Dallas, TX - April 26

[warren]

Magnificent. Simply magnificent.

Here's a rundown of my experience as a Platinum Pkg Meet & Greet admirer of her work:

Location fiasco - We arrived 2 hours before the 6pm open. For some reason, there were multiple stories on where the VIPs (all packages) entered. There were multiple GA main lines into the venue (at which point when we arrived, the one we were at was less than 10 people), and an entrance labeled 'VIP Entrance' with a blue awning. After speaking with members of the venue, security, LiveNation, and others--it was only after I spoke with one of her VIP Coordinators (Amy) on behalf of the waiting VIPs there that I was able to help get us in through the right entrance. Its nice to help out, and connect with the "right" person for the real answers.

*Removed

VIP Pre-party/check-in - God bless Lizzie Scace. I hope they're paying her an outrageous amount of money to do what she does because she's so hard working, on target, and pretty damn nice. She made the check-in process easy, and where there were gaps (couldn't find the name, major questions, etc.), she was the de facto go to person for us. I won't spoil you on what comes with the packages-but once you're in the venue (VIPs get to hit the merchandise first) and after getting some merch.--getting checked in is icing on the cake. For those of you who are 21 and up, it's pretty kewl at this point.

Again, Lizzie rocks at what she does so if you get a chance to say hello, do so.

After separating the VIPs (Plats vs. Hot/Best Damn) Lizzie then graciously escorted us through the venue across the GA to where the Meet & Greet happens. Lots of "oooos" and "ahhhs" with a TON peeps left and right. Just a taste for later.

Meet & Greet - No need to spoil you on the lineups, rules, and experience here. Trust me, the anticipation is worth the price of admission. I want to give a shout out to her awesome security staff headed by a dude named "John". They were all very professional, courteous, but meant business with securing our goddess's safety to the dot.

"The Best Damn Thing" - Well, I had this whole 30 second speech planned out, but I was pretty much in awe at this point. My wife headed in first and was having her shirt signed by Av when Lizzie asked if I wanted anything signed (Darn! She picked up on we're married, aka separate pics!). I am proud to say in that whole Meet & Greet I was the only one with her CD asking for an autograph. John even asked if that was her CD, and then he smiled like "right on".

Av is just gorgeous in person and appears very shy. I did manage to say thank you Avril when she finished, at which point she courteously responded with a mousy you're welcome

FYI--I really think you get 1-2 minutes with her, but if you don't say anything or take a chance, you're moved along for the next set of fans. So be extremely polite, respect her space, and have one of the coolest moments in your life meeting her.

End of opening/pre Av show - As Platinums, you definitely see the location advantages with regards to where you stand. VIPs are sectioned off literally in what I have read here as the "squish zone" because that's what it becomes. My wife and I witnessed a small catfight right behind us as some less than OC older woman literally pushed her way up to the guard rails, moving all the nice teenie boppers out of the way. It was handled professionally by security. Sadly, it turned out some of those younger girls were not VIPs and had to leave the section. The Plats are definitely a high 5 away from Av's hands where we stood, and the division between Plats and VIPs is not only divided by heavy duty guard rails, but security as well. Very nice.

The music - Spot on. I won't spoil you with what was played, order, call outs--but you truly get to see how gifted our goddess is as a musician, entertainer, and the downright sweet person she is who truly loves what she does as the rocker. The performance was phenomenal with no hiccups or mistakes. The beauty of it: You get to see her play up front, and that voice. Wow. Note for note she didn't waver.

I won't spoil you on her costumes; although, that hoodie on her was delicious from a guys POV. Her quips as an advocate for the superior humana (female) added some nice humor and put more than a few smiles on this goddess's face.


She rocks.

The band - What a great group of rockers who were too, note for note, the foundations to her sound, driving the mood and excitement of Av's music from just loud, screaming, primarily female voices, to roars of applause that literally shook the venue. Nice selection of newer Les Pauls with thunderous beats laid out in Pearl. A shout out for laying out some Linkin Park during an intermission

Her dancers - A truly welcomed complement to her gig and the music, offsetting any rough spots and adding to the excitement of the show. Some of the routines (breaking and coordination) were thrilling to watch-but never distracted you off of Av or the gig. Nice touch.

---
So that's it from me.
We left there feeling very good, worth the price of admission, and she not only exceeds all the purported hype as an artist, but delivers a truly magnificent show. As I've said before, she's truly a gifted artist and I wish her continued success. For you, the reader, have a killer time taking in


The Best Damn Thing.

cheers.






Disclaimer: Cameras. I won't advocate the use of high-end, professional cameras or video recording devices. Personally, capturing her and her performance live in video as a consumer is truly doing her as an artist a disservice. Wait for the DVD. Snapping a few choice moments with a pocket sized digital camera appeared ok--but under no circumstances should you be caught recording her.

[etniesgurl402]

I highly recommend waiting for the DVD because my pictures will not do the show justice. (especially since I have a really crappy camera and the really good pictures didn't turn out) But if you're like me and can't wait here's a link to my pictures on my mom's picasa account.

Picasa Web Albums - Lorie - The Best Damn...



But yeah the show was awesome. I got 2 hot packages for Christmas, so I brought my friend with me. We went at 11 to the will call office and got our tickets then ate and hung out around Dallas. We got back to the venue at about 4:30. There were a few people ahead of us to get in, but we ended up having to go somewhere else for the hot package anyway. Which was a little hectic at first because no one there knew where we were supposed to be. The show was AMAZING and if I tried to explain it anymore than that I wouldn't give the feeling I had being there justice. It was well worth the money and 3 hour drive.

Unfortunately afterwards Avril wasn't able to sign autographs by the bus. The security guards and staff kept telling us that she had left in the first bus out, but most of us didn't believe them because they've pulled that stunt before and bands have come out later.....This time, however they weren't lying haha... about 12 people including my friend and I stayed until thirty minutes past midnight when the the last buses and trucks left.
My last cell phone picture of the night was the abbey dawn bus.


Just got back home. I had SOOOOO much fun!!! Everyone who can should see Avril perform live the energy of the show is just........great.


etniesgurl402

p.s. I loved the pepper jack cheese cubes at the pre-party

EDIT: here's the link to my pics in the avrilbandaids gallery
Avril Lavigne Bandaids: Photo Library - The Best Damn Tour Dallas, TX 4.26.08

[miriam]

Originally Posted by warren

Magnificent. Simply magnificent.

Here's a rundown of my experience as a Platinum Pkg Meet & Greet admirer of her work:

Location fiasco - We arrived 2 hours before the 6pm open. For some reason, there were multiple stories on where the VIPs (all packages) entered. There were multiple GA main lines into the venue (at which point when we arrived, the one we were at was less than 10 people), and an entrance labeled 'VIP Entrance' with a blue awning. After speaking with members of the venue, security, LiveNation, and others--it was only after I spoke with one of her VIP Coordinators (Amy) on behalf of the waiting VIPs there that I was able to help get us in through the right entrance. Its nice to help out, and connect with the "right" person for the real answers.

Funny thing, while trying to track down the right location, some mom caught wind of our conversations and basically handed off her daughter and friend, who followed me pretty much where I went. Turns out both were so front row they could actually touch the stage floor. Nice.

VIP Pre-party/check-in - God bless Lizzie Scace. I hope they're paying her an outrageous amount of money to do what she does because she's so hard working, on target, and pretty damn nice. She made the check-in process easy, and where there were gaps (couldn't find the name, major questions, etc.), she was the de facto go to person for us. I won't spoil you on what comes with the packages-but once you're in the venue (VIPs get to hit the merchandise first) and after getting some merch.--getting checked in is icing on the cake. For those of you who are 21 and up, it's pretty kewl at this point.

Again, Lizzie rocks at what she does so if you get a chance to say hello, do so.

After separating the VIPs (Plats vs. Hot/Best Damn) Lizzie then graciously escorted us through the venue across the GA to where the Meet & Greet happens. Lots of "oooos" and "ahhhs" with a TON peeps left and right. Just a taste for later.

Meet & Greet - No need to spoil you on the lineups, rules, and experience here. Trust me, the anticipation is worth the price of admission. I want to give a shout out to her awesome security staff headed by a dude named "John". They were all very professional, courteous, but meant business with securing our goddess's safety to the dot.

"The Best Damn Thing" - Well, I had this whole 30 second speech planned out, but I was pretty much in awe at this point. My wife headed in first and was having her shirt signed by Av when Lizzie asked if I wanted anything signed (Darn! She picked up on we're married, aka separate pics!). I am proud to say in that whole Meet & Greet I was the only one with her CD asking for an autograph. John even asked if that was her CD, and then he smiled like "right on".

Av is just gorgeous in person and appears very shy. I did manage to say thank you Avril when she finished, at which point she courteously responded with a mousy you're welcome

FYI--I really think you get 1-2 minutes with her, but if you don't say anything or take a chance, you're moved along for the next set of fans. So be extremely polite, respect her space, and have one of the coolest moments in your life meeting her.

End of opening/pre Av show - As Platinums, you definitely see the location advantages with regards to where you stand. VIPs are sectioned off literally in what I have read here as the "squish zone" because that's what it becomes. My wife and I witnessed a small catfight right behind us as some less than OC older woman literally pushed her way up to the guard rails, moving all the nice teenie boppers out of the way. It was handled professionally by security. Sadly, it turned out some of those younger girls were not VIPs and had to leave the section. The Plats are definitely a high 5 away from Av's hands where we stood, and the division between Plats and VIPs is not only divided by heavy duty guard rails, but security as well. Very nice.

The music - Spot on. I won't spoil you with what was played, order, call outs--but you truly get to see how gifted our goddess is as a musician, entertainer, and the downright sweet person she is who truly loves what she does as the rocker. The performance was phenomenal with no hiccups or mistakes. The beauty of it: You get to see her play up front, and that voice. Wow. Note for note she didn't waver.

I won't spoil you on her costumes; although, that hoodie on her was delicious from a guys POV. Her quips as an advocate for the superior humana (female) added some nice humor and put more than a few smiles on this goddess's face.


She rocks.

The band - What a great group of rockers who were too, note for note, the foundations to her sound, driving the mood and excitement of Av's music from just loud, screaming, primarily female voices, to roars of applause that literally shook the venue. Nice selection of newer Les Pauls with thunderous beats laid out in Pearl. A shout out for laying out some Linkin Park during an intermission

Her dancers - A truly welcomed complement to her gig and the music, offsetting any rough spots and adding to the excitement of the show. Some of the routines (breaking and coordination) were thrilling to watch-but never distracted you off of Av or the gig. Nice touch.

---
So that's it from me.
We left there feeling very good, worth the price of admission, and she not only exceeds all the purported hype as an artist, but delivers a truly magnificent show. As I've said before, she's truly a gifted artist and I wish her continued success. For you, the reader, have a killer time taking in


The Best Damn Thing.

cheers.






Disclaimer: Cameras. I won't advocate the use of high-end, professional cameras or video recording devices. Personally, capturing her and her performance live in video as a consumer is truly doing her as an artist a disservice. Wait for the DVD. Snapping a few choice moments with a pocket sized digital camera appeared ok--but under no circumstances should you be caught recording her.

have you got pics of the meet'n'greet?

[omniavincitamor14]

Just out of curiosity, I'm vegan and was wondering what sort of snacks they had that I might actually be able to eat? I'm planning on eating before but hopefully they'll have something there I can eat as well haha.

[SomeGuy1707]

Originally Posted by etniesgurl402

^
|


Unfortunately afterwards Avril wasn't able to sign autographs by the bus. The security guards and staff kept telling us that she had left in the first bus out, but most of us didn't believe them because they've pulled that stunt before and bands have come out later.....This time, however they weren't lying haha... about 12 people including my friend and I stayed until thirty minutes past midnight when the the last buses and trucks left.
My last cell phone picture of the night was the abbey dawn bus.


Just got back home. I had SOOOOO much fun!!! Everyone who can should see Avril perform live the energy of the show is just........great.


etniesgurl402

p.s. I loved the pepper jack cheese cubes at the pre-party

Which were you standing on? I was one of the few who waited until ALL of the buses/18 wheelers left.
Lol







By the way guys, I'm not going to write a long review because it just repeats what has been said about the past shows.
I was GA, not VIP and got there around 1pm.
It was well worth the wait and I'm sorting through the pictures.
I'll let you guys now when I post them in the media section.

[warren]

You're right. My apologies. That was quite insensitive and derogatory.

I removed the paragraph as not to offend.

We're not from Dallas--we flew in from Seattle. Maybe we'll see you at the Meet & Greet in Belfast or Milan.

[warren]

Originally Posted by etniesgurl402

^
|

Wonder if that was my mom....hmmm she did go over and find out what was going on while we were in line, but we just followed the crowd. I don't think she really handed us off. I wonder.. o well maybe it was someone else haha

I highly recommend waiting for the DVD because my pictures will not do the show justice. (especially since I have a really crappy camera and the really good pictures didn't turn out) But if you're like me and can't wait here's a link to my pictures on my mom's picasa account.

Picasa Web Albums - Lorie - The Best Damn...

But yeah the show was awesome. I got 2 hot packages for Christmas, so I brought my friend with me. We went at 11 to the will call office and got our tickets then ate and hung out around Dallas. We got back to the venue at about 4:30. There were a few people ahead of us to get in, but we ended up having to go somewhere else for the hot package anyway. Which was a little hectic at first because no one there knew where we were supposed to be. The show was AMAZING and if I tried to explain it anymore than that I wouldn't give the feeling I had being there justice. It was well worth the money and 3 hour drive.

Unfortunately afterwards Avril wasn't able to sign autographs by the bus. The security guards and staff kept telling us that she had left in the first bus out, but most of us didn't believe them because they've pulled that stunt before and bands have come out later.....This time, however they weren't lying haha... about 12 people including my friend and I stayed until thirty minutes past midnight when the the last buses and trucks left.
My last cell phone picture of the night was the abbey dawn bus.


Just got back home. I had SOOOOO much fun!!! Everyone who can should see Avril perform live the energy of the show is just........great.


etniesgurl402

p.s. I loved the pepper jack cheese cubes at the pre-party

You're right. My apologies. That was quite insensitive and derogatory.

I removed the paragraph as not to offend.

We're not from Dallas--we flew in from Seattle. Maybe we'll see you at the Meet & Greet in Belfast or Milan.

Take care.

[etniesgurl402]

Originally Posted by SomeGuy1707

Which were you standing on? I was one of the few who waited until ALL of the buses/18 wheelers left.
Lol







By the way guys, I'm not going to write a long review because it just repeats what has been said about the past shows.
I was GA, not VIP and got there around 1pm.
It was well worth the wait and I'm sorting through the pictures.
I'll let you guys now when I post them in the media section.

Umm by the gate where the buses were..... If you were looking at the gate I was on the left side

Originally Posted by omniavincitamor14

Just out of curiosity, I'm vegan and was wondering what sort of snacks they had that I might actually be able to eat? I'm planning on eating before but hopefully they'll have something there I can eat as well haha.

Just incase anyone else wants to know ill just say everything that I remember them having.

Several different types of cheese cubes (my fav), a bunch of crackers, popcorn, chips & salsa, pineapple, watermelon, cantaloupe, and... i think they had taquitos on the end of the table but i didn't look too hard

Drinks. They had Coke, Sprite, Water, and Sports drinks

[SomeGuy1707]

Me too!

I don't know if you saw me.

I was the dude with black frame glasses, I had on black pants with checkered stripes on the legs, I had a black t-shirt with crazy colors on it...






*My Dallas pics are up in the media section!!!*
Dallas, Tx - 04/26/08 [PICS]

[etniesgurl402]

yeah i saw you i was the girl that said "I guess you must look suspicious" when the security told you not to try anything funny haha

[SomeGuy1707]

Hahhaa hey!!!!!!!!!!!



Dude I was super confused when he told me that.
I was literally just standing there.
I should've like started running in circles and screaming my head off.
Haha.

Even though she didn't come out it was still a great night.

[etniesgurl402]

yep it was. they were so funny trying to get us all to leave

[SomeGuy1707]

Yeah.

It was the first time she didn't come out after the show since 2003!
I was a bit let down.
Better luck next time!

[Raine]

.....I won her panties. =\


lol