Devil’s Music - Chapter 75: Lollapalooza Festival

“Kate! Stop applying lipstick and come quickly! We need to get a good spot!”

Frustrated, Abigail rolled her eyes and urged Kate. It was 6 PM on a Saturday afternoon when they arrived at Chicago Grand Park by taxi from the plane. Santana’s live performance was two hours away.

Kate, catching a glimpse of herself in the window, adjusted her makeup with a mirror she pulled from her bag and remarked, “Abigail, is this your first time at the Lollapalooza Festival?”

Abigail clenched her fist, lowering her hand before shouting, “Ah! Kate, there’s no time for that! Yes, it’s my first time!”

Kate, glancing casually at Abigail, put the mirror back in her bag and remarked, “It’s too late now. Fans have been camping there for three days to secure good spots. It doesn’t matter if we hurry, foolish.”

Listening to Kate, Abigail seemed to lose energy, slumping her body.

“Sigh, should’ve come yesterday. It’s my first time seeing Geon’s stage. I won’t see much from the back, darn.”

Kate chuckled, patting Abigail’s shoulder. “Don’t worry. It’s Geon’s vocals; they’ll be on the big screen. It’ll be hard to get out once we’re in, so I’ll go to the restroom beforehand. Want me to grab beer for you, Abigail? I’ll cover the cost.”

Kate took out four ten-dollar bills from her wallet, handing them to Abigail. Abigail accepted the money and turned away, thinking to herself, ‘Damn Lucas! He’s always interfering when I plan my vacation. Because of him, I won’t get a good view! I’ll spit in his coffee when I’m back!’

As Abigail sought the hotdog truck, she noticed Kate throwing remarks at the men while they moved towards the restroom.

“Kate never stops, does she? But who are those men? They look so cool.”

Kate seemed to send a seductive glance somewhere, where three men stood. Dressed in black suits, they stood out conspicuously in the live performance area. One was a tall man in his mid-thirties with short black hair, another a blonde teenage boy, his hair reaching his waist. The last was a platinum blonde whose swept-back hair resembled a lion’s mane.

As Kate tossed remarks at the men, she seemed disinterested, focusing on the stage. Abigail, thinking of intervening, overheard their conversation.

“It’s tonight, Puerson. Take care of the kid while she’s asleep.”

“Yes, Your Highness. I understand.”

Abigail cocked her head, puzzled. ‘Your Highness? Who could these high-ranking people be? The one referred to as ‘Your Highness’ seems French or Italian…’

“Pyemon, make sure Andras keeps his mouth shut.”

“Haha, yes, Your Highness. I’ve clearly conveyed it.”

“Goodness, what a scatterbrain.”

Abigail couldn’t make sense of the conversation, but since it lacked context, she didn’t dwell on it. Instead, she approached Kate and dragged her away to the restroom.

“Kate! Stop being embarrassing and let’s go to the restroom!”

Despite being pulled along by Abigail, Kate couldn’t take her eyes off the men.

“Wait! Aren’t those guys really cool? Look!”

Abigail pushed Kate into the restroom, then took out foundation from her bag, muttering, “Kate, your makeup’s smudging from all the fidgeting!”

Seated in the restroom, Kate spoke up. “But, Abigail, those guys were saying weird things earlier.”

Exhaling, Abigail said, “No matter what others say, don’t eavesdrop on such things, ugh.”

“That’s not it! They mentioned ‘Geon’ in their conversation!”

Abigail glared at Kate’s reflection in the mirror, yelling, “Kate! Don’t open the door while I’m in the restroom!”

“Seriously? What was all that talk about energy?”

Kate, still sitting, tilted her head, wondering.

“Anyway, hurry up. Let’s go,” Abigail urged from outside.

As they left the restroom, backstage at that moment, Geon anxiously glanced at the clock, tapping his leg. Carlos and Rob sat relaxed, watching the live stage on TV in the waiting room, while the session musicians checked their instruments.

Seeing Geon’s tension, Rob chuckled and advised, “Kate, everyone has their first time. Understandable to be nervous, but try to enjoy it.”

Geon crossed his arms and legs, unable to hide his anxious expression, mumbling, “Uh, okay.”

Carlos, pretending to be fine, laughed when Rob said, “Who are you advising now? Don’t you remember your first stage?”

Embarrassed, Rob stopped speaking when Carlos laughed and said, “Hey, Rob here was so nervous during his first stage; he went to the restroom more than ten times. Hahaha.”

Understanding, Geon laughed as Rob patted him on the back, and someone approached Carlos for a greeting.

“Hello, Mr. Santana.”

Carlos turned to him and greeted, “Oh, Billy. It’s been a while. We’re backstage tonight, right? I’ll set things up properly, so please wrap it up nicely.”

Billy, with short purple hair, laughed and shook hands. “Sure, please do. Get the vibe going.”

Carlos, placing a hand on Billy’s back, turned to Geon, saying, “This is Rob Thomas. You’ve met before, right?”

Shaking hands with Rob, Billy laughed. “Of course, Mr. Thomas. We met a few years ago.”

Rob chuckled and shook Billy’s hand. Carlos glanced at Geon, concluding.

“Hey, this is Kay. He’s our guest vocalist this time around. Kay, say hello. And this is Billie Joe Armstrong.”

From the moment Billy appeared, Geon felt his soul leaving his body.

“Billie… Billie Joe Armstrong… Green Day!”

Billy chuckled and extended his hand.

“Carlos always picks talented guest vocalists. Looking forward to working with you.”

Geon, stunned, shook hands, and Carlos chuckled, patting his shoulder.

“Well, our stage is up soon. Let’s catch up later.”

Billy nodded understandingly.

“Sure, you guys will stay for our performance too?”

Carlos nodded enthusiastically.

“Absolutely! It’ll be a blast. Let’s enjoy the show.”

As Billy waved and left, Geon turned to Carlos.

“I can’t believe I just saw Green Day. It’s surreal.”

Rob chuckled at Geon’s reaction.

“Getting startled over sharing a stage with Santana, huh?”

Carlos laughed, addressing Geon.

“Alright, time to head up. Kay, you’re on for the third song. Watch from the dressing room till the second one starts, alright? Rob’s got the mic check covered.”

Geon nodded, and Santana’s members moved backstage. Alone, Geon watched the TV as stagehands hurriedly prepared for the next act after the front stage ended.

Moments later, the lights dimmed on the empty stage.

The audience cheered, knowing Santana’s live performance, the main event of the night, was about to begin.

“Wow!!!!!!”

Suddenly, on the dark stage, Santana’s signature guitar riff kicked in, slicing through the silence.

“Jing jing jing jing~”

The melody played was the guitar intro to Santana’s hit track “Smooth,” slowed down considerably, heightening the tension.

After a while, the drums and congas played three beats, and the stage lit up.

“Thump thump!”

As the lights came on, Santana’s “Smooth” began. The unique, fast-paced Latin rock melody filled the air, prompting the audience to cheer and start dancing one by one, feeling the beach party vibe the song exuded. Most women raised their hands high, swaying to the rhythm, while men locked eyes with these ladies, dancing along.

It was truly Santana.

They swiftly seized the stage, instantly immersing everyone in the passionate Latin dance.

Before the first song ended, the second began without giving the audience a chance to pause. Spotlighting the session man handling the bass, a bass and drum solo ensued.

“Doom, doom, doom, doom, doom, doom, doom, doom”

Carlos’ guitar solo followed suit.

“Ting-ting-ting-ting”

The audience instinctively recognized it as the prelude to another Santana hit, “Maria Maria,” and cheered. Rob stepped forward, starting to sing with an impassioned voice. Despite the sad lyrics, the lively melody urged the audience to dance again. Santana’s performance seamlessly blended passionate Latin dance with alluring rhythms.

Oh Maria Maria

She fell in love in East L.A. to the sounds of the guitar, yeah, yeah

Played by Carlos Santana

Throughout, Carlos closed his eyes, passionately playing the guitar. As the second song concluded, Geon, amidst singing the second song’s chorus, took the microphone from the stagehand behind the curtain.

Soon, the second song ended, and the applause and cheers from the audience filled the air. Geon, with a tense expression, raised his head and looked at the stage. The endless waves of the audience became visible.

Now, it was Geon’s turn.

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