Saturday 3rd February – Foo Fighters Day

A lovely morning in Woolley Bay

Cormorant out sunbathing

White-faced heron

A peaceful sunny morning by the beach to wake up to, but we wanted to get into the centre of Auckland as quickly as possible today to sort out our gig logistics.  Ever since I booked us tickets for the Foos in secret back in September I had in mind that we needed somewhere to stay that night, but the website for the stadium wasn’t forthcoming with suggestions and they actively discourage parking around the venue, hoping that people will use park and ride instead.  I just hoped that something would turn up, but we had a back-up plan if not.  Local travel on trains and buses was included with our gig ticket, so we planned to head to the stadium to pick them up and then work our way outwards until we found somewhere we can leave the van safely and, even better, be near a train station or bus stop for the journey home.

 

With the weather being much friendlier than two days ago when we drove north, we did stop in at a couple of look-outs along the coast and at the Whangerei waterfall (left).   

But we pressed on, the satnav telling us we would arrive at Mount Smart stadium by 2pm which was important, as they were shutting all the surrounding streets at 3pm for the gates to open at 4pm.  Almost without realising it, we were 30 seconds away from the main gate to the stadium when we noticed a ‘secure parking’ sign right beside us.  We negotiated a spot as far away from the street as possible, tucked right behind a row of industrial units for only $20, having agreed that we could basically come back and just sleep after the gig, rather than having to leave straight away.  What a result! We were discussing how much we would be willing to fork out and anything up to $50 was being considered, but here we were, only steps away from the stadium, for $20!  

Check it out - the entrance to the stadium and the sign (bottom left) to our overnight parking area - result!

They were warning of showers and heavy rain for the rest of the day, so we made the most of a break in the clouds to collect our tickets and grab some merchandise.  There were no queues at either location and only a short queue forming for the general admission entrance that we would be using.  We went back to the camper to chill out for an hour or so, but then we figured we may as well get a good spot on the pitch as we were so conveniently placed.  Entering at 430pm, again with no queuing issues, we found a bar and wandered into the stadium to find a gap, conveniently the right size for two, in the front section nice and centrally in front of the mixing desk.  Perfect!  Getting into conversation with the New Zealanders around us, we were in a prime position.  We had our concerns that the opportunistic people selling our parking space may have nothing to do with the businesses on whose land we were now parked and we may return to find the camper clamped or, even worse, towed away. But for now, who cared?  We were right near the front at the Foo Fighters!  Not only that, they were being supported by Weezer, a brilliantly quirky and talented band that I hadn’t managed to see live before.

The mighty Weezer

Spirits were high.  And then the rains came.  And they did not stop. The precipitation may have become lighter at times, but that was a brief respite from the more torrential downpours.  I went equipped with my windproof rain mac and Simon had a very stylish ‘Big Bus’ poncho we’ve been carrying as a back-up ever since New York.  The coats went on and didn’t come off.  I don’t think I’ve ever been at a wetter gig, we were completely soaked through.  But importantly, that didn’t reduce our enjoyment.  The first support band were a four piece, fronted by three very angry shouty girls that we didn’t pay much attention to.  Then Weezer came on and were brilliant, joining the crowd by dressing appropriately for the weather in wellington boots and sou’westers and playing their classic songs including ‘Sweater song’, ‘Hash Pipe’ and ‘Buddy Holly’.

The Foos were epic, best I’ve ever seen them I reckon.  The set list was impeccable – I think they played my favourite song off each album in there somewhere - and Dave didn’t shy away from coming to play a couple of acoustic songs with us in the pouring rain on the runway.   

A soggy Dave Grohl!

Despite being soaked through, it was cramped enough in our prime spot for the crowds to generate some body heat and, combined with some jumping around, we all managed to keep the hypothermia at bay.  I didn’t get too many pictures or videos because I was trying to keep my mobile dry in a waterproof pocket, but I have the images I need ingrained in my memory, and luckily Simon managed to grab a couple. 

We all still enjoyed the gig, despite the weather conditions

What a stroke of luck that, as I stood ringing out the water from my sleeves, we were only minutes away from our cosy camper where there were dry towels and a cosy bed waiting?!  The rain still falling, I’d hate to think how uncomfortable we would have been with the masses squeezing onto trains and trudging miles to get home. We must’ve been some of the first Foos fans to get to bed that night, absolutely exhausted and relieved that our home hadn’t been towed away!