I have a Duranie scrapbook that I have been keeping since I started touring with vigor back in 2005. I wanted some place to capture everything that touring is as I didn’t and don’t want to forget a moment! This scrapbook contains setlists, receipts from purchasing tickets, seating charts, the tickets itself and more. One of the best parts of the scrapbook is my tour write-up. During this write-up of sorts, I go into detail about the tour from start to finish. I describe traveling, what happened, how the shows were, etc. It is like a journal or diary of sorts. When I’m really good with it, I will add pictures to show what I am talking about. Since I have returned from the UK, I have been working on this one. As you can imagine this one is much longer than a tour with one or two shows since a lot more went into traveling overseas. When I reread these, how I felt about the tour becomes very obvious. For example, in the spring of 2005, I was begging and pleadingly for more. I couldn’t get enough! Everything was positive and exciting then for me. Then, I reread the one I wrote in May after going to the UK and not getting any shows. That one was filled with forced determination. Looking back, I can tell that I was trying really hard to be and stay positive. This one, in contrast, is very different. I feel like everything is back to being positive again!
Obviously, I know a lot more in 2011 than I did in 2005. I know WAY more about touring, traveling as well as how the fan community seems to work. I know that not everything is perfect and there are a lot of people who don’t like and who won’t like us or what we have to say. Heck, we have been dealing with that this past week on Twitter. Yet, this isn’t bothering me because I have too much good stuff surrounding me! This tour of the UK, for me, gave me so many positive things. First, it was an accomplishment! It was a dream fulfilled! That in and of itself should be and would be good enough! Truly, that is what Rhonda and I wanted to begin with! Fortunately, though, we got WAY more than that. We saw so many wonderful friends whom we met last May. On top of that, we made more friends! Now, I can’t imagine life without them. This has reminded me that there are SO many wonderful people in Duranland. Sometimes, it is so easy to forget that, when all you see are negative people. It was so nice to be able to relax and have fun with other fans! Lastly, and most importantly, I fell in love with the band again.
Like many of you, I have been a fan of this band for decades. I cannot remember a time when I haven’t been a fan. They are a part of me, at this point. Thus, I can’t imagine having something happen that would result in me walking away or not caring. Heck, I have a blog about being a fan of theirs! I’m committed! That said, like Rhonda, I wasn’t sure that I would ever be able to capture the spirit of excitement that I once had, as evidenced by my 2005 write-ups. I enjoyed myself at the Chicago show, but it wasn’t the same. Maybe I was worried about something going wrong or that something negative was right around the corner. Maybe the band was in a different spot then, too. Then, I saw those 4 shows in the UK. Some of those shows were the best I have ever seen!!! That show in Glasgow, for example, continues to invade my thoughts! I was reminded in a very serious, very intense way about what is so great about this band, their music and their live performance. I became a fan all over again!!!
Maybe the lesson here is that fandom goes in cycles like this. You feel all excited and everything is good then too much negative happens and you forget about the wonder and the fun. Then, if you are lucky, you are given the chance to start all over again in a way. Maybe I’m the only one who has ever felt this way. Maybe the band feels this way and that they have been able to keep going because the cycle continues or because they have been lucky enough to have their spirits renewed over and over again. Whatever the cause, I’m grateful! Now, I’m already dying for more shows!!! My Duranieness is back and ready to go!!
-A
I love your enthusiasm for more shows. It proves you've had an awesome time. That's great after the set back a few months ago.
I am still waiting for any news of a concert in my country on this tour. I actually feel really flat as I doubt there will be good news. I love the album and I love the success the band are having. But it's just hard to feel really connected to it all. I can't help but say 'what about me, why can't I have a show too?'. I want a taste of that ultimate experience. You've talked about cycles; for me it's a flat line.
All the best.
A renewed sense of being a fan. That's exactly how I feel. It's been quite a year. Not always good times, but it has definitely ended on a high note for me. Unbelievably so. 🙂
I want to shout from the rooftops that going back to the UK was NOT a mistake. It was NOT a wasted effort, even with all of the sweat and tears that went into it at times…and more importantly, I am glad I had the opportunity to go. My husband doesn't always understand where I'm coming from – no matter how many times I tell him that I have loved this band longer than I've KNOWN him (what an ego buster that's gotta be). Being a fan is a part of who I am, and it's what makes me….me. It feels good to be back in touch with that part of me, and I would do it all again. Well, maybe not the part when I stood in front of Simon to hear him tell us that he couldn't sing. That was heart wrenching, but I am so thankful that I was able to see the result of his efforts to get back.
If the band weren't enough, I am SO glad that I had my best friend with me to see the whole experience through. Not many people can travel overseas to places they've never been with friends and come through it knowing that your friendship is even stronger, and yet I can say that with certainty about Amanda. It's nice to have that kind of friendship with someone other than my husband! He just doesn't understand when I'm screaming for Roger, John, Dom, Nick or yes…even Simon. ;D Amanda and I can still giggle for HOURS over the band, call them all sorts of naughty names when we feel its necessary, and still make “business” decisions together without missing a beat. I am lucky to call her a friend after all of this.
No matter what comes next, I'll always remember this tour, the friends I've made and the great times I've had, and I am not sorry for having gone back. It was worth the wait. -R
Anonymous-I don't blame you for feeling flat. I think I would be, too, in your shoes. I, for one, am hoping you have good news soon!
Rhonda-Are you trying to get me emotional?!
-A
Never, Amanda. I would never do that. 😀