As you might already know; I am crazy about concerts. Last night Kina Grannis was on the agenda. I've known her for a while through YouTube, but for a year or so, I didn't really look at her videos anymore. Around a month ago I clicked on a video of hers, and I fell in love all over. Her voice is so soft and soothing. I saw tour dates on her website and I noticed that she was coming to Antwerp. And just like that, I decided to buy tickets without even properly knowing her songs yet. I had the feeling that I needed to go the concert, it felt like something that I had to do. And in maybe 2 weeks all of her songs were stuck in my head.
Finally, the day came and in the afternoon the person I was going with cancelled because she was ill. Quickly I had to find another person to go with and I did.
This concert was so different from all the concerts I've done so far. There was no waiting outside 4 hours before just because you wanted to stand in the front row. There was no standing up for another 3 hours inside. There was no pushing because everyone want to go in at the same time. There was no not being able to see because large people were standing in front of you. There was no ear damage because of all the screaming girls.... Don't get me wrong. I don't hate any of these things, but it's nice to have something else for a change. There was coming in 15 minutes before because you have assigned seats. There were really comfortable seats to enjoy the music on. There was no pushing, because everybody came in at different times. There was a total view of the stage because there were no large people in front of you. There was only soothing of the ears. There was a really fancy theater hall, which I've never been in. There was a sitting wherever you wanted because the hall wasn't full, and sitting on your assigned seats didn't really matter that much...
Imaginary Future did the opening act. It's so nice for Kina that she's able to tour with the ones she loves, like her sister and her friends and her husband. Jesse (Imaginary Future) did so well! It's lovely to see how such a humble person can still be so humble but so grand just by standing and singing on a stage with only his guitar.
We had to wait an hour until Kina would come on stage, but it was totally worth the wait. I went to the merch stand and bought her cd, and then we sat ourselves down in the front because there were still some open seats left there.
After a little more of waiting, finally the lights went out, the band appeared and then Kina came on stage. Time to get into the zone.
The many interactions with the audience were something that I really liked, because it's not always that common. She told stories behind her songs and she even called four girls on stage to sing with her (I might've done it if I'd known the song better); Jesse kept asking how everyone was doing; And they both told quite a few times how much they loved being in Antwerp for the first time; The rest of the band entertained the audience when Kina was tuning, etc ...
Most of the songs on Elements were performed, but she also did some old songs, even a cover and a duet with Jesse, which was totally the cutest thing ever. My Own was beautifully performed by Kina and her sister, Emi, Little Worrier was introduced by a (cute) story which gives a nice view as to what the lyrics are about, Forever Blue was really emotional which made the performance beautifully powerful and made me tear up a bit, Winter has a beautiful set-up and should last forever, My Dear was the supposed "last song" (followed by 2 other songs, after they said goodbye and after Kina came back on stage) and it got a standing ovation, which made Kina tear up.. "Way to make me cry, guys."..
I could go on forever about the songs, but you might get bored.
Overall, it was a calm, relaxing and satisfying night which I will never forget.
