Atlanta-May 29, 2025

I had opted to drive from Orlando to Atlanta (7ish hours) vs fly and I’m SO glad because as it turned out, about a month prior to the tour I found out about a CAPYBARA CAFE! Capybara have become the “it” pet lately and apparently there’s only 2 Capybara Cafes in the WORLD, one being in Florida! 😀 When I looked it up, I found it was in St. Augustine and when I googled that in comparison to Orlando and Atlanta, I found I could make it happen by only going out of the way about 1.5 hours. I mean shoot, I’m in Florida, what’s another 1.5 hours drive to do something THAT unique? So I booked the earliest appointment which was 10am and headed off.  OMG, it was SOOOO COOL!!! 😀😀 There were 10 of us (they book in groups of 10, no private visits) and 3 Capybara’s that were all 10 months old (so still babies). Latte the girl and Mocha and Machiato the boys were all very sweet, chill, friendly and SO much fun! We got to pet them, feed them, have them crawl onto us etc. Such an AWESOME experience! 😀 😀 ❤️

The drive to Atlanta from there was NOT an awesome experience tho sadly because with making this stop, it was putting me into rush hour for arrival plus it was downpouring at times so difficult to see and causing accidents which made delays. At one point I wondered if I’d ever get there as every time I’d make 5 minutes on the Google Map, the next time I’d look I’d loss 3 of those 5 minutes. I stopped making any progress for about 45 minutes which was annoying but I just kept telling myself to remember the wonderful Capybaras and that helped LOL.

Because of my late arrival, I had set it up that Christine could check into the hotel first (we were sharing a room tonight) and she promised to try and hold a spot up front for me. I only had time to drop my bags off, do a quick fresh up and off I went to the venue to arrive about 15 minutes to doors, PHEW! As I was walking past people in line, someone stopped me and I realized it was Alan, a friend from way back in the OMD forum days. We hadn’t seen each other since the 2011 Atlanta show!  Once in and up against the rail, I looked for him and waved him over so we could hang and catch up which was great. 😀

Atlanta wasn’t as hot as Orlando (thank goodness!) so no fans needed on the stage that was strangely round…don’t see that all the time.  I decided to record the first 2 songs tonight and funny enough, the other 2 shows I’d seen had the guys coming out on my right so I was watching but tonight they came out on my left. Huge cheers and even bigger ones when they were done. I think the venue was a bit smaller than Orlando but the crowds sounds wouldn’t make it seem that way. Mr. M. smiled and said “I have a good feeling about you” before going into Messages.  I had hoped to use the volume of a male voice from Alan for TG but he got pushed back a bit by a few girls who had smooshed in last minute so it was Christine and I for the “yes, Yes, YES” but we got Mr. H.s attention again. 🙂

Extra bouncing tonight for HoM! Seriously, most of the front row and many around me were jumping up and down as instructed which was great to see! 😀 When it was over, Mr. M. laughed and, pointing to someone that was on the other side of the stage said “there’s a guy here who’s trying to dance with his fingers in his ears. He must know you’re about to sing Paul.” Awww…. ❤️. Lots of cheers and yelling out “PAUL!” again tonight and as everyone was cheering loudly to Mr. H.s thank yous and waves, Mr. M. grabbed a couple kleenex (that I hadn’t even realized were by Mr. H.s keyboard LOL), walked over to where the guy he mentioned was, tossed them out towards him and said “here, try these.” 😀 😀 Followed by him jokingly saying “I’ve had to put up with him for 46 years”.

No surprise that IYL got a massive roar from the crowd and the A&M trio was as great as ever. I kept trying to get pictures of Stuart as for some reason I felt compelled to get a good one tonight. I had tried in DC and Orlando but he always seemed to be too dark. Tonight however, not sure if it was the venue lighting or what but it seemed a bit better so I  thought I better take advantage of it. Got a few good ones during MoO LOL. 😀  Since I was a bit more in the middle of Mr. M. and Mr. H. for Veruschka so I just kind of soaked ALL of it in tonight. 😀

After, it was time for more dancing. Pandora’s Box got announced as “this is a song about the most beautiful American Actress Louise Brooks” and as the first verse was going, Mr. M. looked out at a girl to my right and a couple rows back saying “and you’ve got the shirt”. She was wearing a shirt that literally said “Pandora’s Box”. 😀  During Dreaming, Mr. M. dug into his pocket and handed a pic to what I was assuming was a little kid (only saw a hand reach out for it). We also got told by Mr. H. that “there’s a birthday boy in the house. Stuarts birthday is tomorrow”. Mr. M. laughed and said “yes, and he’s going to have to spend it on a bus in Louisiana.” But the whole venue started singing Happy Birthday much to Stuarts pleasure and he gave out the heart hand symbol when it was over. Mr. M. said “tomorrow” and Mr. H. laughed and said “well it’s tomorrow in the UK NOW so…” and Mr. M. said “ah yes, you’re right.” I thought ‘well, good night to try and get pics of him then eh?” LOL.😉

Locomotion had the usual fun play and SotSS had “Mr. COOPER” key jam that I always love to watch! Mr. M. saw what must have been another kid singing along and said “how do you know all the words? You’re too young”. LOL, another generation of OMD lovers. 😀 Before we knew it, it was Enola Gay and a good bounce. Once over and the guys came forward, Stuart got introduced as “Birthday Stuart” LOL, lots of cheers for each and every guy and the promise that they’d be back. 😀  It wasn’t long before they WERE back (kidding) and many swayed to Look at You Now. But it was Secret I was waiting for…because of what happened the night before.  I was SURE Mr. H. would do it just fine but was wondering if Mr. M. would bring the goof up UP. The song took off just fine but mid way Mr. M. was laughing and said ‘don’t fuck it up again” to which Mr. H. laughed too but kept straight on. When it was over, a bunch of us who had been there the night before  gave out big cheers, thumbs ups, and Mr. M. gave Mr. H. an approving nod as they both laughed. YAY! 😀 The final bounce of the night for Electricity and then it was the final thank you and goodbyes from the guys to round off the night.

I of course had to get my post gig picture so Christine, Alan and I crowded together for a selfie. Had contemplated waiting around to see if the guys came out but I was tired and desperately needed a shower since I’d not been able to grab one after the Capybara Cafe so instead Christine and I headed back to the hotel.

So…highlight of the night. Well, tbh, I can’t pick a specific thing really. It was more just a general feel. I think because I was on such a high from the whole Capybara experience, everything else about the gig was super fun and happy. Hard to explain but I’m just going to say my EXTRA high spirits were the highlight. A bit lame perhaps, sorry but that’s all I can grab for tonight. 🙂 It’s now off to Nashville to spend a few more days with my sister before going home for a week. Next set of gigs…West Coast. 😀