The older Toriphiles are mainly split into two groups... the people who want the older Tori back, the Tori of Under the Pink, the Tori with her intimate concerts and smaller fanbase. And the other group (which, alas, is actually a lot smaller) supports Tori and her new fans. They don't mind what size the venue she's playing at is, as long as she's playing. And I'm one of them.

One person once told me that if they couldn't get tickets in the first 10 rows to a Tori concert, they wouldn't go because it would "ruin the experience". I consider these people to be selfish and, actually, brats. They blame the new fans on snatching the good seats and making the older fans sit further back fron the goddess. Another person said that they hope Tori doesn't have a hit song because "it would be easier for us to snatch the good seats". Once again, a selfish remark. And finally, "Tori OWES us to play in smaller venues, like the other tours!".

Okay, let's all snap out of our little fantasy worlds. A Tori concert is a Tori concert, a magical experience no matter where your seats. I lost my Tori-virginity on August 6th, 1998, at the Fingerlakes Performing Arts Center. I was lucky, 'cause it's a relatively smaller venue in size (even though it can hold over 10,000 people, and it sold out). I had second section, row 3 seats. And I still cried through every song, even if my voice couldn't reach Tori as I screamed "I LOVE YOU!" inbetween songs. My seats weren't the best, my view however was pretty good, even though the redhead a few rows in front of my distorted Tori every once and a while. But during that concert, I kept looking back to the people in the lawn seats. Some where dancing, some had binoculars out, and some were weeping. I felt bad for them, but they all were being touched by this magic that was Tori, and none of them seemed to mind that they couldn't see Tori that well. It surely didn't ruin their experience.

I didn't spot any uneducated Toriphiles either. Even the ones I thought would surely be "newbies" were screaming out "MARY! PLAY MARY!" and such obscure requests (I myself was rooting for Flying Dutchman, oh well). They erupted at every song's beginning and end. They were polite during the songs (all except for a few who couldn't hold it in during the "Right on time..." part in CALS, but I could personally hardly contain myself, so...) and were very supportive of Tori. So lay off of the newer fans, because thy knowt heir material for the most part. I didn't see a single "Sparkphile" or any Cornflake Girls, so...

Does Tori owe us to play in smaller venues? No, she doesn't. Why does Tori owe us that? Because we're paying for tickets? No one's forcing ANYONE to buy a ticket to a concert. I personally wouldn't mind seeing Tori in any venue, even one the size of Texas. 'Cause Tori is Tori, and these new concerts are intimate enough, with our without the band. I personally enjoy the band immensely, but that's an issue for another time. No, Tori does not owe us ANYTHING. If anything, we owe HER. With every album, she's spoken out on issues most people are afraid to write diary entries about... rape, self-hatred, miscarriages, over and over, she bares her soul to us. And what do we do in responce? We yell at her for playing Madison Square Garden! GIVE TORI A BREAK, PEOPLE.

I honestly hope Tori has a big hit. Why? Because she deserves it. Remember Y Kant Tori Read? Why did she do that? 'Cause of fame. Fame has always been her dream. And even though she has legions of fans, she's far from being famous. And anything she does that helps her achieve her dream, I will support her whole-heartedly. Honestly here, most people get into Tori in one of two ways: a) word of mouth, or b) hearing one of her songs on the radio. I'm not saying there aren't other ways, those are just the main ways. I got into her by means on way b)... I heard Silent all these Years on the radio and picked up one of her CDs. If that hadn't been on the radio that second, I would have never liked Tori. So here's the deal... if Tori's voice can reach more people, why not? We don't own Tori, so we should say that she shouldn't be allowed to go out and play more often. Stopb eing selfish people and stop hogging Tori. There's enough of her to go around.

So in conclusion, I fully support Tori in everything she does, and I hope she achieves the fame she's always wanted. And people... lay off of Tori. I don't know how some of you people can call yourself Toriphiles while you badmouth Tori for playing too-large-a-venue, etc. Just let the girl play. And listen with your ears, not with your eyes. And enjoy every second she gives you of herself. 'Cause you never know. There might not be a next album.

Melissa Leubner

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