It was super-Travis weekend. Saturday evening Lucy picked me up and we met Dan & Sarah at Virginia's Inn pub for dinner & drinks. Then to The Moore for the much-anticipated event!! We were directed to our seats by flashlight via an aisle attendant who took his job much too seriously (to our admitted delight). Maximo Park opened and I was instantly intrigued by the lead singer in his red patent leather shoes. That guy can do a scissor kick like a legend and he treated us to many. He had so much energy he could barely breathe when talking between songs. I detected a Scottish accent not nearly as thick as my Glasgow lads. We stayed in our seats for probably two or maybe three songs before rushing the stage and scored a prime location, second row of people slightly to the left of center, which means come Travis time we'd be right between Fran and Dougie.
When the show did start it was a frenzy of glee. As the Rocky theme blasted from the speakers and the roadies shone industrial flashlights down the aisle, the band emerged from the back of the theatre in brightly-colored silk boxing robes and made their way through the crowd to the stage. Sarah had gone to the bathroom and reentered the room just as it went dark. Pausing to let her eyes adjust, she felt a tap on her shoulder and someone saying, "Excuse me..." It was Dougie! I am still jealous that she was touched by my favorite Mr. Payne.
They launched right away into "Selfish Jean" and we all bobbed along happily. Right before "As You Are" Lucy shouted "I love you, Fran!!" and she got the most bashful, touched little smile and look in return. Oh, Fran. I think all four of us heard our favorite songs..."As You Are" for Lucy, "Driftwood" for Dan, "My Eyes" for Sarah, and "Turn" for me. After several soul-stirring gazes and flirty smiles from Dougie all three of us girls were ready to faint away like all of those well-documented crazy Beatles fans. Sarah and I clutched each other nervously as Andy climbed atop the orange speaker tower during the second half of the show, as he did last time...once again, he did not fall. Phew!!
For the encore Fran came out alone and sang "20" totally acoustically and unmiked which was beautiful. I was literally three feet from his handsome, earnest face and braced myself for the certainty of sweat droplets raining down on me (I was spared.) Then Dougie came out and the two of them did their infamous cover of "Baby One More Time" which I hadn't heard live since Dan & I first saw them at The Showbox seven years ago. The entire band came out and huddled around each other to do "Flowers in the Window" and they closed of course with "Why Does it Always Rain on Me?" *Sigh* What a spectacular show. They make me so happy. We couldn't stick around this time lurking by the stage doors hoping for a round of hugs and greetings (last time we did meet Andy and Neil and someday by the grace of God I'll speak to Fran and Dougie...if my parents can make friends with James Taylor than I have a great hope the same providence will befall me if I just continue to have faith) but went home on a high. I spoke to my parents on the phone as they had also been at the show and my dad and I spent a good half hour at least dissecting and sharing all of our favorite moments. "One of the best shows I have EVER been to," he declared. Yes, yes. Those are my boys!
But the fun for this fan did not end there...oh no. My friend Becky and I have a list of things to do together before we die and one of them is to attend a show together at the Crystal Ballroom in Portland. So yesterday morning after probably the lovliest breakfast I've ever had with the roommates I picked up our friend Anne from the ferry and we headed down South to Oregon. We picked up Becky, browsed Powell's for a couple of hours, ate dinner at the pub next door to the venue (very delicious curry tuna sandwich for me) and entered the Ballroom to stake out a good spot near the stage (standing room only). I ended up standing directly behind the very same people I'd stood behind the night before which made me chuckle. I kind of love being a secret member of the superfans club. I've experienced it with Better Than Ezra before when I've gone to see them in two cities...anyway, this time I was smart and brought my camera so I'll let the pictures do the talking (I have a weird "fame thing" when it comes to pictures...I get embarassed to take them, like I don't want them to see me taking pictures...so thanks to Anne who was bolder):
Anne, Becky, and I excited for the show to start...
Flowers in the Window (love Fran's dimples)
Fran is sporting a mustache these days ("Like Brandon Flowers," he said) and I think it actually looks quite good. He was funny last night and wore a shirt open wide because he said the mustache was suddenly making him feel "More like a man." The effect would be creepy on most men but I have to say Fran is pretty adorable no matter what.
Andy came out into the crowd to play a solo this time instead of climbing on the speakers. He went all the way to the back of the crowd and played on his back a la Jimi before making his way back up to the stage...
Fran's signature kick
One look and smile from this guy and my heart melts into a pool of butter.
Dougie's signature stance
Look at them! They seem to have so much fun together...it's infectious. "Just need to get closer, closer...lean on me now, lean on me now..."
Happy happy Travis fans
This time for the finale they all came out and performed "3 Times and You Lose" for the first time live (per Fran), and also "Battleships" which they hadn't played the night before. Anne and Becky are relatively new Travis fans and were totally won over! I left Anne in charge of the camera for most of the night and I have about 50 pictures of Dougie. What can I say? The lad's chemistry is undeniable. The drive home was a bit long and I didn't fall into bed until nearly 2:30am...not to mention my throat is sore from screaming. But oh, it was worth it for sure. Now I'm dying to get back to Glasgow.
Things I didn't realize from the first time I saw it a couple of years ago (or had forgotten):
