It is a good thing that St. Louis started with great people in line in addition to all of the confusion at the venue.  What time are doors opening?  We don’t know.  Where are VIPs lining up?  Just here.  No, if they are over 18, go in there and if they are under 18 go over there.  No, all VIPs line up over there; the bar is just for early entry after the VIPs.  Where are M&G winners going?  Just hang outside.  Get passes at will call.  No.  Get passes in there with the VIPs and just stay there. Eh....I don’t know. We were a Keystone Kops movie waiting to happen.

I thoroughly enjoyed my only VIP experience on the tour.  The short, intimate acoustic set was fun and I was ridiculously excited to see the truck stop guitar.  I love 1st time Monkeys concertgoers, and the St. Louis show was framed with them.  The young woman in front of me in the picture line was nervous even after her picture.  Seeing that level of excitement is a good reminder.  I am certainly not jaded, but I no longer am nervous about saying hi.  I don’t want to return to the day when I couldn’t form a coherent thought in the presence of THE BEN JOHNSON, but it is fun to watch the giddiness.

The show was an ABSOLUTE blast.  I hadn’t been that close in a LONG while.  Right behind me was a young lady celebrating her 12th birthday.  Her friend had surprised her with the concert.  She had wanted to be where she could see before the band came out. Another concertgoer and I kinda worked her in front of us when the guys came out.  I think it was too much for her. She is a huge Jackson fan and I think he was just a little overwhelming for her.  She and her friend rocked out behind us, shrieking gleefully on a couple occasions and restoring faith youth. Dear parents: Those were two outstanding young ladies. Thank you for doing an awesome job!

The set list was a little old school, and I was in heaven.  I told Jerad after the show that the set list was awesome and was greeted with, “It was?  Why?”  I laughed and told him that I think I just liked hearing some stuff I hadn’t in a while.  “Grocery Store/No More” stands out as a song from the Wayback Machine that made the night more special.

Before my evening closed with that conversation, the evening of the young ladies behind me ended.  I was lucky to be just on the other side of the window when the birthday girl stepped up to the table to meet the band. It was beautiful. She was polite and well-spoken to each member, but she couldn’t take her eyes off Jackson. She was illuminated. Her whole countenance was a smile.  I couldn’t help but watch and giggle.

Through it all, that 12 year-old is what it is all about.  Pure joy. Jubilation.  Bliss.  As my time in the Liquid Zoo began to wind down, I was happy that it seemed to be ending on that note.  A note of celebration.  And the end was just starting.