On one side, Anson had no idea that he was becoming a subject of study in journalism and communication, nor did he realize he was becoming a part of the era's legacy.
On the other side, August 31st Band's European street tour continued south—
There were surprises, joy, and touching moments.
Everything came back to music and performance, truly allowing the people of Europe to feel the charm and energy of the August 31st Band's music.
Slowly, the street performances began to take on the vibe of a full-fledged tour. Even though the performances weren't ticketed, they had the atmosphere of a ticketed concert.
The band continued south into Spain, then wandered briefly through Spain and Portugal, before returning to France and heading east. Afterward, the band announced that the street performances would take a break for two weeks, entering a short rest period.
No further explanation was needed; anyone looking at a map could guess the reason—
Nice.
Located on the French Riviera in southern France.
Clang, clang.
The train car gently swayed, and golden sunlight poured through the windows, spilling onto the table. Even though the air conditioning was on, the warmth of the sun could still be felt on his arm, as Anson lazily lounged in the seat, quietly closing his eyes, slowly melting into the golden light.
Whoosh.
Murmurs of awe and admiration drifted into his ears. Anson cracked his eyes open slightly, and through the endless golden glow, he could see a vast expanse of clear, vibrant blue unfolding before him.
Azure, captivating.
Still half-asleep, the scenery blurred as if he could see marine creatures playfully chasing each other beneath the sparkling ripples. But with a blink, the minty blue hue quietly receded into a deep, endless abyss—peacock blue, navy, deep blue—every ripple disappeared into the infinite blue.
Even the golden sheen on the ocean's surface took on a faint shade of watery blue.
The whole world had slipped into blue.
No words were needed; everyone knew they had arrived at the Azure Coast.
Through his view, Lily pressed herself against the window, her eyes wide with amazement, staring in awe at the sight before her. Sunlight gleamed in her eyes, bringing tears, but she couldn't bear to blink, staring blankly at the descending sea like a mesmerized fool.
Miles leaned forward slightly, turning his head to gaze out the window. Though his expression was neutral, he couldn't help but stare, holding his breath.
Only Connor was different.
He slouched back in his seat, mouth wide open, drooling as he slept so soundly that even a fly could have entered without him noticing.
But that wasn't surprising—
Street performances, happening three to four days a week for six consecutive weeks, had taken a toll on their energy and stamina.
Including Anson himself, all four band members were completely exhausted.
Now that they could finally relax, with no performances to worry about for the next two weeks, their bodies and minds could no longer be restrained.
Entering the Azure Coast meant only one thing—Cannes was within reach.
The 56th Cannes Film Festival was set to open the next day. Journalists and fans from around the world were flocking to the small town of Cannes on the Azure Coast.
When people talk about Europe's top three film festivals, Berlin is known for its political edge, Venice for its long history, and Cannes for its widespread fame.
In 2003, the global film market was booming, with the three European film festivals holding their own, equally prominent. However, Cannes held a slight edge thanks to being home to Europe's largest film market. Cannes showcased diversity and inclusiveness, more willing to embrace cultures from other countries than Venice, and more willing to cater to the commercial market than Berlin. This gave it a slight advantage.
In terms of marketing, Cannes led the way, even if only by a small margin.
Every year, over 400,000 people flocked to this small town for the annual film event.
But in reality, Cannes is a small town with a permanent population of less than 70,000.
There's no airport here, so the only way to reach Cannes is to fly into Nice and then take a train or car for a 20-minute journey.
The town itself has no major industries, no bustling tourism, and no breathtaking natural landscapes. The world knows Cannes for its three "S's"—Sun, Sea, and Sex—but those who visit quickly realize it's mostly hype.
For sunbathing, Monaco's yachts offer the most luxurious spots.
For the sea, Èze offers the best panoramic view of the Mediterranean's azure blue.
For beaches, Nice has dozens to choose from.
In fact, there are countless more scenic and relaxing spots along the French Riviera than Cannes, which is just an ordinary small town with rough sand and scorching sun.
If it weren't for the Cannes Film Festival, this town would see little traffic throughout the year. Yet, thanks to the festival, Cannes had become a shining gem on the Azure Coast, rivaling Nice.
Every May, as spring begins to withdraw from the Northern Hemisphere and summer's heat hasn't fully arrived, Cannes draws global attention. Movie lovers from all over the world gather together—
Parties. Celebrations. Vacation. Revelry.
From this perspective, Cannes is indeed a great place to unwind.
Coming up next, the movie "Elephant," starring Anson, was set to premiere at Cannes.
Originally, "Elephant" was already a hot topic for various reasons. Now, after more than a month of buzz, anticipation had soared, making it the center of attention.
Anson was about to return to his role as an actor, bringing a new work to the world.
It just so happened that the August 31st Band could also use a break. Miles and the rest of the band had followed Anson to the stunning Azure Coast.
Everything was going according to plan.
"Wow."
Lily had lost count of how many times she had gasped in amazement. Only when the train finally pulled into the station, and the view was blocked, did she reluctantly tear her eyes away.
"Wow."
"Anson, you can be as busy as you need over the next few days. Don't worry about us. We're going to have the best time here. This place is heaven."
"I finally understand why everyone is always talking about the Azure Coast."
For once, Lily seemed genuinely excited.
Miles motioned for her to lower her voice, then looked at Anson, gesturing towards him—
His hat.
"You should try to stay low-key."
But Anson remained unfazed. "The reporters are probably all at Nice International Airport. No one would take a train to Cannes like I did."