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PUGET SOUND/Luis Paula MUSIC FESTIVAL August 2002

It was hot, dusty and there were about 80,000 of my closest friends from the outlaying area around the Puget Sound there. We got there at about 2pm and already there were a ton of people there. Thankfully, we got a seat realllly super close. With that, and armed with my kind of official looking camera, I was able to get fairly close to the action. You'd be surprised how authorative you can look with a good camera and a determined face.

Tait sang first, beginning with "Bonded ". Then "At a Loss". Then he announced he'd sing a song for all the fans that had been loyal for years. He started "Jesus Freak" much to the delight of the mosh pit (where I was standing). Toby appeared right in time to do the first rap bridge. Jumping screaming fans all joined in. Energy was high and so was their performance of the song. Cool thing is that I learned later Kevin sang "Jesus Freak" at his concert (the same day) in Holland. Tait did most of the parts... it was weird hearing him doing Kevin's parts, but it was enjoyable. Toby left at the end of the song and Tait did some more of his own songs, ending with "Spy". He talked about his dad, and how he named the band after him. And then he said that if ever got married and had kids he wanted to be an example like his dad was to him. To which, one of the audience members screamed, "Marry Me!" He laughed and said, "sure baby, but God hasn't told me to do that yet." The audience laughed and he said, "well, God does work in mysterious ways." I was sad to see Pete wasn't there with the band, but Tait explained he was spending time with his wife because they wanted to have kids and "apperently they need to be together to do that," Tait said.

After a quick MC interlude, Toby appeared in all his frenzied jumping glory. He started with "Get This Party Started". I headed out half-way through because I wanted to get to the signing, but thanks to the mega-jumbo screens I was able to see the whole thing. Tait came out and they sang "In the Light". It was good, but def. needed Kevin's input. Toby ended with "Irene" and then came back and did "Extreme Days".

I got in line for the signing, glad I had left early because by the scheduled time the line went as far back as I could see. It would have easily gone back a city block. Toby must have had a plane to catch or something, because he wasn't there as first posted. Tait and the band signed, but because of time limits, no pictures with them. But, I got to talk to him and I reminded him that it was Kevin's birthday. He looked at his watch and said, "That's right it's the 18th." (SO, Kevin, if you get a call from Tait... it's all me...). And I told him about Kevin's concert and I walked away. He called me back and asked how it went (and I hadn't got on the site, so I didn't know) and said it was cool to hear that it was going so well in Europe.

So... now I sit, with a lost voice and very tired... but very, very happy.