CONCERT LIVE...I MEAN LIFE. - Thirty Seconds To Mars

Concerts are amazing way to meet with people who share the same music taste as you. But Thirty Seconds To Mars' concerts are a lot more than that. Echelon is a different kind of fans. We're not just fans, we're not just people who listen to the same band. It's a community. It's a family. A bunch of crazy humans, which are as crazy as you. You can wait for the concert in a crowd full of them, and even if you went there alone, the moment you see the Echelon you're not longer alone. Every Echelon will tell you the same if you ask what Echelon actually is. Even band members (Jared Leto, Shannon Leto, Tomo Milicevic) will.

My best friendships started like that. I've met my friend Natalie on VyRT, an online platform where 30STM chat with their fans and share videos or play live, online shows. I started chatting with her and that's how we met. It turned out we live nearby, and we went to our first Mars concert together. It was in 2013. In 2014 we decided to go to their next concert in Poland, where we met our next friend - Madeline. Now, in 2015, Thirty Seconds To Mars announced next show in our country, this time in Gdańsk. It was obvious we'll go together. And we did. 

It was necessary to stay in Gdańsk for a few days, so we rented an apartment in the centre of the city. We were sure the band will stay in Hilton, and it was pretty far from us, but it was the only free hotel, so we had no other choice. But when we arrived, we've seen a big crowd next to our apartment's windows. Turned out Mars weren't staying in Hilton - they chose a hotel called Radisson, which was just a few meters away from us. Actually, we shared the same parking. 

Suddenly, I decided to check Twitter, which I do few times a day. When I saw photos of Shannon Leto (the drummer) with fans, I almost had a heart attack. I recognized the main street on those photos, and I told the girls we need to go outside and find him. I didn't believe we will, but I'd regret it for the rest of my live If I won't try. We were walking down the street and we didn't see anyone but lots of Echelons and tourists. We decided to go back to the beginning of Długa street and go near the riverside. After ten minutes of searching, I've seen a familiar face. I couldn't believe it - it was Shannon standing outside the restaurant, making selfie with a fan. 

When we came closer to him, he already knew what we want to ask about. He smiled to us, hugged me and grabbed me in my waist. I took four photos and said "thank you" to him, because it was all I could think about in thet moment. Then he also made selfies with Madeline and Natalie, said few things to us I can barely remember right now, waved goodbye and went to the restaurant. About two hour later, we've seen him again riding a bike around Gdańsk. He recognized us and said quick "hello", which was super nice. He also posted photos with me on his official Twitter. 

The same day we went to Artifact screening (a film about the band and music industry) just to see Jared Leto getting out of a car. We drove to Multikino with two girls we've met in Gdańsk the same day. Then another miracle happened - I've got a chance to meet Jared and take a photo with him. Again, I couldn't believe how lucky I was that day. Jared was wearing a hat and glasses, because his hair are dyed green and he has no eyebrows (he's an actor and he'll play the Joker in upcoming Suicide Squad movie). Anyway, I was so happy by the opportunity to see him this close. 

The next day was also fantastic. The concert was, as always, perfect. Everyone had so much fun and it was the best Mars' show I've ever been at. 

 (my photos)

Also, last week the band showed us a short movie from their visit in Poland. They said that they had a great time here and can't wait to come back.

SEARCH + DESTROY tonight in Poland.
Posted by Jared Leto on 4 maja 2015

This was the best journey in my life. The journey I will never forget. 

And I can't wait for the next one.