How did I manage to get a ticket to the concert?

As most of you already know, FATM’s concert at The Dome was announced on March 2nd , just two days before the event. You could get tickets only by taking part in a lottery, which was announced on the band’s Facebook and Twitter profiles. Fans from Poland and other countries registered themselves, but none of them were picked (as we realised later, the only ‘chosen ones’ were people from London and surrounding areas – which was something the band didn’t quite tell the fans before announcing the lottery).

On Tuesday, March 3rd, I was informed via my account that I didn’t win a ticket. However, as I already had my transport and hotel booked, I figured I had nothing to lose and that perhaps I could buy a ticket from someone at the entrance. I’m a friend of Antony’s, who’s FATM’s international fanclub’s admin. He won a chance to but a ticket (he lives in London), but he was just a couple minutes late – it appeared that all tickets had already been sold. Still, we both decided to meet on Tuesday afternoon and try to get to the show of our dreams.

We arrived at the place at 3 p.m.. The Dome in Tufnell Park, London is a rather small venue – about 600 standing places. Once we got there, we bumped into Tom (the band’s harp player). We introduced ourselves, but Tom remembered both me and Antony. He told us that, sadly, there was nothing he could do and that he couldn’t get any two additional tickets, even for just two of us. We said goodbye to Tom and stayed on the stairs to the club. Some minutes later, Rusty passed by, then Rob, and shortly after him came Roo (new backing singer to the band). Roo chatted with us for a while and promised to send Florence greetings from our fanclub. A bit later, Isa passed by, but she didn’t recognise us. After an hour of waiting inside, we had to leave the club, because the security started to set up some barriers and they were getting ready to receive guests – and we, obviously, weren’t them. From that moment on, we stayed outside. After a moment, we saw Rob, Tom, Rusty, Mark and Chris leave the club and go somewhere. Then, Mairead and Hannah (Florence’s managers) came inside the club. At about 7 p.m., guests started to gather in front of the club. There were two queues, one for special guests (VIPs, Florence’s family and friends) and the General Admission one for lucky ticket holders.

Before I set off on this spontaneous trip, I had figured it could be a good idea to take some fanclub souvenirs with me. The only thing I had, though, was a T-shirt I wore at Orange Warsaw Festival. I had taken it with me and when I almost abandoned all the hope to get inside, I asked two guys who waited in the General Admission line to give my T-shirt to Flo. Gladly, they promised to do their best and to make sure Flo gets the shirt. They wished me luck on getting a ticket to the show, too.

Half an hour before the gates were closed, I still hung around at the barriers and kept asking people at the queue if anyone had any spare tickets, but, sadly, no one could help me out. I saw many Flo-related people at the entrance, including Flo’s dad, her sister Grace, Nick Grimshaw (BBC Radio 1 presenter), Hannah Marshall (fashion designer and Flo’s friend), Romy Madley Croft (the xx), Dan Smith(Bastille), Sophie Hart Walsh aka Sadsack (Flo’s friend).

Meanwhile, I managed to talk to the club’s manager and guest attendants. They were all nice to me, but they made it very clear that it would be impossible for me to get inside or buy tickets from anyone, because even if someone didn’t show up, their tickets would be forfeit. Also, I talked to Siobhan Bailey Turner, a photographer and Chris’s friend, but even she told me there was nothing she could do to help me, but she would still try to send Flo my greetings. Then, two strangers arrived in front of the club. One of them was carrying a big backpack and the other wore a pair of very distinctive glasses. They gave a ticket to a fan who waited with us and, just like us, couldn’t get inside. I didn’t know who they were, but I managed to talk to the one with the backpack. I introduced myself, told him what the situation was like and I told him I could offer more than just 25 pounds for the ticket. He told me he couldn’t promise me anything but he’d see what he could do. Suddenly, they disappeared somewhere, and I found myself not quite sure why I was still standing there if everyone around kept telling me there was no way I could get inside.

I talked to the guest attendant again, but once again she told me it was impossible for me to get inside. By the way, she told me that Flo had come by The Dome last week to discuss the details of the concert and that she had been so polite and charming to everyone. After a short chit-chat, I made my way back to Antony. However, on my way back I bumped into the man with glasses, who appeared in front of me out of the blue. And he held two tickets.
I can’t really tell what my reaction was like, I remember only reaching into my bag to get my wallet and asking him how much I had to pay. The answer was all the more shocking to me as the man replied: It’s for you. Just take it. You don’t have to pay anything. I didn’t know what to say so I simply threw my arms around his neck. Then, I darted forward to the General Admission line and stood behind the last person in the queue. I was stunned, but I still managed to notice that the man with glasses was talking with Antony and some girl, who, apparently, didn’t have a ticket, too. After a while, Antony came and stood behind me. I was speechless; what is more, I noticed that Florence’s dad, Nick Welch himself, stood by my side in Guestlist line. I clenched my hands tightly around the ticket and waited to be let inside.

Once I was in, I couldn’t quite believe I was actually there. I didn’t have to jostle my way to get pretty close to the stage – there were about 300-400 people inside, but no squash or anything like that.
I noticed the guys with my shirt in the first row, they were really happy to see me there and we talked for a bit. My T-shirt stayed with them, as they had better chance of giving it to Flo.

Shortly after, lights went out and the band entered the stage. The show started with FATM’S newest single, What Kind Of Man. Next, Florence sang Rabbit Heart, What The Water Gave Me and Breaking Down. Then, Flo started to keep walking around the stage, so I decided to seize the opportunity and shouted: Hi Florence! Poland is here! She heard me and started casually talking to me while still being up on the stage! I told her I was a member of Polish fanclub and that I had a T-shirt for her. Then, the guys from the first row passed her the shirt. Flo must’ve been surprised herself, but incredibly happy at the same time. She replied You came from Poland to Tufnell Park? Welcome! With my T-shirt in her hands and big smile on her face, she said that during previous songs she encouraged everyone to take off their clothes (Shoes off! Take your T-shirts off!) and then I was telling her to get dressed. ‘You want me to put on clothes? It’s why did you come over from Poland? Put that T-shirt on, I get it. That says a lot. Message received. Thank you. My mom said the same thing. Ah, thank you so much!’.

After our short chit-chat, Flo sang How Big How Blue How Beautiful and gave her astonishing dancing performance from the album’s trailer!

Later, the band played an acoustic version of All This And Heaven Too and Only If For A Night. After a short break, the time had come for a classic Lungs-era classic tune – Drumming Song! In my opinion, it was probably the best moment of the show – the way the band delivered the song gave me was so thrilling! Then, Florence sang an anthem from Ceremonials, which was Shake It Out – this time, trumpets included! The time had come for two new songs. After a short introduction, in which Flo said a couple words about her new producer Markus and about how many things had happened during the break from performing, she sang a slow, atmospheric song called St Jude. The next new song was an energetic song Third Eye. She finished the show with a breathtaking performance of No Light No Light – as usual, she brought me down to knees with this one.

The show was absolutely fantastic, so emotive – and there were some nice surprises, too. Florence seemed to be over the moon – she smiled all the time, talked with the audience, joked, danced and jumped around. The show reminded me a cosier version of Orange Warsaw Festival performance – as far as Flo’s attitude is concerned, naturally! Because, obviously, you won’t find anywhere else fans who would be so devoted to the band as they are here, in Poland!

Once the show was finished, the crowd dispersed and I went closer to the stage to ask for a setlist and to take some pictures. When I turned around, I saw Antony casually talking with Dan from Bastille! I approached them, we talked for a bit and took a picture. Shortly after, we decided to go back, but then we bumped into Rusty! I introduced myself and told him that I was a member of Polish fan club – Rusty remembered Polish concerts and our fan actions. I asked him if they planned to visit Poland that year; Rusty said yes and told me that most probably it would happen in Decemeber. As I said goodbye to Rusty, I saw Isa, who stood in the corner with two of her friends. I said hello and hugged her – and she did remember me well! I congratulated her on the band’s performance and we chatted for a bit. When asked about next Polish concert, Isa almost shouted FUCK YEAH OF COURSE WE ARE COMING! She mentioned that she still had her‚Who’s Yer Mate shirt, which we gave her at the Orange Warsaw Festival Meet and Greet.

On my way out, I saw Rob, who was talking to Nick Grimshaw. I waved my hand and said Hi, and he replied, but I didn’t want to disturb their conversation. Also, Chris was hanging around and talking to his friends.

From what I gathered, there were about 500 people at the show, including 300 invited guests – journalists, show business people, Flo’s friends and family. It means that by some sort of a miracle I managed to see my favourite band’s exclusive show, where 4 songs from the new album were played – and it was one of my greatest dreams. Last week’s events assured me that everything is possible as long as you genuinely want it and believe that your dreams can actually come true.

Check out our gallery for more pictures from the show.

Translation: Daniel Wdowicz