The Deftones Concert
I love rock music especially American alternative rock. One of the bands that I favour is Deftones. I own their White Pony album and loosely memorise a few songs from that album, but I don’t consider myself an over-the-top hardcore fan. The reason for this is because I have a friend who has set a very high standard for the title hardcore fan. Let me introduce you to my friend Iz.
I can safely say that Iz is involved in a cult where they basically worship Deftones (like how some people in Argentina pray to the football player Maradona). Let me present to you evidence for my conclusion.
Exhibit A; he has all the albums of Deftones.
Exhibit B; he knows all the song lyrics and band member names by heart.
Exhibit C; the word Deftones is infused in his email address.
Lastly but most importantly Exhibit D; 3 days prior to Deftones performing in Singapore, they are to do so at Kuala Lumpur. Iz brought tickets to both the Singapore and Kuala Lumpur show. So he took leave to travel up to Kuala Lumpur, stayed at a dodgy hostel and meet up with a Caucasian guy and his girlfriend that he got acquainted with on Facebook to watch their performance together. After that came back the next day to attend the Singapore concert the following night. In his defense, he said that he has been waiting for 11 years to see the band live. Luckily with both kidneys in tact. I rest my case.
About 3 moths back, I entered an online competition to win a pair of tickets the “DEFTONES LIVE IN SIGAPORE” concert. The condition of winning this competition was to simply state why is it that I deserve the tickets amongst everybody else. I slammed my head against the table until I cracked open my skull and poured red bull onto the creative part of my brain and came up with an ingenious phrase. It went something like.
Hey guys! I am a hardcore undying fan of Deftones. If you decide to present me with the free tickets, it will bring me great pleasure like giving a 12year old girl a magical purple flying unicorn for her birthday.
I wasn’t very optimistic on acquiring the free tickets due my past luck with online black jack and I’m sure there are other more creative “hardcore undying” fans out there who probably state that they would take their own life with cyanide if they are not deemed the winner. But to my jubilant surprise, I received an email a few days after bearing the good news of my win. I was ecstatic with disbelief and joy.
I got a pair of tickets and now trying to figure out who I know would like to go with me. From my knowledge, all the friends that I knew had never exactly expressed any interest in the band; all except one, my friend Iz.
But sadly Iz had purchased his tickets before I got mine. So I decided to sell my other ticket online at a discounted price.
The big night has finally arrived, I have acutely planned out everything.
My attire
A thin worn out t-shirt to keep me cool and it won’t be missed in the event of it being ripped or tragically stained.
A pair of durable jeans that doesn’t restrict movement for comfort.
A pair of durable shoes which just like the t-shirt won’t be missed in the event of permanently being stained/ disfigured.
And most importantly a pair of good briefs, boxers wont serve me well in this situation. I like my balls in place when I jump and get pushed around.
Yeap those are my abs!!
My Survival Bag
It was a simple brown cloth sling bag which was given by my friends as a souvenir from Thailand (thanks guys I heart U).
My Survival Bag Contents
An extra top for after everything you’ll be covered in 40% your own and 60% other strangers bodily fluids.
A hand towel to wipe your face when sweat gets in your eye.
Ciggies, they kill my arteries but keeps me awake.
Lighter, because unlike a wizard, I cant snap my fingers and magically materialise fire to light my ciggies with.
A packet of tissue to throw away my gum with.
Digital camera for cam-whoring and paparazzi wannabeing.
Ipod mini, company for the train journey to and fro.
Axe medicated oil - for muscle pulls or a makeshift eye irritant for moshers who are abit to overzealous
A bottle of water to water the grass or for self-consumption
I took the train to the nearest station to the event, met Iz and we made a short pit stop at a convenience store. After our purchase, we walked in the direction of the venue. We got lost abit so we turned around asked a few strangers who were walking behind us. They all had no idea themselves and were actually following us; I smiled at myself for I find the circumstance alittle humorous. But never the less, we pressed on… its only Singapore anyway, if you get lost here, just keep walking in one direction and you’ll find your way in 5 minutes (advice for future tourists).
With blind luck and perseverance we found the place.
Hurah!!
The stage was on top of a hill and the entrance was at the foot. We sat down near the entrance for I have to meet my anonymous ticket buyer and Iz’s friend who will be joining us. I met my buyer, we did our exchange and Iz’s friend Jo also arrived soon after. We were still sitting at the same spot waiting for the band to start when we spotted an old friend from my poly days; Kai. Kai was in formal office clothes and pulling behind him a medium sized mobile luggage.
We asked if he was here by chance or to witness Deftones, his answer was that he wanted to gate crash. I couldn’t help but give him a puzzled grin… I expressed to him my concern of his luggage offsetting his mobility for the art of gate crashing carries the same principles as ninjitsu; Stealth and nimbleness. He said he’ll figure something out and will meet us inside. I was cynical and wished there was someway to help.
Iz, Jo and I went in after that to check out the lay out and also the Deftones merchandise. We whipped out our tickets at the entrance, exchanged them for an orange paper cuff and waltz in.
Iz and Jo went to check out the booths there, while I wandered nearer to the stage to see if there is anyone else I recognise in the crowd. While wandering, I chanced upon a ripped orange paper cuff on the wet grassy ground. I looked around, inconspicuously bend down as if to dust something off my shoe and like a seasoned pick pocket, slit the cuff into my survival bag.
I hopped off trying to contain my excitement. I exited the venue searching franticly for someone. When I found him, I shouted “Kai!!” he directed his attention to me, turned his right palm up and shrugged his right shoulder alittle with one raised eyebrow silently asking “what?”
I walked closer to him, opened the mouth my survival bag and showed him the cuff. He gave me the priceless look of astonishment and softly asked me.
“How much do I owe you?”
I wasn’t prepared for that question so I thought of a very fair amount proposed it to him and he instantly agreed.
We then gleefully made it to the entrance, presented our cuffs and got in.
Due to the strict security checks and Kai’s humongous luggage, Kai urged me to go first for the band is starting.
I said “Ok see you there!” and jogged of to join the swarm of moshers.
I meekly made my way to the front part of the stage by sliding in between shoulders. I was praying I wouldn’t enrage anyone and get en elbow on my delicate face. Convinced that I cannot proceed any further, I stopped and enjoyed the performance where I was; which was 4 rows of people from the stage.
The rocking starts and people went ballistic, bodies were used as projectiles and there was the occasional body surfer. I spotted Iz and Jo, they were behind me violently moshing with a bunch of Caucasians who surpassed their height and girth. Those guys are insane. Till this day I can never understand the joy of purposely slamming your sweaty body with those of another dude.
At one point, the vocalist Chino leaned over to the crowd while screaming the chorus of a song. I got to touch his sweaty scalp. I giggled to myself for it was the first time I touched a non-Singaporean celebrity.
Through out the concert I was surrounded by guys with the exception of a girl in front of me. I decided to stick behind her for I feel it’s better to be squashed with a girl then a guy… they smell better and also.. its debatable that I’m a closet pervert.
The concert finally ended... I was wet with questionable bodily fluids and parched. I made friends with the pre-mentioned girl I’ve been tailing. Her name was Sol, she was from Surabaya and flew to Singapore juat to catch the band. Her friends came to join us and we got formally introduced. I was listening to Sol half-heartedly because I was looking for my friends Iz, Jo and Kai, my attention peaked when she mentioned that she was staying at the same hotel and level with the band members of Deftones which was just behind the stage. I put on my straight “don’t-know-the-meaning-of-shame” face and as if in fear of rejection asked “hey I know we just met and all but… I really wana take pictures with the members. So… is it ok with you if I crash abit at your place? And ill be out of your hair once I have the pics” . Without hesitation she happily gave her approval and I thanked her (I love friendly people). We exchanged contacts for I have to go find Iz and Jo to ask if they want to tag along. I met Iz and Jo outside the concert venue and told them of the picture taking opportunity. They declined my offer for they are to lazy and physically worn out from the constant abuse they just subjected their bodies to.
I soon receive an unknown number on my cell; it was Sol’s friend. He franticly shared news that the members are in the lobby and if I want my pictures I better make a run for it. With haste I said bye to Iz and Jo and dashed straight to the hotel lobby which was around 140 meters away.
When I reached, all the members except Chino was there taking pictures or signing autographs. I waited patiently for my turn and shyly asked for a picture and signature.
We only got the pictures and signatures of 3 members and just missed the drummer, Abe.
Sol then invited all of us to her room to chill for a bit. We took the elevator to the third level and were proceeding to Sol room when we heard a door open at the room we just passed. Out crept Abe! He was on his way to shower. But we were heartless barbarians and stopped him for pictures and conversation.
After repeatingly excusing himself, we finally let him go and made our way to Sol’s room.
The room was nice, it was with a modern minimalist concept with a small balcony to enjoy a smoke outdoors. We all took turns to the toilet to freshen up and hydrated ourselves. After 20 minutes of stimulating conversation, we all decided to leave for Sol was looking pretty worn out. I said my thanks and goodbye to Sol one last time and gave her a tight hug. She left Singapore the next day but we have been good friends and always poking each other on Facebook ever since.
Sol & me
