So impressed with all you do. . .

We rocked up to the venue just a bit before 6, as we had to meet there by 6 for M&G. The whole line up/ticket collection situation was so disorganised. They finally came to collect us at about 6:30, and Ross (one of NIN's crew guys) organised us and told us to wait together for Jerome. Jerome finally came down and got all our names, to check us off the list, and we chatted with him for a while about where we were from and stuff, then he sent us up to wait by the steps at the back for JT to take us up inside to meet the band. 

Here's the view from the steps (click to enlarge):

The group of VIP's waiting on the stairs:

So we go up, and they let us in in groups of 4. Mum and I were first in line for the second group. JT led us into this little room, and the band are all standing there in line, against the wall. It was TR, Robin, Ilan and then Justin. So we go through and shake hands, say hi, get stuff signed, have a bit of a chat and say thank you. 
Trent is. . super friendly. He's really softly spoken and easy to talk to. I told him he could pick whichever ticket he liked to sign, and he went "How about both? You can sell the other one on eBay." So he signed both, lolz. And then I gave him a letter from a good friend and asked, "Can I ask you a favour. . ?" "Sure." "Do you mind signing this for the same friend?" *opens Broken with shaky hands* "Oh. . silver. ." "No problem! I have silver." *grabs silver from back pocket, puts black markers on chair and signs* Me: Thank you so much. It's really appreciated. TR: It's no problem! 

Then I move on to Robin. By now I'm pretty sure I'm shaking visibly. . the dude is intimidating. Really tall. . . And he's quiet and shy. I'm also shy. So not many words were exchanged. It was kinda like . . 
Robin: *holds out hand* Hi, I'm Robin. 
Me: *shakes hand* Hi, I'm Casey. 
Robin: Nice to meet you, Casey. 
Me: You too. You can pick whichever one you want to sign. . 
Robin: *signs ticket* 
Me: Thank you so much. *moves on* 

Ilan was really quiet and shy at first, too. . he shakes hands like a girl, lolz. 
Mum and I were in Chinatown earlier in the day, and we'd seen some really nice chess sets, so I told him about them. You should have seen him light up! His shyness just disappeared. We told him where they were, and he said he'd have to check it out. And as I was talking to him, JMJ butted in "Was Chinatown open today?" Yes JMJ. It was. 
So I moved on to him, and got him to pick a ticket, we were just chatting idly. . I don't even remember what about. But as I went to walk away, he goes, "Wait, were those actually your tickets?" "Yeah, they are." "Cool! Did you come from Adelaide?" "No. . Gold Coast. . Brisbane. Via Adelaide." . . I don't remember what he said then. Then we waited while Mel and Stu (some other donors. . from Brisbane) chatted to him, and he was talking about how Brisbane was where he shaved off his hair. And he said he walked into the dressing room, and the whole band was like ". . . What?" lulz. 

Then it was photo time. I gave Brett my camera, and I moved to stand between Robin and Ilan, but Trent kinda ushered me to stand between him and Robin. Trent put his arm around me, and had his hand like. . on my hair, so it was kinda pulling down a bit, hah. Robin had his arm around me at the start, but he must have moved it just before the photo. I don't even remember. . it's kinda a blur, and I was still shaking like mad. . . Brett took two photos, because the flash was off for the first one. 
The photo isn't great. . . but I don't really mind. 

Then JT told us to wait just outside the door, while Mel and Stu got their photo. . . Stu got a postcard with one of the promo pics on it signed, and he commented that Trent was the same height as everyone on it, so. . lolz. . TR stood on a chair for their photo. It's hilarious! 

So yeah, then JT ushered us all back out to the foyer type thing, and then lead us back outside. 

I was still shaking, and Mum was like. . "You need a Red Bull." So I got a Red Bull, and we went and chilled at the top of the hill until just before they started. As soon as the opening notes of Somewhat Damaged rang out. . I just kinda glanced at Mum and went "See ya!" And I bolted into the crowd. The pit was REALLY tame. And quite loose, so I managed to make my way to 4 from the rail. I had a great view, and was comfortable there. Plenty of room to move, and it gave me a chance to write down the set list as songs were played. Excellent spot. So I stayed there. So much for "Oh, I'm gonna chill at the back and take it all in. ." Psssshhhh. I was right in front of Robin 8D I could see all those crazy moves and facial expressions. Ilan is a BEAST on the drums. Trent changed his shirt on stage twice, and one of them got thrown into the crowd. It WAS really hot though, not as hot as previous nights had been, so that was lucky. I came out of the pit at the end and dumped half a bottle of water on my head.

Setlist: 

Somewhat Damaged 
Terrible Lie 
Heresy 
March of the Pigs 
Piggy (Trent in crowd) 
Reptile 
Closer 
I'm Afraid of Americans 
Burn 
Gave Up 
La Mer 
The Fragile 
The Frail/The Wretched 
Non-Entity 
Gone, Still 
The Downward Spiral 
Wish 
Survivalism 
Echoplex 
The Day The World Went Away 
The Hand That Feeds 
Head Like a Hole 
Hurt 

Yeah, the set list is pretty much my entire wishlist minus Sin, Down In It, The Becoming and Just Like You Imagined. I could not have asked for more.