While in Singapore, my sis told me that ION Orchard (that new, *complicated* mall at the corner of Orchard Road) had invited Carrie Underwood for a mini-concert to kick off the mall opening week-long celebrations. I reckon they must have paid her & her entourage a BOMB to do this. Seeing that it was a free event, i just happened to be there plus she IS quite a big star (i mean, American Idol winner, Grammy winner and extremely successful country/crossover singer), I decided to try to attend her concert as a “regular” member of the public.
I’m actually not a fan and I only know like 2 of her songs– Before He Cheats (which was a big pop hit) and that terrible song she had sing, record & release when she won American Idol. Hmmm, looking back I think i felt a bit of draw towards her as the season she won American Idol was when I was extremely stressed working in Singapore (2005) and I remember watching American Idol (I saw most of that season) as a way to de-stress (the other was the extremely fun & yummy BBQs we had at the place I rented!). So for some strange reason, I felt like I SHOULD go watch her at ION Orchard.
After my screen test, I went for lunch at City Hall (where I got off the MRT to Fort Canning). After some post-lunch walk-here-walk-there, I headed to Orchard. The doors were to open at 630pm but tot I’d go early. As Orchard MRT is at ION itself, I got there fast but wanted to check out a couple of shops before heading to the mini-concert “gate”. But..have you even been to ION Orchard?? It’s confusing…it’s split into 2 main parts but inside it’s like a maze! By the time I found the shops, i was dead tired (remember I climb many hills these past few days?) and needed a coffee. So i grabbed a coffee from CB and after a roundabout of directions (from a few staff mind you) I arrived at the gate at about 6pm..only to be told I couldn’t bring my (large) ice cappucino inside. They told me to finish it first so I did. But then I thought I’d go pee before going in (it’s outside so no toilet).
Due to some miscommunciation, they actually said that it was “full” already (at 610pm??) and I couldn’t go in…for some reason. But as i saw they let 2 teenagers in, I protested then they said ok (it was some miscom–read on to understand). So I went in…passed the security check etc etc. Then i realised that this public mosh pit (the other pit is by invitation and then there’s the VIP seated area) is actually behind a GIGANTIC MRT bubble. The whole area outside ION isn’t that big so you can imagine how they fit the stage and seating. At that early hour, it was mostly teenagers and some accompanying parents.
Soundcheck
After waiting about 20 min, suddenly we found out they were gonna let us in the MAIN mosh pit! I guess it was some early bird thing. Us, 2nd mosh pit-ers– the unwanted, general public– ended up arriving at the main mosh pit before the actual main mosh pit people. So we got there (amidst a fair bit of “teenage excitement”) during the soundcheck. Ok, Carrie didn’t do a sound check 
I was really there ok...
Have I ever mentioned one thing i can’t stand is waiting..? Of course, as the time went by (I was standing and kinda just observing people and taking more pics), I realised that it was gonna end up being a NIGHT thing with her starting at 8pm (and not even at 730pm– which was the show time published). See, I had made plans for dinner with 2 of my “nomadic” friends. One now based (I’m sure temporary–as she and her hubby have been all over the place) in Singapore and the other based in HK but visiting Spore for work. So, i prepped by SMS that I’ll join them close to 9pm when the show ends. Cont…
The wonders of a lighting system!