So I’m sitting at my computer…hitting the refresh button over and over again as the clock starts to tic down. It was probably almost only 4am my time and I was wide awake and seriously nervous. Once the tickets were released, it was like a battle. The first time I tried, I couldn’t get a platinum ticket so I settled for just a regular ticket and made my purchase (because you know, I rather be there in regular than not be there at all). But even after doing that, my heart kept telling me to keep trying…just keep trying. So I did…I went back and tried for a platinum ticket and BOOM, I got one!! I was smiling like an idiot!!! I placed my order for the platinum ticket and cancelled my regular ticket.
As we were waiting in line to get into the sound check party, it started to rain. I took this as a blessing because it was superhot that day anyways so what’s better than dancing in the rain with your favorite artists preparing for an amazing show the next day?? Nothing!! LOL…The sound check party was like a teaser…a little preview that makes you just want more. When the YG family came out and did their mic checks and sang a few of their songs, it just made the inner fangirl/boy in you want to just scream out loud. It was so amazing how smooth and slick they are on stage and this was just a sound check. I couldn’t even imagine what they would be like for the actual concert.
And let me tell you, pictures do the artists NO JUSTICE. Goodness, each of them 2ne1, BigBang, Lee Hi, AKMU, Winner, Epik High, iKon, and PSY are all VERY beautiful and handsome in real life. Even without the makeup, they were FLAWLESS!! I was so impressed with them…their every little movement and gestures were so fully of charisma and swag!
Alright, so today was the big day…my birthday and the YG Family Power Tour Day!!! We all got up early and went on our journey to wait in line. The line was no joke, I kid you not. We got to the stadium around 7am and the line was already all around the entire stadium and back to the front. It was superhot and humid that day so standing outside was not fun at all. But I was truly amazed at the fans that were there. From the stories we heard, some of these fans did not leave the sound check party last night and slept there to hold their spot. Where I am from, you are not able to camp outside the venue like that so I was very impressed. Also, I never seen so many people in line so early. When I was at the BigBang Concert in LA back in 2012, by 7am, the line was not even close to where this was. One of the cool things about waiting in line though is that you get to meet the other fans and that’s what we did. Made some new friends (which I am still friends with them til this day. We try to talk weekly, but if not we do check in) and pretty much took in how the concert etiquette were totally different from what we were used too.
We were in line from like 7am and didn’t get to go inside the stadium until like 5pm (yes, we waited that long!!). There were vendors who came by and sold snacks and food to us and free water bottles were also handed out by the staffs. After a long time, the lines were split into Regular Tickets and Platinum tickets. Platinum got to go in first and had its own entry way. So what you do is go through the lines to pick up your ticket. After you get your ticket, you go into another line to show them your ticket and get your badges and whatnot. From there you will go into the security line where they will check your bags then you are able to enter the stadium. Since I was platinum, I had first choice on rather I wanted to be in the VIP pit or stay at one of the platinum lounges.
The screams started and the introduction video started to play. The music got louder and louder and then BOOM…the Family has arrived. Song after song the YG family took over the stage… each artist with their own unique color and performance. I loved LOVED loved the collaboration stages and when they sing each other songs!!
You were able to have your phone and there was a lot of people around me that were recording and taking pictures but I didn’t do all of that. I took a few pictures before the concert and one of BigBang and that was it. I wanted to ENJOY the concert and really live it instead of watching it through my recording device. Because, it was truly once in a lifetime and I didn’t know when I will ever get a chance to see the entire family again so my phone was put away and every second was imprinted and planted in my brain!! LOL. The entire show was done around 11-1130pm and off back to Hongdae went from Seoul.
This concert was something that I keep replaying in my mind and I keep reliving over and over again. Everything about it was so different…the waves of fandom light sticks among the dark sea…the singing along with the artists without missing a beat…it was all beautiful!!! Something I will treasure for the rest of my life…and truly an amazing birthday!!!