Alpine Valley is definitely a rocking venue and I am now in danger of having to come back next year. It's huge, and the lawn, while massive, is at a steep enough angle that lack of visibility is not an issue. The energy from the crowd is insane and they were definitely one of the best crowds I've encountered as far as respect goes too.
We had a huge group of tailgaters at our gathering under three shade tents and a merciful breeze helped us defeat the blazing heat. And of course, as usual, I met a bevy of awesome people. The show itself was pretty freaking cool too, after the first five songs it really picked up to something special.
My seat turned out to be great too, I was about 12 rows back on the right side of the centre section, which put me at about eye level with the boys on stage. I could see a bunch of my fellow tailgaters down in the ultra-reserved pit in front of the stage (at least 4 of them had front row seats!). Gary and Jake, who were in the front row, did me an amazing favour that I am so fucking grateful for. I took the larger of my two Canadian flags and wrote "Happy Canada Day! From: Spage, Vancouver, BC" on it and gave it to Jake.
Part way into the set, when both security guards in front of him went down, he tossed it up on stage for me. One of the stage crew picked it up and put it at the base of Carter's drum kit and then one of the camera guys saw it and filmed it! I was so fucking happy! I was really hoping they'd say something about Canada Day, but I think that was pushing my luck. Post-show in the parking lot was also a good little party, and I pulled into my hotel at about 3:30 this morning. I am so ready for Night 2.
Alpine Valley is definitely a rocking venue and I am now in danger of having to come back next year. It's huge, and the lawn, while massive, is at a steep enough angle that lack of visibility is not an issue. The energy from the crowd is insane and they were definitely one of the best crowds I've encountered as far as respect goes too.
We had a huge group of tailgaters at our gathering under three shade tents and a merciful breeze helped us defeat the blazing heat. And of course, as usual, I met a bevy of awesome people. The show itself was pretty freaking cool too, after the first five songs it really picked up to something special. 
My seat turned out to be great too, I was about 12 rows back on the right side of the centre section, which put me at about eye level with the boys on stage. I could see a bunch of my fellow tailgaters down in the ultra-reserved pit in front of the stage (at least 4 of them had front row seats!). Gary and Jake, who were in the front row, did me an amazing favour that I am so fucking grateful for. I took the larger of my two Canadian flags and wrote "Happy Canada Day! From: Spage, Vancouver, BC" on it and gave it to Jake. 
Part way into the set, when both security guards in front of him went down, he tossed it up on stage for me. One of the stage crew picked it up and put it at the base of Carter's drum kit and then one of the camera guys saw it and filmed it! I was so fucking happy! I was really hoping they'd say something about Canada Day, but I think that was pushing my luck. Post-show in the parking lot was also a good little party, and I pulled into my hotel at about 3:30 this morning. I am so ready for Night 2.
Posts
