I got a Silver VIP ticket. Silver VIPs had to wait at an other entrance on the other side of the building. I got there at 10:30pm the night before. If you are hesitant to camp, well just do it. I was worried about my comfort, but the key is to arrive prepared. I thought I would look like a fucking tourist, but for Lana it was worth it. I packed all my stuff, called Uber (too heavy to carry in the subway), headed downtown and arrived at the waiting spot. Five people were in line already. I installed my stuff and 15 minutes later we where smoking a joint, talking about Lana, laughing, having fun.
Here's the list of things I brought with me:
Everything would have been perfect if it wasn't for the cold night. My sleeping bag was not warm enough and I was shivering at times.
I started trying to sleep around midnight and every time I'd wake up I was pissed to see nobody else was getting in line. The next people in line got there at 5am. It's a gamble, but this time I didn't take any chance and got my ass in line early. I was #8. I thought I was #6 at first, but someone was saving a spot for two people who arrived around 6am. It didn't change a thing as I got the spot I wanted on first row (2-3 feet left of the center of the stage, right in front of the stairs).
A lot of people stopped their car to ask us what artist we were going to see, as people usually don't linup in that part of the venue. Most of them had no clue who was Lana Del Rey. @@NuclearHeart: mention spéciale au vieux couple qui nous a demandé si on faisait la file pour acheter des billets pour voir Michel Louvain. Une fan dans la quarantaine lui a répondu non, on vient pour voir Elvis et le gars a pensé au show de Martin Fontaine et rendu à ce stade-là on a juste lâché prise sur eux. Voyons calisse...
The wait didn't seem long at all during the day. Grimes passed in front of us I think it was around noon. Someone recognize her and wanted to take a picture, but she declined with a smile as she had to go to the hospital. Something with her leg. She performed later with a splint on her foot and she didn't seem to give a fuck about her situation. She performed like a firecracker, dancing and everything. Her show was great. I'm not a fan of her music, but I still enjoyed the performance. She was super happy to be there and I think she mentioned Montreal was her hometown.
Then Lana came and I burst in tears. Seriously, I couldn't control my face. I was too excited, too emotional (I'm Cancer, I can't help it). She looked like a goddess in her long lace dress. She was so elegant, so feminine, so confident. She was moving on the stage so gracefully, she was totally comfortable and in control. Her vocals where great. No sound problems that distracted her. It was a good day She was generous, we got 15 songs! It's much appreciated considering how tired she must have been (two concerts in a row. I think she enjoy a day off between shows). She also gave us 5 star as an audience (*cough* Toronto… )
(Just kidding!)
The Setlist:
She went to the barricade twice. The first time didn't last long, just a few seconds. People obviously lost their mind and the heavy pushing started. Maybe she saw some people struggling to survive, so she decided to get back to stage so they could breathe again. Seriously, I didn't care much about the pushing. I actually liked it as it was
massaging my sore back lol. Then, she came down again at the end of the show while her musician where still playing OTTR and spent an average 10 seconds with everybody who was front row. The pushing was so bad I though I would drop my phone.Talking about phone… I had a phone malfunction and my selfie with her was ruined by bad light or something. When she was to my level, I though I would faint. Here's what I remember:
Me: I love you so much…! I don't know what to say… Her: Aww thank you!
(She gave me the most beautiful smile I've ever seen in my entire life, her face was luminous) Me: I brought a gift for you
I handed her my gift bag and she thanked me. Then I asked for a selfie and it went bad, my cellphone was acting crazy and I was loosing precious seconds. I took 3 selfies. The quality of the image is so bad, but hey I got one!
It's just ridiculous. I spent precious time trying to figure out what was wrong with the phone when I could simply have had a hug. I would have much preferred a warm embrace as I initially didn't plan to share the selfie with anybody and I'm not into bad photography. Oh whatever...
I didn't have time to ask her to sign my UV vinyl.
So, almost off to the races she went (The Grand Prix weekend is starting now). A lot of people were waiting for her outside the venue. I waited about an hour to finally discover that she probably left. People have found out an article in the online newspaper saying she left to the airport minutes after the show. There was a picture of her in a SUV getting out of the venue. A paparazzi took it. Now I just saw someone's tweet: "When your dad texts you telling you that Lana Del Rey is staying at the same hotel as him in Montreal. WHY AM I NOT THERE". Is it true? She didn't reply. If that's true then fuck, shoot me. But I understand that she wants to go to NY to be with Francesco, that's alright
I know, I know... I met her during the concert, but I would have much preferred to talk to her after the show when it's more quiet. I was so emotional, I have like a mini black-out. The most weird part is that I don't remember is we kissed each other. I don't think so, as I would have remembered, but my friends saw us on the giant screen, kissing each other on the cheek. Maybe they didn't see properly. I'll try to find a video, hopefully I will see how it all happened. It was like in a dream and a nightmare at the same time, as I was not in control and I was overwhelmed which I don't like. I felt like I was on painkiller, not 100% there.
When we got out of the venue and tried to figure out where she would come out, one of the guy I befriended with in the VIP Silver line said that he asked her (while she was taking selfies at the end of the show) if she would meet after and she said yes. So I didn't know what to do. I stayed an hour, then decided to leave. I was exhausted. When I got home I drank 7 shooters of rum back to back and cried in the shower. Post-concert depression. Big time. I also cried when I woke up, starting to think she left so quickly, she probably didn't take my gift(S) and letter with her. I'm alright now.
Overall it was an amazing experience and I would do it again. I know I said to people around me that it was a one shot thing, but I will do it again.
marc liked a post in a topic by kik in Montreal, QC @ Bell Centre - June 4th, 2015
kik liked a post in a topic by marc in Montreal, QC @ Bell Centre - June 4th, 2015