I've been sitting on writing this blog post because writing it means I would have to admit to myself that it's over, and I just haven't been ready. It's been over a week however, and it's time to let go...
Just like the other three concerts I've been to in the span of June and July, I waited a week (or in this case, more than a week) to write a blog post, because PCD (post concert depression) is much too strong, but now is the time. Now moving onto what this blog post is really about.
PopTarts #CrazyGoodSummer is the last installment of the ever-so-exciting #CatsSummerofConcerts series, and boy, was it an incredible to end it. First and foremost, I got these tickets for free. Yes, you read that correctly, FREE. Completely, 100% free. No money was spent on this show whatsoever. All you needed was a code and a TicketMaster account and you were set. The downside to this show was that it was first come, first serve, meaning that even though you have a ticket, entry was not guaranteed. Bummer right? It stressed my friend and I out for the entire two weeks we waited for this show to happen. Rixton, Jhené Aiko, and Jessie J were the line up and we couldn't be more excited. (You all know how much I love Rixton)
The show was Friday, July 24, 2015 and my friend Mariana and I had planned to get the the venue, The Masonic Center in San Francisco, around 11 am and wait (and wait and wait and wait), but the day before the show, I saw that Rixton, Jhené, and Jessie J were tweeting out an address for a "hang out" at 10 am at a Lucky's Supermarket on the day of the show. Needless to say, it kinda ruined our plans. No big deal though, because we did really want to meet them. I begged my parents to wake up early and take me. It stressed me out so much because our plans changed. Would it mean we might not get into the show tonight? Would we know right away? Would we still have to wait all day to know? It felt like a million questions similar to those were pressing me into the ground, but we still went.
It was about 9:50 am when I got to Lucky's. There was a line of about 100 people in front of me, none of which was my friend. I called her and called her but there was no answer. Finally she picked up and we determined that she wouldn't make it on time to Lucky's so my mom jumped in line to get all the cool stuff for her. When the line started moving, and we got closer to the front, we were guided to a PopTarts decorated van, where we were handed PopTarts (the first of the day). Once we got our PopTarts, we were led into the Lucky's, handed posters, and were told to leave all belongings on a table. I peeked inside and saw the six of them sitting behind a long table, cuing in my mind that it wasn't a meet and greet but just a signing. I wanted to vlog the experience but everything was moving so fast that I didn't get a chance to even turn my camera on. Let me just say that Rixton, Jhené, and Jessie J looked extremely overwhelmed. Everything just moved so fast that I honestly don't remember much of it. There wasn't even enough time for my brain to process what was happening. I met Danny's girlfriend Jenny though! She was really cute.
Since my friend didn't make it to the so-called "hang out," she opted to go to the venue first and wait in line. She called me when she got there and told me there were only about 20 people in front of her and I honestly didn't believe her, it was about 11 am by then. How could only 20 people be there? I left the "hang out" and headed for the venue. When I got there, there really was only 20 people in line in front of her. The line had grown since we spoke, but not significantly. She told me when I got there that I just missed Rixton and that they came out of their cars to say hello and take pictures. OF COURSE. It was fine though. I had just met them (kind of) and hour ago and got their autographs. I sat with her in line, on the steepness of California Street. It was horribly unnatural to be sitting the way we were, but we endured. About 30 minutes after getting there, they let us wait inside, where they had activities for us to do, but make sure you save your spot in line because when you leave the line your spot isn't guaranteed! Which is what they reiterated over and over and over again.
Once we were inside, none of the activities were actually opened. They were giving away tee shirts, which you could have cut and designed, "hair and makeup" which was really just getting color hairspray sprayed into you hair and airbrush tattoos, and karaoke. Oh, and of course, they had endless supplies of PopTarts.
We took pictures with a PopTart too lol
I wanted to do karaoke really really badly, but it wasn't time yet, so Mar and I sat in line. For hours no one new came into the waiting area. I started to get kind of suspicious, because that's the kind of person I am, but I knew that a show was going to happen. It was 1 pm by now and we were hungry, and when you can't leave somewhere, GrubHub is your best friend, as it was ours that day. We ordered food from this little diner and continued playing the waiting game for the next hour. We finally got our food and halfway through grubbing, they called for karaoke. The MC asked who would like to do it and OF COURSE I jumped at the opportunity. I was the first one to sing, I sang Hotel Ceiling, check it out here! People were coming out from backstage and every corner possible when I was singing. It was cool. People took pictures too. I got a standing ovation (yay me lol) and it was great.
About 5 minutes after I sang, a lady with a box and a lanyard around her neck that read "PopTarts All Access" came up to me. She told me her name was also Caitlyn, cool, and that she really enjoyed my singing. She asked me if I wanted Meet and Greet passes and I almost passed out. I told her of course and she gave one to my friend and I. They also gave me a selfie stick which was awesome because I really wanted one, but I'm not trying to drop $20, ya feel? I was internally crying and called my mom to tell her. She wasn't that happy for me, but whatever.
From then on, that MC was obsessed with me. He asked me like 10 times after I sang if I would sing again, to each time I respectfully declined, because I wanted to give others the opportunity. Another three hours passed and it was time to go to another line for meet and greet. It was supposed to start at 6, but Rixton soundchecked late so the meet and greet started late. It was fine though. We received wristbands what guaranteed us a spot in the General Admission Pit, where my friend and so I desperately wanted to be. When the meet and greeted started, we were rushed. What's new??? We had to share our picture with another two girls, no big deal, and after we took it, we were ushered away.
Here's our Meet and Greet photo! (LEWI'S ARM IS AROUND ME)
We made our way down to the pit and let me just say, I am so thankful for that ugly fluoro orange wristband. We were second/third row away from the barricades on the left side of the stage and I was completely satisfied. The show started late because everything started late. Rixton was up first and they never fail to put on an incredible show. I was just disappointed that they didn't play "Hotel Ceiling" (or any of my other favorite songs but whatevs). The girl in front of me got the setlist and I took a picture with it lol
Jhené was incredible. She's so cute I just wanna hug her. Her set was really good. There was a drunk girl behind me that kept trying to dance on me during Jhené but it was nothing the trustee ol' elbows couldn't take care of ;-). Next up was Jessie J. That woman is pure talent. Talk about voice goals. Her set was incredible. I was literally in awe the entire time over how incredible she is. PopTarts made the three artists do a song together, called "Sorry to Interrupt" and it's actually really good. They played it live and it WAS LIVE. Jessie J closed out her set and it was time to go home. I was really sad because this was seriously the best concert experience I've had this summer. Not the best show, of course, but definitely the best overall experience.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
This concert definitely gets a 10/10. Major kudos to PopTarts for putting this entire thing together and giving us this incredible experience for free. They gave us so many freebies, and an unforgettable experience. Which brings me back to what I wrote first in this post. I am still not ready to let go. I loved this show so much I just cannot let go yet. It was definitely the best way to end my summer. <3
Watch My PopTarts #CrazyGoodSummer Vlog!
Watch Me Perform "Hotel Ceiling" at PopTarts #CrazyGoodSummer Here!
Thanks so much for reading!
Oh, also, there was no setlist rundown/reaction because all I can't remember the sets I'm sorry. That's my favorite part too :-/
Love, Cat
#CrazyGoodSummer :-)
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