After the walk we left Krista there (she had a M&G) and we went back to the hotel to chill out and get ready for the show. We walked because we had a great parking spot and wanted to keep it. We needed easy access after the show to grab the Guitar Hero guitar before heading to the bus. Our hotel was super close anyway, and the exercise and fresh air felt good after all the driving we'd done.
We got back to the venue at around 6:30pm and got in line. I LOVED THIS VENUE compared to Albany's. The security were so nice, they were SO organized. It just put everyone in a much more relaxed mood. I honestly heart Higher Ground and will go back there for a concert in the future if I can. The doors were supposed to open at 7:00. But at around 6:45, THE POWER WENT OFF. Some car drove into a street light and put the city in blackout! ARE YOU FREAKING KIDDING ME???????? The security told us that if it wasn't on by 8:15, the show would be cancelled. But if you were a Hanson fan you should stick around because they were cooking something up (who knows what). I was honestly so upset. I was like yeah right, we drove 10 hours down to see 2 Hanson shows, and one gets cancelled????? I was preparing myself for the worst...... we met some girls in line and chatted as we waited. There were like 400 people lined up at this point (the show was sold out, go Hanson!). At around 8:10, praise the Lord, the power came on! Outside ERUPTED in cheers. I was so happy I started to cry.
About 15 minutes later (after Kate Voegele managed soundcheck, poor thing!) we were finally let in. The security came around and got all the people that went on the walk into a seperate line. We were at the end of that line (so like person 106 to go inside) and we were 5th row center! Case in point: I don't think camping out is worth it. My body can't handle it, and it's only a difference of a few rows. Anyway. Won't be camping out anymore, no sir!
Michael & Sarah chilled at the back, Krista was in front row because of her M&G, so Britt and I were together in like 5th row. We met a bunch of people from Quebec, they were really sweet! The guy that was there, to my amazement, got out of the crowd for beer TWICE and managed to get back into his spot. That is impressive. Although I have to say the crowd was GREAT - no pushing at all, even when Hanson came on! Kate & SK6ers were awesome, I seriously love them both now and bought their CD's after the show. I don't even need to say that Hanson put on yet another excellent show. Setlist highlights.... Running Man, This Time Around, Change in My Life, Never Been to Spain, and The Ugly Truth (first time hearing it). They are just so fun live and I can't even describe it. You just have to go to one of their shows and see for yourself!
I think I am getting old. I know I am only 23, but I cannot handle concerts/standing like I used to even a year ago. Even though I wasn't in line all day, and was only standing a total of about 2 hours, my lower back was KILLING me. I decided I wanted to be with Michael for some of the show anyway, so right before the acoustic set I left my spot in 5th row (actually it might have been like 7th by then, I refused to fight to hold my ground) and joined Michael & Sarah in the back. Again I say, Higher Ground is an AMAZING venue. The back was risen above the floor level, and they had a big bar and stools that faced the stage. It was such a perfect view - I wish the venue allowed cameras inside so I could have gotten some good pictures! Although I will say it was nice, for once, to not worry about taking pictures. Sometimes you can spend the whole show looking through your LCD monitor instead of enjoying it and taking it all in. The venue had little tubs of Ben & Jerry's ice cream for sale, so I bought one of those and a bottle of water, sat back and enjoyed the rest of the show. Bought some merch.... Kate Voegele and SK6ers CD's, and the Hanson tote bag. I got the Blue Sky tank the night before.
We enjoyed the encore right by the exit, and as soon as it was done we dashed for the car to get cameras and posters and the GH guitar, and ran for the bus. There were only like 10 people there or something but more came later. I wish they had barricades there because it was quite chaotic when Hanson finally came out about an hour or so later. Again, my back was dying and I almost didn't even stay. Michael got the guitar signed by all of them, and they even decorated it a little! The Canadian security guy that befriended us that day brought us setlists from the stage; I got one of them and got all 3 of them to sign it. Tim (tour manager) said no pictures with them. I asked Isaac anyway and he said no (along with Tim again, whoops) so I said okay and stopped being annoying. Later however I discovered Britt managed pictures with Taylor AND Zac! So that made me really upset/jealous. But I mean I guess I can't complain. I did get a pic with Zac in Albany, and a lot of my friends that went to other shows never got that opportunity.
After the bus craziness was over, we got into the car and went back to the hotel. Then I had a breakdown. After a not-long-enough sleep (I am MAKING people go to bed early next roadtrip, I can't drive 10 hours after 4 hours sleep) we got up and went to Starbucks again, of course :P Then hit the road for the never-ending drive on Route 2 to Bangor ME. Seriously. It did not end. 2 lanes, windy roads through towns, for 7 hours straight. I wanted to punch something. We did manage to find a Pizza Hut though, and we drove by Santa's Village which was a #1 theme park for me as a child! We got to Bangor, I passed out in the back seat, and Britt got us back to Canada without hitting any deer. And, I guess that's the end of the Hanson trip! So now, I have officially been to 4 Hanson shows! Woohoo!
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