Photos in a gallery courtesy of photographer – @mike_koukal – thank you!
It’s so damn hot that I can barely think, but let’s do this. Bratislava started with a long train journey in an awful heat, without wi-fi. Wait, scratch that. First I need to thank Martina, who wrote to me by the end of May, offering a ticket to this show. It happened to me already few times before, but I always had to decline. I wish I could go to more concerts but it’s not always possible.
photo courtesy of photographer Lubos’ shots (@lubos_houska) – thank you!
Also, since I barely came home from Greece and I was already planning Gdynia, I had no more money left for any other adventure, so this ticket was like a gift from heaven! Since I could make it to Bratislava almost straight from my home town by train, I happily accepted Martina’s gift, who in her own way wanted to thank me for the work I do on the blog and social media…
photo by @gluedeyes – with Martina – thank you!
I was very touched by her gesture. And still am very thankful for this opportunity! It was great to meet you Martina, I’m glad you’ve made it too, and that we were able to talk a bit to each other! I left home shortly after 11, and after 5 hour journey in heat (it was so bad that even air conditioning couldn’t deal with those temperatures), I was happy to leave the train but it turned out, outside was even worse.
photo by Iwona courtesy of @paulina02i – thank you!
A tip for those travelling to Bratislava, do not take taxi straight from the train station. Call for a taxi, cause the cost of like 5 minute route, left me questioning my ability to think clearly. On a first day my friends and I only ate something and checked the venue. We literally had no more strength left for anything else.
The next day I woke up after 13.00. Don’t ask me how I did that, cause literally I have no idea. When I saw the time, I’ve checked telephone, computer and phone, but the numbers remained the same. I cleaned myself up, threw some clothes on and went out to eat some breakfast (lol) and then headed to the venue. I arrived from the back entrance straight into the tour bus.
But first I went inside the venue to see how many people are already queing. I asked for the number, and decided to let my friends know (who at that time were sitting outside, at the venue’s restaurant) that I will go to the hotel to properly get ready for the concert and will be back asap. But this time I went straight into LP!
LP was in a hurry, but since there were only few people waiting for her, she decided to stay with us for a while. I only said ‘hi, nice to see you again’, my friends took some pics and after few minutes LP had to leave. Then, I wanted to take a taxi to the hotel but I had to forgot about it. No one wanted to take my order.
So I rushed back to the hotel to take another shower, change clothes, put some make up on (to not scare other people) and again, wanted to take a taxi, but apparently in Bratislava distance of more than 2 km is not enough. So I went back to the venue. Thanks god for the wind, otherwise I don’t think I would have been able to make it.
In the meantime, people were moved outside, to wait at the main entrance to the venue, where (it turned out) others already waited. At some point I needed to get to the toilet that was inside the venue, and at the same time people were moved yet again, this time closer to the doors of the venue, where again, others waited. It became clear that numbers in this case won’t work.
photo courtesy of photographer Lubos’ shots (@lubos_houska) – thank you!
Since I was already quite far from the doors and I drank a lot due to heat, I needed to get to the toilet yet again, if I wanted to make it through the entire concert. I went inside, despite it was already after 6 pm and they were about to open the doors. When I left the toilet I saw a queue inside the venue, where we originally waited.
photo courtesy of @ivkaplo – thank you!
There were only few people there and I knew that those doors led straight to the standing places close to the barriers. I asked if this is for some special tickets or passes but I was told ‘no’, and that I could queue there as well. So I did and I phoned & wrote to my friends to get back inside. Soon afterwards those doors were opened.
BUT after letting through maybe two people security guys changed, some people came inside and we were told that they won’t be allowing entering yet, cause no other entrance was opened, which wasn’t true, cause at the same time people started filling the venue from all possible entrances. When they finally let us in, almost entire front row was full.
photo by Iwona courtesy of @paulina02i – thank you!
I was able to get to the second row and would have seen nothing cause everyone was taller than me. There was a tiny spot next to some young boy who was with his mum, and they let me in. At first it was very tight and I was scared that I won’t make it, but thankfully people moved a bit and I was able to stay. So only by some kind of magic that front row had happened for me.
photo courtesy of photographer Lubos’ shots (@lubos_houska) – thank you!
First, there was an opening artist – Emma Drobná, a Slovak singer and the winner of Česko Slovenská SuperStar 2015. She sang in English, and she had some fans in the crowd as well. I must say I enjoyed her set and the time flew by. When there was time for LP the tension started to build and people started calling LP’s name.
Since AXA Arena is mainly a sports venue, the acoustics weren’t the greatest for LP, but they turned out perfect for LP fans. You could felt the energy in the room, and even though I didn’t feel well and was a bit worried, this time, as soon as I saw LP and felt happiness of other people my mood shifted and it was one of the best concerts ever.
LP seemed incredibly relaxed and happy to be on stage. She oozed confidence. She came and owned the stage like a true Queen only can. It started already with Dreamcatcher, it’s such a strong intro to the entire concert. LP sounded awesome and gave everything into each and every song. She had amazing connection with the crowd.
At first I didn’t feel it as strongly as in Prague, but it changed shortly afterwards. There were smiles, kisses, hearts and fans reacted unbelieveably. The noise they created each time LP did some gesture was incredible. And I think she felt it deeply and was very touched by it. Each song and each performance made an impact on me, but I will concentrate on a few favourite moments from the concert.
photo courtesy of photographer Lubos’ shots (@lubos_houska) – thank you!
But first, setlist: 1. Dreamcatcher; 2. When We’re High; 3. Dreamer; 4. When I’m Over You; 5. No Witness; 6. The Power; 7. Die for Your Love; 8. Tightrope; 9. One Night in the Sun; 10. Girls Go Wild / You Shook Me All Night Long by AC/DC; 11. Recovery; 12. Hey Nice to Know Ya; 13. House on Fire / Paint It Black by Rolling Stones; 14. Other People; 15. Shaken. 16. Special.
photo courtesy of photographer Lubos’ shots (@lubos_houska) – thank you!
For encore: 17. Muddy Waters; 18. Strange & 19. Lost on You. Like I mentioned earlier, each song was done beautifully and with utmost attention to every detail. ‘No Witness’ caused incredible roar from the audience and LP was just awesome on stage. Both ‘Power’ and ‘Die for Your Love’ are always fan’s favourites and this time was no different.
photo courtesy of photographer Lubos’ shots (@lubos_houska) – thank you!
But LP completely floored me with ‘One Night In The Sun’, I mean this song deserves a post on its own. It reminds me a bit of ‘You Want It All’ from LP’s previous record, perhaps because of its message, hidden pain, lyrics and nostalgia captured in the mellody. It was one of the most touching and powerful performances of this song I have ever witnessed.
There was also a very touching moment for me during this song. I now almost never take any pics, because my hands shake so much that those are no good anyway, so I’m practically non-stop glued to LP’s face. And she created such magic on stage that I couldn’t take my eyes off her this time either, and she noticed this. She couldn’t respond because she was singing and playing her ukulele, but she did smile and looked at me for quite a while.
And I felt this amazing connection, cause I was singing along with her. It was one of my favourite moments of that concert. Also very intimate for me. I have a video for you, thank you so much to Marina for capturing the magic and sharing it with all of us! Once LP grabbed me by the throat, she didn’t let go, as shortly afterdwards she attacked us with double force with her version of AC/DC’s ‘You Shook Me All Night Long’.
Apparently one of the fans suggested it to LP during one of the meet & greets. I only know this trivia, cause that person messaged me (if you’ll read this, please remind me your name, so I can add you to this post!). And it looks like LP took her fan’s request to her heart and I’m glad she did, cause she is a true rockstar with kind soul.
photo by Iwona courtesy of @paulina02i – thank you!
That song suits her vocal abilities perfectly, and she adds a bit of extra due to her artistic expression. With ‘Recovery’ the venue was quiet with hundreds of led lights from telephones. While generally I hate phones during the concerts, but those lights added a touch of magic to LP’s voice and created an amazing atmosphere, especially for those who were in the back.
And then was ‘Nice To Know Ya’. For me it was first live performance of this song by LP and I must say, it was incredible. I love the lyrics and the mellody and it’s just one of those songs that are mellow but nevertheless captivating… I wish I could write more about this song, but I lack words today I guess. I only remember how surprised I was on the impact that performance made on me.
photo courtesy of photographer Lubos’ shots (@lubos_houska) – thank you!
Looking forward to hearing it again, maybe I will be able to better express my emotions. As always ‘House On Fire’ / ‘Paint It Black’ made people lose their minds. I loved the moment when during ‘House on Fire’ LP sat on a speaker on the left side of the stage to create even more intimate connection with her fans, then she did the same for those on the right side of the stage.
photo courtesy of photographer Lubos’ shots (@lubos_houska) – thank you!
And finally ‘Special’. I mean is there anyone who doesn’t appreciate the view of LP with electric guitar??! I think not! It’s always one of my favourite moments of the show, however with a bitter-sweet taste to it. First of all, why this song was created. And secondly, then I know concert will soon end and it’s something I always dread.
There was this amazing moment, when LP screamed ‘jump’ and the whole room did start to jump. It was such a liberating move on LP’s part! I only wish I had more stamina, lol. When band left the stage, the venue was filled with this incredible noise made by LP fans, the room was vibrating from the sound and energy surrouned us.
photos courtesy of photographer – @mike_koukal – thank you!
And I think both LP and her boys (from the band) felt this, cause they were quite surprised and in awe of what they heard. Encore, with all three songs was unbelievable. ‘Muddy Waters’ – chills, ‘Strange’ – unity and ‘Lost On You’ – just one big fun! After final song, LP came to the barriers to sign autographs and to meet as many fans as possible. She sqeezed my hands twice and thanked me for coming.
photo courtesy of photographer Lubos’ shots (@lubos_houska) – thank you!
I felt honoured. After the concert I met few people, who came up to me to thank me for the blog. It’s always such a beautiful moment for me. Thank you for that! I’ve decided to go outside to see if we can get something to drink and wait near the bus, I wasn’t sure if it will be possible. But thankfully, we were allowed to wait.
photo courtesy of photographer Lubos’ shots (@lubos_houska) – thank you!
Some people waited till the end, others left but after about an hour or so we noticed light in the bus. My friends wanted to go, they thought that LP came out by some other entrance, but I just felt that she wouldn’t do this. I told them to wait just a bit, and literally minute or so later we saw LP with her entourage. Despite there were quite a lot of fans waiting for her, close to 50 or so, LP came up to us and gave us all her attention.
Not just to me obviously, I mean everybody who waited for LP could meet with her. There were hugs, selfies, kind words. LP said to me: ‘Hi Anna, how are you Boo, Boo’, but somehow I was lost for words. I just asked if I could hug her and thanked her for all the emotions. I asked if we could take a selfie, and wheter she could do it, because you know, my hands…
photo by LP – thank you!
LP of course said yes! When we were taking the selfie, she stroked me with her hat in my head, and she joked, ‘hey, you get the same treatment like any other person’, or something to that affect. She meant, that everybody got ‘hit’ on the head, so also should I. It was such an adorable moment. Even though LP didn’t have much time as on the next day she was playing in Hungary, so there was a long road ahead of her…
…but LP didn’t miss anyone. After taking one last pic, LP came up towards those who waited and thanked them again for coming. She then grabbed my hand yet again. And said thank you. After LP left we talked with those who stayed until the end. I met Marina, who apparently is a fan of me as well! I mean, how crazy is that. Crazy cool for me!
Marina came earlier to me and asked if I could sign something for her, but I joked to better wait for LP, I’m just a simple girl. But after our meeting with LP we were all in such a great mood, so when she asked me again, I just wrote her a tiny dedication with my shaky hands. My friend took a pic to capture that moment for me! Thanks K.!
And that was it, we left the venue, and everyone went their own way. I couldn’t sleep that night from all the emotions, but I was incredibly happy that this adventure went so well. Sadly I didn’t get to see Bratislava’s castle and the Old Town, but really, the heat made it impossible for me. But hopefully next time!
