Justin Bieber Concert Diary

Patch editor Kari Hulac took her daughter Lacy to her first concert, Justin Bieber, Saturday. This is their J.B. concert diary.

The Aftermath, Oct. 7, 8:10 a.m.: Lacy is still asleep. She was so excited after we got home she probably didn't get to bed until 1 a.m. I think it's safe to say the show was everything she dreamed of and more, but I'll let her sum it up for you in her own words when she wakes up.

As a parent, it was a great first concert experience. Safe, clean fun — a family friendly polite crowd of mostly moms and daughters.

And Justin Bieber put on a great show. He clearly is not some manufactured pop star like the kind Disney keeps churning out. He can truly sing and he showed off his talents on the piano and guitar. He seems to be safely making the difficult jump from child YouTube sensation to a more grown-up artist, with a harder rock sound and some rougher, tougher darker images accenting his set and show — all without losing his sense of humor and fun.

But more importantly, he came across as truly thankful to his fans, gracious about his success and conscious of his rise to role model, sharing that he came from nothing, a kid without money from a small town in Canada who, by believing in his dream, achieved it.

Sunday, Oct. 7 , 10:37 a.m: After the best concert ever and seeing Justin Bieber, Carly Rae Jepsen and Cody Simpson, I am exhausted. I tried to film as much as I could, so I got some shots of Justin. It was loud and fun, and I got a shirt and a hat that says SWAGGY so thank you so much, Mom, it was super fun!!!!!!

The Prelude

Friday, Oct. 5, 9:24 p.m.: My daughter is one die-hard Justin Bieber fan. She sings his songs in the shower, has his photos all over her walls and knows exactly, including the hospital room number, the day and time he was born.

So when I found out he was playing a show in Oakland on her 11th birthday (Oct. 6, 2001, Alta Bates hospital, 8:19 p.m.), I knew that seeing him perform live would have to be her present.

I resisted for awhile. She and I looked at tickets briefly, thinking she could bring a friend, but the price of three seats was beyond my budget.

But I finally caved. It was just too perfect of a gift. So, without telling her, I secretly bought tickets for just the two of us, rationalizing that I'd end up spending about the same amount if I threw her a traditional b-day party with her friends.

I got the ticket printed on an edible cake sticker, stuck it on her cake and surprised her with it after her birthday dinner. (See accompanying video.)

"Really???" I'm really going??" she said, her eyes wide as saucers. She then promptly ran into her room to post the news on her Instagram. ("Facebook is so last year, Mom!")

Of course now, I realize, this means I, too, am going to see Justin Bieber. Yikes! Hmmmm, thousands of screaming girls. Note to self: Buy some earplugs. 

Friday, Oct. 5: 10:19 p.m.: Hi :) My name is Lacy. I LOVE Justin bieber. I know everything about him, just ask me anything ;) I remember looking at the cake and screaming inside my head. I couldn't explain what I was feeling when I realized I was actually going to see the real Justin Bieber. I freaked out and had to tell all my friends. Ya never know. It could happen to you. THX MOM

Saturday, Oct. 6, 8:52 a.m.: Today's her birthday! We blasted up the Beatles "Today's Your Birthday" song on YouTube while dogs barked like crazy. They hate it when we dance.

Read the comments below on our diary. Jeez, people, lighten up. We're having fun and enjoying life. (P.S. She doesn't have a smart phone. It's an iPod touch.)

Lacy just brought in the life-sized J.B. cutout behind me and startled me. Man, he's tall! Next stop: hair salon to get her massive tangles out. (She actually wants to "look nice" for tonight.) She's not a girly-girl kid so anytime she concedes to any hair care, it's a major victory for Mom.

Saturday, Oct. 6, 8:58 a.m.: Hi it's Lacy again. I have my whole day planned out like I usually do! First we're heading down to Noah's bagels for a yummy birthday bagel. Then we're getting my hair done, then buy some makeup and then we're going to Target with my 25 dollar gift card. 

9:13 a.m.: OMG I just got a phone call from my best friend Jessica. Her mom surprised her. She's going to the concert too!!! I'm even more excited!!!!!

4:51 p.m.: After shopping, lunch at Habit and some dress up time at home, we're finally ready to go to the one and only Justin Bieber concert on my birthday.