After letting us German fans wait for what felt like years, Saturday, the 22nd June had finally come. I got up quite early in my opinion and caught the train that would bring me so much nearer to my idols.
The concert took place in Hamburg in a small club-like venue called “Docks” right on the famous and notorious Reeperbahn. Unfortunately, and I don’t want to insult anyone’s interests, there was a huge Harley-Davidsson club meeting with open-air concerts. (For all the ones who don’t know what Harley-Davidsson is, it’s a chopper which can be easily mistaken for a tank. Yes, it is that big.) So, while we waited we were surrounded by loud engine noise and fumes but I think, that all didn’t quite matter because we were seeing Paramore soon. I had the great oppoturnity to get in contact with two girls standing behind me, who I met while going to the venue, so the wait didn’t hurt so bad. It was fun discussing over merch, the setlist and of course, Hayley’s outfit.
The show started around 7 pm and we got to entry one hour earlier. As I said, the venue was small, so that 1,700 people had room there but in my opinion, it was just perfect. “Docks” had a little balcony where you could also stand and watch the show but I decided to go right into the crowd. I am pretty small and I was very happy when I found a place near to the stage where I could actually see a thing.
As finally the lights went out, the crowd welcomed Paramore’s support band “Dutch Uncles” from Manchester. Their music was a mixture of indie- and pop-music and their set took about one hour. After Dutch Uncles left the stage and the crew built up Paramore’s equipment and tuned their instruments, you could literally feel the excitement of the crowd. This feeling showed up especially when a crew-guy tested the drums. With each drum-beat you have found the people cheering and clapping to the beat. It was really fun. Because of the small size of the venue and the closeness of all the people, it heated up. It was so unbelievably hot that the security started to throw open water bottles and hand out many, many cups of water. With the help of the folks around, I was lucky to get to drink a bit, otherwise I think I would have fainted. And let me tell you, I never faint.
Once again, the lights went out. But now for the main reason we were all coming there that night. Paramore. The crowd went crazy and still in the dark you could here the first melodies. On an ukulele. We all knew right away which song would come. Hayley and Taylor started the gig with Moving On, leading into Misery Business. The sound was awesome as always and one thing that I really appreciate is that Paramore sounds exactly the same wether you hear a LP or live. I couldn’t really believe that I was there. Seeing Paramore, hearing their wondeful music that means just so much to me. I waited more than 3 years for this event to happen and I finally did it. The crowd sang so loud along every song and we danced and we cheered, it was such an incredible feeling that no words can describe.
Unfortunately, I don’t quite remember the exact order of the setlist but it was a perfect mix of old and new songs such as Ain’t It Fun, Looking Up, For a Pessimist and, old but gold, Whoa. When you are a Paramore fan, which I assume, you all know this song and you know just how much it is a song written for the crowd. When the chorus set it in the whole crowd started to scream as loud as they can, from the top of their lungs. Woah, woah, woah. It was incredible. After a couple of songs, Hayley started to talk to us. That it was her dad’s birthday and that just the night before, Paramore played as a support of Muse in Paris. She said that they never played infront of so many people before but she would never trade it for playing in a small, sweaty club with a few, true, die-hard Paramore fans. And, as you might imagine, that flattered us.
Another highlight on this evening was Anklebiters where Hayley would chose a few people to join her on stage. While choosing, one girl screamed that it was her birthday, too so we all started to sing a little birthday song for her. The band closed their set with Still Into You but after loudly cheered and screamed “One more song” chants, they entered the stage again. After playing two more songs, Proof and the final closing with Brick By Boring Brick, the concert was officially over.
I was so sweaty but it was definitely worth it. This evening is the best that I’ve ever had and I couldn’t have imagined my first Paramore concert any better. I still can’t put in words what I felt and what a magical atmosphere it was. Hayley, Taylor and Jeremy killed it and I am so, so thankful for that I could be there. I was so incredibly happy.
After that concert I had the quick idea to go behind the venue to see if there is maybe a band member. And there she was. I couldn’t believe that I was standing right in front of Hayley Williams. My idol. She had to go to the tour bus but a few fans followed her. I wasn’t quite sure if it’s okay to follow her, too but I just took the plunge and followed her as well. And I’m so glad I did this, it was definitely the right decision because, guys, I actually talked to her!!! Of course, I told her that her music meant everything to me, that it helped me and, to be completely honest here, saved my life. She listened and thanked me for being a fan, supporting her, Jeremy and Taylor. Unfortunately, she hadn’t had any time for taking photos or even signing stuff, but for me it was okay.
I will never ever in my life forget this moment and of course the concert. I cannot ask for anything more and I never imagined my first Paramore concert any better. It was my definition of perfect.
– Saskia
