Just a girl in Fresno.

The roaring of the crowds boasted a amicable atmosphere. My mind trying to catch a glimpse of each song, my hips swaying from side to side. My eyes absorbing the bright lights radiating from the stage. I was at the No Doubt concert, in Fresno California. The start of their comeback tour. Elated, I shouted and cheered them on as the curtain dropped and as the band began to play. The music filled up the amphitheatre, and I danced. Yes, I danced. It was hard to believe that a couple days ago, I would receive the invitation that would surely kick start my week. It was a Sunday afternoon, I was contemplating on the week to come. “What to do?” I pondered. Chime, Chime. I glanced over to my computer screen, on the screen was a invitation to the No Doubt concert. “Oh my god“, one of my favorite bands? A concert? And I get to see a friend whom I haven’t seen in ages? Before I knew it, I was hitting the send button-I had said YES. With a cool calm, I chatted about the details, pick up time, and inside I was bubbling. My friend, whom I haven’t seen in years said, “see you then 🙂 ” It was done, I was going to a real live rock concert. Tuesday had come by quickly, waking up in the morning in a chipper mood, grabbed my things and waited outside for my friend. She arrived not to long afterwards, after our greetings we were well on our way to Fresno from Los Angeles. Four hours in the car we caught up on our lives, and recapped memories from our European trip several years back. So good to catch up, so good to see my friend again, it had simply been too long. Several stops, and one vans graffiti announced their plans to head to Fresno for the tour. Small world. We were only halfway, when we saw the bizarre oddity. The green beat up van was covered in what seemed to be pink, green and blue paint markings on the windows. Labeled “No Doubt- Fresno here we come!”. I was tempted to belt out their songs, right then and there. But I refrained, think I will save it for the show. As most concerts do, they always run late so we arrived late with no worries. But as luck would have it, this time. It started early. I had missed the headlining bands, The Sounds and Paramore. They started way earlier than planned, exasperated we hoped we had not missed the entire thing. The lights dimmed and the announcers boomed “Now presenting NO DOUBT!!”. A white sheet was propped on the stage covering from the floor up to the ceiling. The shadows of each band members stretched across the stage as they stood behind the sheet with the lights behind them. After the introductions, the white curtain dropped immediately and the band began playing. I couldn’t believe my eyes, Gwen Stefani was singing pop-electro songs that she is so famously known for. I was here, actually seeing one of my favorite bands on the stage. I shouted, hollered at the end of each song, I even shouted the cliche lines “ENCORE!”. High up in the bleeder seats, rocking out trying to retain my balance. I did not want to be the one that tripped, and fall into a bunch of fans. Not really the ideal concert moment I wanted to experience. Thankfully, my balance was restored and I continued to dance, sing, sign the lyrics to the songs, and cheer. I cannot tell you how wonderful it was to be there, the energy was unbelievable. It is one of those you have to be there to believe it moments. Rightfully so, moments like those are not easily forgotten. As I recall my experience, I can still hear the crowds roaring via hearing aid. My poor little hearing aid was starting to wear out by the end of the show, after a quick battery change, it was recharged. Brilliant screens with the band plastered all over, fantastic video stood behind the band. I was in awe. So much energy radiated from the lead singer herself, vibrant and full of life. She loved this, you can tell by the way she ran into the crowds and chatted with them between songs. ‘Running’ back to the stage with 3 heavy duty bodyguards, she was back on the stage and signs of adoration from the audience ensued. One funny moment, that certainly had me impressed was when a towel was thrown to her face mid song. She simply smiled as she sang, and kept her posture. Not forgetting one line. Now THAT was impressive. A bee, or a towel flies in my face I loose all train of thought. The show was nearing to a end, I didn’t want it to. Honestly I was having the time of my life just being there. High up in the amphitheatre, belting out songs, just letting loose. The montage on the screen replaying home movies of the band during their years of touring was heartfelt and touching as Gwen sang “Running”. Bittersweet, and simply awesome in itself. For a brief moment in time, I wished I was in a band belting out sweet tunes. Cliche, I know. You always hear stories on how just by attending a concert changed a persons life, where they discovered their calling to be a singer. Even though I know my calling lies in writing, and traveling. I still secretly wish, I was her up that stage. As the last song played, elated, tired, oh so many emotions at once, it’s indescribable. Quickly, I rushed to the late night shoppe, and grabbed a No Doubt T-shirt as a souvenir. Perfect, my first rock concert is complete and perfect. We made way for the hotel, around 1 in the morning that included being stuck behind all the cars leaving the parking lot. One of the signs of a good concert is hearing shouts, and hoots as people leave the lot. As I hit my head on the pillow, exhausted and yet in bliss of the remarkable experience I witnessed earlier that day. I will mention this, when we booked the hotel we expected a continental breakfast in the morning. They had said they would have a open buffet in the morning, from 6 to 10 am. So we woke up around 8, headed out to the lobby only to find fresh squeezed orange juice, and muffins. So much for a buffet, they had given us a false hope. I was really looking forward to bagels and cream cheese with a side of apple juice. But alas, I was stuck with Orange juice and Muffins. Oh well, I am just a girl in Fresno heading my way back home.