Paramore at the royal albert hall

Hi so I went to see paramore. I promise I will stop going on about it soon. At the royal Albert Hall. I know very fancy. I did question how that would go because The Royal Albert Hall and Paramore don't automatically go together. Its a place you associate it more with things like the BBC Proms.

But ironically it turned out to be the perfect place for them. I did go in the RNIB box so if you want a review of that, I did a review for the cvi society blog that I have over there -
I know this is a little late after the show, what a week or two, but I've been working on another paramore post that should be out around the same time as this.

I was originally sat in the disabled area and then I got the RNIB box tickets and as I knew my friend wanted go but didnt get tickets, who is also disabled, I asked him if he wanted to go. Even if we wouldn't be sat together, we would go out to eat first and then travel there and back.

We met at TGI Fridays in our local town because last time I arranged to have dinner in london before the concert I ended up missing one of the support acts. Also the prices, and service charge, is double. So we went to TGI Fridays and what happened as soon as my starter came out, I got it down my top. I also happened to be wearing a white crop top. Well done me! It was bruschetta so it left a massive stain down my top and so my mum spent 10 minutes wiping my shirt with baby wipes. Typical! I ended up deciding to buy a top from the merchandise, which they tweeted about what they had before , so I ate my dinner. We had a really lovely meal out. Then we got the train to london and got a taxi to Royal Albert Hall. The taxi ride was lovely, we drove through Hyde Park. It was really lovely as it was hot so everybody was out in Hyde Park. I mean the heat though also was so hot that people were sweating when we got into the Royal Albert Hall. The security at the show was super tight, you were only  allowed to enter the door stated on your ticket, which confused a lot of the staff when our tickets said two different doors. We also got bag searched and wanded. I always worry when they use the wand because my head has, not metal but foreign, equipment in. I mean my shunt has never made a scanner buzz before but I always hold my breath a little.

But we got through then we went to see our seats and then we went to go get some merchandise as I was self conscious of my shirt. I bought the tour dates shirt and the hard times t-shirt. I also got a poster which has touch wood finally stuck on my wall. One thing I must note, when I went to the bathroom to change my shirt I went in the disabled toilet and it was so blocked it was quite disgusting. We did report it to staff but still. Why is is that the disabled toilets are always in the worst hygiene standard? Who goes in there and makes it that filthy? It confuses me, how they're left to get in that state. Especially for people who actually need those toilets.

Then we got our drinks and by the time we got to the front of the queue, Kev, my mum and I were sweating. We then went to our seats. We took Kev to his seat and then we went to ours.

First up was bleached and Ive found in everywhere I've been in terms of concert venues I can never really get in to the support acts because I cant really hear. Like the sound always seems a bit off. Almost like they're figuring it out for when the artist comes on.
Then the main event Paramore came on at about 9:30 and from when they came on it just seemed to whizz by. I had my mum recording songs and taking pictures.  They played a real selection of all albums. Zac played his song Scooby in the back. I love his song Mountain, to be honest I couldn't really hear when they did Scooby in the Back. Weirdly enough. There was also a cover of Everywhere by Fleetwood Mac. When they sang Turn It Off though I did start to get a bit teary eyed because that album, I've talked about it enough, is an album that remains close to my heart. When I was in my lowest points. I related to the lyrics so much and to hear it then when I am in such a better place with my best friend who was there for me through it all. I felt like I had almost come full circle.
It was a moment for me but if ever they played misguided ghosts is when I'll end up full on sobbing.
What I love about Paramore's shows is that level of energy they have, they give each show everything they've got. The sense of community at their shows, they pulled up not just one but about 4 people to sing misery business. The roar of the crowd along with Hayley when she says 'We Are Paramore'. Because this band is family. People come to escape from everyday reality for a couple of hours to have fun be around strangers and friends alike. A place where everyone bonds over their love of music and a love of this band. Where anything outside doesn't matter. What matter is that you have a damn good time.

So I could go on forever about my love for paramore and I have tried to summarise it up in a separate post. Thats if I post it, it is a bit emotional. I also have a blog on the cvi society where I wrote about the venue itself, the royal albert hall.

So I don't know what the future holds for paramore. I hope its good. They deserve it but if they decide to end it here, I'm okay with that. I wouldn't want people to do something they don't love anymore, if it hurts too much. Because overall thats what I want for this band, to be happy. But obviously I'd love a new album and tour as well. I am determined to sing misery business!

Thank you for an amazing show Paramore.

Hope you enjoyed this, sorry its so long after I went to see them but other things got in the way.
Until next time.
Sophie

Some pictures -

Yeah this was taken on my phone so it's a bit blurry.

My mum always seems to take a picture of me, serious face. I think I still have the photo from the first paramore show. I was red in the face from screaming with excitement. 

Still into you

So today I want to talk to you about paramore. This band. Its hard to explain. Okay so I went to see Paramore at the royal albert hall in the RNIB box and if you want a review of that I have one on the CVI Society. So I have seen paramore 3 times, I wish it were more, but each time beats the last. There shows are something to be seen. They bring a sense of unity and joy. Like all troubles are left at the door.  As everyone can probably guess, they are my favourite band, have been since I was 12. There music is something I can always come back to and has helped me through a lot of hard times. Great pun Sophie. So witty. For me paramore are one of those occasions you cant pinpoint the moment, like the moment I first started listening to them or when I started to really like them. I just remember afterwards if that makes sense. I do know it was around the time I started getting into Twilight, I know but I loved them not just because of that. I remember visiting my brother when he first moved up north, it was just my mum and I and we were going out to dinner with him and his family. We ended up going shopping and I found Brand New Eyes. I know I listened to their albums backwards. I can't remember how I got riot. Then about a year later I got All We Know Is Falling as a secret santa present from one of my classmates.  In 2010 I was originally going to go to t4 on the beach, if you don't know what that is where were you? But I ended up being really ill so I ended up not going and having to sell my tickets. But around August/September Paramore announced they were touring and would play the 02 arena. I came home from school one day to a note pinned to my wardrobe. My mum had brought tickets. I mean I flipped out. When we went to the concert we actually ended up being really late, we missed f.u.n and we nearly missed B.O.B. Who when Hayley Williams came out to sing Airplanes I just started screaming. Like good screaming. I mean when paramore came on to perform I preceded to scream the whole concert. The people next to me were laughing because I was so excited. Safe to say I have gotten better at going to concerts. But an amazing thing about Paramore and something that I have always admired, is there ability to carry on. As a month after was when Josh and Zac left, which at the concert you would never have known. And it later transpired that it was something planned for a year before hand. I admired there ability to still put on a good show and you never knowing off these great tensions. I mean there was tension but you would not of guessed it would have ended in half  the band leaving.

I did wonder if paramore would continue and they did. Jeremy, Taylor and Hayley went and created the self titled era which I think after brand new eyes was exactly what was needed. I needed it. As at the time was when things kind of exploded in my life and I was picking up the pieces. Almost mirroring the situation of the band, their world had exploded and they needed to pick up the pieces. I loved the interludes. They almost had a hopefulness to them that I needed at the time. There was still pain but learning to move forward.

I went with my best friend to see paramore the next time they came back. 3 years later. I remember people used to question why I liked this band. People used to think I was strange. But they were a constant. School was not. I ended up making my friend a big fan of them. So we went and again you would never have told of any inner turmoil of the band.
Then about a year after, Jeremy left the band. To be honest I didnt really look into why he left. I know there is a legal case and to be honest thats really sad. For everyone involved.
That was when I really wondered whether paramore would come back and well they took 4 years out. In that time I grew up a lot and in terms of paramore Zac came back. They seemed to tease Zac's presence on the album and then when the announcement that he was joining paramore again. I was thrilled. I've always thought, besides my own brother. He is one of the best drummers I've heard.
Then soon after there was After Laughter. I feel although its beat it peppier, the lyrics are almost heavier then self titled era. Its almost like they've realised that they might never let go of the pain of the past so they're learning to deal with it.
I watched the beats interview and it was so fascinating hearing similar problems with friends and being your own person. Finding your place. It was something a lot of people struggle with. Losing friends and dealing with that. Depression and anxiety. Seeing this band you've kind of grown up with, its nice to see them deal with them. That it only makes you human. Then the fader interview came out with Hayley and it almost reiterated why I love this band. I find it hard to sum up. But then again I wrote all this so yknow there are some words.

I guess thats all I have to say really. This is my gushing about Paramore. If anyone tells you what you like is stupid or weird. Punch them in the face. No don't do that I'm kidding!! Know that that passion is unique and that love is amazing. What makes you different is amazing. As my mum often says to me, its what makes you you. And it would be pretty boring if we were all the same. Its true when Paramore calls it a family. I feel a part of something. Cringe I know. One day though that uniqueness and passion will help and work in your favour. It will give you something amazing. So don't let anyone tell you crap about anything if its important and special to you. Being different is cool. Being you is the only person you can be.
Hope you enjoyed because I did! I could talk about Paramore, and Orphan Black for hours, days even!

* So I wrote this right after I went to see Paramore and before news broke that Chester Bennington from Linking Park tragically committed suicide. Mental health is a serious issue, worldwide. Bands and music are a way of dealing and coping for some people but we must not forget about the mental health of the band itself. Nobody knows what happens behind closed doors, for anybody. We need to end the stigma, which I think we are slowly doing. But also offering better help and giving people advice. Before its too late.  And if you are struggling with your mental health. There is help out there.
- http://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help-you/what-speak-us-about/what-if-i-have-mental-health-issues

Sophie