The day started hot without clouds in the sky, the temperature was 30 degrees celsius (86º F ). I woke up so excited because it was my first Linkin Park show and also my first M&G. I live in a city not so far away from Sao Paulo, so I caught my friend and his brother and we left to the show.
We arrived at the venue (03PM), found other friends and the drama started, “Where’s the Gate #28 (Early Entry)?”. The Brazilian security guys didn’t know anything about LPU and Music for Relief so we walked all the way to the first gate to finally enter in a place and find the gate #28.
When the gates opened to LPU (04PM), the Brazilian cops started inspecting our things and I had bad luck: the police woman said to me to put the paper of my M&G confirmation in the trash and also my Breaking the Habit manga (I wanted to take it to be signed by the band). I freaked out! How could I put these things in the trash?! I denied and the police said I would be arrested if I didn’t do that and I couldn’t enter the show. So I found a woman who works for LP and explained the situation, she took my things and told me to go to the show because she could give me my things during the M&G.
I entered the venue and found Pooch walking alone to the backstage area, I stopped him to take a shot and to talk to him because he is so handsome and funny!!! (Yes, I love Pooch!!)
So, all my friends entered the front stage (premium) and we sat in some place where we had a great view of the band when they would enter. We waited for 2 hours, some friends stayed there to see the opening band and a few friends and me went to the M&G meeting point.
When we were waiting I found Sean walking near by. The LPU fans didn’t recognize him, but I stopped him and thanked for posting the amazing photos on instagram, the LPU chats and for always answering the fans then I took a shot with him.
Afterwards I thanked him for the photo and turned around, cause something was poking my back. I heard Sean saying “For you”, and in his hands, the drumsticks from Rob – he gave them to me.
I freaked out!! After that, everyone from LPU wanted to see my drumsticks and Sean went to the backstage area. When a few minutes had passed, Sean returned with a lot of picks of Phoenix and gave everyone a pick. He asked “Who wants to take a picture with me?” so after the chaos of people surrounding him, he took a picture of us and posted it on his instagram. (He is so friendly and handsome, right?!).
Missy (I don’t know how to write her name, but I know she is from Music for Relief) came with our laminates then we walked to the M+G. I was so nervous because… God! I was going to see my idols, the guys who I always saw in the videos and pictures. When we were waiting in the line, we took a picture with Megumi, she is a sweetheart!
We entered the place and saw Chester, with headphones on his head, talking to Pooch.
Joe signed for everybody and then left the place. We took the group picture and made a line for the other members to sign our things. It was amazing! The guys are so friendly but the light didn’t help so much. You have to experience the M+G yourself to know how amazing it is. The only picture “good” picture I have is from Chester, so here it is:
The M+G ended and we come back to where our friends were waiting. After 20 minutes, the show started with the amazing “Tinfoil/Faint”, the crowd went crazy, everybody started to jump and sing their lungs out. “Papercut” and “Given up” put the sense of revolt inside the people’s minds, the harmony between Mike and Chester voices was beautiful and exciting.
Photo: Thais Andrea
The classics “With you” and “Somewhere I belong” never disappoint the crowd. The people didn’t know the lyrics of “In My Remais”, but for me, it was particularly wonderful. I love the “quiet” energy of this song.
“New Divide”- only one word to explain: EPIC. I had chills during the song. “Victimized with QWERTY”, “Points of Authority” and
“Lies Greed Misery” , the energy of these live songs is unbelievable.
Next in the list, “Waiting for the end”, the crowd was so loud I almost couldn’t heard the band. I felt my heart breaking in pieces during “Breaking the Habit”, and during “In the end”, the crowd started to scream “Chester” and “Linkin Park”. He replied to us with “Thank you very much. It’s funny that I was just saying “Sao Paulo” over and over and over again in my mind. That’s how connected we are right now”.
Photo: Thais Andrea
The “Medley- LOATR/SOTD/IRIDESCENT” started and the crowd filled balloons from the colors of the Brazilian flag (green, blue, yellow and white), the most beautiful thing in the world: the balloons flying through the air in a mix of colors.
The first part of the set ended with “The Catalyst”, “Lost in the Echo”, “Numb”, “What I’ve done” and the explosive “One Step Closer”. After a five minutes break the band came in with “Burn it down”, the nostalgic “In the End” and the last song “Bleed it out with Sabotage Bridge”.
Photo: Time for Fun
The show was awesome, full of energy and with a dedicated crowd. I can’t wait to see the guys again.
Thank you for reading this.
Amanda. (@amandakbp)
PS: My English isn’t good, so if you find mistakes, forgive me.
