So this is what it feels like…

If you’ve followed me on this journey from the beginning until now, thank you for reading!

2023 just began and already an era of my life has ended. But before that, let’s talk about yesterday.

In terms of my concert bucket list, I managed to cross 2 out of 3 in the span of 4 months. From my 20s to my 40s, the top 3 artists in my “must watch perform live at least once in my life” list are:

1. Bob Dylan
2. Epik High
3. pH-1

Of course there were countless other artists/bands on that list that I managed to cross off already, and some that I had to take off entirely because the group disbanded or they died or whatever. I almost didn’t even get to see Epik High in KL last year in Dec because I missed the ticketing day and the seated section had sold out. Then I was attacked by that anti-social languishing bug I talked about in chapter 10, and I forgot about the concert until 5 days before the show, when I decided to search the #WTS tag on twitter and found someone wanting to sell their seated ticket. The seat was second row from the back, but then I thought, “wth it’s now or never, let’s just get it.” Bought the ticket off of someone who didn’t even know what khh was… which was totally weird because they like Epik High, just never knew what genre of music they’re in?? OK whatever. Was thankful that the person sold it at a discount (sort of). And it was my first time in Zepp! And as far as hiphop concerts go, it is an excellent sized venue.

Then later on that month, I went to the DPR concert in KL, also at the same venue, and it was the most fantastic staged-art-disguised-as-a-concert that I’ve ever been to. Like for real, it was art. It was a visual experience, as well as audio. I wasn’t even a big fan of DPR IAN, but I loved it, the whole thing.

And honestly, thank God for Zepp in KL, cos after KL Live closed down, Zepp really is the best venue and it’s what allowed Harry (pH-1) to come here! I think if it weren’t for Zepp, Harry wouldn’t have even have booked a show in KL. I was so so thankful that he even considered KL as a tour stop. I also thank Jay for always coming to KL in the past to do shows. I think that put us on the map as far as aomg-h1ghr are concerned. But really, ever since pH-1 got signed to H1GHR Music, I’ve always wanted to go see him perform live. And not just in a label concert, but his own solo show. And that show was last night.

What can I say? It was great. He had so much energy, his live performance was so stable, and he even harmonized to his own voice singing in the MR. I couldn’t see it from where I was sitting at the Cat 1 seats (front row, mind you), but from my friend Sue’s fancam, he smiled throughout the show because the audience sang along to every song. The crowd may not have been jumping like they did at DPR, but thank goodness they sang loud and clear. Thank you, KL, for coming through for Harry! I was so proud of everyone. I even kinda regret not getting VIP tickets, but I am old and I do have a bad back, and I couldn’t have survived 2 hours standing up… but it would have been nice to have seen him smile up close.

He has some other new stops just announced in SEA, but i checked the venues and none of them are as good as Zepp, so I don’t think it’s worth flying over. I kinda want to see how he’s like at other stops, but nevermind, let’s just be content at seeing him on home ground. If I were still 35 maybe I’d fly to more than 1 stop. Maybe even go to 3 stops. But we have got more important things to focus on, and there’s inflation and other priorities and stuff. For one, I’m saving up to renovate the new house I just bought (haven’t got the keys yet, but soon!). And two, we just need to cut out unnecessary expenses because everything is just more expensive, especially food.

That is probably the biggest change in my fangirl mindset. Letting myself be content with attending just one show. Whereas previously, I felt like I needed to consume as much content as I possibly could. I flew to Singapore for the AOMG concert in Jan of this year, but I think that’s my limit at this age. I didn’t even spend the night there; I flew right back the same night right after the show. And this whole thing of me foregoing other shows to focus on other priorities is the most adult thing I’ve done in terms of fangirling. Cos let’s face it: I am a huge fan of pH-1, and have been from the very first moment Jay brought him onto the scene. I’ve been hyping him up since day 1, trying to convert my friends into fans. And now that he’s on tour, I’m just going to one show?? Me?? Damn… So this is what being an adult feels like…. I find myself saying again and again, “So this is what it feels like…”

Which brings me to the topic of my next stage in adulthood: Finally moving out of our tiny house!

ps. Also I did just wear “lounge wear” to Harry’s concert. I mean who the fuck cares what you wear. It’s gonna be dark in there anyway.