The VIP Treatment

Depeche Mode played in Dallas last night, and of course I went to see them, because I know three of their songs.

We had really good seats. Fourth Row good. But every time I go somewhere, I forget one thing. Last time I took a trip I forgot my belt. This time I forgot my earplugs, and today everything sounds like it's coming from a tunnel.


The light show was amazing. Tanner said it was the best he had ever seen. I also said that. Nick was terrified of the moving lighting trusses. "There are snakes above the stage! We have to get out of here!" he said, not unlike a man under the influence of several controlled substances.


Older fans of Depeche Mode are holding up really well. I didn't see any younger fans, because they do not and should not have the disposable income to be in seats within 100 rows of where we were. Also, people are putting up their concerts videos online, and while some are good, I can guarantee that I have the only version of "Enjoy the Silence" with Nick audibly being fucked up. Except maybe the guy who was standing in front of me, and the guy standing on the other side of Nick. Also, the guy standing behind me.

After the show, we went to a four-floor club, with the acceptable conceit that each floor represented Hell, Purgatory or Heaven, and the unacceptable conceit that Hell was closed.


Also, we were inexplicably given access to the fourth floor, which was a VIP room. At first, I thought it was some sort of trick where everyone has access but only thinks that they are the only ones with access. However, it did turn out to actually be an exclusive VIP area that they let us into because we smelled like we had just been in the fourth row at a Depeche Mode concert. Everyone else at the club smelled like a barnyard.


I guess because Hell was closed, management had some faux strippers dancing up in Heaven. These girls had a bunch of dollar bills stuffed into their garters, stockings, tops and crotches, but I never saw anyone hand them a dollar, so I don't know if they were earned monies or accessories for a stripper costume. I didn't ask because I felt like no matter what the answer was, I would be disappointed.

After all that we got some food, made a lot of noise in the hotel room and passed out. And that's how I spent my summer vacation.