When I first heard that Linkin Park is coming back to Germany I instantly bought a ticket for the show in Cologne because that was the nearest. A few weeks later then, they announced a show in Dortmund - where I live. I couldn't believe it but at the same time I thought that I could not forgive myself if I wouldn't go there aswell - now that they were going to play a show 30 minutes from my apartment! So I bought another ticket for Dortmund and I just couldn't wait for the day to finally come!

And then it was there. October 26th. It was going to be the fifth LP concert and I was so ready! I was there about 6 hours before they would open the doors. Two friends of mine and I were waiting in the cold but we were so happy and excited that the time went by quickly. When they finally opened the doors I forgot about my friends and walked (! - running is not allowed ;) ) as fast as i could to make sure i can see everything. I was amazed by the stage and hyper about what it all would look like during the show, ect... and there i was in the second row with a girl I've met outside. It was her first LP concert and I was happy for her to be in the first row. A little later my friends and her brother came to us. We've been talking so much that we couldnt believe how fast the time went by. After "The Futureheads" the crowd began to push towards the stage because the show would start in minutes. That was my chance to be in the first row and after a short time I've made it! The first row. The last time i was in the first row was at the Project Revolution show in Düsseldorf/Germany. Now I was even more excited. And then it happened....

The lights went out and all the fans screamed and applaused and pushed towards the stage again. I love it!

Then the intro "The Requiem" started and all i can remember is me being mesmerized by the way the intro sounded in the "Westfalenhalle" and the way the light started to shine through the LED-Walls (I think it was LED - I have no idea but it looked awesome!). And just in the second where the "Ooh"-part started i got major goosebumps. I was so faszinated i knew this show was going to be epic! And it was!

The whole concert was amazing and a lot of fun. Because the stage was so close to the crowd it was almost familiar.

Unfortunately the only thing I have to complain about is the sound in the "Westfalenhalle". I couldn't hear the voices clearly. But that of course is not the fault of LP.

After we made new friends and got back home, I went to sleep right away to be ready for Cologne.

Again we were there a couple of hours earlier to make sure we're up front. When they opened the doors it was the same thing. I forgot about my friends and walked to the stage but this time i knew i wasnt going to be in the first row. But second row was fine, the girl in front of me was a lot smaller than me so it was almost like the first row.

The problem was, my friends wanted to make a photo for MFR - which I didnt know. So i was standing there for two hours, all alone, between extremely weird people. (I mean i was alone and i was kind of forced to listen to their conversations - and they were definitely not the persons i would want to be friends with)

After "The Futureheads" I knew that the sound in the "LanXess Arena" is going to be a lot better than in the "Westfalenhalle". When the lights went out i got excited again, got goosebumps again and had fun again. Then after a few songs they played "When They Come For Me" - the first song i immediately fell in love with when first listening to ATS. Then all of the sudden Brad throws a drumstick towards me and I got it!!! The thing was another girl got it aswell and for hells sake both of us did not want to let it go just like that. So we pulled and pushed a little. The Problem was it was me against her and her friends (not fair?). Then after about 2 minutes a security comes to us, looked at me and asked "What's going on here?". I guess the girl couldn't speak english so i talked to him "I really don't want to cause any trouble but I swear I got it first" I guess the Security Guy knew that I wasn't lying to him - then he asked "Will you let go if i give you some pleks?" Because I really didn't want to discuss I said "Yes" of course, and i thought that I would have at least something to bring home. He gave me 2 pleks but then he said "Wait a second" He turned around, walked away and then he came back with the setlist off the stage! "It's gonna get better" he said and two minutes later, he came back with 2 (!) Drumsticks that Rob had just used!

He really made my day! I thanked him plenty of times. I was so grateful, happy and I couldn't stop smiling.

After the show the lights went on and suddenly everyone saw me and the drumsticks. "Hey could you give me at least ONE drumstick? I'm a drummer myself! Come on you have got two, you can give me one, pleeeeaassee!!!!" Of course I said no! I fought for it! They're mine now. They only person I would give one drumstick is one of my best friends who is also a drummer and loves LP. Then another guy wanted to touch them just one time and make a photo. It was crazy!!

I will never forget those two days! I made new friends, I was in the first row and I even got gifts!

Thank you to my friends and my new friends for sharing this memory.

Thank you to the Security Guy - I owe you! I don't know what though, but i owe you! :D

And of course THANK YOU to Linkin Park! You give us so much energy and love. Thank you for being a big part of my life for 10 years! Thank you for everything!

(Another thanks to SAM THE CAMERAGUY who gave me the third plek after the show in cologne! )