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Opeth @ Fox Theater
It isn’t often that I show up in photographs since I’m the one usually taking the photos. I don’t show up in the pic above for that very reason. However, my friend, who had one of the three all access passes on this wonderful evening, happened to see me in the balcony while he was on the side of the stage.
He took the photo below on his iphone at about the same moment I took the photo above. I’m on the very edge of the balcony, standing.
When we arrived at the Fox Theater in Oakland for the Opeth/Mastodon/Ghost show we were expecting a photo pass for me and two tickets (for my friend and Ryan). I don’t like having things left at will call. You never know if they will actually be there. What if the show is sold out and they aren’t there? Not a big deal I suppose if you live in Oakland, but I drove over 300 miles (each way) to get to the Fox.
I handed the lady behind the glass my ID and told her I should have a photo pass and two tickets waiting for me. She said, “I’m sorry, but I don’t have a photo pass for you.” My heart sunk, but I could see her reaching for something so I figured we’d at least get in. Then she said, “I have three all access passes and three tickets for you.” Jackpot! I responded with a smile and a “That will work!”
All Access Pass for the Heritage Hunter Tour
I don’t think we even needed the complimentary tickets with the all access passes, but it was nice to see something from Ticketmaster with a zero on it for once. I like supporting bands and venues, but I hate giving Ticketmaster money.
Mikael Åkerfeldt and Martín Méndez of Opeth tuning at beginning of set
Opeth's Mikael Åkerfeldt
I have to admit it. Had Ghost, Mastodon, and Opeth been playing anywhere else in the San Francisco Bay Area I don’t think I would have bothered to make the (300+ miles each way) trip. Seeing them in the Fox Theater is why I made the journey. The Fox Theater has so much personality and so much history. Ghost looks that much more in character in a place like this. The reverse is also true. The Fox Theater looks like it was built for bands like Ghost, Mastodon, and Opeth. The giant, gold statues flanking each side of the stage would not be out of place on a Mastodon album cover.
