Hayley Williams' Tour Diary Part 6: The End of the Road
By Hayley Williams
Photographs by Lindsey Byrnes
Paramore front woman Hayley Williams has been blogging for PAPERMAG for the past couple of months, chronicling her tour with her bandmates as they travel the world. Here's Williams' sixth and final tour diary (boo!), in which
talks about wrapping up the Paramore tour in Hawaii and skydiving. Thanks for blogging, Hayley!
Well, we made it to the end of the shortest tour in Paramore history. What a journey it was. I can't say or type "journey" without hearing the opening of "Don't Stop Believin'" in my head. Anyhow, I'm happy to have made all the memories we have in such a short time.
The show in Hawaii was one of the most memorable times I've ever had on a stage anywhere. Speaking of the stage, it was really small. Much like the ones we played when we began touring seven or so years ago and not unlike the stages on the Warped Tour. From the moment the feedback rang out, I felt like I was floating up out of my body and watching the whole show happen. It was one of those shows that matters in the way that nothing really matters. All the sweat and the aches and pains from every show before are sort of pinned to you like a blue ribbon. It feels so good to let it all go. I mean, it doesn't look too good -- with my mascara running, I looked like a dang red-headed raccon -- but even that part feels good. It's like I said, nothing matters.
Not only did I have a personal connection with the stage and the atmosphere that night but the people in the crowd made the show so intimate, you couldn't help but feel like you knew every one there. Two people at the barricade even got engaged right smack in the middle of "The Only Exception!" Try and tell me that's not a tear jerker. At some point during every show, I get to running my mouth about what our fans mean to us and what it means that they are there to watch us. Then I say, "Welcome to our family." I tell them that once they are in they can't ever get out but I don't mean it in a Godfather, creeper sort of way. What I mean is, once we've all been there together and experienced music in that way, we are connected. Something takes place when you experience music with other people. It's a connection you cannot deny and that's what I try to acknowledge every night no matter how many people we are playing for. It is a very serious honor to play music for anybody at any time. Those of you reading this who are in a band or writing your own music know exactly what I'm talking about and if you don't.. well, wake up already.
So besides the show and all my gushing about it, we had an amazing time just being in Hawaii for the first time as a band. Most of our time was spent relaxing so hard that I barely remember much of the first day. It was one of the only vacations I've ever been on in my adult life. It was really chill until someone decided it'd be a good idea if we all went skydiving the next morning before the show. Sounds like a great and totally responsible decision to you too, right? Taylor was the only one that had ever been before. He was all smiles all the way to this place while the rest of us laughed nervously in the backseat of our rented Jeep. It didn't help that once we arrived we had to sign all these contracts that said "SKY DIVING IS DANGEROUS, YOU COULD DIE!" I swear. It looked just like that... all caps and shiz. I couldn't even decide who to put on the emergency phone number list! Needless to say, we are all still alive or else I couldn't have possibly written this blog.
What I have to say about our experience in the sky is this: You live and die just one time. I don't know that skydiving is how I'd wanna go... but holy cow am I so happy that I tried it once in my life. The feeling of falling through clouds and the even more satisfying feeling of looking at the ground from 10,000 feet above it is such a humbling thing. I've never felt more vulnerable in my life. I'm strapped into this guy and he's pretty much spooning me on what could be the very last day of my whole life!! But I made it... and I saw the world from an entirely new perspective. When we all hit the ground, you would've thought we hadn't seen each other in years All I remember is running at Jeremy as if I was going to run straight through him. In conclusion, I'll never do it again but I'm sure glad that I grew a pair. I never thought, as a kid, that I'd grow up and do exactly what I had always dreamed I'd do, experience things that some people never get to do, and what's more? I get to do all of this with my best friends.
Thank you guys for reading all my ramblings on. Thank you to Paper magazine for giving me the chance to write for them. See you all next year with an album full of brand new songs.
With all the gratefulness I can fit in my tiny bird body,
Hayley Williams of Paramore
Hayley Williams' Tour Diary Part 1
Hayley Williams' Tour Diary Part 2
Hayley Williams' Tour Diary Part 3
Hayley Williams' Tour Diary Part 4
Hayley Williams' Tour Diary Part 5
Well, we made it to the end of the shortest tour in Paramore history. What a journey it was. I can't say or type "journey" without hearing the opening of "Don't Stop Believin'" in my head. Anyhow, I'm happy to have made all the memories we have in such a short time.
The show in Hawaii was one of the most memorable times I've ever had on a stage anywhere. Speaking of the stage, it was really small. Much like the ones we played when we began touring seven or so years ago and not unlike the stages on the Warped Tour. From the moment the feedback rang out, I felt like I was floating up out of my body and watching the whole show happen. It was one of those shows that matters in the way that nothing really matters. All the sweat and the aches and pains from every show before are sort of pinned to you like a blue ribbon. It feels so good to let it all go. I mean, it doesn't look too good -- with my mascara running, I looked like a dang red-headed raccon -- but even that part feels good. It's like I said, nothing matters.
Not only did I have a personal connection with the stage and the atmosphere that night but the people in the crowd made the show so intimate, you couldn't help but feel like you knew every one there. Two people at the barricade even got engaged right smack in the middle of "The Only Exception!" Try and tell me that's not a tear jerker. At some point during every show, I get to running my mouth about what our fans mean to us and what it means that they are there to watch us. Then I say, "Welcome to our family." I tell them that once they are in they can't ever get out but I don't mean it in a Godfather, creeper sort of way. What I mean is, once we've all been there together and experienced music in that way, we are connected. Something takes place when you experience music with other people. It's a connection you cannot deny and that's what I try to acknowledge every night no matter how many people we are playing for. It is a very serious honor to play music for anybody at any time. Those of you reading this who are in a band or writing your own music know exactly what I'm talking about and if you don't.. well, wake up already.
So besides the show and all my gushing about it, we had an amazing time just being in Hawaii for the first time as a band. Most of our time was spent relaxing so hard that I barely remember much of the first day. It was one of the only vacations I've ever been on in my adult life. It was really chill until someone decided it'd be a good idea if we all went skydiving the next morning before the show. Sounds like a great and totally responsible decision to you too, right? Taylor was the only one that had ever been before. He was all smiles all the way to this place while the rest of us laughed nervously in the backseat of our rented Jeep. It didn't help that once we arrived we had to sign all these contracts that said "SKY DIVING IS DANGEROUS, YOU COULD DIE!" I swear. It looked just like that... all caps and shiz. I couldn't even decide who to put on the emergency phone number list! Needless to say, we are all still alive or else I couldn't have possibly written this blog.
What I have to say about our experience in the sky is this: You live and die just one time. I don't know that skydiving is how I'd wanna go... but holy cow am I so happy that I tried it once in my life. The feeling of falling through clouds and the even more satisfying feeling of looking at the ground from 10,000 feet above it is such a humbling thing. I've never felt more vulnerable in my life. I'm strapped into this guy and he's pretty much spooning me on what could be the very last day of my whole life!! But I made it... and I saw the world from an entirely new perspective. When we all hit the ground, you would've thought we hadn't seen each other in years All I remember is running at Jeremy as if I was going to run straight through him. In conclusion, I'll never do it again but I'm sure glad that I grew a pair. I never thought, as a kid, that I'd grow up and do exactly what I had always dreamed I'd do, experience things that some people never get to do, and what's more? I get to do all of this with my best friends.
Thank you guys for reading all my ramblings on. Thank you to Paper magazine for giving me the chance to write for them. See you all next year with an album full of brand new songs.
With all the gratefulness I can fit in my tiny bird body,
Hayley Williams of Paramore
Hayley Williams' Tour Diary Part 1
Hayley Williams' Tour Diary Part 2
Hayley Williams' Tour Diary Part 3
Hayley Williams' Tour Diary Part 4
Hayley Williams' Tour Diary Part 5
Your Comment
Posted at 5:37 on Oct 04, 2011
I always wanted to do sky diving before i die but i know i'm gonna be so scared that i won't do it...
I'm really proud of them for being so brave!
this post almost made me cry...
so sad it's over.
This guys are an inspiration to me and always will.
Love you guys
Posted at 7:20 on Oct 04, 2011
Awww1 This is awesome! I hope, to one day, be able to go skydiving! It'd be Even better with my friends.
I love Paramore's music and the lyrics are always so meaningful to you guys and to most of us' fans.
Posted at 8:30 on Oct 04, 2011
This is so much fun, i will miss the tour diaries but... ): It would be nice if they write the "Composing Album Diary" haha
Posted at 1:38 on Oct 05, 2011
Beautiful! I love you!!! @layscristinna
Posted at 1:38 on Oct 05, 2011
wow
Posted at 4:11 on Oct 05, 2011
I've been skydiving professionally for 12 years. )) I glad you loved the feeling. :)
And Hawaii is definitely a great choice to skydive!
Posted at 5:10 on Oct 05, 2011
im gonna form a band
Posted at 9:57 on Oct 05, 2011
"What I mean is, once we've all been there together and experienced music in that way, we are connected. Something takes place when you experience music with other people. It's a connection you cannot deny and that's what I try to acknowledge every night no matter how many people we are playing for. It is a very serious honor to play music for anybody at any time."
Hayley...words can't express how inspiring you are not only to me, but to everyone who knows you and listens to Paramore. You're like, the definition of inspiration. Thanks for being who you are. Paramore is the reason I continue to write music and hope to be a songwriter when I grow up. I was at the Paramore Hong Kong concert and I'm not exaggerating when I say that it was possibly the best night of my life. You guys made me forget every single other thing in my life. All that mattered was that I continued to sing and scream and laugh and cry as you performed. I love you to pieces. :)
Posted at 10:09 on Oct 05, 2011
mmm really,.. I didn't read any.. sorry ._.
*I am a lazy* XD
Posted at 11:00 on Oct 05, 2011
I hope I'll someday have enough courage to skydive!
Posted at 12:43 on Oct 05, 2011
AHHH that's so cool! I got to go skydiving there this summer too! Thanks for sharing! :)
Posted at 12:48 on Oct 05, 2011
I've been jumpin two years now and it's a great thing. Completely changed my life. Do it, it's worth it and it's not as scary as you would think.
Posted at 2:42 on Oct 05, 2011
You are such an amazing person Hayley - Thank you for letting us get a taste of your life! Congrats to all your successes and more to come! I'm SUPER excited to hear what you and your team of ROCKERS will bring out next. Please come back to Hershey, Pennsylvania!!
LOTS OF LOVE and Support!!!
One of your biggest Fans!
Posted at 2:45 on Oct 05, 2011
skydiving is really dangerous and I fell really proud of you had the enough courage to do it. The new perspective you got now Hayley you'll keep inside you own for ever I'm sure this experiece I know many ppl would like to have.
Love ya paramore!!
I'll be waiting for your new brand songs next year
Posted at 3:00 on Oct 05, 2011
Thank you so much Hayley for writing these they are beautiful, inspiring and I have loved reading them! We love you Paramore!!! X
Posted at 3:09 on Oct 05, 2011
I love Paramore Hayley Your my idol!!!! Your guys' lyrics inspire me so much so that i wrote a book about my life on a whim i thought it was super good but no one else liked it. I don't know why they didn't it was full of suspense and boring in some parts. If i could meet you guys i wouyld be so happy. ;P
Posted at 3:28 on Oct 05, 2011
Aww loved it! Makes me wanna cry now that there's no more. mustve been creepy sky diving and all. All i know is that i will NEVER go skydiving... Anywho ILY!!! Awesome.
Posted at 4:34 on Oct 05, 2011
This is spectacular. XD I'm a composer... I know the feeling.
Yeah a "Composing Album Diary" would be awesome. LOL :) If only...
Posted at 5:34 on Oct 05, 2011
I've kept track of your blog, waiting eagerly for the next part to be posted and I've adored every single entry. Dang, now it's over. I can honestly say I’m sooooo proud to be a Parafan!!!!! The band's music is inspirational and I’m extremely excited for the new album to come out. Already I’m positive that I’ll love it just as much as the others (probably even more). The band is just freakin awesome PERIOD!!!! Can’t wait to see you guys perform live once you start touring again in the US.
From a fan, that’s been there since the very beginning and will be to the very end. (hopefully that never happens)
Posted at 6:05 on Oct 05, 2011
I totally agree. Music is so powerful and overwhelming, that it can bind us all, people from different backgrounds and countries, together in a very real human connection. It's amazing how many people from so many different backgrounds love the same music, and how much it means to them.
On twitter I see Paramore fans from Brazil, Hungary, Israel, Singapore... you name it! It's so crazy how we all lead completely different lives yet are tied together by music. It's crazy how much my life is (indubitably) so different from the band members of Paramore, yet when I listen to their music... I feel like I'm hearing somebody belting out all of my secrets.
I guess what I'm trying to say is thank you, thank you for writing such blunt and honest songs. Thank you for creating music that has a life of its own, that touches the hearts of each and every one of us- no matter who we are or where we come from.
Posted at 8:03 on Oct 05, 2011
For a girl who owns her own band, and is in Highschool in the deep south where all people listen to is country and i mean ALL, Hayley Williams is the only person i connect to. Shes my idol. Shes almost perfect, and the flaws she does have makes her even more perfect cause it shows that shes human. I love her, and unfortunately i cant go to their concerts or any concerts because im so far away. So for my Sweet 16, thats all i want. Not a car. I chance to see Paramore live, a chance to meet Hayley, Taylor, and Jeremy! :)
- Lead Singer of Staff Affair. :)
Posted at 10:31 on Oct 05, 2011
I have always wanted to go skydiving but i am way to scared
Posted at 1:34 on Oct 06, 2011
Love to see more photos of y'all vacationing in Hawaii.
Posted at 2:45 on Oct 06, 2011
I'm so glad you guys had fun and got to (somewhat) relax after the tour. You all work so hard and deliver an AMAZING performance each and every time you step on stage; heck, you even put on a performance when you're not on stage! That doesn't surprise me at all that the idea of skydiving was brought up :P But anyway, hope all is well, and we're allllll waiting for your next releases!!!! :D
Posted at 3:47 on Oct 06, 2011
"With all the gratefulness I can fit in my tiny bird body..." haha
Posted at 4:00 on Oct 06, 2011
I wish there's a place in my country where I can do skydiving :(
YEAH! And come to Ecuador! I BEEEEEEG you! Like seriously, I BEG you on my knees! You'll make me the HAPPIEST girl alive! EVER! (:
I love Paramore♥
Posted at 2:14 on Oct 07, 2011
see you next Year Hayley hope you guys come do to Washington state soon I cant wait to meet you in real person
Posted at 6:44 on Oct 07, 2011
nice pick lol
we were born for this
luv u guys keep ROCK on \m/
Posted at 11:05 on Oct 07, 2011
Oh is awesome !!
Posted at 10:33 on Oct 11, 2011
I nearly cried while reading this! I felt it. I just got back from Honolulu and loved it. Also one of the things I want to do before I die is skydive, so totally inspirational post AS ALWAYS! :)
Posted at 10:39 on Oct 11, 2011
good idea sky diving sounds awesome ur crazily insane wich rocks...stay rocking u have a beautiful voice
Posted at 1:39 on Oct 12, 2011
"I'm strapped into this guy and he's pretty much spooning me on what could be the very last day of my whole life!!"
Gawww! LOL
Hayley I must admit as a fan it has been difficult for the past couple of months. I am also an artist and I draw so much of my creative energy from music. Especially Paramore
So happy to hear your new singles blasting in my ears while I am doing my own "dream job"
Paramore music helped me through tough times and made me appreciate this career that I started for myself. I'm young too..and so many times I wanted to give up.
So it kinda bummed me out to see a band I love so much fall out. I'm thankful for you, Jeremy and Taylor for sticking it out..and inspiring me once again not to let myself down, the people who believe in me and not throw away one of the best things God has EVER blessed me with.
There is no better feeling in the WORLD than to earn a living from your GOD GIVEN TALENTS =) ..because it does not even feel like work LOL
Like you stated..we only live and die once. No time for regrets.
I love you Paramore!!
Posted at 2:12 on Oct 13, 2011
Yoooooooo! I wanted to go to that show so badly, but I'm on a different Island. Hayley, one day I swear to baby Jesus, we are gonna sing together and then get married.
Posted at 6:11 on Nov 03, 2011
Oh Paramore how I love you :) it's funny how after a long day of school, i can come home and watch some videos of you guys messing around or read something like this and instantly feel 10000 times better! As much as i adore taylor and jeremy (taylor is my future husband btw
Posted at 9:50 on Nov 10, 2011
i live and die just one time.thank you hayley
Posted at 12:22 on Nov 30, 2011
It's amazing the tour diary. I translate this makes it difficult, I think I have to learn more English. what they experienced on the tour excites me just read it. is great to do tours in those places, I think all their fans have to be able to see your band, that makes a great band committed to their fans. I look forward to the new disk. kisses
Posted at 10:48 on Nov 30, 2011
hey guys! such a huge fan! just wanna say that in the photo labeled proof te date looks like " august 24 2012" . did u guys reqlly jump or did someone chicken out and got the whole trip cancelled? either way i'll always be a huge fan of this one rocking band! keep the music alive cuz the renegades are with you and they'll help u stop the whole world from turning into a monster! thank you so much for the music and the inspiration!
Posted at 12:02 on Dec 28, 2011
I was sooo glad that you guys came to Hawaii!! I loved the concert and I am glad that you guys had a great time! Come back soon!! :D