Hey guys! I just woke up and I wanted to get my memories of the show down so I don't forget them.. So here's a long rambling of what I remember from the Sonar show:


My husband and I got there at about 6am. Everyone was lined up on the side of the building at first, but then we all moved to the front. Everything was great until the sun came up over the buildings So hot!!

I met a lot of great people in line, including a few from the forums. When the autograph session started, they took people in groups of 5 or so at a time (I was the 27th person in line). They were selling merchandise at the door in case anyone needed something official to sign. They said that only official VAMPS merchandise could be signed, but I know someone got their HYDE greatest hits cd signed. I had my poster that came with the VAMPS album, and my husband brought the album itself.

When I walked up to them, they were sitting behind a table and it was very dark! I was completely flustered, so I didn't get to say much, but I said "Hi" and they both said "Hi" back. I put the poster down and Kaz grabbed it and started signing it. While he did that, I glanced up at Hyde and noticed that he was staring at me... I held out my hand and he shook it - I had a huge smile on my face, and he was smiling back. Then Kaz slid the poster over to Hyde and I took that time to shake Kaz's hand and say "Thank you so much", which he repeated back. When Hyde finished, I said "Thank you so much for coming" and he said, very quietly, "Thank you so much". Then I wandered off with really weak knees... The signatures got a little blurred because the poster rolled back up while the ink was still wet, but it's not too bad.

The staff did a great job keeping the line in check, so I got right back to my place in line. I walked with a few others to the BCC to get the Otakon badges, which was a huge pain in the neck (it was all so unorganized). Then we got back to Sonar and waited for the show. My husband walked off looking for a bathroom at one point, and said that he could hear them inside practicing "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds".

They started letting people in at about...7:45? By this time I was really really hot and tired...I didn't know if I'd have any energy for the show at all. We got in there, and I got a spot right in front of Ju-ken's mic (which I made a point to do because he was extremely fun to watch at the Columbia show).

It took the band FOREVER to come out on stage. At one point, I noticed that the band came out and were looking and pointing at the banner that everyone had signed earlier (it was hanging on a wall to the right of the stage). I think they even took pictures standing in front of it. At about a quarter after 9 or so, the band came on.

Unfortunately, by that time, I was so hot and sweaty that I was feeling really sick. There was a girl to my left who started moshing, which was really annoying (she kept rubbing up against my side and swinging her head so that her long hair hit everyone in the face). I saw a few people being deliberately mean and elbowing people, but it wasn't like what I heard about the NY show.

I stayed near the front as long as I could (probably about 6-7 songs or so), but then had to move to the side, which still had a great view, thankfully, and wasn't crowded at all. I was able to get some water from the staff, which helped a lot. I wish I could have spent more time enjoying the show rather than feeling hot and sick, but I suppose it was better than passing out (which I saw a few people do).

On the first MC, Hyde mentioned that this was the last show on the east coast, but he told us not to worry because they'll take care of us. Later on in the show, Hyde walked up to the mic and said:

"Did you eat crabs?"
...
"Did you eat?"
...
"Me, too"

The crowd went nuts. Btw, his English was very good at this show.

Anyway, one of my favorite performances of the night was "Hunting" (they turned on the lights over the crowd and the band ran up to the edge of the stage with their hands over their eyes as if they were searching for someone). It was great. I also loved the way they played "Lucy" - they sped up the chorus quite a lot!

Hyde took his shirt off for the encore, which I figured he'd do since it was so bloody hot in that place. I got an excellent view of all of his tattoos and piercings, although I don't think he was wearing a navel ring? His pants kept sliding down a bit (I was talking to a girl after the show who said that she was happy to note that Hyde wears Vivienne Westwood underwear ).

So, all in all - despite the long wait and the heat and sweat, the show was AWESOME.