Inside biniBningPunkista's head.

March 20, 2012 is one of my most memorable concerts up to date. Not that I have much to compare with, but then let's not go there… this about that night. THAT ONE NIGHT STAND where TOE played at NBC The Fort, Global City. Where people from all over the country who new the band flew over just to watch them live. My friend told me that he overheard a couple of people in the line that they were already at the venue by 1 pm when the gates still opens at 8 pm. Talk about excited!

I left my house at Fairview Q.C. to meet my friend Norms at around 4pm in Trinoma. Then after some travelling, waiting and getting a bit lost along our way, we arrived at the venue at around 6pm. Just in time to see a hundred people in separate lines outside NBC Tent. I was surprised to see a couple of people I knew and was able to hang out with them inside while waiting for the band to show up. I never thought they would have known the band and that A LOT OF people from the Philippines actually new them. It was a great feeling to have something in common with the crowd.

Gates opened at 7:30-ish even though it was said to be open at 8 pm. I was trying to get a good spot by the foot of the stage but there was this guy who was twice taller and larger than I was so I really had to squeeze behind him, then a girl with the same height as me was stationed right at my front hanging on the rails (I was envious with her spot because she was right at the railings and could practically reach out for Yamane Satoshi if she wanted to) and there were these cuddly couple on my right (I felt embarrassed whenever I had to unintentionally nudge them with my elbow due to the people at my back) with them and some bit of more squeezing, I was able to secure the second best place before TOE came out. I sort of got nervous when a couple of bouncers started to stand in front us. How would I enjoy the show if there where BIG BUFF MEN covering my view?!? Initially I was talking in a loud voice for them to step aside, but then it seemed they couldn't be bothered by that. Good thing, the other big guy called out to manong bouncer and pointed at me. I told them if they could move aside before the show starts. One of the manong bouncers nodded and chatted up with the girl in front of me instead. After that, It was a grueling 2 hour wait from then on. I was standing and waiting for the two opening acts to finish which took 8-10 minutes to play for every song, and they had 4 songs lined up, not counting the time each band had to set up.

I was getting impatient and irritated for having to wait. It would have been nice if there were seats since the music were ambient and very relaxing BUT my current position was so not relaxing at all. It's like standing in a line that never moves. There's also that thirst nagging at my throat as soon as the crowd got thicker and the venue got warmer despite of the air conditioning. I had that  urge to go out and buy myself a cold soda (even though I'm not much of a fan on carbonated drinks) I still had that inkling to buy something to drink. Then again, if I got out of my place, I would certainly loose my spot. So I stood there, bit off my urges and waited… and waited… and waited until my feet and legs started to really hurt. Finally I succumbed to sitting on the floor and asked my friend to cover for me so people won't "accidentally" step on tiny-little-me. I wouldn't want to watch TOE full of injury now would I?

After a few more minutes of Encounters With a Yeti's ambient music, the lights began to dim and people started shouting with excitement, only to have the lights back on… and up comes TOE's assistant checking on each of the instrument's tuning. People were starting to get restless and hilarious all at the same time. They were cheering for the poor guy who was testing the guitars, the mike and the piano. He was also arranging the drinks and other what not's on the stage. Every little thing he does, the crowd cheers, it was sad and yet funny at the same time. The guy was trying to keep a poker face, but in the end he couldn't help smiling at how simple minded the people were. After fifteen minutes or so of this the guy went down and the lights go dim once again.

Just when I thought we were going to wait for another 30 minutes, people from the other side of the stage started shouting excitedly for REAL. Different Phones, Tabs and Ipads were being raised as Mino Takaaki took the lead on walking up to the stage and starting bowing at us, then he was followed by the lively Yamane Satoshi who was all smiles and waving around before he took his yellow guitar, then up comes the drummer Kashikura Takashi who was waving and bowing as well and finally behind him was Yamakazi Hirokazu who gingerly picked up his guitar and bowed to the people near him.

When the first strum of guitar was done by Satoshi, I started to lose it and I was screaming in excitement forgetting my thirst, forgetting that my foot was really hurting bad and forgetting that I had so many sleepless nights because I have been waiting for that moment. I started jumping and squealing like a high school girl who got asked by her crush for prom. I was clapping my hands in delight as Mino Takaaki started thumping on the drums with his sticks and gradually became wild with it. He was so cool up there on the stage and he was the one guy who gave pace to the whole band. I couldn't entirely believe he's the center of all those instruments since he looked so laid back.

Toe played 13 songs plus 2 encore and it was fantastic! It was one of those moments where music was just all I could hear, breathe, feel and think about. It was the eargasmic kind of sound where backgrounds fade and you just bob your head and sway your body along with the music. It was a really Toerrific experience. Beats having to listen to my mp3 in between travels and while at work. The real thing was simply perfect. Seeing Satoshi drunk and singing right in front of my face left me dumbfounded, I didn't know how to take the video properly with my phone that I accidentally recorded it sideways! (See video on top) Then hearing After Image with that "papap-para-pap…" intro was definitely one of my cracks that evening. I couldn't get over it until today. I was TOE drugged that night. I really was.

I just wish a lot more of my friends knew them so they could have enjoyed it as much as I did. Oh, but a couple of the Shoutboxers were present that night, namely Norms (who accompanied me so I wouldn't get lost on going to The Fort), DJ (who gave me the spot near the front, thanks you so much for that!), Lester (who I didn't EXPECT to be there and by the way happy graduation to you man!!!), Lavoie (who had passes to take awesome pictures) and Julius (who I never got see because he came in later than I expected).

It was certainly one fine event. A night I would never forget and would always be happy to remember with. As for now… let me dream of TOE once again.

Thanks to Stephen Lavoie letting me post the pictures. You may check out more at his site: Portraitplace

...and to Alain for the perfect title of this blog entry! *thumbs up*