I had met. He was gracious and friendly and asked who I was. He showed some minor interest, but was unable to find the private band rooms, so he was off.
A little bit later, they came out and got some grub from the food service and a few of them sat less than 10 foot from me to eat their meal. Obviously I respected their privacy, so I chatted up the event gal manning their doorway. They went in and out some, and Rod came over to talk with me a bit. I don't remember a word said, but he was friendly. Later he came back over and wanted to get a pic w/me ... how cool.
I made my way up to my seat, which was 4 rows behind, and above, the small Pit area at Auburn. Since the tshirt lines were so long earlier, I now made my way out to get 2 tshirts. When I returned Lauren was half thru her set. I'm glad I wore my Maiden jacket, it might have been a bit chilly, but I needed the pockets for my tshirts and FC Flag.
The crowd grew impatient and manic, it seemed to take forever for it to start. It took a bit to get the sound right, but IMHO, it always seemed a bit off where I was. I was under the misimpression that the sound would be best near the Soundboard, Rod informed me that is not the case.
Great set, Great show ... and when ROTAM started, I made my way toward the designated spot, I had HCW as well. God, the smoke was so thick I wasn't sure I'd make it. We (only about 15 of us) waited patiently (not) thru the last half of Ryme and Powerslave before they brought us in next to the curtain entrance behind Steve. While I was catching my breath, I noticed we were standing next to Maiden's Custom Mixer board, which was manned and guarded. It sure looked busy.
Then the HCW chorus started and it seemed a couple measures passed before we all got out on stage. Eddieline and I held up the FC Flag that I had made, and we sang. It was surreal, so quiet, the sound was all different behind the speakers on stage, I had trouble finding the tempo. I saw all the crazies down front yelling and screaming, and looked all the way up to the top of the shed ... everyone was standing and cheering as far as I could tell. Bruce turned around and took a second to read the FC Flag, and the next instant we are rushed back offstage. We didn't stop 'til we were thru the stage door, then I caught my breath.
I took my sweet ass time as I meandered back to my seat, no doubt tripping on my grin all the way. I couldn't believe what all had just happened. It was a most splendid moment, right up there with meeting them back on BNW. I still get a shit-eating smile just thinkin' about it. The crowd seemed somewhat less manic after that, but I think most were borderline exhausted from all the frenzy, I know I was.
I know I yelled and screamed as much as I could, although the smoke sometimes choked me ... oh well, I tried.
I managed to get a Tour VIP pass, in part for the snafu at the LAForum, which surprisingly allowed me backstage. An hour before showtime I was poking around a bit, looking at the 6 truck trailers of equipment, and the 3 roadcrew busses. Everything was setup, crew was eating, but the band had not yet arrived. I took a look at the catered self-serve banquet prepared for the crew and the band, but I was in no mood for food.
The only food I had all day was 7 hours earlier, and that was a couple hours before our pre-show meetup at the Spunkey Monkey (Tropical theme). We had a good time meeting new and old Maiden friends and fans. In attendance:
Myself
Eddieline (Joe)
& Kevin (buddy)
Aaronmosher
& Richard (buddy)
Doorknob (Eric)
& Benny (Son)
Joseph
& Eva
Montsegur1970
& Crystal (daughter)
Metalfan
& Sandy (Wife)
& Ken (buddy)
& Kyle
Gomaiden
& Nancy
Darthrya (Ryan)
& Luda (Wife)
Bedard
Dale
Diehard0123
Scooter
Dragontears
Rufus the Red
& Camryn
I know there were a few more, so if I missed you, or misspelled your name, let me know.
So there I was chatting with the event staff backstage, when the boys arrived. They got off the Hotel courtesy vans and as they walked in, they all walked right by me. I managed to greet every one of them by name, and got back a few "Hi mate" and "Hellos". I nearly pissed myself. I was probably the only fan backstage, I think everyone else was crew or staff. I gave a special "hello" to Rod, this was the first time I had met. He was gracious and friendly and asked who I was. He showed some minor interest, but was unable to find the private band rooms, so he was off.
A little bit later, they came out and got some grub from the food service and a few of them sat less than 10 foot from me to eat their meal. Obviously I respected their privacy, so I chatted up the event gal manning their doorway. They went in and out some, and Rod came over to talk with me a bit. I don't remember a word said, but he was friendly. Later he came back over and wanted to get a pic w/me ... how cool.
I made my way up to my seat, which was 4 rows behind, and above, the small Pit area at Auburn. Since the tshirt lines were so long earlier, I now made my way out to get 2 tshirts. When I returned Lauren was half thru her set. I'm glad I wore my Maiden jacket, it might have been a bit chilly, but I needed the pockets for my tshirts and FC Flag.
The crowd grew impatient and manic, it seemed to take forever for it to start. It took a bit to get the sound right, but IMHO, it always seemed a bit off where I was. I was under the misimpression that the sound would be best near the Soundboard, Rod informed me that is not the case.
Great set, Great show ... and when ROTAM started, I made my way toward the designated spot, I had HCW as well. God, the smoke was so thick I wasn't sure I'd make it. We (only about 15 of us) waited patiently (not) thru the last half of Ryme and Powerslave before they brought us in next to the curtain entrance behind Steve. While I was catching my breath, I noticed we were standing next to Maiden's Custom Mixer board, which was manned and guarded. It sure looked busy.
Then the HCW chorus started and it seemed a couple measures passed before we all got out on stage. Eddieline and I held up the FC Flag that I had made, and we sang. It was surreal, so quiet, the sound was all different behind the speakers on stage, I had trouble finding the tempo. I saw all the crazies down front yelling and screaming, and looked all the way up to the top of the shed ... everyone was standing and cheering as far as I could tell. Bruce turned around and took a second to read the FC Flag, and the next instant we are rushed back offstage. We didn't stop 'til we were thru the stage door, then I caught my breath.
I took my sweet ass time as I meandered back to my seat, no doubt tripping on my grin all the way. I couldn't believe what all had just happened. It was a most splendid moment, right up there with meeting them back on BNW. I still get a shit-eating smile just thinkin' about it. The crowd seemed somewhat less manic after that, but I think most were borderline exhausted from all the frenzy, I know I was.
