Reading Alfian Sa'at's works makes me feel like a radical/social activist/freedom advocate.
(They spur on a plethora of burning questions..
Do we truly possess freedom of speech in Singapore? If we claim to practise democracy, what then is the justification for the implementation of the Internal Security Act? And why is the party in power's reign so absolute? Why is homosexuality an offence here? So what if you're straight, or gay, or bi? Does your sexual orientation define who you are? Is American imperialism and its cultural invasion eroding our social/national identity? Do we even have one to begin with?
that I wish someone would answer.)
10:57 PM
Queuing for 3 hours at the mercy of mother nature in the blasted heat of the afternoon sun with exposed shoulders, standing for another 11 hours, and almost suffocating to death at one point isn't fun I tell you. But SINGFEST made everything worth it. :)
First performance in the line-up was local band The Great Spy Experiment followed by Malaysian band One Buck Short. Both pretty good, but unimpressive. Next up, band that hails from Canada which has a cute vocalist to boot, Crowned King:
Yeap Shaun came up to the crowd, and he was holding onto siti's hand and mine for support heh. I managed to record a really catchy song from them:
Cobra Starship was next, and they were amazing-Gabe Saporta was totally working the crowd, especially the girls, with all that popping and booty-shaking. ;)
Performing Bring It (Snakes On A Plane) with William from The Academy Is:
(my god, those screams are fatal!)
Moving On, it's time for... The Academy Is! (William went a bit loco, so did roxane hahaha)
performing Slow Down: (you can see William's hot pink underwear peeking out occasionally hmm)
Gym Class Heroes: (not a very big fan but Travis' rapping was smooth!)
?!! Never knew William was inclined THAT way. :PGym Class Heroes performing Cupid's Chokehold (babadada!) with William and Gabe:
OKAY. NOW FOR THE REAL DEAL. THE VERY REASON I CAME FOR.
AVENGED SEVENFOLD!!!
When GCH ended their set, the change was too distinct to miss- a large group of teeny-bopper kids had subsided and a meaner-looking crowd emerged. That's when trouble or rather, a real rock concert began. The severe pushing started even before the band came out, we were at the front row and I started to worry for the girls; they had difficulty holding their ground. There was alot of swearing, and I tried restraining but I couldn't take it because this stupid motherfucker in front of me kept kicking my shin. So yes, I shot off a slew of very colorful language, but hell, no regrets at all, that sodding piece of shit deserved it. I tried warning the guards,"You have to go behind and force everyone to step back. You don't understand, the band that's coming out next, it's gonna drive the crowd wild. The barriers won't hold." Their reply? "We can't. We'll get thrashed."
Just then the lights dimmed, and the second A7X took the stage and belted out Beast And The Harlot, everyone just lost it. The huge surge forward was terrifyingly insane, and I got pulled under, basically into an abyss of tight blackness. It was like being 10 feet underwater without goggles and an oxygen tank. I couldn't breathe, and I couldn't see shit. Security rushed forward and tried to push everyone back but the pressure was too immense. The next thing I knew, the crowd had SMASHED THROUGH 3 COLD, HARD METAL BARRICADES.
People started spilling out, but I was still caught between one of the broken barricades and the unrelenting crowd, and I could feel the metal cutting into my flesh, which sent me screaming for dear life. The situation got so bad that the band had to stop playing and tell everyone to back off (thank god)- for it was then a guard finally pulled me out.
***When I got out, they had already resumed playing, and at that time I suddenly realized I am now RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE STAGE (in the restricted area). Choked with excitement, I ran towards Syn (there was NOTHING between us except the stage platform) and screamed my head off: "BRIAN I FUCKING LOVEE YOOUUUU!!!!!!" He looked down at me, straight in the eyes, and nodded his head real slowly and went, "Yeaaaahhhh." OMFG. The crowd was looking on with envy and I was just.thrilled.beyond.words.
Another girl who got pulled out shoved me right smack in the middle of Zacky.V and Synyster Gates (while they were dishing out a twin solo!) and took a shot with her camera. (it was a fucking awesome picture!!!) But she got dragged away by a guard and I never saw her again! :( With some quick thinking, I whipped out my camera and started snapping away, pretending to be part of the press so I could remain in that area hahaha.
I managed to stay on for a few minutes before getting thrown out as well. I almost burst into tears while making my exit, but then I heard them playing Seize The Day and something in me just snapped. Undaunted by the ferocious moshing going on, I chiong back into the masses again (braving random punches and mad bodysurfers), right back to the front row of the crowd, where I remained till the very end. Yes that's the fiery passion and love I have for A7X! :D
Okayokay enough with the drama. PICTURES!
Matt.Shadows!
there. imagine me at the bottom in the middle of them, that was exactly how the shot that girl took for me would look like. sighh.
Zacky Vengence & Synyster Gates
The Rev!
Johnny Christ!
my boyfriend. sexy or what man!Gates rocking his guitar solo:
I think the guys were happy with the Singapore crowd, I mean, you could see them breaking into huge grins everytime the audience's singing reaches a crescendo. And Gates has this lop-sided smile that looks shy, mysterious and terribly sexy all at the same time! My, I really really really do adore him. Ahh I guess they didn't expect to have such a die-hard fan base in Asia heh. The Noisettes performed after that, and well, all I can say is their name really do reflect their music haha. MxPx was brilliant though! revival of old school punk anyone?! heh. Hinder, the band who was headlining, was surprisingly awesome, they had great stage presence, and I really really like Austin's vocals. :)
Pictures of US:
Whoohoo finally done! This post is so bloody long, but I'm so satisfied hee. Although Singfest isn't as big as the Warped Tour in the States or Download Festival in the Uk or Summersonic Fest in Japan, it's still a nice start. I heard there're plans for A7X to return in december for their own show, and you can bet your bottom dollar that I'll be there, and when that time comes, I swear I WILL meet the band, no matter what it takes. ;)
6:01 PM