After seeing the first arena show in Pau from very close distance I decided to go seated in Toulouse. It was a practical decision, I was going to arrive Toulouse by train in the afternoon and couldn’t be at the venue early. Also, after all the traveling it felt a rational idea to have a relaxed day before the gig and to have a possibility to go to the venue last minute.

Having a seated place has its pros and cons. There’s no stress and this time I avoided a major mess at the gates. Also, big show elements look often more impressive from further away and that was true also this time, the huge background and especially the giant heart and colorful balloons looked absolutely beautiful and even more impressive seen from behind. On the other hand, the main energy point is always close to the stage and sometimes it’s not even allowed to stand up and dance in the middle of the seated area and for me the most important thing is to see the performance and to be able to catch every detail in it and from far away that simply is not possible.

My seat was great. I was located fourth row on the right side of the central area and had an amazing view. The venue was sold out and genuinely full, the standing area was packed and the huge seated area was reserved as far up as I could see. Before the gig started the audience looked promising, the DJ made the standing area sing, dance and wave their hands and at that point I thought the seated area would later join the fun. That didn’t happen in the end though, during the gig the crowd was quiet and not nearly as enthusiastic as at the previous, smaller gigs.

I paid attention that people in the large seated area were generally a bit older and I saw families as well. People didn’t seem to know the newer songs yet and preferred to stay seated also during more energetic songs. Luckily a young couple in front of me danced during many songs even though everyone else around us stayed seated so I could stand up and dance a bit as well and no one stopped us and or asked us to sit. During Love Today more people here and there stood up but for We Are Golden everyone went back at their seats again and for me (who is used to be in the middle of the jumping people) that felt a bit unnatural to say the least.

I absolutely loved my view and watching the stage setting and took some photos of the background and filmed small clips to have something to watch later. During Happy Ending I was as usual fully focused on listening and loved it and literally felt the song in my whole body. Along with Paloma it was the most important song for me during the evening. The performance was extremely powerful and I felt it strongly, it came as a wave of emotion, and at that moment I finally totally forgot the seated area and people around me. I loved also Grace Kelly with balloons, it looked gorgeous and I loved it that they did the balloons particularly during this song making it very special that way. Tomorrow had a lovely mood and I have to give a special mention to that as well.

My favourite show elements in the new setting are the pictures of Mika’s parents on the background, I love the idea, and obviously the pink piano. It’s all very simple, really, and I like it that way and can’t wait to see it all again and again.