courtoh

7/23/2008

Got up around 9, get to Mansfield around 10:45. Get inside around 11:30.
May I take a moment to say that the Comcast Center is really confusing :(

The first band I saw was Evergreen Terrace. I sat down and half listened to them as I figured out where I needed to go to find the Hurley stage/myspace tent. As I'm walking toward the main stages, I see a familiar bleach-blonde pass by and I'm like "uh that dude looks like Kyle Burns" then Kent and Austin walk by. I see Jonathan and I stop him to say good morning, see how he was doing. He was so sweet. He shook my hand and made sure I was having fun, and was about to give me a hug but he was ushered away. He looked back at me and waved apologetically.
Second band was Broadway Calls, then Against Me! I got into the crowd before Family Force 5 to get a good spot for All Time Low, but I quickly became a fan of them once they started playing. Alex, Rian and Jack stood to the side of the stage during FF5, haha brb being a lurker~
After that set was over, All That Remains was on the mainstage to the left of the Hurley stage. All Time Low created a huuuuuge crowd. I don't know why. I had never seen such a huge crowd. Anyway, as they set up a huge fight broke out at the back of the crowd. I didn't see it because I was on the barricade and was not going to move. ATL was amazing, as always. I was kind of sad they didn't play Break Out! Break Out! though.

After ATL, I hung around and watched most of Say Anything's set. Went to see Gym Class Heroes, stayed for a few songs, then went to see my buddy Ziggy. I gave him the fisheye pictures of him/us from St Pete and we talked about his real name/how he got his nickname for a bit. We danced to GCH and he was headbanging and all was wonderful. Then he told us that he just got a weather warning saying there would be high winds, torrential rain, and possible hail. The FBR guy next to them stood on the table 5 seconds later and started screaming "Ponchos! GET A PONCHO! FIVE DOLLARS! ALL YOUR SHIT IS FUCKED IF YOU DON'T BUY A PONCHO!" then he started screaming like a little girl when his sign blew out of his hands. I picked it up and handed it to him and he was all smiles again, then went back to selling his ponchos.

Then the rain.

Everyone ran to the amphitheater part of the venue. On my way there, I spy a "PEACE" bracelet by Jac Vanek on the ground. Yoink, mine now.
Everyone crowded under the amphitheater. There, Ludo and Madina Lake played to a full audience. Kids started leaving the amphitheater to use the grass as a water slide. It was entertaining to watch.

thats how crowded it was.


When the rain stopped, I head back to the Ernie Ball Stage to catch the end of Charlotte Sometimes.

Sneak my way up to the front in time for Forever The Sickest Kids. After FTSK played a few songs, they had CICI come out to model the new shirt. He stripped~ for us. They finished with a couple more songs. I just wish they would play IDKAYBICTD again.

However, FTSK has the best crowd always. Best stage presence. Best everything. I will love these boys forever.
After the set ended, I walked over to the merch tent. Jonathan said the band would be there, but it was just him and CICI. Kent came out for, like, 2 seconds then ran away. :( I had Jonathan sign some things for me, we talked for a minute/laughed at each other, and we took a picture together, but for some reason it felt like he just didn't want to be there at all. It had been a good half hour before I got to him and there were still a bunch of people waiting, so I can imagine it felt never ending.

I left around 7:15, right before The Academy Is... & We The Kings. I was tired and my feet were squooshy and bleh, it was time to go.