50 Seconds Matter

A spotlight cast its focused beam onto the center of the stage, where a cross marked the spot with black tape.

This marked the very heart of the stage, where magic was about to happen, and it was utterly captivating.

Various musical instruments were neatly arranged on the stage. Besides the standard drums, pianos, and multi-layer keyboards, there were also saxophones, French horns, trombones, and other classic jazz instruments. It resembled a symphony orchestra, promising a diverse and rich musical experience.

In the empty venue in front of the stage, there was nothing but exposed overhead lines and water pipes. Were it not for the hanging snow globes and various lights, it could almost be mistaken for an abandoned space. However, Ronan couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement.

Standing on the stage, elevated about a person's height from the ground, he had a panoramic view of the entire empty venue.

The place could accommodate at least 600 to 700 people, and in just a few hours, it would be filled to capacity. Imagining the crowd dancing and enjoying the music sent shivers of anticipation down his spine.

Alice's camera now focused on Ronan and Ollie, capturing their awe-inspiring moment. The bright stage lights spilled through the side stairs into the backstage area, and the particles of dust dancing in the light outlined their path.

Ronan and Ollie, their faces revealing a mix of calm concentration and excitement, seemed frozen in time for a brief moment.

"At that moment, I felt like I could sense their souls sprouting wings, ready to take flight," Alice said, deeply moved by the scene. Her camera had captured the essence of their experience, giving her a newfound understanding of the documentary's content and theme.

"Ronan!"

Ollie's nervous voice snapped Ronan back to reality. He turned to find Ollie standing behind him, looking ahead with seriousness in his eyes. Ollie, who was usually boisterous and jovial, now spoke quietly, almost at a whisper, a stark contrast to his usual demeanor.

Ronan refocused his attention and saw a staff member wearing a black T-shirt with "Full Moon Party, Old Blacksmith Bar" printed in dark blue on the left chest. The staff member, looking a bit impatient due to fatigue, repeated his question, "The band's name and the instruments you'll be using?"

"King for a Day. We'll need a keyboard, electric guitar, bass, drums, and we'll also bring our own acoustic guitar," Ronan replied, cutting straight to the point. The staff member, in his frazzled state, appreciated the straightforwardness.

The staff quickly registered the information and confirmed it with Ronan.

Then, he waved them forward, saying, "Follow me up. When the time comes, you'll have spaces for the keyboard on the left and right. Before your performance, let the venue staff know if you want the keyboard on the guitar side or the bass side."

Ollie followed Ronan closely but remained silent, his attention keenly focused. He checked the stage setup and asked about the microphone and lighting setup.

Once all their questions were answered, Ronan inquired, "Can we have a rehearsal now? We'd like to get a feel for the sound."

Live performances were unique, and depending on the venue size, stage dimensions, acoustics, and other factors, the band needed to make adjustments to their performance.

For instance, the focus of a performance at a venue for 400 people would be different from one for 100,000 people. Even performing at the same venue on different nights might require subtle adjustments.

Concerts had a distinct charm compared to recorded music. If someone truly loved a singer or a band, attending a live concert was a must. It was an unforgettable experience that couldn't be replicated by just listening to music.

They received permission to rehearse. Ronan and Ollie began by playing part of the song "Don't Stop Believin'." Ronan then swapped positions with Ollie, mimicking Cliff with his electric guitar, and played part of the song "In my Blood." They thoroughly checked the sound and lighting, communicating quickly with the on-site staff. Given the limited time, direct communication was more effective than extensive fine-tuning.

About ten minutes into rehearsal, Maxim and Cliff joined them. Without much talking, they jumped straight into rehearsal, racing against the clock.

Thirty minutes flew by, and it felt like the next band was already at the stage's edge as they wrapped up their rehearsal. Time was of the essence, and they had to keep moving.

They quickly finished and greeted the next band before hastily leaving the Old Blacksmith Bar. As they exited the back door, Ollie noticed the parking lot filling up.

To ensure that bands coming for rehearsals could find parking, he promptly gave up his parking space and left. The sudden movement led to a bit of chaos, causing Cliff to shout humorously, "Calm down, everyone! I don't want to roll over!"

After a brief pause, laughter filled the car, and the tension that had built up over the day began to dissipate.

Finally, they had a moment to discuss their experiences. Ronan shared what he had observed on stage with Maxim, while Ollie, now more focused, inquired about the lounge and what had been confirmed there.

However, when Maxim hesitated and exchanged a glance with Cliff, a certain tension hung in the air.