Out & About #544 | BLACKPINK 2019 World Tour in Hamilton

Who would have predicted the day that global K-Pop acts would choose Hamilton as their performance location of choice?
Not me, that's for sure.

Of all the neighbourhoods within the GTHA, downtown Hamilton does not rank high in terms of (my own list of) explore-able neighbourhoods. Campus life had been quite mundane a few years back, though I do admit that quite a handful of coffee shops have emerged since my era.

​The Thai ahgase and I arrived at the early hour of noon, which coincided with the commencement of concert merch sales. Grey skies above our heads, we proceeded to affix ourselves to the winding lineup, jittering for the entire duration. Amidst this wait, we observed the Sound Check ticketholders: they were arranged about the venue a similar fashion, patiently awaiting their turn to file into the exclusive event. A few even had blankets wrapped about their bodies.

Each squeaky pink hammer lightstick rang in at a whopping sixty dollars, and yet, somehow, the bulk of the attendees had no issues mindlessly relinquishing this amount. This statement may come across a tad hypocritical, given its origin from one of the most dedicated Canadian ahgases, but I've never been to drop hard-earned funds before window shopping elsewhere.

​Once the ordeal had finished, we sauntered over to the Hamilton Farmer's Market for lunch. Majority of the vendors remained familiar to me - an indication that they had survived the test of evolving demand. pokeh had shifted to a larger location (for reasons beyond me), and the ramen bar had acquired the adjacent next stall in its expansion.

We first took to Thai Tea from Nam Nom. The plastic cups contained less than the standard 12 oz./16 oz. serving, but the orange beverages could be depicted as nothing less than exquisite. Common gripes of the variations found throughout Toronto included heavy quantities of ice, excessive sugariness, lack of authenticity, and disproportionate milkiness. The undernotes of Nam Nom's version were unmistakably legitimate - not far from the result of brewing my own blend at home. Moreover, the slickness wasn't overpowering.
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Hamilton isn't known for competitive prices, though I'd proclaim four dollars to be a fair deal.

​​The Slow-Cooked Pulled Chicken sandwich, on the other hand, did not deserve the same amount of commendation. At $8.50, the modern banh mi-style sub was not only pricier than Subway around the corner, but also far more compact in comparison. Personally, the combination of pickled veggies, crisp baguette, and fresh herbs never fail to impress. That said, large chunks of scallions, minimal dressing, a painfully lengthy wait time, and cash-only requirements are enough to encourage taking my business elsewhere for better value.
Slurp Ramen's customizable Miso bowl was tasty according to the tester, however one cannot dismiss elements such as chopped cabbage and charred sweet potato being ungenuine ramen components. The lumpy egg, in spite of its runny interior, was a deduction in terms of visual appearance for me.

We tossed our Thai Tea cups - now depleted of liquid - into the bins next to Cake & Loaf, where I secured a Chocoate Peanut Butter Cookie sample, and then proceeded with a walking tour of the one-kilometre radius. By this time, the drabness had cleared to reveal blue skies and warm rays of sunshine.

​James Street proved to have undergone drastic developments in my period of absence. Added to the roster were new cafés, street art, and kitschy independent shops. The small stretch had been reformed in such a manner that it near emulated the crafty character of Trinity Bellwoods.​

​A hybrid motorcycle gear/coffee shop - with a lounge to boot! - was quite the striking combination.

​Although I had initially planned a visit to Ark & Anchor, the detour for merchandise and a non-backpack carryall steered us closer to West Harbour GO. Nearby happened to be SYNONYM, an eclectic destination for drinks - both caffeinated and alcholic.

​Its cozy interior and thorough usage of warm-toned furnishings were well received. Textured brick walls, wooden tabletops, a colourful marble counter, and shelves lined with art-related readings further contributed to creating a sense of calmness; it was an environment that promoted clear and creative thinking.
Listed on the clipboard menus was a sprinkling of bar snacks and vegetarian/vegan meal options. Arranged on the second page was the selection of wine and craft beer, with different sections for canned and on tap. Having noticed my curiosity towards the Ochame Green Tea IPA, the barista did not hesitate to offer us samples. Ultimately, I did not opt for the ale, as its finish was more bitter than it was floral, with absolute subtlety in green tea essence.

​A London Fog was requested by my partner-in-crime, while I pointed towards a Chocolate Chunk Cookie. Upon completion of the London Fog, the barista inquired whether he could offer me an espresso-based beverage, noting that the microfoam design would prove more apparent than in a tea latte. I agreed on a Flat White, thinking that it would be on the house. Later on, the full amount was charged, leading me to conclude this a sneaky - albeit clever - tactic considering I hadn't had any intention of placing a drink order.

In hindsight, water may not have simply been enough to cut the greasiness of the cookie. Plus, the jolt of caffeine assisted in maintaining energy levels into the late evening.

​It was here that we absorbed our necessary dose of Vitamin E and caught up with Twitter happenings.​

View the full album HERE !

​Washrooms were located at the foot of a flight of rickety wooden stairs. The stalls were dim, but fairly well maintained. Hooks were present, facilities were functional, and toiletries were stocked sufficiently. A bundle of dried lavender was an added bonus.

When the clock struck four, we assembled our things to for the southbound return. At some point in the afternoon ensued a reunion with a fellow alumnus at Nations.

​A party tray was acquired for pre-show karaoke, but with the steep price of $25 per hour for groups less than four, we tredged to Gore Park and settled on sushi in the grasslands.

BLACKPINK's In Your Area in Hamilton tour did not start until approximately twenty minutes after its scheduled opening time of 8 PM. Attendees had lined up for entry around the 7 PM mark, but many seats remained empty until ten past eight.

​The quartet's music videos played repeatedly until the lights dimmed: DDU-DU DDU-DU was the first song of the night.

View the full album HERE !

​Between the title tracks, solo performances, and excruciatingly long VCR segments, the concert still felt short. A fan compilation video had consumed a portion of the first half, while a KIA commercial featuring the members adopted the role in the second half.

​Personally, the most notable aspects of the concert were:

• Jisoo spotting my LED sign (and waving!) shortly after starting the show
• Jisoo and Rosé's powerful vocal performances
• Lisa's adorable English and fanservice
• Rosé's down-to-earth interactions with the crowd

Exuding a tremendous amount of confidence and charisma on stage is no simple feat in a foreign country, yet the girls succeeded in delivering professional performances while completely comfortable.

​Encore stages took place after a group photo with the audience - which we regrettably did not make it into - and included the unconventional choice of a slow tune, "Hope Not".

​Around 10:30 PM, we joined the terribly long lineup of commuters outside Jackson Square. Eyes drooping with every passing second, we finally pulled into the station after midnight. Twelve hours and 18 000 steps later, I was more than ready for bed.