It’s been..well..FOREVER since I’ve last posted anything here. I try to keep one relevant theme rather than post a bunch of BS that doesn’t pertain to much in particular though I do miss writing and expressing myself so I figured why not? I was in Vegas on the 9th to see David Cook so there would be no better time than now to write a bit about the happenings of the 4 day venture that was Las Vegas.
As most of you know, I used to live in Las Vegas about 3 years ago. That was how I’d first met David, though it was a complete off chance meeting, since it was basically me running through the Mirage Hotel like a crazed TMZ paparazzo. I ran up next to David and had a small exchange of words that I’ll never forget, nor will probably ever have the courage to do again. Since then I’ve been waiting patiently for the chance to go back and relive the luck I’d had in meeting him the first time. I managed to take a day off of work and headed to Vegas, trekking through rain and snow (in the DESERT!) the whole way. The weekend in Vegas was a relaxing one, having been excited just to be out of my routine for a couple days. Though going back brought up a lot of bad memories I had to deal with head on as living there was not only the happiest time of my life, it was also the most emotionally draining. I had been considering not even going as I didn’t want to be there. I just wanted to see David and remind myself that I was happier because of his music. Sure, I don’t know David Cook personally- but his music saved my life one lonely night 3 years ago and brought me some of the best friends I could ask for so the least I can do is support his music any way I can.
I made the venture back to Vegas with my sister in tow once again. I put my car through the wringer having driven 5 hours through rain, snow, and the freezing cold- not to mention 3 stops at various gas stations to refuel along the way. We finally cleared the rain once we made it to the Hoover Dam bypass, though Vegas was still cold and windy, but now at least the sun was shining. Upon arriving at my aunt’s house, we were temporarily locked outside for about 20 mins while we attempted to find the elusive house key that was hidden outside somewhere. After my sister did some sleuthing, we finally found the key and unpacked for the weekend. The rest of the night we just relaxed having been wiped out from the drive. I wanted to be well rested for David’s show, having been not at my prime physical condition with various health concerns as of recent. Luckily, the day of the show my concerns managed to stay tolerable. We woke and got ready, taking note the sky was looking rather dark again and what looked like a massive storm was headed our way. I threw on a couple of layers and we headed up to CVS for some umbrella action as we were ill-prepared for braving mother nature. Once locked and loaded, we jumped on the freeway and headed out to Henderson. While driving, it started to snow! Snowing in Las Vegas. That was definitely a first. Even for me having lived there, it’d never gotten so cold enough to snow! We lucked out again having been driving the opposite direction away from the storm. We made it out to Russell Road and the sky was just starting to go dark with cloud coverage. We parked at the rear of the venue and as soon as we stepped foot outside, the gusty winds chilled my sister and I to the core. It was brutal! I almost decided against going in right away to see if perhaps the weather would change. But knowing the rare breed of David Cook fans that were already parked in front of the stage unyielding in their reserve, forged on to see what kind of spot I could stake a claim on. I managed to be on Neal’s side (stage left) about 3 people deep. (one day, I WILL see David Cook from the front row..though it hasn’t happened yet!) It was a nice vantage point, knowing the radio station that was holding the event was doing interviews with each performer right next to where my sister and I were standing, which meant we’d be the first to see David when he came in to interview. After watching the very talented and very ill (at the time) FeFe Dobson take the stage and own it (despite being sick! Rock on, girl!) David soon came out and did his brief interview with the station. When this transpired, I’d seen him come out and settle in. There was about a 2 minute period where nobody saw him and I managed to sneakily ask my sister to go snap a picture of David before anyone caught on. She obliged and he looked right at us when she took the picture (you will see it uploaded on the gallery page). As soon people took note of our camera being out and pointed at a subject, it was like the flood gates opened and people stampeded around where he was. From then it was impossible to get any more pictures. From where we were we couldn’t really hear the exchange happening between David and the interviewer. So we waited patiently for the stampede to return to their statuesque positions in front of the stage. Some of you should seriously consider a career in bouncing! My god, I’d rather shoot myself in the foot rather than take someone’s spot. I’m a jerk- but not that big of a jerk. So the two girls behind my sister and I that were basically part of our anatomy from being so damn close, take note. I don’t try and spot steal because it’s just plain shitty to do to someone. Don’t try it on me and next time I won’t threaten you with a knuckle sandwich! True I did tell them if they tried to cut me I’d punch them in the face. Yes, that was a jerk move. But don’t do that shit. Seriously. Have some respect for people. You’re not entitled. Ok, so mini rant out of the way, the weather started to clear up and the clouds finally disappeared right before David went on! The station cued up the interview we couldn’t hear and about 10 mins later, David and Co. took to the stage.
I seriously regret when I go to these shows that I’m more preoccupied with getting pictures than to actually enjoy the show. I was frantically snapping away and having my sister record songs so I could TRY and enjoy what I’d driven 300 miles for. Of course when you drag your sister who’s not really a fan along, the pictures and video don’t exactly fall to your standards. God love her for trying, but the videos were not so good. Also, the bass was so loud it blew the speaker on the camera so you can’t really hear much of anything. All the pictures are up on the gallery page as well as my Facebook. It seemed to blow right by. David had an 8 song set and did some amazing covers. If by now you haven’t either heard or seen one of the various versions of ‘Rolling In The Deep’ floating about youtube, check it out below because it IS amazing and you WILL like it.
David did a new track from his forthcoming Sophomore album This Loud Morning which will hit shelves on June 28h. To his most loyal of fans, this song is by no means ‘new.’ He’s played it a number of times at shows prior to this and it is a lyrically charged track called Paper Heart. I do love this song and can not wait to hear the final mix on the album once it’s released! Also of note, David intertwined Champagne Supernova with his own original track Heroes and it was flawlessly executed. One of things that sets David Cook apart from most other artists is his uncanny ability to really hear a song and make it his own. This has been said since his Idol win in 2008, but it really can not be stressed enough. By the end of the song, he had all the attendees singing along.
Another highlight of the show was his other cover of The Cars’ track, ‘Drive.’ The song itself is already dripping in emotion and hearing it live was incredible. If you’ve never been moved to tears by hearing music, then you’re not really living. This song was really interesting not only in hearing it sung by David, but also the fact that he also had a slight interruption towards the end of the song that could not have been timed any perfectly if scripted. As the show was at a venue to raise money for local animal shelters, the pets were out in full force. Some little guy off in the distance decided to bark and it caught us all off guard, even David- who tried endlessly not to break the intensity of the song, but couldn’t help but laugh.
Somewhere in the midst of the set, David brought out his brother Andrew as well as his puppy, Dublin. The rest of the set was filled with the familiar tracks David had played already throughout his 153 city tour in 2009.
After the set concluded, it was a mad dash back to the interview tent to meet him. Unfortunately his handlers once again decided to be stingy with their fan appreciation and only allowed David to say for half an hour after the set. You would have thought since I was close to where he was, I’d manage to get in line quickly and FINALLY talk to him again and get the autograph I still don’t have, but that was to no avail as my sister and I were separated amongst a Jumanji-like stampede of cougars and fangirls clawing at their chance to see David. By the time I finally found the end of the line, I was more than halfway towards the end of it and lost the chance to see him yet again.
In the game of live shows and touring like a real groupie, you win some, you lose some. It’s best to go in large crowds, and the buddy system is your friend. Unfortunately for me, my chance to talk to David was foiled. Here’s to hoping my next endeavor won’t end on a low note.
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