Still on a high from the night before, I was very much eager to see Level 42 at The Grove, with my childhood friend, Marnie, who’s also a fan of the group. The previous night, I went with my friends Vanessa and Kyna, who were virtually new to Level 42, so it was a different kind of experience for me. They didn’t share the same enthusiasm for Level 42 as I do. I know Marnie knows them, loves them almost as much as I do, so I was very excited to see Level 42 with her.
Marnie and I before the show started.
The concert was supposed to start at 8pm. Marnie picked me up around 6:30pm, and we didn’t really get to leave my house ‘til 7pm, because she still had to get ready at my place (she had come from another appointment that day). So, we finally left around 7pm, but we were hungry, so we stopped by some Filipino fast-food place and had a quick dinner. We finally left the Cerritos area around 7:40pm. At that point, I was really in no hurry because I thought that they were going to have an opening act. We finally arrived at the venue just a little past 8pm. When we got there, people were still trickling in. We went to find our spots, and found ourselves a couple of feet in front of the stage! We were really, REALLY close! There was a couple, right in front of us, and that’s it! So, I was very excited that I would actually get to watch Mark, Mike and and the boys up close! I made sure that I got my camera out so I can take loads of pictures and try to sneak in some videos as well.
The show didn’t start ‘til about 9pm. The boys came out, and screams erupted from the audience! OMG, Mark King was right there! I ended up standing in front of Nathan King (vocals/guitar/Mark’s little bro) and Sean Freeman (sax), which was just fine (they’re lovely to look at). I must admit, I couldn’t stop staring at Nathan. I just think he’s too cute for words! Yes, I have a tiny, little crush on Nathan (OK, so it’s not “tiny, little”). He’s just too darn sexy playing that guitar. LOL I can’t believe I just said that. Don’t get me wrong, I still have a crush on Mike (my first L42 crush), and Nathan’s big bro, Mark, but they’re both married, so I’ve limited my infatuation with them to a minimum. Nathan, on the other hand, is single (from what I know), so he’s fair game. BAHAHAHA! I’m kidding! Erhmm.. I love his rapport with Sean. Those 2 are definitely fun to watch together! And they seem to have their little secrets on stage, especially, Sean. He kept leaning over, and whispering to Nathan. And they’d smile, or laugh. Cheeky buggers. Haha!
Pete Ray Biggin, their drummer, is a beast on the drums! A beast, I tell yah! He’s insane, he played non-stop! And Level 42 songs aren’t easy-peasy. The drum parts are complicated and high-octane, even with the ballads! By the end of the concert, he was soaking in his own sweat! It was as if someone dumped a bucket of water on him! That’s how soaked he was!
Of course, they did the hits. My new favourite song, however, that I never paid attention to before, is “Dream Crazy”. I love the words, and the way Mike, Nathan and Sean sing the chorus, in their falsettos, is just too sexy! Haha! I love the line, “I love the way you start to glow. I love the way your body flows.” Yeah, I’ve been listening to that song over and over since the concert.
If you’re looking for one reason (besides hearing “Something About You”, “Lessons in Love” and “Running in the Family”) to see Level 42 in concert, then it would have to be Mark King’s bass solo. This man is a legend. He has perfected the slap style of bass-playing. And the speed at which he does it, is mind-blowing! And he sings, and chews gum while he plays. That’s no easy task. Haha I’ve seen a lot of bass-players who sing in my lifetime, but there’s just something about Mark that’s completely different and just awe-inspiring. No one can do what he does and he’s ace at it!
The show ends, and we linger inside the theater for a bit, hoping they’d come out. But security started shoo-ing us away, so we had to leave. We got to the car, and I was telling Marnie that I would really love to meet them, but it looks like they weren’t going to come out. We sat in her car for a bit, and looked at the pictures I took from the concert. Then, we finally decided to leave. As we were about to leave the parking lot, I noticed a group of people had congregated behind the venue. I told Marnie to turn around to see what was going on. We got to the back of the venue, and I saw their TOUR BUS! OMG, am I really going to get to meet them?! As soon as we parked, we ran to the wired fence that enclosed the back area. We waited a good while, and it was getting really cold until who emerges from the back door?! MIKE LINDUP! My mind started racing, I was thinking of things that I wanted to say to him. We were at the end of the line, so I thought, I had enough time to think of what to say to him. Finally, he reached us, and he was right in front of me, smiling! I didn’t know what to say, or do! I reached out my hand and I shook his, and all I could muster was, “I’ve loved you since I was 7 years old.” He smiled, and said that was sweet, and then we asked him for a picture with us. He leaned over to me, and I could feel his chin resting on my head. Haha Mike was my first L42 crush, and now he had his arm is around me! I was just star-struck and flustered, I didn’t know what else I said to him. My mind turned into goo, and my mouth felt like it had cotton-balls in it. I felt like a complete doofus! And what’s worse was that, I sort of ignored Mike, and stared at Sean Freeman, who finally came outside. He actually started at our end of the line, instead of at the beginning, where Mike started, and he kinda hung around with us for a little while. But yes, I kind of ignored Mike, I felt so bad! But before he walked away, I managed to muster up a “thank you for coming to the US”, and for letting us have our picture taken with him. And he smiled and walked away. Seriously, I’m still kicking myself for not being able to speak to Mike at length. *sigh* I wish I get another chance, next year.
With the lovely Mike Lindup. I was so intimidated by him, I didn't know what to say!
Sean (sax man) was a doll! He was so adorable, nice and friendly! I didn’t really get to say much to him, he did most of the speaking (haha!), and I just hung back and listened to his gorgeous accent. He said something like, he lives close to Scotland, which is why his accent has kind of a lovely Scottish lilt to it (I love the Scots and their accents! The thicker the accent, the more charming I find it.)! Marnie and I asked if he could pose for a pic with us, and he gladly obliged, then he put each of his arms around Marnie and me! *insert fan-girl squee* He gave us each a kiss on the cheek and moved on to the next person.
Something that Sean did/said kinda struck me as a bit odd, though. When he came over to us, I said “Hi, I’m Aura.” and shook his hand. He then said, “[I'm] Sean. And it’s nice to meet you…..FINALLY.” and then he smiled. That took me by surprise, then I said, “Finally?! What?” because I wasn’t sure what he meant. Even Marnie looked at me, confused as to why he said, “FINALLY”. But he didn’t say anything, he just smiled. :-/ I’m still a bit puzzled about that one, to be honest.
With the adorable Sean Freeman.
We waited a bit for Nathan, who haven’t quite reached us because a bunch of people kept cutting in front of us to talk with him. He finally got to us, and I just… I just… I didn’t know what to say. I shook his hand, introduced myself and then we asked for picture. He spoke to my friend Marnie at length, because she asked him what part of England he’s from and if he knew a football (soccer) player, who happened to be the father of Marnie’s brother-in-law. So, they spoke about that for a little bit, while I chatted up with other fans that were waiting outside.
With (my future hubby) Nathan King. Hah!
Then, Pete Ray (drummer) came along and joined Nathan, Marnie and I in the conversation. They were discussing how Marnie didn’t look like she had a 15 and 12 yr old. Then, Pete Ray asked us what our nationality was. Marnie said we’re Filipino. He said that his first girlfriend was Filipino, and that she was great, and sang really well. Boy, did that ever make my night! Marnie told him and that she and I both sing. Anyway, so we posed for a pic with Pete Ray, and Nathan. Then, after that Pete Ray moved on.
With the phenomenal Pete Ray Biggin (and Nathan King).
Before Nathan walked away, I told him that I really thought he was a fantastic guitar player, and that I couldn’t stop staring at the way he played the guitar. I told him that I tend to watch intently, and learn technique from guitar players, since I’m a frustrated guitar player myself (I can play, a little.). He got all shy and said thanks, but said that it was just all “smoke-and-mirrors”. But I told him, it wasn’t. He was really, really good. I totally forgot to mention that I thought his work on “Heaven in My Hands”, and “Something About You” was outstanding! The guitar riff during the chorus of HIMH, and during the bridge in SAY, are quite distinct and iconic, almost. Alan Murphy and Boon Gould set the bar quite high for me, so when Nathan was able to pull off those 2 particular riffs in those 2 songs, I was quite impressed! But of course, I forgot to mention that to him. Anyway, he thanked us for coming, and we thanked him for coming to the US. He gave us hugs, and kisses, and then went to their tour bus.
Finally, the moment I’d been waiting, dreaming, hoping for, has arrived! Meeting Mark King! I thought I would be very intimidated talking to him. But he was just the sweetest, nicest, most lovely man you’ll ever meet! He’s so down-to-earth for someone who’s such a gifted musician. There are people who act modest and nice, but you can still sense that slight hint of arrogance. With Mark, there was none of that at all. And I half-expected he wouldn’t be very approachable, but he was the complete opposite of that! Not one arrogant bone in that man’s body. I was incredibly surprised at how warm, friendly and approachable he was. I introduced myself, and shook his hand, he pulls me to him and gives me a hug and a kiss. Seriously, it was hugs and kisses everywhere! We asked for a picture (which is just too epic in itself). Then, I told him that I wish they’d played “Seven Years” from their “Guaranteed” CD. He said that it was a great tune, but there were just too many awesome tunes that he wanted to include but couldn’t, due to time-constraints. Marnie told him that they should do a 3-hour show! The look on his face was just classic when he heard that and then he touched his throat and said that he didn’t think his throat could handle it. I told him that I loved him and that we’re glad they’ve finally come to the States after so long. He thanked us for coming. I asked him if I could touch his hand, he said to “have a go at it”. So, I did! I held his hand for a bit, with both my hands. I caressed it, squeezed it, massaged it for a bit. I wanted to savor that freakin’ moment! He didn’t care, he just let me do whatever I wanted with it, didn’t even try to pull it away, while he was talking to other fans. I finally let go, because I was getting carried away. Haha! I thanked him, then he gave us hugs and kisses again! He’s sooooo lovely! Before he left, he said that they will definitely be back next year! Ahhhh!!! I can’t wait!
With the amazingly talented, Mark King!
It was quite an evening! One that I won’t forget for a very, very long time!
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