A letter for Incubus (Part II).
Dear Mr. Brandon Boyd,
Hi! I am Lexin Ann Morales from Manila, Philippines. On November 30, 2012, exactly two years ago, I wrote you a letter, and with the help of social media, my Incufriends, Steve Rennie, and my followers, the letter reached you--and you tweeted me for the very first time:
I can still remember that feeling when I saw you tweeted me--excitement, happiness, joy. Not just once, but five times!
Tonight, May 13 2015, at exactly 4:06 am, I am writing you a letter to tell you that my two greatest dream finally came true:
Incubus came back to Manila and had a concert.
I was there. At that concert.
From the moment I went inside the Arena, I can almost feel it! Lots of people are filling the whole place. Some are walking, talking pictures, seating, and posing, and there was me--thinking, “What!!! This is it! Brandon Boyd is going to be in that stage in a few moments! This city i’m in--he’s here too! The guys are here too! In this moment! They’re here!” I can’t contain my happiness. I shouted! And jumped! I can’t really believe it! This is it! Iv’e waited for a long time for this night to come.
Suddenly the lights went off. THAT’S WHERE I WENT CRAZY!!!! I jumped and shouted, “WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!”. I can’t hear my voice because there’s so many people--so many voices in one place. I raised my voice more! I’m. going. crazy!!
But things must be slow a little bit. The stage’s light went off for a moment, then in a wink, Lindsey Sterling appeared!
(Credits to this photo)
Lindsey Sterling is just. so. perfect. She walked, danced, jumped, even hopped--with her violin on her shoulders--still hitting those notes in the most perfect way! Her music was so hard to describe. I was finding the right words to tell how her music is tingling in my ears, but I found myself closing my eyes, feeling the rhythm of the notes--more like a nature in a music form speaking to me--vibrant, calm, and smooth. She performed almost five songs and with a bit of thanks and other messages, she left with a mark on everybody’s ear. Well done, Lindsey! Now this is it. The lights on the stage went off again and a bunch of smoke captured the whole place. People started to gasp--some screamed, some jumped, some raised their hands and phones with much happiness. My nerves were trembling with excitement and joy. This. is. it!
(Photo: Rakista Radio)
And.... COUNTDOWN BEGINS! This is the most awaited 60 seconds of my life.
INCUBUS FINALLY ARRIVES ON THE STAGE!!!!!
The moment I saw Brandon and the guys I felt a tear in my left cheek. Shit, I can’t believe this. Now this is the real Brandon. I can see his tattoos, his hair, his back, his face, not in TV, or computer--but in person! In this very moment! I was swearing for almost 3 minutes. I can’t my joy!
I was crying the whole time. I mean, there were several tears in my eyes in every song. I’m in here, in this place, with all of these people, singing these lyrics, and jumping, not just that--i’m with the actual band. Over there. They’re here, playing those songs, songs that I thought I would never hear live. Songs that changed me, the songs that will always have a place in my heart. My hands are both in the air and I think my lungs are exploding--Now this is how it feels--to sing at the top your lungs. I can’t feel any air, all I see are the people, just like me, having several kinds of happiness, and Incubus, in front of us, and of course me, in the crowd, having mix feelings inside.
Incubus performs The Warmth
When Incubus played "The Warmth", a tear fell down in my cheeks. I remember a certain moment I had years ago.
It was February 2009, I was 12 years old then. I was riding in a bus and I saw this guy on TV--he was wearing a black hoodie and black shirt inside with "The secrets" in it. He got a beenie, and his hair is fluffy and messy, but that didn't lessen his beauty--yet I find it really attractive. He was singing and from the tune of his voice, the banging of drums, the guitar, and the bass, I can tell that they're a rock band. I wasn't really a "rock lover" that time--so I decided to look out the window, not paying attention to the music.
Lots of thoughts and questions were in my head--How worthless I was, why did my mom decided to let me live my life, why am I like this, what's my purpose, why am I so fucked up. I was thinking of these things when the music became louder in the bus, and my attention came back to that guy singing in the TV. I looked at him, and as I did, I heard him said these lyrics:
"...So don't let the world bring you down. Not everybody here is that fucked up, and cold. Remember why you came, and why you're alive...."
The lyrics had a big impact to me so much that I made a promise to myself that I won't ever let the world just bring me down and devour me. From that very moment, in the bus, I said to myself, that I will not die without hearing that song live from this band. That I will see them. That I will get to watch them. Someday. Somehow.
And I did. I saw them. I saw that guy--with the fluffy hair and big web tattoo on his back--his name is Brandon Boyd. And I heard it live--The Warmth. Finally I did. And when I heard it tears just came to my eyes. It was magical. Dreams do come true. Music really changes lives.
Once upon a time there was a kid who were just simply listening to your band. She’s not famous, pretty, or important, just someone--someone who is very normal, and simple. This band changed her--helped her to look at the world in a different way--Never let the world bring her down. To be strong. That it’s not late to make a change and make herself. That whatever tomorrow brings, she will be there and face it. After all, somehow, she had this dream that she hoped to achieve someday: To see her most favorite band perform live.
And after two years, this kid, named Lexin Ann Morales, finally had the chance to experience the longest night in her life--to see Incubus. After loads of hard work, and trust, and faith, she finally did believe this--that dreams do come true.
Brandon, I am that kid. The kid who once dreamed to see you. Your fluffy hair. Your tattoos. And here your voice sing. Thank you. I know that you wouldn’t even read this, or remember me in the future, but I just want to say that whatever happens, this night, the biggest and the longest night of my life--I will forever have this in my heart, just like a tattoo, that I will forever hold and remember--It will never fade. Just like the love I feel for your band. It just stays here--always. Endless.
(The after concert selfie!)
P.S.
I came and I saw you, but I didn’t bring my parents with me. Guess they’re wondering where am I the whole night? I said i’ll be gone for a group research..... Well. I love you.
Me and my friends at Incubus Live In Manila!
(Thank you, to all of my followers here in foreverincubus ever since I made this! My incufriends all over the world. Dori, Debbie, Jenny, Amanda, Ayah, Crystal, Carol, Fran, Esther, Crysty, Anomalia, Lucrezia, and everyone else. You are all the best. Thanks for all the love and friendship. Thanks to my team, for bringing me here, Rakista Radio, and of course, Ovation Productions for this event.. Cheers.)
