As we enter the line for the VNV Nation show at the Norva in Norfolk, Virginia, I notice the coolness of the wind on my face. It is the middle of April, yet it feels as crisp as autumn. I can see the chrome VNV Nation tour bus parked in front of the venue and as I am watching, I see these men, who are usually bald, entering and exiting the tour bus quite frequently. Unfortunately, none of these fellows were either Ronan nor Mark. I began to wonder if perhaps one of these men, if not all of them, know Ronan or Mark personally...I envy them. I am so excited! At last I get to see my favorite dark wave, industrial band play LIVE!!!

"I.D.?" barks a young man who apparently works for the Norva since his shirt says the venue's name on the front. Fumbling for my ID in my coffin purse, I grab my red and black emily strange wallet and pick out my ID to show him. He mentions that I'm going to have to get a new ID soon since mine expires at the end of July, he says it is a bitch to get one after the old one has expired. He went to the DMV a day after the expiration date and they still haven't given him his new ID. The hot pink "I can drink" paper bracelet is stuck around my tiny wrist and I read the words ''AGE 21 VERIFIED" in bold black letters across the front. After he goes down the line either placing black Xs or bracelets on everyone's wrist, he tells those who have previously purchased tickets to make a new line. We then show our tickets to a lady with a scanner (to read the bar code on them) and enter the Norva.

It is a nice, open venue with a balcony and a decent stage. I note the elaborate lights and anticipate a lovely light show. Upon entering, I head straight for the bar. Since the Yuengling on tap is all gone, I order a pint of Killians. After that is consumed, I learn they have Newcastle on tap...well why didn't anyone tell me? I order a pint of Newcastle and perch on a bar stool to the right of the stage. Suddenly, the lights dim and our attention is directed towards the stage. We admire the electronic drums and two keyboards on either side of it.

It is time for "The One" to begin. There are three of them, one for each keyboard and the singer. He makes the proper introductions and immediately upon speaking I can tell they are German. Their english is good, but their accent is much more lovely. Their 80's era, electronica sound is different than what I expected, yet quite amusing. I enjoy watching the singer dance around the stage. Finally he sings in German instead of English and I instantly relax into the rhythm of the language.
"Just because we are German does not mean we are evil." he tells us between songs. I moan "awwww" in disappointment, what is wrong with being evil?

At last it is time for VNV Nation to perform. I cheer hysterically as Ronan Harris, Mark Jackson, and two others approach the stage. The music begins...I stand in awed silence for a few moments as the realization that it is really Ronan, in the flesh, right in front of me, sinks in. But that doesn't last very long. Soon the excitement and adrenaline kick in and I begin to dance. Much to my delight, Ronan plays a wonderful set that includes dark angel, solitary, chrome, and perpetual amongst others, even a few from his newest album, Judgement (His opening song was Descent). I let the music move me. The experience is thrilling and emotionally charged. Ronan says the atmosphere is very friendly, like a group of friends hanging out. The bartender keeps giving the band free shots/drinks: Guinness, Jagermeister, Bushmills, etc. After drinking, Ronan tells us that he has previously been given a roofie in his drink at one of his shows. In Germany, they have never heard of slipping anything in someone's drink. He rambles on to say that fans sometimes chase the tour bus like zombies and L.E. yells "I want to eat your brains!" and Ronan giggles and carries on with a slightly drawn out aaaannnywaaaaay...

He tries to sneak away before we are ready to let him go and so we scream, shriek, cheer, hoot, and holler until he returns and plays another fabulous song to thank us. We repeat this twice more before we finally let him go rest after he was kind enough to give out free bottled water. I enjoyed listening to his beautiful, soothing, soft irish accent and continue to giggle at his remark that he's never met an irishman that speaks like the leprechaun on the Lucky Charms box...I only wish I could have gotten the chance to converse with Ronan, perhaps get him to sign something, but hopefully we made him feel so welcome, and appreciated that he will soon return...

After the show, I drive to the after-party and wait for Ronan to show up. Regretfully, when he had not appeared by 2:00am, I had to depart, for the trip home was sure to be difficult. (I didn't make it home until after 6:30am). Now before I left, I HAD to have a glimpse of the ocean. Running through the chilly wind and deep sand, I reach the black ocean reflecting the moonlight in the waves as it beckons me closer...a perfect end to a perfect night.