If I were a boot, that's the boot I would be: The Lumi's at Paradiso

If you know me well, you know that I started looking up concerts in Amsterdam immediately following receiving my acceptance letter.

There are so many great venues, so many amazing bands lined up, so many wonderful nights of live music to be heard.

The Lumineers were at the top of my list. If you don't know them (shame on you!), they're a indie-folk band from Denver. Last year they had their first CD release party at Twist and Shout and Ani, ClayBoy and I swayed happily along in the audience to each beautiful song. Since the show was small and intimate, and they weren't too popular yet, we got to say hello and get our CD's signed. I dreamed of makin' moves on beautiful lead singer Wesley Schultz, but nerves got the best of me, as usual. Afterward, we walked to the Chipotle around the corner and as we were munchin' our burrito bowls, the three lovely musicians coincidentally walked in and sat down to eat at the table next to us. (Oh, how I miss Chipotle.) Over the next couple of months, I started hearing them on the radio and watched as they began to get the recognition they deserve.

But since there were so many unknowns and overwhelming changes ahead, I figured I'd just wait to make sure I had a solid concert buddy once I arrived here and buy my Lumi's tickets then.

Awful idea. Tickets sold out extremely fast.

Devastated.

But I'm no stranger to miraculously finding my way at the front of sold out shows, or getting lucky with last minute craigslist ticket sellers. So I've been asking each Dutch person I meet: does craigslist exist here? is there any other website like it? do you have any suggestions for somehow acquiring tickets to sold out concerts?

And a few days ago, a lovely friend gave me lovely advice. Add myself to the concert's facebook event, post there that I was in search of tickets, and keep checking back to see if anyone had posted about selling theirs.

So one idle Monday night (three days ago), I was randomly clickin' around facebook and suddenly felt a strong urge to check the Lumineers at Paradiso, Amsterdam facebook event page. Low and behold, a girl had posted approximately 1 minute ago that she was sick and selling her and her friends tickets. With shaking fingers, I frantically scribbled out a message to her stat. She had two tickets available, 25euro a piece, and would love to sell them to me.

HALLELUJAH!

There were a couple small issues: I didn't have anyone set to go with (because I was not planning on being so lucky in a million years), she lives in Rotterdam so I couldn't just hop on my bike and exchange money for tickets, I needed a Dutch bank account in order to transfer money to her, I do not have a Dutch bank account yet, etc. But after a very stressful hour or so, I had figured everything out. A lovely German girl told me she would love to go. The couldn't be nicer ticket seller had a friend that lived in Amsterdam and if I could personally deliver the money to him, she would email me the tickets.
And bonus: she even offered me her third ticket, because she said I was nicer than all the other people she was talking to and would rather sell it to me. Perfect, perfect, perfect.

So Tuesday morning rolls around. I map out my game plan: Printer, ATM, 30 minute bike ride south to deliver the cash. And hallelujah again, all went swimmingly and I didn't even get myself lost!

Tuesday night rolls around and I meet my two German friends at Wok to Walk in Leidseplein to grab a bite and then head to Paradiso. Dinner was delish. The company couldn't have been better.

Adorable girls and Delish food!

We got to the venue just as doors were opening, walked forward until we were just in front of the stage, and stood in awe admiring how gorgeous Paradiso is. Now, I'm from the land of Red Rocks Amphitheater, I know an amazing venue when I see one and this was an absolutely amazing, amazing, amazing venue. It used to be an old church. So incredible. Just a different kind of worship being done these days. (ps. Funny: "the only church the Dutch go to is Paradiso")

Amazing venue.

So the opening guy goes on. He's good. We're jammin'.

And then right around 21:00 (that's 9pm, folks), my wonderful friends, the Lumineers walk onstage to a crowd of cheering fans. Lovely Wesley puts his fingers to the strings of his guitar and opened his mouth and swoooooooooooooon. They played a generous set: their entire album plus one absolutely amazing new song, and a few covers. And highlight: at one point, they left the stage, climbed to the balcony in the back of this beautiful venue and played their most popular, can't not smile when you hear it, song from this amazing place above all their adoring fans. Made the list of one of the most magical show moments I have even experienced. So amazing. I was on a complete live music high (no Amsterdam coffeeshops necessary!) and smiled uncontrollably for the rest of the evening.

Cutie Mr. Jeremiah Fraites

Wesley looking handsome and dapper and adorable, as always.

Groovin' away.

(I unfortunately did not get any good pictures of the beautiful Neyla Pekarek, but she was nothing less than amazing as well)

HO! HEY!

<3 <3 <3

I am still in awe of how wonderfully lucky I am. To be here (in Amsterdam). To have the opportunity to be there last night (at Paradiso). To be having the best day of my life, each and every single day.

Incredible, incredible, incredible.

Lumineers, I belong with you, you belong with me, you're my sweethearts <3