Best.
Birthday.
Present.
Ever...
I'm covered in sweat and hoarse from screaming... that's how you know it was a great show!
Yes. That's me. Drinking Champaign with MATT AND KIM!
When I arrived at London's Restless Garage, I though my biggest surprise of the night would be when my friend and fellow Hard Rock Cafe aficionado Perry showed up with his girlfriend Sarah to the concert.
That was just the beginning.
The concert, as expected, was amazing. Matt & Kim so clearly love music and love their fans. They give absolutely everything they have to their performance, and this lets you appreciate their songs on an entirely new level...
Hello London!
Matt takes it down a notch...
Balloon Armageddon!
That's Kim dancing ON the crowd!
And there's Matt crowd-surfing!
After trying to catch them in concert for literally years across the USA, I finally managed it by accident while on a Layover in London. How fucking crazy is life?
Apparently not crazy enough.
Because Matt & Kim's manager stumbled across my blog and sympathized with my numerous failed efforts to see the band live. Being the incredibly kind and generous human being he is, he arranged for a back-stage pass, for which I will be forever grateful. Because meeting Matt & Kim is kind of one of those life-defining moments...
My musical tastes are firmly planted in the 1980's. But when I first heard Matt & Kim's stuff, I fell in love with music all over again. They have a passion that you just don't see much anymore, and it comes across in every song they make. Seeing them perform those songs live lets you feel it.
After the show, Matt & Kim jumped into the audience and made their way around the show floor, saying hello to everybody. Kim stayed and signed autographs and had pictures taken until they literally kicked everybody out of the club. They just love their fans.
But the icing on the cake is that they are truly grateful for their success. They love what they do, and realize that it's their fans that make it all possible. When I was back-stage waiting to say hello, Matt & Kim were talking with various people that were there. And the topic of their conversation wasn't what a great show they gave... or how hard they rock... or how awesome they are... it was all about their fans. They went on and on with how thrilled they were that the London audience was so welcoming and so hyped to see them. They loved that everybody was having a great time. They were genuinely humbled that people showed up to watch them play. They said again and again how great it was to have such enthusiastic fans. If I wasn't already a massive fan of the band, I would have become one right there just listening to them... even if I hated their music.
And then I got to meet them, which is about the greatest thing ever.
Then the night was over, and Matt & Kim were off to Paris so they could thrill their fans in the City of Lights.
I wanted so badly to hop on a train and meet them there.
But, alas, I am flying back home today, so I had to pull myself away... content knowing that I had just met one of my favorite bands of all time.
Thanks to Matt, Kim, Kevin, Perry, and Sarah for the best birthday ever!
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That is really fantastic! Happy Birthday Dave.
Happy Birthday.
Sounds like you had a good start for it!
Your dream has come true, and it truly is the best birthday present EVER! Yay! I am happy for you 🙂 Way to go Dave.
What a great birthday present!
Pure awesomeness!
thrilled for you!! i’ve never heard their music, but you make me want to not only listen, but also buy a damn ticket if they are within a five hour drive of me.
i’m so happy your birthday was magical. happy, happy birthday!
That is seriously cool. I first heard of them through you a while back, but I’ve recently been listening to them again and liking what I’ve heard.
Good for you, man!
Well happy birthday to you! What a great gift! Hope the rest of your trip goes as well.
Happy Birthday, Dave!!
What a sweet gift! But they’re lucky to have met you, too.
🙂
xo
Happy Birthday Son, and may you have many many more. It’s great to have finally met Kim and Matt.
Dad
What an awesome birthday treat! Seeing a band that you love live is one thing, but getting to meet them — and thanks to your blog — that’s simply amazing. Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday, Dave.
I got goosebumps reading this post because it’s always cool when you get to actually meet one of your favorite bands, let alone finally seeing them live for the first time.
I hope to someday have a post like this w/ a picture of me with Martin, Fletch and Dave (a guy can dream, right?)
How perfect! So glad you’re having such a happy and memorable birthday. Safe travels!
awesome!
i’m not familiar with their music…do i suck or something, or are they somewhat obscure (ie, for cool kids to like)?
This post made me smile. Congrats on going backstage, that’s so awesome. And Happy Birthday too mate.
Oh my gosh! That is so awesome! I am really excited for you. Happy Birthday!!!
OMG – thanks for turning me on to them, just saw their YouTube videos, very cool!!
Hey, That sounds just amazing!!!!! Happy Birthday Dave!!!! I Hope your next birthday to be even better!
I am so thrilled for you! I know how long you’ve wanted to see them (even I beat you to it). So glad you got this as your birthday gift.
This? Beyond AWESOME. SO happy for you. Happy Birthday!!
Happy Birthday Dave!
It’s official. I’m living under a rock. I have no idea who either Matt NOR Kim is. Since our tastes in music is usually cohesive, I’ll have to check it out.
Happy Best Birthday Ever Dave! I knew it would work out, seeing Matt and Kim! I just didn’t expect it to work out SO well. Congrats!!
Happy birthday Dave!
Glad you had such a good time. You so deserved it 🙂
Joyeux anniversaire Dave ! 🙂
Now, that’s definitely redefining “awesome birthday”.
Happy one from me, too (belatedly)!
Freaking awesome! Happy belated birthday, Dave!
YAY!! I’m glad you had a great birthday. You totally deserve it.