Patricia Birden

I am also looking for 1 Ticket for “Le Gala des Pieces Jaunes”,  Paris, if anyone has a spare one, I would be most grateful.

Thank You in advance.

14 minutes ago, Patricia Birden said:

How did you get seat numbers? I miss get be interested 

Sorry not interested after all

10 minutes ago, Prisca said:

When you buy your tickets for Perugia, you see the seat numbers when you buy it.

Thanks Prisca

9 minutes ago, Prisca said:

When you buy your tickets for Perugia, you see the seat numbers when you buy it.

Ahh yes I see it now.

1 minute ago, holdingyourdrink said:

For sale:

 

10th of July Umbria Jazz ITALY

Row E seats 39 and 40

 

Selling it for the price I have paid. PM if you’re interested! 

How did you get seat numbers? I miss get be interested 

For me its this: “breath out, breath in, throw me LIVING off the deep end while I’m sleeping’…………….

And, “is it really necessary, every single day, you’re making me more ordinary, in every possible way”…….. when somebody or many are trying to break your spirit.

10 hours ago, Prisca said:

However, I still couldn't get my biggest wish (and believe it or not), which is that I've wanted to talk to Mika for 6 years now and with all the concerts I've never managed it. I really wish I was one of those people who could do it after one or two concerts. I guess I'm like most people: I want what I can't have. 🙈When I stand in front of Mika, I really feel like I've gone back 20 years in my development and I can't open my mouth

It will happen Prisca. Believe it for next time. And next time take Mika back with you 20 years and you can both be kids together.

10 hours ago, Prisca said:

Mika was sooooooo relaxed despite the pushing. I don't think I've ever seen him so relaxed after a concert before. And he even agreed to take photos after the M&G. Karin says that fans used to say that Mika steals the brains from the fans when he looks at them in a certain way. Honestly, I think he's already stealing them before he comes out. Fans change their personalities when it comes to Mika. However, I'm afraid that the people who say it was too much for him might be right and we'll have to wait a while for the next M&G.🙈

That’s funny Prisca, Brain stealing. I think he doesn’t only steal brains but hearts too🤣. Personally I don’t think that the M&G was too much for him because if it had been, you would not have seen Mika downstairs in the bar. He would have left through some back stage door and be gone. I also thought that Mika was very relaxed and also very happy.

1 hour ago, Prisca said:

Here comes my Priscasoon report. 🙈

 

 
The public transport strike certainly didn't make the journey to the Royal Festival Hall any easier, and neither did the journey to the accommodation afterwards. But somehow everything worked out, even though the journey was a lot longer than planned. I went to the accommodation on Thursday and did the check-in and then went to the unofficial meeting of the MFC directly afterwards and arrived there a bit after 4pm. It was very nice to see many MFCers again.

 

 

  

The staff from the Royal Festival Hall told Deb that we could go listen to the eliminated pianists in the piano bar at 5.00 pm. But then it turned out that it's not that easy, because we didn’t have an invitation. So once again the staff gave us contradictory information.

 

   
A little later than planned, the recording started, which I'm obviously not allowed to say anything about. Many say they are happy that this time it is in English and they will understand it. I have to say, I would most likely have understood it better if it had been in Italian or French. What Mika said I think I understood everything, Lang Lang too, Claudia Winkleman: no comment! @Hero laughed next to me and I thought I would laugh too, but I have no idea what she just said. 🙈I agree with the people who say the concerts were very beautiful. So those who weren't there can look forward to watching the final. And I'm also very happy to watch the previous episodes to see how the finalists were chosen and also to see who played who then didn't make it to the final. What I can say that has nothing to do with the recording itself is that I can sympathise with Mika when he crushed his finger. During the recording we stood up in between and then sat down again. I then stretched my legs way too far forward when I sat down again and when the MFCer in front of me sat down, my foot was squashed between the seat and the floor and I couldn't get it out. At first it didn't hurt that much, but by the time I managed to pull my foot out it hurt quite a bit because I had to explain to the person in front of me to please stand up so I could pull my foot out. To my amazement, my big toe survived pretty much unscathed and it hasn’t bruises. And another tip: If you're not used to riding double-decker buses, don't go upstairs, especially if it's the middle of the night and you're not that awake. I ended up going down faster than I had planned because I didn't have the balance (no, I wasn't drunk) and I was catapulted down. I didn't fall over, but bumped my left knee on the left railing and my right knee on the right railing. Expected both my knees to have bruises later, which happened! 🙈

 

 
Ok, back to The Piano. We were informed by Deb that we could see Mika later. I knew which door to go to, but not exactly where the meeting would be. So, after the recording I immediately climbed over the back of the chair (by the way, that's also how I got to my chair before the recording because I was sitting in the last row in the front stalls ) and walked down the downstairs as fast as I could because I knew that the later, I would go down there, the more people there would be and I wouldn't be able to get ahead. So, I got downstairs pretty quickly without any pushing. There I looked for Deb and found her pretty quickly (she would surely know where the meeting would be and I didn't feel like looking for the place). I only found out after Andrea's post here that an old lady had her foot walked over. That really isn’t acceptable, no matter how great the desire to get somewhere is.

 

 
The staff had told Deb that we should wait in the hall until the "normal" audience had walked out. Then as we waited there, they pretty quickly told us to go out of the hall. Ok, once again contradictory information.

 

 
Many wanted to be at the front row and waited by the doors. The fact that the staff had to take tables at the back through these doors didn't exactly help to reduce the pushing. I didn't experience the pushing because I think I was in the third row when Mika came out. However, I have to say that I understand very well that people want to be in the front row because when Mika signs autographs, probably only the first row will get some and maybe a few from the second row. Also, giving gifts is much easier when you are in the front, the further back you are, the more difficult it is. And the people don't want to take the presents for Mika home, I understand that very well. Talking to him is also more difficult when you're further back. If you're loud enough and have a good idea like Phoebe, it works, but it's always harder further back. I agree with @mellody that Mika sees you even when you're not in front. However, I really don't think you go to a M&G for Mika to SEE you. He's also seen you at the concert when you're not in the 100 row or something like that. So, in my opinion, you want to ask him for an autograph, talk to him, give him a present or something like that and that works better in the front row. Of course, he's seen Rose, but she's been his fan for 15 years and he always talks to her. However, with most fans it's not the case that you get so much attention if you're not in the front. It's not a coincidence that there are fans who get his autograph (almost) every time and others who (almost) never get his autograph. They get an autograph because they are in the front row.

 

 

  

If we now come back to the pushing. When the fans want to be in the front row, there is often pushing, that's unfortunately the case. A few fans were maybe a bit too pushy, but they went back immediately when Mika asked them to and that’s in my opinion the most important. And when someone starts pushing, there is a chain reaction. From that point of view, I thought the behaviour of the fans towards Mika was still within reason (I won't comment on what happened among the fans, because I didn't see it). It's bad when a fan jumps on Mika or something similar and he then runs away. Luckily, I've never experienced that, but I've heard about it. But of course, I didn't see everything at The Piano because I was further back and not directly affected. And apparently some fans really didn't behave fairly towards others. And another thing: Mika was sooooooo relaxed despite the pushing. I don't think I've ever seen him so relaxed after a concert before. And he even agreed to take photos after the M&G. Karin says that fans used to say that Mika steals the brains from the fans when he looks at them in a certain way. Honestly, I think he's already stealing them before he comes out. Fans change their personalities when it comes to Mika. However, I'm afraid that the people who say it was too much for him might be right and we'll have to wait a while for the next M&G.🙈

 

  

Mika didn't sign any autographs at the M&G and didn't take any photos (except the photo with Phoebe's mobile phone), only later a few people were able to get autographs and take selfies. I was only able to get one autograph all year and that was only because a gentleman after the Roundhouse concert who was in the front row was very nice and asked me and @Michelle Blondet, when he had his autograph, if we wanted to go to the front row. We gratefully accepted and Michelle told me to go to the front. I gladly accepted because she is quite a bit taller than me. We then both got an autograph when Mika walked through in front of the barriers a second time. A few days later in Nîmes, I didn't try to get an autograph because there were so many people who wanted an autograph and didn't get one some days ago in London. Then in the group I was with later, everyone had an autograph except me (so everyone didn't have the same thought as me, but that's another story). However, I was also in the second row, so it's not at all certain that I would have received an autograph. In all the other places I never managed to get an autograph, but I was never in the front row either. I'm not complaining as Mika hasn't to give autographs at all if he doesn't want to, but just an example that if you want an autograph, you almost have to be in the front row.

 

 
And something else: I've known Mika longer than some people think. It's only this year that I went to so many concerts, before that, I just didn't do it for various reasons, be it money and/or job and other reasons. And when I say that I understand that many can't take as much time off as I did this year, I think I really understand. I have been working for 20 years and have worked in many different places and if someone had told me that the first 5 years I worked would be the longest I have worked in one place after so many years, I probably wouldn't have believed it.

 

   

Especially at the first place of work, it was very difficult to get time off: I had a wisdom tooth cut out during my lunch break and at my grandmother's 80th birthday lunch I also went during my lunch break. Saturdays in particular were always hell to get off (I worked in sales, luckily most shops are closed on Sundays in Switzerland, otherwise I would have had to almost get down on my knees to get off even then): At the festival at my place, no one could take the day off anyway (then I just pull an all-nighter and go straight to work), at the young team's trip I couldn't go because I didn't get the day off (sure, another Saturday) and at the Christmas market, which only happens about every 7 years in my village, I couldn't go either (sure, another Saturday). And when a friend asked me if I wanted to go to the Europa-Park amusement park with her, I just told her that I couldn't ask for a day off because of something like that (I think it was also a Saturday). When I was studying, I first worked in the summer holidays and later part-time alongside my studies. In the first summer I also asked if I could have a Saturday off (was the only day off I asked for in the 8 weeks I worked there) to go to the festival at my place (I was then working in the canton of Zurich). The boss's answer: "We actually hire students during the summer so that our employees can also take time off once in a while and not so that the students also take time off." 🙈Oh yes, how could I forget that, students only party all the time and just hang around and do nothing (was definitely not the case with me). The boss was otherwise very nice, but this view is disappointing. I went to the festival anyway: 1 hour 40 minutes away, 1 hour 30 minutes back after the festival, took a shower and went to work. No one noticed that I had pulled an all-nighter. So, I know how lucky I was that everything worked out for me this year and that I managed to go to so many concerts with my 60% job as employee (although not without problems at my workplace).

 

 

Back to The Piano. I really wanted to go there because I missed being on recordings otherwise (be it The Voice, X Factor or Stasera Casa Mika). I regret not going to The Voice in the audience when I was in Paris from September 2017 to March 2018, regardless if I didn't know if I would find a job after the internship (or enough clients as a freelancer). After all, it's not that cheap to get to accommodation in the middle of the night. Then last year I tried to be in the audience at The Voice (unfortunately didn't get tickets for either the semi-final or the final). I should have put in emissions.tv that I'm a man and 60 years old, then I probably would have got tickets. I'm probably the gender and age group where one of the most represented in the audience and they probably want to try to have a somewhat heterogeneous audience. The fact that you can just go there and often get the chance to still get in, I didn't know that at the time. So, now I could finally be at a recording, which actually suits my type better than a concert where I know I can't behave the way it would be good for a concert. It's no coincidence that I only did the concert in Zurich on the Revelation Tour (I was also thinking about going to the concert in Geneva). I didn't know if I would feel comfortable there. But the concert was very nice. And I'm really grateful for the concerts I've been able to go to this year, really, and I know it's not a given.

 

   

However, I still couldn't get my biggest wish (and believe it or not), which is that I've wanted to talk to Mika for 6 years now and with all the concerts I've never managed it. I really wish I was one of those people who could do it after one or two concerts. I guess I'm like most people: I want what I can't have. 🙈When I stand in front of Mika, I really feel like I've gone back 20 years in my development and I can't open my mouth. I really wanted to make it this year and I knew The Piano was probably the last chance to do it. I didn't make it. I wanted to say something at the Piano (as I often do) but then still didn't. It was pretty trivial what I wanted to say though, so Mika didn't miss anything if I didn't say it. However, I had eye contact with Mika and could see him well at the M&G because the people in front of me weren't tall and let's put it that way, I can finish the year in peace. And not feel like a failure (as I often do because I can't open my mouth). After all, it shouldn't be so difficult to talk to Mika, the others can do it too. 🙈And in the end, maybe it's not that important. However, I did ask Max for a photo before the concert, because I happened to see him in the café when I was going to the toilet with another MFCer. So basically, I can talk to someone or ask for something, only with Mika I’m not capable!
 
Sorry about the long post.

 

And this: Who would have thought that Deb would have been able to hand over the yearbook in person to Mika after the Magic Piano Tour was postponed? In that sense: Happy end! And wow, already four pages of photos/videos/reviews at a recording where you're not allowed to say anything.
 

Love you all!
 

Oh Prisca my heart goes out to you. 

I get that, that he doesn’t want to be touched, say when he’s doing his “ Big Girl” in the crowd, and especially not his behind. My first Mika concert was this year in London Roundhouse and when he went into the crowd to sing “Big Girl”, he actually came and bumped into me head on, my left arm got caught with his right, I couldn’t get out of his way, so then he turned sideways and as he did so  he stepped on my foot……. Ouch….. It was only a couple of seconds but I felt the power of him. So yes if it hadn’t been Mika, I would not have been pleased. Not nice at all.

An awful lot of people do respect and love him, its not badly meant when people get  overexcited. 

On 11/13/2022 at 10:35 PM, Hero said:

It was an amazing night, and a very special memory. I was dithering beforehand about going, but I am so glad I did! To share that special night with fellow MFCers was truly heartwarming. 💖 The performances were astonishing, and I urge anyone who can to watch the show when it's televised. You won't regret it. 

 

I was pleasantly surprised by how many attendees followed the rules, I only saw one person with their phone out during the show, and security got to her quickly. The seating arrangements - well, it was a shame we weren't all sat together as originally promised, but I can understand why people took the opportunity to be closer to the stage. Besides, it all went to pot when the production crew asked for volunteers, didn't it? I don't know what they were expecting, but not the mad rush that followed!  I chose not to move, I was very happy with my seat, it was in the back row but I had a clear view of the stage and could hear well. 

 

The M&G was brilliant, it was so lovely and generous of Mika to spend time with us like that. I was stood next to and just a little behind him and I swear, there is something so special about him, he has such a powerful aura or presence that radiates and instantly brightens the room.   

 

It did mean that I got to see the crowd from his perspective though. OMG that was terrifying! The crush at the end was insane, it was lucky no-one was hurt. If that's what he usually experiences I'm amazed he puts himself through it. Honestly, I'm not exaggerating here, from his viewpoint it was crazy. Give the poor man room to breathe! 

 

But these are small niggles. The show was wonderful, he was incredible, the performances were amazing, the M&G was fantastic, and seeing my MFC friends again and sharing this with them was brilliant. 🥰 Thank you so much Deb, Mika and the team for making this happen.  ❤  Can't wait to watch it next year! 

 

I just want to say Mika is a very tall and strong man. He’s not going to get crushed by his fans. And besides because he is so tall he can see absolutely everything that’s going on around him, so no he certainly isn’t put out when amongst his fans. From my perspective he enjoys it otherwise he wouldn’t do it, and let’s face it, he’s been doing this for 15 years. Has he ever been crushed? Ran away? There are videos that I’ve seen where Mika actually tells security to not push his fans and leave them alone. So the opposite is true he protects his fans. This time when Mika steps forward to take Phobebe’s phone the security guard pushes forward to stop fans or even Mika and Mika says to him “It’s alright”. And Mika loves nothing more than getting off stage and going into the crowd and singing “Big Girl”……………and that if you think about it is crazy. But we fans all “LOVE” it when he does that right? And the crowd goes wild………and lots of people touch him…………. and…….!!!!!

This has been the best time for me, so far. Can it get any better? Yes it probably can…………

It was great meeting up with the Mika F.C. I’m slowly getting to know who is who.  So the show for me was amazing. The 4 contestants were brilliant, all very different and I knew immediately who my favorite would be. I’m looking forward to seeing the show on tv next year. Mika was my star though, I think for me personally I just can’t get enough of him. This is probably because I only found Mika this year. If I hadn’t watched the Eurovision Song Contest I would still be oblivious to him to this day.

Seeing Mika after the show was heaven. This was the first time I was this close to him, too close he is so TALL. And I have no clue what I was on though, I obviously couldn’t shut up………. somebody should have cello-taped my mouth, I’m embarrassed when I watch the videos from everyone…………duhhhhh. I am incredibly chuffed how nice he is, I have to give him so much credit for the time and patients he has with us all. He just takes it all in his stride. I found him really relaxed and at ease. He’s personality is ace. And he is always funny. His expressions when Phoebe asked him about the Be Reel, it still cracks me up when I think about it now. Oh yes and he’d be a billionaire if he had invented it…….what he say “ come on everyone, invent stuff, what the #### are we all doing?????”  I have worked for 9 years at the European Patent Office, and finding new inventions is hard unless you are one of these big companies ie. Siemens etc,…………and getting a patent is very expensive on your own, and then there is the paying of 20 years to have your invention protected. Ahhhhh running away with myself………back to Mika. So yes Mika was downstairs afterwards in the bar, I asked him if he was going to have a drink with us? He said “NO”…….. should I have asked to buy him a drink? Maybe that would have helped…….  Well then I asked him if I could have a photo with him. Mika is sooooooooooo nice.

Oh yes Mika was telling @holdingyourdrink how very talented she is…………….listen to him Michelle. The best praise has got to come from your heartthrob, right. 

I have a Hotel room, I was saying if anyone wants to share with me than send me a pm.

I will turn up Deb, I think I can be there around 4. Just tell me / us where you will be.
 

HI EVERYONE,

Ok I have booked for 1 night at the Marlin Hotel in Waterloo (Thursday 10th November). If anybody wishes to share with me send me a private msg either here or on Instagram. I will be staying a further 3 nights outskirts of London, if you also want to share after the 10th send me a msg. I have decided to go to London anyway. I normally would be going beginning of December for Christmas shopping. Now I’ll be going a month earlier. I can blame it on MIKA 

Does anyone still need a roommate? 

Great. Your sorted then. Good that you’ve taken a later flight. So what is the place you are staying at?

Hi Melody, well I’m wondering too what to do. With or without ticket do I go to London. So perhaps we should join up?  I know  London and also outskirts quite well. What is your plan exactly? In general the underground is not great late at night unless you are bang in the center of London. Heathrow airport is quite a distance from Waterloo. Also the underground does not run  after midnight with some lines, hence why there are night buses.
 

I will probably stay in a hotel in Harrow which is cheaper. We could share if you like? Or maybe I can find something closer to central London?

When exactly will you be in London and when do you need to leave? 
 

My personal view on so many fans wanting to go to London for the Piano, at the Royal Festival Hall, is that Mika gained new fans during the Eurovision Song Contest this year, and because 8 tour dates got cancelled, that left fans in a saddened state and some a little bit angry. Not being able to go to the concert that “You” were so looking forward to, has made, maybe some wanting to go to anything that gets them to see Mika, hence going to the “Royal Festival Hall”.

I so hope that Mika will pick up on the popularity that he has gained this year in May, and his fans he left stranded. I hope that some magic will be happening very soon, and that the feeling of being a ‘Mika Fan” will stay joyous in our hearts.

18 hours ago, mellody said:

 

I think Deb just said that those who don't have tickets yet will get them first, if we don't get enough for everyone. That's why I was wondering if Patricia already had one.

Hi, NO I don’t have a ticket. I think I was too eager and said I was going, which I now can see meant to other people that I have a ticket. Sorry for the confusion. I realize now as well that today is the day for allocated tickets and it wasn’t yesterday.

Ahhh ok thank you melody. i will wait.

So does this mean we all have tickets as a group? So what is everyone doing about accommodation in London? Anybody want to share with me, hotel room etc.? And will there be MFC gatherings the Wednesday the 9th November?

Whoooohooo I’m going 😁

I would like to be put on the list for the south bank Centre for a ticket thanks.

29 minutes ago, Valmont69 said:

 

Thank you Deb!!

I've just bought my flight, it was cheap from Rome, so if there will be a possibility, I will be there!