If there’s one thing Los Angeles three-piece 30 Seconds to Mars has in excess, it’s adoring fans. The hundreds of 30STM devotees lined up outside the Ricardo Montalban Theatre Monday night could barely contain their excitement and for good reason. Not only were they moments away from interacting with band members Jared Leto, Shannon Leto, and Tomo Miličević at the pre-release party for the group’s third album, but many were also about to get a little taste of rock stardom themselves.
Not ones to be content with merely bridging the gap between artist and audience, 30STM closes it on This is War. In addition to an appearance by Kanye West that wasn’t yet available to hear at the party, the album also features the chanting and singing of 30STM fans from across the globe. Listening to those in the audience sing along to the sneak preview, it was obvious that many of them remembered their lines from these recording sessions, and between songs several could be overheard chatting about the different ways the band had them try their parts.
As if having fans lend their voices to the album wasn’t enough, 30STM decided they needed their faces too. Through their Faces of Mars campaign the group collected 2,000 individual photos of fans from around the world and will be using those images as the covers for albums that will be purchased in stores. They also used clips of fans in “The Ride,” a short film they treated the audience to after playing the album (to see the full video click HERE). 30STM is one group that knows fans are worth more than their weight in album sales, and this was a night celebrating both This is War and the people who will no doubt be buying it very soon.
Enjoy the photos from the party and be sure to pick up the album when it drops December 8th.
Watching musicians read lines for a camera is always amusing, and they seemed like they were having a blast.
30STM fans come in all shapes, sizes, and…Jeffree Star!
The fans may have contributed pieces of themselves to the album, but you have to introduce the trio that gave it their all.
No, shots of my screen saver didn’t get mixed in with my 30STM pics. These are the visuals the band showed while playing the album.
Anyone remember Q*Bert? I think the background of these shots might be taken from the first level.
Witness some of that fan devotion I was talking about.
After the listening portion of the evening, the band came back onstage to introduce “The Ride.”
Time for some Q&A with 30STM.
Fans were lined up in both rows of the theater to ask questions.
Jared presented one of his team members with a birthday cake and had the whole audience sing to her! Looks like this band is as good to their “people” as they are to their fans.
November 12, 2009 | 12:24 pm
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Thirty Seconds to Mars, Caitie Delaney. Caitie Delaney said: RT @LAmusicblog Did you miss the 30 Seconds to Mars listening party? Check out our recap here! http://bit.ly/4veLB7 [...]
November 12, 2009 | 12:27 pm
I love 30 seconds to mars!!!!! if i can post a audio of me screaming this i would post it!!
November 12, 2009 | 12:32 pm
Social comments and analytics for this post…
This post was mentioned on Twitter by 30secondstomars: LA Music Blog: 30 Seconds to Mars Listening Party for This is War http://ow.ly/BHJ5…
November 12, 2009 | 12:43 pm
These are the true artist and people that take the time to show the respect and appriciate for their fans. This is another reason why I love this band so much. Not only do they make me laugh, they can also make me cry with their music and feel what I need to feel. Here’s to a great group. I wish them all the best and much success for many years to come. Good job guys!
Luci
November 12, 2009 | 12:47 pm
Amazing !!!!!!!!!! I love your music, your talent…..all……I live in Madrid but I will see in Milan very soon, its the first time that I see you in live and Im so excited !!!!!!!!!!
Thanks so much for all, Mars ….You have changed my life…….
I live far from you but I feel strangely close to you to listen to your music and feel a part of ” Echelon “….
Are doing a great work guys, although the walk is very difficult sometimes, never forget that you have all our support and we will win the war…..
Provehito in Altum…
November 12, 2009 | 1:00 pm
simply… 30 SECONDS TO MARS is the best of thje world!!!! and the new ongs are amazing!!! and the short-video is incredible!!!
November 12, 2009 | 1:58 pm
It was, in fact, an incredible night.
Truly amazing.
p.s. They were singing “Happy Birthday” to me, too! (if you don’t recall)
November 12, 2009 | 2:02 pm
I WANT THAT POSTER!!!!
November 12, 2009 | 2:10 pm
Hey thats me in the 30STM sweatshirt waiting to ask the band a question!!!!!Its the second to the last photo!!
What an magical evening that was and I can’t begin to express the appreciation I have for the band’s level of intimacy with the fans!!!
November 12, 2009 | 2:17 pm
Thanks everyone for writing and commenting. We had a blast at the show and it seems like you did as well.
If you want to follow us on twitter check us out here:
http://www.twitter.com/lamusicblog
Thanks for the love and let us know what your experience was like!!!
November 12, 2009 | 3:41 pm
Thank you for posting these pics since we were unable to being cameras or cell phones and well this was so fun I took my 13 yr old son and we had a blast ! Jared Leto walked right by me so your right the bridge was open and well just wish I could have thanked him for throwing such a great event !
November 13, 2009 | 8:04 am
Wow. At times like this, I can’t help but wonder: what am I still doing in NY? ):
November 13, 2009 | 9:56 am
[...] can read our review of the band’s pre-release party for their upcoming album, This is War, here, and for those of you who didn’t get a chance to attend the event, we’ve brought a [...]
January 11, 2010 | 4:22 pm
sta bn weno jared leto
February 14, 2010 | 9:06 pm
los mejores!!!!!!!!!!! ls amooooooo…. y jared leto ahhhhhhhh hermoso!!!
