.elaine's story.

- 31/03/02 - The Olympia, Dublin

It was Easter Sunday and I should have been happy, my stomach full of Easter eggs and I was going to see one of my favourite bands, The Strokes. But I wasn't. I had to go to the gig solo because my friends don't appreciate good music and wouldn't go with me so I was feeling quite sorry for myself.

Anyway I finally got off my ass and got going to the gig. I was starting to feel excited . So I made my way in and got a good place to watch the band. I was too late to get into the pit so I decided to stay at the barrier under the VIP seats at the side of the stage.

I had heard who was playing support but I had never heard of the bands so I was just wishing they would play really quickly so The Strokes would get on quicker. The venue started to fill up and I was feeling a little paranoid as I was standing on my own but I didn't want to move because I had a really good spot and I could see the stage really well.

Eventually the lights dimmed and the first support band walked on stage it was Longwave and little did I know what was ahead of me. As they walked on stage the crowd cheered and roared, and I noticed what cool hair the lead singer had!

They opened their set with Strange and I was totally blown away this was one good band no, this was one shit cool amazing band. I was beginning to enjoy myself. They continued on with their set and I kept getting better and better, I had to get these songs on my CD player. Halfway through the set Steve said his hellos to the crowd and mentioned that it was his birthday, with that the whole place erupted in a chorus of 'Happy Birthday to you'. He wasn't expecting that!

For their second last song they played their version of Big Star's Holocaust and they did such a good job, adding in tons of feedback and effects that blew the crowd away. When they finished their set the crowd gave huge cheers and applause and I had found my new favourite band!

During the time between Stereo Total ending and The Strokes starting Longwave and The Strokes had occupied the VIP seats above me and were talking to the crowd and the crowd was doing their best to talk to them and wave to them. Longwave started to take pictures of the crowd also (I never thought I would see those pictures again but they are there on our fansite and I'm in them). Half way through The Strokes set Julian dragged Steve on stage and told the crowd that it was his birthday once again the crowd sung 'Happy Birthday' but this time it was louder, having witnessed the amazing gig Longwave performed the audience were as mad about Longwave as I was.

When the gig was over I made my way outside; it was time to go home. But as I was leaving to out the front door the bouncer pushed me out one of the side doors and although I could have cursed him then but I could kiss him now! Who was standing outside signing album only Albert from The Strokes, so I got my album cover out and he signed it and waited around for the rest to come out, Fab was the only on to come out but a small crowd had gathered and we continued waiting.

All this time members of Longwave and their friends were looking out the window at us and we were waving at them and asking them where The Strokes were. We also hassled any bouncer standing around, asking them the same questions. They told us they were gone but we waited anyway.

As the crowd kept getting smaller and smaller I was beginning to think I should head on home when Steve stuck his head out the window, once again we all sung 'Happy Birthday' and asked him to come down and talk to us. With that he arrived down with his friend Jason, we all gathered round getting our tickets signed and eventually all the other Longwave members came out. They are the nicest bunch of guys I have ever met! Giving us their time and answering all our questions about do they have any releases out how do they know The Strokes and more importantly when are they doing another gig in Dublin. We asked them to give us some free stuff and they got Jason to come down with an armful of t-shirts! I pushed, shoved and scrambled my way to the front I really wanted a t-shirt! I turned round and noticed Mike standing by the wall, I went over to talk to him and asked him to sign my ticket and Shannon were standing beside him and said to me why I didn't ask them to sign my ticket when he was there a lot longer, I apologised, and turned back round to Mike when I nearly tripped over some equipment - how that get there? Mike caught my arm and saved me from falling (my hero!). I was too embarrassed to explain to Shannon at the time that I can't really see all that well without my glasses - hence me nearly falling over a huge piece of equipment - and that is why I didn't recognise him. After that Mike bought me a rose, how sweet! So I hung round and got talking to them about how brilliant they were that night and I then decided to go home, it was all getting a little overwhelming.

I made my way up the street and Steve shouted "Bye, Elaine" and I went home with a signed album, a signed t-shirt, a signed ticket, a rose and a huge smile on my face.