Never A Silent Night

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People overuse the word EPIC all the time. Its gotten to the point that they use it to describe any cool thing. In the webster dictionary epic (adj.) is defined as the following:

1 : of, relating to, or having the characteristics of an epic
2 : extending beyond the usual or ordinary especially in size or scope

I’m going to use that word now, not because I just feel like describing 30 Seconds to Mars shows as epic but because I truly believe that is the only appropriate adjective that would ring true for this band. They go above and beyond the normal expectations to put on the greatest show on earth (thats right Barnum and Bailey, move on over 30STM have got this covered). 30 Seconds to Mars shows are EPIC.

There were four shows planned in NYC for this week to celebrate 30STM’s setting of the Guinness World Record for the most shows played for any cycle of one album as well as the end their current tour. The guys had been on the road for over two years putting it all out on the stage to perform over 309 shows in that amount of time. There were two full band rock the heck out shows at the large capacity Hammerstein Ballroom and two more intimate acoustic shows at the church St. Peter’s in Chelsea (the shows were dubbed Church of Mars shows). I was lucky enough to attend 3 out of the 4 shows, which makes up for the many shows in Seattle that I missed (insert sad face here).

I’m going to break this down into each night because otherwise it will all be a blur (it will be anyway but yeah). So here is the post for night 1, also known as White Night.

December 6, 2011: White Night
The first show was December 6th and the guys decided to make it a theme night, this particular night was “White Night” later called “Night of the White Shadow” when the poster was released (the guys take pictures of the audience during shows and release them as limited edition merch items). I am not really one to wear white and the theme was announced after I left for NYC, but since this week was all about the experience I went out and bought some white clothes. No party popper here, I was in for the full experience. No holding back.

Let me just say, going to a 30 Seconds to Mars show is like going to battle, you better be prepared to come out bruised and battered yet extremely happy. When I got to the venue the line was 5 so far down the street you couldn’t see the venue anymore. So you can imagine what it was like once you got in…packed! The opener, Skyler Grey, did a great job of warming up the crowd, my only complaint is she didn’t once tell the audience who she was. good thing I had heard her cd before. After she was off the stage it was just a waiting game, the crowd started to push in to get ready for the guys. Everyone trying to get as close as possible, but politely. Once the lights went off it was every person for themselves because the show had begun and it started with a bang!

The intensity was incredible. Every song was played with heart and there was no holding back. These guys know how to put on a show: confetti, beach balls and inflatable crabs (or lobsters whatevs) fell throughout the night. The only breaks in the full steam ahead extravaganza of a show they were putting on were when Jared popped up in the back of the venue to play a few songs acoustic (this accentuated the fact that he has an amazing voice) and Shannon played L490. Otherwise, the crowd sang, screamed, cheered and danced the entire time. The crowd gives as much energy to the guys as they give to the crowd. Participation is essential to enjoying the show…plus Jared will call you out on that shit. In any case, the end of the show came way to fast. (BTW: Kudos to the lighting guys, you kick butt.)

Here are 10 things that I learned that night during 30STM’s set is:

1. Be prepared to jump when Jared says jump or be trampled by everyone else that is jumping.
2. Girls, don’t bother getting all super cute before the show unless you just like to waste your time. By the end of the show you are a sweaty mess…a happy sweaty mess but a sweaty mess nonetheless. If you are not, then you did not give the show your all.
3. Don’t plan on getting any good pictures of 30STM during the show if you are in the crowd, if you want a good picture your best bet is to just snap away and hope.
4. Jared doesn’t move like Jagger, he moves like Speedy Gonzales at a rave on lots of sugar (read: Jared does not stand still. Also the reason why #3 does not happen).
5. Shannon is so freaking impressive its not even funny. He is a perfect of example of why everyone should love drummers. Without him driving the songs with that beat we’d all look like spazzy monkeys (okay, some of us still look like spazzy monkeys but at least we have a better chance of doing it to a beat).
6. Tomo picks his moments, he’s not all over the place like Jared but don’t forget about him during the show. He has some amazing moments and he is a bad ass guitar player. You will regret it if you don’t ever look his way.
7. When there is a theme night, 30STM fans can go all out. Some scary looking but most definitely cool.
8. Even when there is nowhere to go, the crowd will still continue to surge forward with each and every person trying to get on stage for Kings and Queens. Learn to stand your ground and push back if necessary, if not you will suffer the consequences. (read: Be aggressive but don’t be a dick.)
9. You may not notice it during the show but you will wake up the next morning with bruises if you were anywhere on the floor. The closer you are to the stage the more bruises you will have.
10. At the end of the night you will be sweaty, maybe a little bruised and battered, tired as all f*ck, look a mess, possibly have ripped or torn clothing but you will be smiling. It will ALWAYS be worth it to go to a 30 Seconds to Mars show. ALWAYS.

My only complaint about the night would be the dick who threw paint behind them into the audience. I was covered in it. It was all over my clothes, my sister’s camera (sorry Crys), in my hair and, worst of all, all over my face which included it getting into my eyes. To that person: I get it. It was White Night and you were completely into it and just wanted the crowd to be as into as you were, but next time please remember that you cannot plan where the paint goes and it HURTS LIKE A MOFO when it gets into your eyes.

So ends night 1…on to night 2.