Our seats ended up being a hell of a lot better than I thought. It had been a couple years since the last time I attended Dodge/Comerica theater, and it's probably my least favorite venue. The first time I saw APC, 7 or so years ago, it was there. My seats were skewed all the way in the left-most section and I remember having a hard time seeing much. But this time, our seats were still in the left-most section, but the decline of the rows were better somehow, and I could see everything easily. I have no idea if they remodeled it or what, but it was definitely better.
We each bought shirts that are pretty fantastic, I'm wearing mine right now in fact. We even got good parking, and cheaper than the others. The timing was perfect since we got to see a little bit of the entertainment that the opening band, Red Bacteria Vacuum, put on.
APC played some songs that I definitely wanted to hear, and some that I was actually surprised to hear. The Noose, is probably my favorite song and I'm thoroughly glad to hear it live [again]. As the setlist states, they played 3 Libras, but in fact that was the remixed version they played, which surprised me and took me a moment to figure out. But it was really awesome nonetheless. It was a little disappointing they played a new song as the last song because it just made the night feel incomplete. I truly didn't feel like the concert was over yet. We were all hoping there would be an encore, but nope. But it's one of those things, were they had actually been playing for awhile but as you get into it, the time flies and it feels like they only just got on the stage moments ago. So I can't really complain.
To combine efforts, I will now talk about last November when they played here for 3 consecutive nights. Obviously, quite some time has passed so I won't be able to perfectly capture the experience, but I do remember some things I wanted to say.
November 4th-Night #1 [my birthday]: This night was reserved for them playing only their first album, Mer de Noms. This is all I wrote from that night at the time. I was attending this night with one of my best friends, we enjoyed noodles and sake beforehand in celebration of my birthday. We got to the show quite early and waited in line forever and using her iPhone as a means of distraction and to pass time. Once we get in the venue, we go straight to buying merchandise and beverages. The wait continues for another lifetime, and finally the show starts and I'm already excited off my ass. What I do remember is that as soon as they start playing they make a mistake and Maynard makes some joke and they begin again. I thought it was cute, considering this is the first time they are playing live in at least 6-7 years. Maynard was talkative all three nights, whatever I do remember I will mention accordingly to whichever night. This is the setlist for that night, although they played the entire album, there was an encore of other awesome songs. I was soooo excited they played Diary of a Lovesong. A combination cover song of both Diary of a Madman and Lovesong [lyrics]. I discovered this song a really long time ago and listened to it obsessively for so long. It has only been played live, and here I finally heard it in person. I was elated. Here's a photo of me in pre-concert happiness and glitterness.
November 5th-Night #2: This night is reserved for the album Thirteenth Step, my favorite as I mention here. This night I went with the same friend, she tends to be my concert buddy, for we've been to multiple concerts together, usually those involving Maynard in some way [Tool, APC, and Puscifer]. As I said in the link, I didn't buy any merchandise this night, but we still got our beverages. The wait wasn't as long this time because we got there earlier than the first night and they let in a certain chunk of the beginning of the line in early just for the bar. This time we got a bit closer to the stage [although we weren't far at all the first night]. Since the wait for them to get on the stage is so long, this time is usually where mingling occurs, especially if it's a concert that spans multiple nights with generally the same crowd. We saw some people we saw the previous night and began talking. I remember a cute couple, the girl had pretty dreadlocks so we bonded over a common interests including APC. Bonding with people surrounding you on a concert pit floor is a good idea because invasion of space becomes less intimidating and people are more considerate and smiley. Plus, my friend and I are tall, so we tend to let some of the short ones in front of us. If I remember correctly, this night during Maynard's talkativeness, he told James Iha
I was retardedly happy to hear The Noose live for the first time [that wasn't on youtube or a dvd]. Here's the setlist with just one extra song. And another photo of the pre-concert look.
November 6th-Night #3 [final night]: This night, I went with my boyfriend at the time, because I really wanted him to see them. Plus my friend was fine missing this night, since the album of the night is mostly covers, yet of songs that my boyfriend would enjoy more considering his age [he was 9 years older than me]. The wait was a little more emotional because he was running late and I was incredibly worried. But he made it, and we got in, got our drinks and waited while he started to get tired. I ran into some friends and to some people from the other nights. This night we were the closest to the stage than in the other nights, as I mention here. This night was probably the best in its own way because it was different. Granted, as said, Thirteenth Step is my favorite album, thus probably making that night my favorite, hence I'm a little biased. But the reason the final night was so good was because this was the first I had ever heard any of these songs live [with the exception of Imagine]. Secondly, the atmosphere of the band was pure bliss. Like I said, I wasn't sure if it was because I was so close that I could tell, I am not sure. But I could see the smiles on all their faces, how much they were enjoying playing and playing together. It was contagious, for I was smiling all night. I was as close as I could be, and I felt their love. Even more appropriate considering some of the songs that were played. Here's the setlist. After the show my boyfriend met some of my friends and we talked for a bit, and he surprised me with an APC poster, after he had already bought me a shirt at the beginning of the night. Here is a final photo.
Writing all this reminds me that I never posted photos from my actual birthday celebration after the concerts. I will get to that soon. November is always a crazy month for me. My birthday, and 2 other close friends' birthdays, etc.
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