MUSIC & NIGHTLIFE

One Direction fans dream big, come out early in Indy

David Lindquist
david.lindquist@indystar.com
One Direction fans, from left, Mica Teles, Maddie Webb and Ashley Harrison (joined by father Rodney Webb) wait Friday afternoon outside Lucas Oil Stadium.

One Direction fan Maddie Webb said she had good reason to hang out at Lucas Oil Stadium hours before Friday’s concert, even if public-address announcements discouraged early arrivals at the venue.

Every seat is reserved, the recording droned. Long waits provide no advantage. Don’t run to your seats.

Webb positioned herself purposefully near a vehicle ramp on the stadium’s southwest side, a place where One Direction singers Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan and Liam Payne might be whisked underground in a luxury SUV with tinted windows.

Connected to a shadowy ring of One Direction “insiders,” Webb learned the quartet planned to fly from Chicago to Indianapolis on Friday. Technically, the source was a friend of a friend.

“My friend got one of her friends to tell me some stuff,” said Webb, a 14-year-old from Westfield.

In the realm of 21st century boy bands, One Direction is king. Among fans, tips and rumors that pay off are as valuable as gold.

While Webb waited for the quartet (a flight allegedly would land at 3:47 p.m.), she explained that Horan is her favorite.

“Maybe it’s because he’s Irish,” she said. “He’s blonde. I love his eyes, and he’s really, really funny.”

Eyes worth trying to be close to, even when hidden behind tinted windows.

Thirteen-year-old Barbara Pecora traveled from Brazil to catch her first One Direction concert.

“We heard they’re not coming to South America,” said Cyro Pecora, Barbara’s dad. “It’s a unique opportunity to be able to see them.”

Cyro formerly lived in Indianapolis, making Lucas Oil Stadium a logical pick among the group’s “On the Road Again” tour dates

Barbara said she hoped to hear a live rendition of “Drag Me Down,” a brand-new One Direction single released on Friday.

“It’s a very beautiful song,” said Barbara, who listed “Story of My Life” and “Best Song Ever” as her favorite 1D tunes.

At merchandise tents outside the stadium, tour T-shirts were sold for $40 (the same base price seen when the Rolling Stones played Indianapolis Motor Speedway on July 4). The asking price for a One Direction hoodie was $70, while an official glow stick could be purchased for $15.

Many fans brought customized posters, which were fine to bring in as long as they didn’t exceed 22 inches by 28 inches.

In a sea of pleas tailored for Harry, Louis, Niall or Liam, one curveball poster stood out.

“What Are Thooose” was the message devised by Indianapolis teenagers Jocelyn Padilla, Jaquie Loera and Vanessa Mendoza.

The trio’s poster was inspired by a current Internet meme in which a young man pokes fun at people’s out-of-fashion footwear.

In the context of One Direction, Padilla, Loera and Mendoza directed their dig at a pair of golden boots that Styles wears onstage.

“You love them so much that you can make fun of them,” Mendoza said of her musical idols.

After five years of global stardom, One Direction was set to make its Indianapolis debut on Friday. Was the local audience up to the task of welcoming the group in style? Yes, according to Padilla.

“I feel like people doubt us, but I feel like we can come through,” she said.

Call Star reporter David Lindquist at (317) 444-6404. Follow him on Twitter:@317Lindquist.