13 June 2024: Thirty Seconds To Mars concert

I’ve cried more than once, I’ve sung my heart and lungs out, I’ve never felt so happy seeing a band live that I’ve been hoping to see live with a long waiting game of 8 years. And last Thursday, it was finally time to be extremely happy!

The concert took place in AFAS Live, Amsterdam. Let me first complain about the venue. It’s definitely one of my least favourite venues to be in, but this particular time took the crown. I was halted to check my bag, as is their custom, but they took out a toilet cleaning spray that I was literally allowed to take with me all the times I came there. They claimed I intended to hurt someone with it, and I said to them that I have an exam the next day and don’t exactly wanna get the stomach flu from my toilet visit, but they were adamant on claiming I had bad intentions. I could put it in a locker, but I just yelled at them to throw it away. If they wanna be so childish about it, just throw it away and let me pass through. Bunch of childish nitwits. Anyway, during the concert itself as well, I was seated along with my dad, and we sat directly next to the stairs, which was filled with people trying to get a better glimpse of the stage, endangering themselves and others for they had the biggest trouble passing them. So, you’re telling me that you take away an innocent bottle of cleaning spray, but don’t say anything about people blocking the only exit for those seated? Yeah, way to go, AFAS. I kinda hate that I have to go back to this venue upcoming Sunday. Also, they opened the doors 15 minutes later than they said they would. So, yeah, that doesn’t speak much good either, does it?

We did witness the support act called Jagwar Twin, which wasn’t terrible, but when he played the last song, I was reminded just how much I actually hate this guy. That song has been all over TikTok and it’s the most annoying thing ever. It’s a good thing he played that last, for then it was already over. It’s definitely not my kind of music, but the whole room definitely seemed to enjoy it. I’m not gonna share this guy’s setlist because I only share it when it belongs to a support act that I truly believe is worth listening to, and this guy ain’t it. Sorry. Anyway, before I get into the full and honest review, I will say one thing. Thirty Seconds To Mars couldn’t be bothered keeping to the scheduled time. The support act was spot on, on time, but they came 25 minutes late, and then proceeded to count down from 100 till 30 (okay, that was a part of the show, fine, but add that to the fact that they’re already super late and it does annoy you a little bit). But, that was rather quickly forgiven because oh my god, what a show! Let me share the setlist before we dive into the actual review!

• Up in the Air
• Kings and Queens
• Walk on Water
• Rescue Me
• Seasons
• Hail to the Victor
• Hurricane
• This Is War
• A Beautiful Lie
• Northern Lights
• Do or Die
• Stay (Mikky Ekko cover)
• City of Angels
• Night of the Hunter
• From Yesterday
• Attack
• Stuck
• The Kill (Bury Me)
• Closer to the Edge

Following a lengthy 50-minute interval, AFAS Live’s energy resurfaced as the lights dropped. Thirty Seconds to Mars baited the fans with a countdown from 100 to 30, building excitement before crashing onto the stage. The band began with ‘Up in the Air’, which sparked the passion of around 5,000 fans. The mysterious frontman, Jared Leto, frequently asked people on stage to dance and sing along, resulting in a truly engaging and immersive experience that blurred the distinction between artists and audience. In addition to interesting crowd interactions, Thirty Seconds to Mars put on a visually beautiful performance. The event was a sensory feast, involving a giant triangle screen with imbedded lighting strips, confetti showers, rockets, and pyrotechnics that made for a genuinely amazing entertainment experience. Almost every song was accompanied by these visual elements, which increased the emotional intensity of the performance. The setlist was carefully crafted to appeal to long-time admirers (which was me, and I was damn happy about it). While the band performed two songs off their most recent album, “It’s the End of the World but It’s a Beautiful Day,” the majority of the setlist included older, well-known tunes that have lasted the test of time. Classics such as ‘This Is War’, ‘The Kill’, and ‘Kings & Queens’ were performed with zeal and received ecstatic reactions from the audience. These songs, coupled by stunning visual effects, demonstrated the band’s ability to deliver powerful, memorable live music performances. Thirty Seconds to Mars showcased their enduring popularity and ability to engage fans with an unforgettable performance. From their quirky clothes to the spectacular visual effects and outstanding crowd participation, this tour has everything a fan could want. The band’s excitement, originality, and dedication to providing an unforgettable live performance were palpable throughout the evening.

Now, here follows a more personal review, and I promise I’ll keep it brief. I can’t put into words what it felt like to elevate to, I would say almost heaven, for only 2 hours or so. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to fully comprehend nor put into words what this evening made me feel on the inside. I was happy during Simple Plan’s concert earlier this year and Nickelback’s concert last month, but something about this made me elevate to a higher principle that I never thought was possible to be reached. I don’t know if that makes any sense, but they literally played all of my favourite songs and I think that added to the whole experience of pure happiness and elevation. If you wanna see a band live for so many years and your wish keeps being postponed because they stopped making music, and then they announce their comeback, it somehow makes that elevation all the more prominent than from bands such as SP and Nickelback who hadn’t stopped making music, but just taking a few years to make an amazing new album. 30STM truly quit for a bit, and I think that just added to the ecstasy of the evening itself. I truly hope they’ll come back, and a lot sooner than 8 years. I’m still somehow shaking with adrenaline and smiling like crazy thinking back to this evening, especially when I listen to the recording I made of the whole concert. I’m right back in the room and I wish I never had to leave that bubble of happiness.

Love, Skye Lewis ❤

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