Wah-wah! Here comes the sun.

When I go to heaven, Rox Rox heaven (part one)

// April 16th, 2011 // na na na, roxette, trip

NOTED: I haven’t edit (or re-read it), so I apologize if there were errors in spelling, grammar, etc. I deliberately mentioned some names here without asking their permission and I apologize for that too, let me know if you want your names to be removed.

Never across in my mind that one day I’d visit Argentina, but here I was for the most magical eight days in my life. I arrived in Buenos Aires and there they are: Leandro and Noelia. Both are Roxette fans, who I knew for quite sometimes only through internet, but finally met face-to-face. They were so friendly and before I knew it, we started talking (during our trip to their apartment) like we’ve known each other forever.

They invited me to stay in their apartment. It was a lovely place. I felt like home instantly. The view from 8th floor was amazing too, but it didn’t really matter because I was just too exited to get to know them and looking forward to my first full Roxette concert ever. In fact, it was my first full concert of ANY band ever.

The view from the apartment

Later, since I just couldn’t wait to have the Roxette tickets in my hand, we went to a place where I plan to pick them up. Even though that was the beginning of fall, to me the weather was quite hot, kind of remind me of Indonesia. To think about it, the area where I was staying looked so similar with Jakarta. In some way, I felt like I was home. So, I didn’t really mind surrounding by lots of people, being in a hurry all the time, and no place to seat sometimes at public transportation. Of course, Buenos Aires had subway, while Jakarta had train. Some parts of this city were European influenced, something that Jakarta didn’t have.

Then, I got tickets! Still it’s going to be few more days before we attend the concert. The next day, Noe and Leandro went to Uruguay. I had to stay at home because I didn’t have the proper visa. Also, our other friend, Scott was coming from the US. I’ve known him since 2005 (I think), but never met him in person. He spoke Spanish really well and he took a taxi by himself from the airport to the apartment. Later that day, we went to downtown (though I made us go to wrong direction, but thankfully we manage to find the right way).

The next day, Noe and Leandro came home with two people who I have never met. Diego and Laura, who also Roxette fans. They’re going to stay with us. Diego was cool and funny. Laura couldn’t speak English, but I like her a lot. I think she’s a sweetheart. So, here we are people who never know each other before now staying together. I couldn’t help thinking how if one of us turns into a psycho killer? (lol I guess I watched too much Hitchcock). Of course, we’re all just normal fans and we ended up having marvelous time together. Leandro told me that sometimes in life you gotta take a chance. I agreed with him. To think about it, I have taken so many chances in my life before and many of them were quite crazy.

Finally the D-day is here! Or should I say the Rox day. We woke up early in the morning and started our day immediately. Noe had to go to her mother’s house, but we promised to meet each other at Luna Park (where the concert is). We took a subway and oh, boy there were lots of people (maybe because it was rush hour) inside. I think Leandro (or Diego) told me this is like rehearsal before being part at the crowded concert later.

In downtown, we met Marcos coincidentally. He was my friend in FB and he helped me purchase the ticket for Cordoba gig. He was with this sweet girl, Andrea. They said “hi” and he asked Andrea to translate something for me. Apparently during our contacts, I mostly talk to his partner because he couldn’t speak English. I said no problem at all. He was already so kind to help a stranger like me, then we pass a hotel nearby and guess who were in there? Christoffer and Helena! We waved and moments later they came to see us. We took pictures together and I remember someone told me Chris is a huge Harry Potter fan, so I mentioned it and suddenly we were talking about Harry Potter like we were old friends! He said that now he’s starting to read the series to his kids.

With Christoffer

Then here comes Pelle and Magnus. I’ve never met Pelle before, and I had to say that after Marie and Per, he was actually my favorite Roxette band. I think he’s a great drummer, especially in Sleeping In My Car. So, I was so shocked to see him and nervous as well. I just couldn’t believe that he was standing in front of me. My first instinct was to shake his hand, but instead he hugged and kissed me. It had bad effect on me. I couldn’t stop smiling and grinning for hours.

We finally arrived at Luna Park. I just couldn’t believe what I saw. Was I died and went to Rox heaven? Everywhere you look, there are hundreds (maybe thousand) people wearing Roxette T-shirt. I was never surrounded by that many Roxette fans my whole life. Plus, you could see all unofficial Roxette merchandise they sold over there. Anything you can think of! Pictures, photos, pin, key change, etc. I was so tempted to buy some, but I also didn’t want to carry too much during the concert.

Noelia already there so we decided to have lunch. Coincidentally, while we’re eating there was Roxette add on television. We toasted for Roxette, the fans, and the new friendship.

I met some friends that I only knew from Facebook. Sometimes I said “hi” first, sometimes they did.

Hours later when we’re standing on the line, I saw a white van passing us by, then I saw some familiar faces. “Look, Roxette!” I said spontaneously. Of course, in a second everyone saw it too and all the long line got messed up all of sudden. Many fans are now chasing the van on the highway. My friends and I decided not to do the same. I wish I had video so I could tape it and send it to my family in Indonesia with a note: “See, I am pretty normal compare to other fans”. I am sure if you asked them whether I’d go after the van, they would definitely say yes. I guess I am getting old?

The gate finally opened at 7 pm. I could feel my heart trembling. This is it.

When I went inside the building, some people already got all the places at the first row, but I manage to be in maybe the 5th (or 6th). I thought that was pretty good place, then at 8 o’clock, the supporting act was playing while others still looking for their seat (or better standing places). Of course, soon I regret for even try to be in the front rows.

At 9 o’clock, Marie, Per and the whole band enter the stage and that’s when the wildest night I’ve ever experience my whole life officially begin. People just went crazy when they saw them on the stage and Marie grabbed the mic and said Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! that was when everything begins uncontrollable. People went wild. They were jumping, singing, dancing and I got punched hard in my chest I feel like I couldn’t breathe. That moment I decided I had better get out of here. However, I just couldn’t get out. There were too many people blocked my way. I got pushed to every side you can think of and couldn’t really move my feet because someone stepped on it. I pray Dressed For Success will be over soon so maybe it would calm the people a bit. I was wrong because when Dressed was over, it followed by Sleeping In My Car.

I kept begging some people to give me way out. Some tried to help, but the power of the crowd kept pushing me back inside. Then, everything start to feel blurry and then dark. I felt like I was dying. I start to imagine (or hallucinate) what would happen if I die in this concert. I imagine the newspaper where I used to work back in Indonesia would write a headline about this accident. In fact, I could read the title: “A Long Time Fan Die Tragically In Roxette Concert”. Oh my God, how ironic it would be? I imagine it would disturb my family so much and Roxette music will forever be too traumatic for them. I couldn’t let that happen. That’s not the kind of death that I’d want, too embarrassing and ironic. So, with my last strength I pushed myself outside the crowd, I got a glance of a girl laying helplessly under the crowd, I wish I could help her, but I almost couldn’t help myself either.

Then… I’m free! It took three songs before I finally could breather. At that time Wish I Could Fly is playing, but I was too shaken up to enjoy it, and at that moment I felt I was so lucky to actually survive. Not until Only When I Dream that I start to enjoy the concert. In fact, now I actually have better view of Marie and Per. I wasn’t that further away from the stage anyway. Though, I couldn’t help counting around 10 people fainting (I was pretty sure even more than that).

I was surprise that I actually love She’s Got Nothing On and Opportunity Nox so much. Those two songs were never my favorite, but I must admit they sounded great live.

Things Will Never Be The Same performed with only Marie, Per and his acoustic guitar on the stage. You could tell how Marie felt so overwhelmed with the audience response. She knew they love her and I think it touched hear heart so much, she looked like she was about to cry. By the end of the song, Per gave her a sweet kiss on her cheek.

Of course the climax was Spending My Time. You almost couldn’t hear Roxette at all. It was so emotional and again you could see how this means to Marie (later, Lars Erik Olson from TDR told us that Marie cried on the backstage after the concert because she too felt overwhelmed by the love for her).

Per was fantastic as always, but so did Marie. There were so many differences between her performance in NOTP two years ago than this one. She looked more confident, she communicated with the audience and explored almost every corners of the stage (almost like the old times). I couldn’t help noticing that she looked years younger and prettier too.
How Do You Do / Dangerous received great response from fans and who could forget Joyride with fans throwing balloon after Per sings “In a wonderful balloon”. It was so good to be part of it.

The concerts ends with Church of Your Heart. The night wasn’t over yet, there was a party waiting for the fans. Like usual, some people that I only knew from Facebook said “hi” to me. It was great to finally meet them though we only chat for a very short time.

Only when I drink

The pass

With Pelle (again)

The After School party was wonderful. When you enter the club, you’re welcomed by Roxette music (and video) in giant screen. Some fans already there dancing, drinking and having tons of fan. I saw Clarence, Magnus and Christoffer already there hang out together with the fans. I was still exhausted from my experience so I decided to sit down most of the time, but I met some great people who keep me company. It was a great atmosphere and I wish I could stay longer, but there was still another concert waiting the next day. Oh, I got another pic taken with Pelle again.

To be continued…