cindylouwho | Writer's Block: Most memorable concert (Reply)

[Error: unknown template qotd]1 & 2: May 14 and 15 2006: INXS in London and Kitchener, Ontario, Canada

These 2 shows were amazing. Not just because of the music, but because of the amazing group of women I was with. I traveled by myself from Boston to London, Ontario to meet up with some other INXS fans and attend the shows. We had met on an online forum and planned this trip to see some shows, hopefully meet the band, and get tattoos by the person who did JD Fortune's wing tattoos.

The London show was so electric and amazing. We were second/third row and had great views of the guys. It was like they connected SO perfectly at that show, it was incredible. Everything was in sync and perfect, JD was hot and on fire.

After the show we figured out where they were going to be and managed to get into the bar. A few of us got our pictures taken with Jon Farriss, who is the drummer. We also ended up having some very odd and random conversations with Kirk Pengilly who plays guitar/sax. I managed to have a personal conversation with Andrew Farriss who plays guitar/piano. It was amazing. He held my hand the entire time while I told him how much his and Michael's lyrics meant to me since I was a pre-teen. He was so kind and gracious, and I think if he wasn't about to be dragged away, he would have talked with me longer.

We also got Kirk to play a prank on one of our friends. She was trying to pay for his drinks (white russians) and he was so wasted LMAO. We convinced him to say to her "fuck off, eh?" AND HE DID IT! We died. To this day we still crack up over it, it was so much WIN.

The Kitchener show was musically the best I had ever heard them. (I had seen them 3 times the previous week so...) We had a crazy time getting there from London b/c the 15th was tattoo day for some of us, including me. The tattoo artist was gracious and funny and even took pictures with us. He was also hot. Anyways.....

After we had lunch at a Mexican restaurant where JD's ex worked so we could check her out. We are funny, eh?

After driving and driving, we got to our new hotel in Kitchener and went to get our epic tons of booze out of the car. Kim and I failed on that and bottles and cans rolled EVERYWHERE, which caused us to crack up hysterically. I happened to look up to see 2 people looking down on us. It was Jon Farriss and his wife. This caused us to laugh even HARDER. (we were so tired since I had had like no sleep and hungover and idk whatelse) We finally got it all picked up and Monica ended up getting our room changed so we were on that floor. It was one of those fancy nice rooms with a soft duvet and fancy pillows and shit.

Anyways we get ready for the show and everything and now we have to get to the venue. We didn't want to drive since we didn't know the parking situation, and we couldn't find a cab, so we decided to walk. BAD IDEA as it began to rain. Disaster since we had all spent all this time doing hair and makeup. When we finally got there we were supposed to be meeting more fans but we could not find where this private party was so we said screw it and went to find some drinks. We got drinks and tried to find some food but there was not much here, as this was usually a hockey rink.

This show we were in like the second row, and the music was perfect. It was so incredible. They seemed more subdued as a band, but the music they performed was magical and entrancing. It just all connected musically, not a note off. I was delirious with happiness in those moments of pure music bliss. The girl I was with and I got plenty of winks and looks from Kirk, which was awesome.

After the show we waited around to see if we could find out where they were going but didn't find out anything except they may be back at the hotel we were at at the bar. So we headed back and on our way out the stadium crew was cleaning up. And this guy passed us with this ENORMOUS bag of popcorn. It had to be like 5 or 6 feet long and all night we kept looking at each other, cracking up, and going that was a fucking huge bag of popcorn!

We got back to the hotel and hung out in the bar for a long time drinking and waiting, nada. Apparently, they left right away for their next destination. There was also some fanwank over someone's personal belongings and some issues with other very strange and crazy fans. Then a couple of us stayed up drinking and talking with this guy who had come all the way from Australia for the show. The room was like the room from the Shining as was the carpet. Lights kept flickering and beds kept squeaking and it was just freaky. Granted it isn't that hard to freak out when you have had like no sleep and are relatively drunk.

The next day dawned early, we had breakfast, took pictures and headed our separate ways. It was WIN all around.Honorable mention: INXS live on the Today show May 5th 2006

My rooomate and I had seen them the night before at RCMH and got up at like 4 am to wait in line to see them on the Today show. It was worth it. We were like 7th in line, but we saw them arrive, got to watch them rehearse, and then perform live outside. It was awesome. We were also on tv. Our roommate called us and was like you guys are on TV! Musically they could have been better, but I don't think they had been to bed after the show the night before, and it was ridic early. But it was definitely an experience. :)

Pictures: After the London show