Ruel is REAL

Back in March, I literally ran off the plane in NY to secure my Ruel ticket. I originally bought a GA ticket, but Justin Bieber finally refunded my money, so I redirected the funds to upgrade to the soundcheck package. Best decision ever.

OTW to The Danforth Music Hall

For once in life, the TTC didn't screw me over and I actually made pretty good time. I want to say I arrived around 3 pm.

@ The Danforth Music Hall

Usually, there's a separate VIP line along with the regular one, but when I got there, I was told I had to go wait with everyone else until they came to get us. I didn't mind, but I was worried that I would somehow miss the time to switch and not get a good spot.

They pulled us about 45 minutes before the soundcheck started and gave us signed laminates which were SO cool. The people behind me in the VIP line were really annoying. One of them got the golden VIP pass and wouldn't shut up about it. I mean, real, like I would be excited too, but face-timing your entire contacts list is a bit much. Luckily, I brought The Secret History with me, so I read that to drown them out. The family in front of me was better. Two sisters were waiting with their mom, and the younger one was just balling the entire time. Real.

When we got inside, I immediately went to the merch table because there was a shirt I had wanted for months and wasn't going to leave without it. I then somehow finessed middle-barricade and asked the girls beside me to hold my spot so I could go to the washroom. I ended up talking to those girls (who later introduced themselves as Amy and Mackenzie) when I returned, and they were such great company.

The energy in the room was intense. I wasn't sure what to expect from Toronto Ruel stans, but I definitely underestimated them.

We all lost it when Ruel finally came out for the q&a/soundcheck. He did a few questions and song requests in between. I had been manifesting him choosing me for a question for months and was determined to see it through even though I was still deciding on what to ask.

He was nearing the end, and I still hadn't gotten to ask him my question. I was scared he wouldn't choose me, but miraculously, I got picked to ask the final question.

I asked him what his favourite Nicki Minaj song was and if he could rap a verse from it (I included Amy and Mackenzie because who doesn't love a good group project?). He said it was "Anaconda," and told us the whole backstory, which was hilarious. I posted the response on TikTok, so you can watch that along with the other concert videos. I'm still upset that no one requested "Japanese Whiskey," because he didn't include it on the setlist, and that's my favourite song of his.

Post The Danforth Music Hall

Mackenzie, Amy and I all wanted to meet Sam MacPherson at the merch booth, but when we got there, we couldn't tell if the guy behind the counter was him or not, and none of us wanted to ask so we decided to go home. I didn't feel the need to wait for Ruel outside of the venue since I technically met him already and got a group photo which is what I would've gotten if I had waited. Maybe next tour, he'll add a M&G, so I can actually get a good picture with him.

I had NO clue who the opener was because he wasn't included on the tour announcement poster. I asked around and was told it was someone named Sam MacPherson. Apparently, he was pretty good, so I was excited. The entire time he was onstage, I was trying to decipher if he was hot or if he was just holding a guitar. Amy and Mackenzie were inconclusive, but when he played a cover of "Thinking Bout You," I was sold.

While waiting for Ruel, I read some more of The Secret History and talked to the people around me about the other shows they were seeing this year. We were all dying for Ruel to come back and start the show. He was a little late, but his performance more than made up for it.

I had never been in the pit at The Danforth before, and let me just tell you, it's even worse than History. I literally couldn't breathe at times and security was STINGY with the water. I was on the verge of passing out several times but I willed myself through because there was NO way I was giving up my spot.

The setlist was solid, but some significant songs were missing. I think I did a pretty good job prepping for it. I forgot about one or two deep cuts, but I knew a lot more than I thought. The 2018 Ruel stan in me jumped OUT. There were so many videos I couldn't post because you could either hear me screaming or the people in my vicinity. Aside from "Japanese Whiskey," there were some hits like "as long as you care," from Bright Lights, Red Eyes that were cut. I don't know why he thought he needed to do covers when he has more than enough songs of his own, but hopefully, he puts some of my favourites back on the setlist for his next tour.

Also, Ruel's stylist deserves several awards because from what I've been seeing, he looks fantastic at every show.

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