So, Rhiannon, my BFF, and I decided to take a couple of days off of work to head down to the festival. Never been to one before, we were worried about Rhiannon getting into the show without a badge. But that didn't stop us from going. We knew deep down that as long as we made it to the festival, we would have a great time. I mean, wherever we go, we always have a good time together. :) We arrive at lunch time and we immediately go to the venue where Tori was playing. I see a few people camping out and I assume they are die-hard Tori fans. I go to speak with them to ask them some questions on what to expect, etc. They had pre-packed all their meals for the day and were ready to wait. They, like Rhiannon, had no credentials and hoped that the venue would open up some tickets for the general public. We get the idea that we should probably wait in line too. We headed to Shady Grove on Barton Springs to grab lunch. I was reluctant because Rhi said they have a "Veggie Menu." I immediately think to myself, "UH OH...nothing but tree-huggin' hippies." We get a primo spot on the patio. We share chips and queso and indulge in some fantastic beverages. I roll my sleeves up above my shoulders and for the first time this season, my arms feel the warm sun. In that moment, I realized what a great time we were going to have.
We check into the hotel, rest and get cleaned up. La Zona Rosa was our destination for the evening. We find great parking and make our way to the venue.
We notice there are already a few people gathering outside but only a few have SXSW credentials. We are approached by "DOR," short for Dorothy. We learn that Dorothy is the ring leader of Tori's biggest fans in which Rhi and I named, the "TerriTORIals." More on that in a second. Dorothy, Dorothy. She calls the shots and the order in the line. After introductions, she begins to tell me that I'm fourth in line and that's when I notice something ain't right. She's shaky, moving a quarter of an inch to the left, then to the right. She's drunk. It's 3:00 in the afternoon, Tori goes on at 10:00 and she's drunk. "HOLY SHIZ" I think to myself. Rhi and I share a chuckle.
Rhi and I walk around to check things out. Fortunately, there was a convenient grocery store across from the venue. We stocked up on last minute snacks, water and watch the rest of the "TerriTORIals" begin to gather. I start to notice something very odd to me. I begin to recognize a lot of the faces of the "TerriTORIals." At home, I have a DVD of one of Tori's concerts. At the beginning of the DVD is an intro where the camera crew interviews some of Tori's fans. They talk about how this is their 127th show. Some had even reach 300 shows. Fascinating, because here they stand before me. They are all connected. They are all friends. And they all meet up at Tori Amos concerts. Rhi and I start to put the pieces together. These people are crazy.
After a very long, hot and annoying wait, the doors open. I'm second in the door. I claim front row, middle. Motivated to stay put for the three bands before Tori, I tell myself, NO PEE BREAKS, NO DRINK BREAKS! If I moved, my space would be lost. This concert was Universal's Showcase. So all bands are signed and their songs are becoming mainstream. Translation - all talent was legit. The three hours flew by. I managed to overcome the fighting, the bitching, and the crying of the "TerriTORIals." All of them are bitter, clawing their way to the front. Luckily, the guy next to me, a rocker from Chicago, I had an alliance with. Elbow to elbow no matter what.
Then comes Perez Hilton. He's also a Tori fan and got the privilege to introduce her. Tons of press. This is Tori's first show in months so everyone is trying to get the best shot. Perez says, "Here she is, one of the most influential artists of all time. Ladies and gentlemen, Tori Amos." "HOLY SHIZ" as my heart pounds.
She walks onto the stage. Bright red hair. Beautiful makeup. She's angelic. Peaceful and confident. I'm in the front row. I can see her fingernails. I can see the movement of her fingers and for a moment I get lost looking at her hands. Getting a close-up view of what it takes to play her music. I'm taking picture and video the entire time. She plays about nine songs and the packed house is eating it up. A few tear-jerk moments in Cloud on My Tongue and Silent All These Years. She finishes her set and spreads love throughout the venue by waving goodbye and placing her hands across her heart. The show is over. I tell the crew striking the stage, "throw me the set list." The stage hand pulls up the set list, closes his eyes and tosses the piece of paper into the crowd. Just before it is tossed. I get a good look at that piece of paper. I feel that piece of paper. I visualize that paper in my hand. However, I wasn't near where he was about to throw it. As the set list is tossed, my hand stretches out. The paper catches a pocket of air and shuffles it to the left and I snatch that paper out of the sky. "HOLY SHIZ!" It worked. Again. The Law of Attraction. I clumsy get the paper into my pocket to ensure no one can get it. And I notice the crowd is dissipating.
I think to myself, "OK Jeff, this is her first show in several months. It's a very intimate setting. If there's ever a chance to meet her, this is it." Rhi and I follow the TerriTORIals to the back. God love Rhi. She's so patient. We've been on our feet for hours, we can't even feel our knees. We wait in the back of the venue hoping to catch a glimpse. What seemed like an hour, she comes out. There is a hush through the crowd. No yelling. No screaming fans. It's peaceful. She seems humbled. I hold the set list out that I caught, in hopes she'll see it and perhaps sign it. She signs the lanyard of the guy next to me. I visualize her coming to me. I visualize an autograph. I see her look at the set list. She recognizes it and turns to me. "What's your name?" she says. "I'm Jeff. This is my first experience on the front row of one of your concerts." She shakes my hand and recognizes the set list. "Oh, you got it. You got the set list." I ask her to sign. She asks someone for a pen and signs, "To Jeff, Love Tori Amos." "So nice to finally meet you," I say. "Would you mind taking a picture with me?" "Not at all," she replies. Rhiannon takes our picture. "HOLY SHIZ!!!!!!!" Did that just happen? Did I tell her she was my inspiration? Did I say thank you? I collapse into Rhi. I feel the moment. I feel the sensation of meeting someone who inspires you. I'm alive. Buzzing. Law of Attraction on my mind. I remember posting to my Facebook the day before, "I'm heading to SXSW to see Tori Amos. My goal is to meet her." Around midnight, I realize, I did it. I met my goal. I did exactly what I said I was going to do. I think to myself, "I'm one pretty cool guy." I begin to regain confidence. I see myself as others see myself. I am getting back to who I was. Always following my heart and letting fate to the rest. I gain valuable momentum. A natural high. I think to myself what else can the Law of Attraction do for me? I self-reflect and Rhi comforts my shock.
After a nice brunch at Magnolia Cafe on SoCo, Rhi and I head home. Just north of Austin, I turn on the radio. Not familiar with the stations, I press the scan button. I hear a brief riff on the piano. It's TORI! She's playing a live, day show for the radio. Playing songs from the night before along with some of my favorites. 1,000 Oceans. Very emotional. My eyes let the tears go. Rhi's hand on my shoulder. We listened to speak about the music and what's next to come. By this point, we're almost to Temple and the signal is fading. She closes with Silent All These Years. Last seconds of the song, the signal is lost. I melt in my Jetta. A perfect ending to a perfect trip. I am thankful for the experience and will cherish it for the rest of my life.
