Crowded House

The Date: 16.2.2007
The Place: Helsinki, Tavastia 
The Album: Carnival of Rust

Friday didn't start out good. I was feeling rotten, the flu had really caught up with me. If I hadn't had a ticket, I would had considered not going. I went there by myself and firstly managed to be at the wrong side of Kamppi so I had to ask where the place was. I have only been there once, so...When I found the place and gave my coat to the people at the coat hangers, I was informed that they didn't got any change and since I only had 20 euros, I was told that I should go and buy a drink so I could have the change. I waited for 15 minutes to be serviced by the bartenders and during that time I spotted Petri and Mako and hugged them.

When I finally got my drink and money, I went to pay the coat man and bumped into Satu, Jutta and their friend. Then we talked a bit with Petri and Mako, had a few laughs about stupidly funny jokes of bra strappings and then Satu and me heard the new intro coming from the hall where the stage was. It was half past eleven and we were just staring at each other and agreeing that it couldn't be the intro because the clock was only half past eleven! We were sure that the gig would start at midnight, but obviously we were wrong.

I gulped down the last of my drink and we entered the gig-area that was packed, I have never seen a place so full. We were right at the far end of the place when the gig started with Fire and soon enough I decided that I would go and try to get closer. It took me a half an hour, but I managed to get as close as third row. For once my small size was an advantage, I was able to squeeze myself around people to the small empty places and to follow bigger persons on their way from buying beer. I stopped for a few songs and then made my way again. Most of the people were nice, but there was one group that was linked to their hands and they swayed back and forth during songs and as I was going past those, one of them gave me a shove to my back, so a lurched uncontrollable ahead. I just hate that kind of behavior.
But most of my journey was a fun one, cause with every step the music was louder and with every step I could see much better.

The band was in a very good and groovy mood, Mark was swirling and jumping and bouncing and Ollie and Jaska seemed to have a whole show of their own. They laughed and played together many times and during Sorry Go Round they did little jumps at the same time, one after another while playing. Their joy was contagious and I just couldn't stop grinning. It is also always a joy to watch Mark's performance, it really is a Performance with a capital P. He often concentrates to the song with his eyes closed, does little hand movements that fit into the song and has expressions in his face that tell more of the song than the lyrics. Especially when CoR is played, he looks really similar than his white character on the video, only without that make-up. Sometimes when that song is almost over, he holds out his palm and pumps his fingers like he would have a beating heart on his palm. I can actually see it in his hand, red and bleeding. Talk about heart on one's sleeve. And sometimes during Maybe Tomorrow Is A Better Day while he is singing: razor blades on whips he actually does with his other hand a movement, that is similar to Tai Chi Yang's movement called lash of a whip.

I was very happy that the gig lasted a bit longer than the one in Espoo, and as a cherry on top they played Sleep as their final song. It was amazing to hear that live after such a long time and once again shivers run down my spine and tears filled my eyes. It was only after the gig was over that I noticed the new background sheet, I blame my flu for that. It looked really good, the yellowish background was chipped like it is in the cover of CoR and so was the white moth that was pinned with that swirly lollipop. I wouldn't mind hanging that over my bed. I had almost an hour before my train was due, so I hang there with the Cheerios and with Bolo Hamwich and his girlfriend.

At some point I wasn't sure what to do, should I go to get my coat or stay for bit longer when I spotted that Jani was talking to Bolo and his girl. So I decided to join them. I said hi to Jani and then he looked at me with an expression that said: yeah, what? Then I just grinned and said: Nothing, I just came here to hang out. He laughed and said that he unfortunately had to leave, but it wasn't because of me. So he left and I chatted with Bolo and his girl a while there. Later on I realized, that I could have thanked Jani for a great gig. But again, I blame my weakened health for that one too. And the gig high. The grin had returned to my face.