I will offer insight to my old and new readers who are going to read this concert review for the resurrection tour of headliners Asking Alexandria and Black Veil Brides and their support Crown The Empire. Before I open any review content I will offer the reader who I am and what’s up with me. Well, to my new and old readers the February 27th concert marked an end of my three year concert no see drought. It was my first concert I have been to since the Blackmass in 2014. Intially I wanted to go to a lot of concerts in between the time of the three years. But loosing my appendix, loosing a gallbladder, my right ovary eating my intestines causing a inguinal hernia, a massive golf sized humanoid tumor in my uterus, tons of endometerial tissue cauterized off my uterus, and my left knee turned into what I nicknamed as the Terminator knee(I was born with birth defected knees that requires surgeries throughout my life unfortunately). I have endured four major operations within the better amount of my dry concert period. Cause I deal with quite a lot of medical issues ranging from chronic migraine, endometerosis, poly cystic ovarian syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, gastroparesis, etc. The list is huge. So I unfortunately had to skip out on a lot concerts that came to my area including Andy Black due to weather and medical reasons. THAT made me feel very sad that I could not attend.
While I was enduring a lot from having four major operations, countless amounts of poking and proding, several CAT scans, MRIs, X-RAYS up the ass,etc. I also had to do a lot of GI testing and get poked in my head with Botox injections which hurt worse than tattoo needles. I needed a release. I got a temporary fix on 11/16/16 when I got my first tattoo.
Now I craved for a real release to get rid of the anguish, depression, etc I have been going through. I lost all my grandpa’s(due to cancer and natural causes). It’s been a different life without my grandpa’s in my life. With dealing with death, mental health, and physical health. I was overjoyed to find out BVB was coming to the Knitting Factory on February 27th, 2018 with AA and CTE In September of 2017. I instantly got the pre-sale tickets for my mom and I. My mom is a big BVB fan. She doesn’t have social media. But I stand in for my mom. The one huge factor in our way was the weather. It snowed two nights before the big night. Which stressed me out a lot. Thankfully the snow plowers did there jobs in which the roads were thankfully clear two days later for the big trip up to Spokane and back to my town. It’s a good four hour round trip. I got home at 3 am on February 28th. I got four hours of sleep that day. I had to clean that day with my mom. It was fun but it was worth it. 😆
Now let’s get the show on the road and stop talking about me. But I can go ten or fifteen days on myself. Talk about potatoes. Peak your interest. Let’s get some fry sauce and start this concert review.
My trip up to Spokane was very uneventful. My mom and I didn’t know what extent the roads were going to be like. So getting up there was stress full. I of course had to pick up my kid used to babysit and her boyfriend. They were tagging along with my mom and I. It was my kids I used to babysit for first concert ever and her first BVB show. I was so happy and excited for everything.
We got up to Spokane fine. Besides a few asshat drivers who didn’t know how to drive and got my mom’s road rage. LOL. We went and did some things before the concert. My kid that I used to babysit wanted to go to the mall, we went to a store called White Elephant for a personal reason, and other things.
They dropped me off at the correct time for the meet and greet. Here I am in line for the meet and greet pic and my meet and greet to meet BVB pic.
I was so nervous, emotional, and excited to see the guys again. Mostly I was stressed out at the time being cause my phone at the time had it’s service cut off and everything. I paid for the darn thing. I have it situated now but I was really stressed out cause my pre-sale tickets never came in the mail. It was during the time were two mail carriers were caught either throwing away loads and loads of mail or burned up about 60+ huge crates of mail. I fear my mom and Is tickets were the victim of there fraudulent activity and was thrown away or burned. It’s a total loss. But it was a huge penny earned for me. Cause I emailed about the situation to ticketweb. They issued will call duplicate tickets to replace the lost tickets in the mail. So I was stressed out being in the meet and greet line trying to figure out where the fuck will call was in the building. I finally got to it. They held a ticket for my mom. I got myself and low and behold they felt bad about what happened. They gave me a free fucking ticket. I felt bad cause the ticket would purely go to waste. So I am keeping it as a reminder that even in shit times good things can happen. I went in and re-entered the meet and greet line. Everyone got there tote bag and posters that were signed. I was still confused as fuck as to were to go. The people who consoled me about being emotional about showing BVB my tattoo that day helped me out with getting my tote bag and signed poster. You ladies are amazing. I love you so much. Your the true context and reason of the BVB army. That’s why I am so happy and content with being a part of this army. Besides the bullshit and drama of the fan base. We all are amazing and kickass people. I was in line with my second family. I never felt so at home away from home. I watched everyone meet the guys. The perks of being the last person in line. I set my things on the side. My mom couldn’t come and meet the guys with me. She had to stay with the kid I used to babysit and her boyfriend. She said it’s a mom thing and said she couldn’t leave a 15 year old by herself. Which is common sense. I agree. So I pretty much did a big deal thing and met the guys alone. So it worked out. I remember the two girls that consoled me getting done with there meet and greet. It was my turn. Fuck. Does a potato turn red. Yes it does. There for red potatoes. I turned fifty shades of red potatoes inside. Although from the last time I met BVB. I apologized for being such a real asshole to there band. It took bravery and a lot of “I have been through hell and back, I sure as shit can come off behind the keyboard and mouse to give vis-vis apology for my wrong doing to BVB”. I sure as shit did on 11/8/2014. But this time I was meeting them on a new leaf cause the page had turned from the apology and them all forgiving me. I freaking had a beautiful BVB tattoo on shoulder to escalate things even more.
I want to say special thanks to two people. One to BVB’s bodyguard, Yanni, for making sure shit was together. Asking me if I was the last one in line. I should have said “This persons going to be the last one” lol. Ahh oh well. He did a great job. The second one goes to Katie Wiggins. Thank you so much for the small gesture of telling me to not forget about my things. I suffer chronic migraine. Which in turn affects my cognition. My stress at the time was through the roof and I left my stuff there cause my mom was not there at the time to hold it for me. She usually does it for me cause I am disabled. But I got my big girl pants on that day. I got through it. Thank you so much Katie for helping me remind myself to get my stuff. I am very thankful for you in that moment. If you ever read this. You’re very awesome. You kick ass at what you do. So thank you so much Yanni and Katie. This little section is a appreciation to you. Same goes with everyone on BVB crew.
But I said my Hello’s for the people who wanted me to forward them to the guys. Andy pops off “Everyone says Hi” I said “Pretty much”. Of course I handed out there individual fan letters. They all were very happy in receiving there fan letters. Of course Andy had to call me “Potatoes” which is what through me off. Never thought in a million years I would hear him say “Potatoes” to me(I am easily entertained 😂). I eventually recovered in my mind. Now the big moment. The sharing of my favorite thing on myself. My beautiful tattoo (see above). My first one. I told them I had something to show them. Then I showed them it. I wish I could freeze a moment. A moment in time that is precious as that was to me. When they all couldn’t say anything. But that they loved my tattoo. It’s right there I knew I had true devotion to this band and love. I felt so happy and proud to be a part of the BVB army. Despite my past. I am so happy that the leaf is turned now. That everything is new. I am excited to start a new and exciting adventure with the guys and BVB army beside me. You all individually mean the world to me. No matter how insignificant our friendship is. I love you so much. Always will. But what I experienced. Is something I will cherish forever.
Side note, I did get to tell my mom vis-vis that her ticket was being held at will call cause I couldn’t make out a call or a text cause my phones service got cut off. It was a pain in the ass. I was thankful I wasn’t the only one who had phone issues. Other people did to. I didn’t feel so alone.
As the regular queue was getting in. I already got my merch from early merch call. Even though before hand I already met BVBs merch guy and confused him. I said I needed the VIP tote bag and poster. He thought I was in line short changing him already to get merch. LOL. I helped him out diciphering Silverstein in the merch box. Oh hello middle school. There merch guys are funny.
I found my mom. Best sight ever. Took me 20 minutes. Her and I moved throughout the entire venue trying to get a great area to see the stage. We got the stairs. LOL. It is what it is. I enjoyed the enthusiasm of the crowd singing the venues radio station. Singing everything from Motley Crue to Bon Jovi. Between intermissions. It was very awesome to be a part of the choir again.
I want to make note that I found my uncle’s sidekick at the concert( For those who don’t know about my uncle Mark Hanna, he is a well known fan in the Pacific Northwest that has met loads of bands such as KISS, Warant before Jani Lane passed away, Quite Riot, Slaughter, NKOTB, and even met WWE wrestling stars. My uncle also has worked for 18 years local GNC supplement store in Lewiston, ID, the owner of the place is a member of the chippendales, My uncle has gotten around a lot, he is considered a celebrity in my area, I support it loads however, being family I give him the tease eye roll lol I kid hahaha, My uncle is funny as hell). He was jumping up and down like a rabbit and air guitaring just like my uncle does at concerts. People were making jokes at him. But I wasn’t. He reminded me one of my favorite uncle’s, Uncle Mark. He is a character for doing crazy shit like that. Cool little of track note, I went to a Dokken concert in 2011. I shit you not, my uncle had his own little gig on the floor going and people were supporting the hell out of him. I am always on my uncle’s team. It’s the funniest thing I’ve ever seen when Don Dokken has to stop the concert and say “Yo dude you put my moves to shame”. It’s always something when I bring my uncle to shows. I hope someday I get to bring him to Black Veil Brides.
Crown The Empire was very good. I am not to much of fan. But I enjoyed there set as a specktator. As I learned from my past experience from hating bands,etc. It’s not worth my time. But I simply just enjoyed the company of good people. Sparked up mini conversations with people around me while CTE was playing. I am wished I could have paid attention. But beings though the music wasn’t doing it for me. I didn’t want to force myself into liking the music. I gave them my respect. For that, I was given my dignity and respect from people around me.
Now to get into the two acts I was looking forward to seeing. Asking Alexandria for the first time. BVB for the third time. But this was my first time seeing Asking Alexandria for the first time. I have been trying to see AA for years now. I remember the last time they came through to Spokane not with BVB but they were on the ten years in the black tour. But my grandpa was in the hospital dying. So I couldn’t make it to Spokane to see them. I had to stay in Orofino to bid farewell to my lovely grandfather who passed away November 1st,2016. So this was my grandpa saying sorry and enjoy your time of seeing AA. It was funny as hell that they had to come out twice due to crew error cause one of their crew heads forgot to plug in the power auxiliary cords. So we got to see AA twice in a one for show. Ben and Danny kept the hooker and prostitute jokes flowing. James looked very amused. While the crew worked on to get power up. I enjoyed my first time seeing Asking Alexandria. I mostly got worked up when the acoustic set got pulled out and”Vultures” and I cried when Danny tributed “Someone, Somewhere” to the armed forced and the people who have lost their lives. I looked up at the concert venue ceiling and blew a kiss to my grandpa’s Ross and Hanna. To my classmate Kelsey A. who died stationed in Guam. They played songs that have been a great help to my sobriety. Like “To The Stage” I will be five years clean on March 22, 2018. It hasn’t been a easy fest for me. It’s been hell. I live in hell every day with my opiod addiction. I live in pain every day with my medical issues. So to hear some of the “Reckless and Relentless” album played live in front of me. Has impacted my sobriety in such a way that I am appreciative and thankful for it. To hear classics of AA’s such as “The Final Prphochy” ,”Not The American Average”, “Killing You” “Run Free” , etc and new songs such as “Where did it go?”, “Alone In A Room”, “Into The Fire”, etc played were truly awestruckingly kickass to me. I have been a fan of theirs for five years. But finally to see them live is something I will never forget. Especially playing their last song the encore “Moving On” the song to which I fell in love with Asking Alexandria to begin with. To hear and see the song played live that connected you to the band for the first time, I can quite surely say that there were tears, goosebumps, and needing the the restroom afterwards. Hahaha.
Now the stage was getting ready for Black Veil Brides. Whilst while everyone else was waiting for BVBs crew to get there set ready. The venues radio station came back on again. Now the choir was really getting our pipes practicing and ready for the sweet torture of screaming the lyrics and singing every word to each track played by Black Veil Brides. Everything from Metallica, Motley Crue, Bon Jovi, etc. Plus during each intermission my mom and I dealt with people confused if we were in the line for the concessions or not. I told them they were in the right place and I wasn’t in line but in my spot a hundred times. LOL.
Of course Black Veil Brides blew up the house at the Knitting Factory again. I tried taking pictures. But decided against cause my old fashioned soul wanted to enjoy every drop of unleashing three years of anguish, hurt, frustrations, etc into that concert. That one night. I wanted to just be care free and not deal with my problems for the precious time I had with BVB in concert. They opened the choir with “Faithless” , “Coffin” , “Rebel Love Song” ,”The Legacy” , “Lost It All” ,”Wake Up”,”I Am Bulletproof” “When They Call They Name”, “Wretched and Divine”,”Knives and Pens” “Shadows Die” , “Perfect Weapon” , “Fallen Angels” and “In The End”. From start to finish I was screaming and headbanging like my life depended on it. I felt at home away from home from potatoland. I felt like I was one with the people in the concert venue. Although we were different in many ways, we all shared the same bonds and love through music that holds our army or family together. Whatever we go through as in terms of drama bullshit or whatever. Always know family has each other’s backs no matter what. I felt like everyone in that concert venue despite some drunk asshole getting thrown out of the venue for being a asshole, my poor little kid I used to babysit got into a tussle with her boyfriend. Thankfully her boyfriend protected my little kid I used to babysit and punched the guy who was harrassing people and trying to start a bad mosh pit. Her boyfriend did get messed up a bit but he is 110 okay. No broken bones or anything. He said he sprained his ankle a bit. But we called his grandma to ask how he is doing and all is well. He calls it concert battle wounds. The security guard thanked him for punching him. It was funny. Despite him being hurt.
I quite enjoyed the #TBT on “When They Call They Name” it’s such a beautiful thing to ever happen and to witness live. I will never forget I thought out loud when liquid butter interview snippet came up and I yelled “Andy’s voice is like liquid butter”. I had two reactions. The people who got it. The people who did not get it. The people who got it doubled over and loled. The others just gave me the wtf look. Hahaha. But anyways the material used on it created by Patrick Fogarty was very emotional and beautiful to see.
Whomever is AA’s and BVB’s lighting director. Mad props to you guys works on the best theatrics for each set. I have chronic migraine. Even though there was white used in the affects. My sensitivity to light is very aggressive. It wasn’t to sharp or hard. My only concern is to put filters on the pure white backgrounds or use an off white background cause there is a huge group of people in the BVB army and AA family that suffers chronic migraine. Other than that your visuals and lightning is spectacular as a potato getting bedazzled.
The part where everyone sang Juliet a belated Happy Birthday was a cool experience I will never forget. Ever. It was incredibly awestruckingly beautiful to see Juliet being so shy to get up on stage and accept her birthday wishes from the crowd.
My mom and I enjoyed the encore. She enjoys her favorite’s “In The End” and “Fallen Angels”. She absolutely goes bonkers when they play her two favorites last. It’s become the highlight of every Black Veil Brides show of mine. Seeing my 47 mother fangirl so hard over BVB is something I take near and dear to my heart. I never knew how the fuck I turned her on to BVB. But I am very happy that I did so. It’s the best thing in the world. To bond with my mom with a a band with positive recollection of self worth and being proud of who you are. This is the fucking band I want parents to bond with there children. I want parents disregard what the internet has to say about Black Veil Brides and actually go to there concerts and actually experience the choir for themselves. Who cares what there co-worker Sally or Tim said about BVB. Those people are people of my past life I chose never to resurrect again. Miserable people. My homework for people out there who are afraid of taking there kids to BVB concert. Just do it. The new found bond I have with my mom is amazing. I couldn’t take it for granted. This for the countless posts I read from kids whom have parents who won’t take there kids to concerts.
I also had the pleasure of meeting Jake Pitts aunt and uncle at the show. They are very kind and generous people. Jake’s relatives are very funny. Jake’s aunt popped off to me “This is my type of music I listen to but we are here to support our nephew, Jake Pitts” and his uncle said ” I quite enjoy our nephews music the rest is just not my type” Jake Pitts, your aunt and uncle rule. I walked out of the venue laughing my ass off cause that.
All in all, our trip home was great and smooth sailing. Our group got to see a man get arrested for possible drugs at a pit stop in Colfax, Washington. Upon our departure from the gas station from Colfax to home the guy got out of police custody. Me thinking out loud again popped off again “Yo dude you better go inside and buy a lottery ticket.” Everyone started laughing hard at my little comment. Then on the way home, Z-Rock 96.5 played “The Last One” as an ode to a farewell to great night of memories made with lovely people. It was a great gravy topper to the mashed potatoes of the night I had with great people. Everyone go to and from home safely. Got to see a awesome concert. Filled with new memories and ones that I will never forget till the day I die. Especially the one of showing BVB my tattoo. That has stuck with me for awhile. I am afriad it’s going to stick forever. Ever. I can’t wait to see them in the future. Keep being “Be well, be strong” and “Never give in, never back down.”
I also need your help I am going to be coming up with a deadline for this soon. But it’s up to you, you the reader you got my digital pen you get the chance to voice to your opinion on “Vale” link here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScjgfQBa3HDiHBmNr1NUncErE6580GtzxED8tw6DCsAGLBANw/viewform
I am also in the process of reviewing Asking’s self titled so everything is very slothy in my headquarters. I am a very small percentile of BVB army members whom got extremely sick straight after the concert. It’s either the flu or the cold. I happened to got the cold. I didn’t catch it at the concert. So unfortunately for us small percentile fans this bug was watching and waiting to attack us at the right moment. I am still not one hundred percent. But I am feeling better now. But will slowly be getting into my reviews. 😊🤘
Enjoy this read. I appreciate and love every one of my readers.
Concert at Knitting Factory, Spokane, Washington. February 27th 2018. The Resurrection Tour: Asking Alexandria, Black Veil Brides, and Crown The Empire.
Written by: Mariah Hanna @PotatoBVBQueen *See About page about astric 3/19/2018
The Potato Queen 