photography by Natalia Wajda – @natewajda – photos posted with kind permission from photographer
Hi to All! Long time no see… I took a break. I needed it. Needed to do this for various reasons. And it was good, it gave me a new perspective and made me realize what truly matters to me. My sort of ‘break period’ is over, but, at the same time, I won’t be doing posts on each and every concert LP is doing.
It’s way too demanding, it’s a full time job (with no pay-check), and I do have a work (I’m a teacher) and a life of my own. However I will continue to share updates, do posts on major events and or announcements, and keep on spreading the love for LP and their music.
And I will keep on writing about my very own experience at LP concerts, which brings me back to why I am here with today’s post. I traveled, for the first time in more than 3 years!! I took a train to Vienna (5 hours, so not that bad). I’ve had tickets for this event since 2019, if I’m not mistaken.
Concert was rescheduled several times (due to you know well what), but I hung on to my ticket. I even got a VIP experience, which (back then) was supposed to be meet & greet, though in recent times it is a soundcheck with LP. But I still kept it.
This was going to be my only summer concert (due to work schedule, refurbishment of my apartment, etc.). This concerts was going to be a sort of defining moment of what to do next with the blog. And, what is even more important, I wanted to see how I will feel after such a long time.
I’ve decided not to write to LP beforehand – I just wanted it to remain a surprise. Both for LP but also some of my LP friends and blog readers. Was it a surprise? Let me tell you about it later on. First my travel. As I’ve sat in my train, I was like, what the f… am I doing, I can still leave.
my carriageIt was 5 am, I was up since 3.40 and if I slept for an hour that night, that would be about it. So yeah, I was reluctant and very stressed, but as the travel progressed I’ve become more & more excited. After arrival I’ve decided to wait for my friend Christina, she arrived to Vienna about 2 hours after me.
Long story short, I planned this trip solo, but in the last minute it turned out Christina was going in the same exact days, so we re-booked and stayed together. On the first day we did some sightseeing, however stress from the travel and lack of sleep, sucked the joy of admiring Vienna.
somewhere in the center of ViennaThankfully, that night I’ve slept like a baby. On the day of the concert I’ve decided to stay at the hotel, relax and mentally prepare on what was about to come. I’ve decided to dress for occasion appropriately, I’ve managed to get my jumpsuit from alternation at the tailor’s on a day before of the trip, which added a bit of drama 🙂
checking the venue few hours before the concertOff I went to the venue, very stressed and nervous. Those who know me, know – it’s just me. Anyways, it turned out, there was already quite a group of people, mostly LP fans which I knew already – I’ve either met them in person or online, in the previous years.
What was incredibly sweet and nice, almost everyone came up to hug me, kiss me, tell me that I was missed. Many fans asked about me and the blog, told me they understand my need of break, but they were all hopeful that I will return to blogging. Thank you to each and every person who cared about me in this period.
with Oxy & ShaneTo all the people that have wrote to me, sent emails, messages and talked to me. I appreciate each and every one of you. Thank you for caring and for your remaining support. But back to Vienna, we (so called “vips”) were allowed to enter the premises of the Arena.
We received our goody bags (containing laminate, signed poster and a LP bandana). We stood on the side and couldn’t see the stage yet, but the soundcheck already started so we could hear LP. I think they sang Angels, and other songs, but I have a hole in my memory. I was too excited.
yours trulyThey finally allowed us to get to the stage, people started to run, and I forgot how crucial it is to run, I’ve run and stopped and then run again. I went sort of behind anyone else. At first I was in the second row, but soon I was able to move next to the barriers – thank you to Czech fan who allowed me her spot.
captured by Christina – thank youAfterwards they greeted us and said they are sick (not of covid, they added), LP couldn’t come down to us even though really wanted to. Asked us is we have any questions, joked with us and signed various things which fans forwarded to them.
photo courtesy of @vancska – thank you!The meeting was very relaxed, LP kept on sunglasses and I couldn’t tell if they have noticed me already, but I thought that rather not. However I was calm, didn’t yell or shout, just stood, listened, observed and just was trying to enjoy the moment.
photo by nkukulska_lp
photo by nkukulska_lp
photo by nkukulska_lpI honestly don’t remember much from the soundcheck, it was about 30 minutes long, but I have a very little recollection. I remember LP received some gifts, laughed with us, was sorry that couldn’t hug us or take pics. It was a lovely, hot, summer early evening.
Then we’ve waited more. Some of us have sat next to the barriers. It was really nice, I finally relaxed and was very excited for the concert. I’ve had time to talk to my LP friends (which was awesome) and I’ve met some new fans.
with ChristinaAt 8 pm we were entertained by a support – Karin Ann and we’ve quite enjoyed it. I think there were even some Karin fans in the audience. Then another quick break, preparation for LP and at 9.00 we’ve heard “Poem”, the music started to play and the band entered the stage.
photo – by meWhen I saw Alex and heard his first guitar riffs, I was overcome with emotions. I almost cried – it was more of a wave of feelings and realization, that it is finally happening – after 3 years I am again at a LP concert, with my LP people, with my friends, amongst other people, with no masks on. What a joy!
And then LP hit the stage and the show begun. For the love of god, I couldn’t remember the setlist while writing this post. I think it changed last minute due to LP being sick. The stage was very high but I couldn’t see a setlist (I don’t think there was any, as someone would have got it after the concert).
However there is a full concert from Vienna at YouTube, recorded by an LP fan, so here’s the setlist.
0. Intro
1. When We Touch
2. Goodbye
3. Girls Go Wild
4. Everybody’s Falling In Love
5. When We’re High
6. No Witness
7. Strange
8. How Low Can You Go
9. How To Be The One That You Love
10. Can’t Let You Leave
11. Muddy Waters
12. Recovery
13. One Last Time
14. Lost On You
What can I say. I was having a great fun, it was an awesome experience, time flew in a blink of an eye. This time I didn’t cry, I was too happy and too in the moment. It’s hard to explain. It was just pure joy! And even though LP said they were sick, I didn’t feel it or hear it.
I was yet again blown by their vocal abilities. There were moments when LP wanted to do more, but couldn’t, due to the illness, but it didn’t affect the performance. On the contrary, many fans said after the concert that it was truly special.
by Christina – thank youAnd it was, for me too. Perhaps for different reasons, but equally important. During first few songs LP stayed more on the right side, next to the microphone as they were playing uke or guitar, so they couldn’t move much. I still wasn’t sure wheter LP realized that I was in the audience.
And then during “Everybody’s Falling In Love”, when LP could ditch that beautiful guitar, they made their way along the stage, from left to right and so on. And in one moment, they pointed and then realized who they are pointing to, and the smile and laugh that followed, with a screamed ‘yes’, just melted my heart.
thank you gluedyeys for capturing this moment!To me it was a pure joy on LP’s face. And it made such an impact on me. It made me feel so seen and sort of ‘validated’. Thank you for that LP. And from now on, LP returned several times to that left corner of the stage, to make sure that I am being seen, and that I was being missed. It was magical.
Like I’ve said earlier, the concert went by in a blink of an eye. It was 14 songs, and at some point LP said that they have 3 more songs left for us, and I was like, “What? It’s impossible, the concert just started”, but then I’ve checked my watch, and it was already 10 after 10 pm. I was shocked.
I loved each and every minute and each and every song. I didn’t even mind that I’m hearing songs that I’ve heard many times before. Only after the concert I realized that LP didn’t sing “Rainbow” or “Churches”, I assume due to the illness.
photo – by meI especially loved “When We Touch”, “Everybody’s Falling In Love”, “Strange” – you have no idea what joy it was to sing our anthem once again with all the LP-people. “No Witness” and Alex’s riffs, “How Low Can You Go”, “How To Be The One That You Love”, “Can’t Let You Leave”.
video courtesy of nkukulska_lp – thank youNot to mention “Muddy Waters” or “One Last Time” – I could finally sing “la, la, la”, as LP and Alex intended it – waving and jumping with joy with the band and the whole Arena. Everyone who has been to the LP concert and sang that song, knows very well the joy and happiness that comes with it.
photo – by meAnd then one more truly special moment happened. Just before “Lost On You”, LP said: “I see some faces that I haven’t seen in a while, like here” (then pointed at me) and added “I love you“. Need I say more?! This was a cherry on top of that magical evening.
source of video – here, thank you!“Lost On You” was a final song of the evening. Even before the concert I already knew, that I will want to stay next to the venue and wait for LP – just to say bye, as it was the only concert of this Summer tour for me. Since my hotel was basically next to the venue, I didn’t have to stress about anything.
My friends decided to wait with me. We’ve found the tour bus and stayed next to it. There was quite a group of people (at least 50). We’ve waited since about 10.40 at night. The time flew as I could talk to my friends and other LP fans, which I’ve met at the venue.
We had no idea how long it will take, but I was determined. I didn’t want to talk, take pics or anything. Just wanted to wave goodbye. At some point someone from LP’s team came out to us and said that LP will be going straight to the bus as they are unwell, I think he even mentioned fever.
So we were asked to give LP space, to not ask for photos etc. However we could stay in place and say goodbye. This happened at least several times, and after each time more and more fans decided to leave the area. At about midnight I was really tired, my legs were killing me.
But I’ve said to myself, since I’ve stayed this long, I will stay some more, especially that band members were already at the bus. They didn’t stop or talk to us, they all went straight to the bus. Before 1 am, I think, there were about 10 people left. We were all quite tired so we sat in silence.
And then, at exactly 1 am, the doors opened and LP came out. And instead of going to the bus, LP came towards us. We all stood very quiet, no one said a word. LP had a mask on and said “I’m very sorry that I cannot hug everyone but I must give Anna a hug“, and that’s how we’ve got a few seconds together.
I’ve held LP tight and didn’t want to let go, but I eventually did. LP even said that they are sorry that it was my first concert as they got sick… At first I thought LP was asking me wheter that was my first concert, only afterwards I realized what happened, as my friend took the video of this meeting.
thank you Christina!LP came then to LP Austria and took pics with them, they again were sorry for being sick and that the performance wasn’t “as good”, BUT of course we said that we enjoyed it very much, we haven’t heard any indisposition, and that LP should be proud as they did wonders especially the circumstances.
The meeting was short and LP then walked straight to the bus, but we were all very happy. We could say goodbye and I was even able to hug LP. And it was more than enough. It was all I truly wanted. I returned to the hotel incredibly happy and filled with many emotions.
Emotions that sort of brought me back to life with LP. I wanted to say thank you to LP for the hug, and to my friends who’ve stayed with me this whole time. Christina thank you for capturing that moment, I didn’t expected it, it’s a joy to be able to relive it & have it as a memento.
On the next day we’ve sightsee some more. It was incredibly hot, but we’ve enjoyed our stay in Vienna. I must say it’s a beautiful city, with huge palaces, amazing gardens and traffic lights that are highly annoying. During my visit to Vienna I’ve checked one thing of my bucket list.
Judith by Gustav Klimt – at the Upper BelvedereAt the Upper Belvedere there is a permament collection by Gustav Klimt. With twenty-four works, the Belvedere holds the world’s largest collection of oil paintings by this iconic artist, including the two masterpieces from his Golden Period: Kiss (Lovers) and Judith. And I was able to see it!!
Kiss by Gustav Klimt – at the Upper BelvedereAnd it was truly worth it. The “Kiss” is a true masterpiece that took my breath away. I’ve even got a copy from Belvedere and hung it today at my room, as a reminder of this particular trip. Trip that was so important to me on so many levels.
I hope that all of you, sooner or later will be able to join LP on their tour and find out for yourself how a unique artist LP is. And if you’ve got to see LP in some beatiful city, it will give you some extra emotions and memories for life.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this somewhat lengthy post, but after 3 long years, it couldn’t be any other way…
