Meeting Joe (Part II): Surviving an almost riot and seeing Joe Jonas on Stage

You were almost perfect

The road to see him wasn't easy. 

It was all paid off, though. 

After meeting him at the airport, I went straight to the hotel and to the venue, where I was greeted with a swarm of people, all ready to meet their idols -- mostly were fans of NCT127, a Korean boyband. Taking into account that it was my very first concert experience, I had little idea how wild or brutal people could be just to secure a front row view. I learned the hard way. 

I had been lining up since around 2 PM on August 9, 2017, with the help of few others Team DNCE/Jonas who had been there before me. Let's say we were lucky enough to get inside the gate fairly early, though not safely. The feeling of having no power over my body, being dragged by thousand people trying to push through each other were horrifying and definitely something that will possibly deter me from seeing other concerts (except Nick's and Joe Jonas' - I'll endure anything for them). 

the only selfie I took while waiting. I didn't dare to look at my own face - it was awful.

After surviving the almost-mad-mass outside the gate, I safely exchanged my ticket and found myself in another long line just outside the building. People were getting impatient, some were arguing and trying to pick a fight over a few who tried to cut the line. No matter how irritated I was, I tried to remind myself that this would soon pass and I'd be able to see Joe perform live. I just had to hold on for a few more hours. And holding on I did.

Three hours later I was inside the venue, on the 5th row from the front, close enough to see the stage. I thought it was the closest I could get to the stage. It was 5PM and the concert wouldn't start until 7 PM. Even then all the hardcore NCT fans were already pressing and pushing against each other trying to get closer to the stage, though not as extreme as they were outside the building. I started to worry how they would react once NCT took the stage. The horror was slowly creeping up on me. 

AMPM was the first to perform. Then Isyana Sarasvati, Indonesian female solo singer, and to everyone's surprise, NCT came third. As soon as the name was announced on the big screen, girls started screaming, yelling, chanting on top of their lungs, and worst of all, pushing. This was how I got squeezed like a taco. 

NCT's 15-minute performance felt like an eternity -- the one I wanted to be out of immediately. The wilderness was something I couldn't quite comprehend. All the fans were beasts, with no concerns over other's safety as long as they could see a clear glimpse of the band, record videos, and take a few photos. Being as petite and inexperienced at concerts as I was, I got caught in between people, pushed around and almost fell, as my feet were constantly stepped on, and I had difficulties breathing. The air around me was almost completely sucked, and I didn't think I would survive this. Fortunately, I did. The nightmare was soon over and people started to calm down. Starting off on the fifth row, I then found my self being even further back from the stage, but I was determined to win my spot back, or even better, glide my way to the front row. 

Moving forward like Moses parting the Red sea wasn't easy but possible since quite a few fans left the building soon after NCT got off stage. I didn't care what other people thought of me and was being the most selfish version of myself. I waded my way through the 5th row, 4th, 3rd, 2nd, and finally almost 1st. Anything to see Joe crystal clear. 

he was within my reach. I couldn't ask for more.

DNCE was the second last to perform, after Raisa and Afgan (Indonesian soloists), and I was waiting nervously and couldn't focus on the other performers before them. I only wanted to see Joe and other DNCE members. When the countdown to their performance started, I started screaming along with other people, and it felt surreal. There he was, entering the stage on a full blast, and everybody was captivated. 

Overall, DNCE performed 10 songs, more than my expectation for a free concert. The band was full of energy, and it was contagious. Starting from Naked, Body Moves, No Scrubs (TLC), Doctor Me, Almost, Toothbrush, Kissing Strangers, Pay My Rent, 90's songs medley, and closed by an epic, over the top performance of their first hit single, Cake By The Ocean, DNCE rocked the stage real hard. They were the real deal. I was enthralled, bewitched. 

I found myself crying halfway through their singing Almost. In that moment, I fully realized that Joe was in front of me, after all these years seeing him on my TV screens, posters, and computer screens.  For almost an hour I watched DNCE perform live. People sang along to their songs, everybody was screaming their names, jumping around and getting super hyped-up. I never expected a concert could be that fun. Soon I forgot the almost-death experience just a while back. I fell in love for the second time with this charming man who once was called DJ Danger, and I sure was glad I decided to come to Jakarta even just for a night. Joe, Jinjoo, Cole, and Jack gave their best performance, interacting with fans and never once were caught without smiles on their faces. That night was almost perfect. 

This concert was definitely the highlight of the year. Even now it still feels like a dream. I have never once dared to be in such close proximity to Joe and hear him sing. After flying back to Surabaya, I kept the moment on repeat: replaying crappy videos I took on my phone, scrolling through all the pictures, getting jealous with people who got to take group photos with DNCE on the day of the band's departure at the airport and in the hotel. I would do anything to go back to that day, August 9, 2017, when I met the ultimate crush of my life. 

That girl rocking the guitar is Jinjoo. I swear she's adorable yet powerful.
Where did all the energy come from, I wonder?

It will not be the last time I see him. There will be next time, I believe. And who knows, maybe Nick  or Kevin will be the next Jonas I meet. Someday, definitely. 

Until our next encounter, Joe! I'll say a proper hi and an 'I love you'. Next time, I will.