Tag Archives: live music

Sep19

“Weird Al”: Bigger & Weirder Concert

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“Weird Al”: Bigger & Weirder Concert

Hello! “Weird Al” Yankovic is a beloved favorite to me, Johnny, and my big brother Andrew and has been since childhood. Whenever he comes to the greater Akron area, it is an absolute must for us to see him and we were lucky enough to be at his Bigger & Weirder tour at Blossom Music Center this past Saturday. This is the third time I have seen “Weird Al” live and this was my favorite show, hands down. His opening act, Puddles Pity Party, was hilarious and Al’s set was a celebration of all of the fun and laughter he has gifted to the world for so many years. I’m still on cloud nine from it! Let’s discuss further:

Our night at Blossom began with the traditional long journey from the parking lot to the venue. Once we arrived, we had time to snag some shirts and make our way to a good spot. At Blossom you can either be in the pavilion or posted up on the lawn. I always like to go to the barricades that separate the two areas for the best view and we got ourselves a spot there smack dab in the middle. It was perfect! By the time we were settled, it was about seven fifteen and Puddles Pity Party promptly took the stage at seven thirty. We had no idea who or what this act was going to be but were hooked as soon as he made his entrance.

Puddles Pity Party is a one man show where he is dressed as a clown and sings the most gorgeous operatic music you will ever hear. It is such a strange juxtaposition but it works so very well. His performance also included excellent media including a “Cry Cam” and a moving montage of Kevin Costner as Puddles belted My Heart Will Go On. His set featured renditions of Come Cry With Me, Crazy Train, and Estoy Sentado Aqui. Our favorite had to have been Let’s Give ‘Em Pumpkin To Talk About because funnily enough, I just purchased wall art with the exact same sentiments! He was such a fabulous opener for “Weird Al” and when we got home, Johnny and I watched Puddles Pity Party perform on America’s Got Talent. It was so crazy to watch that when we literally had just laughed and cried with him!

After Puddles Pity Party got us all warmed up, we were ready for the big show and “Weird Al” didn’t disappoint. In fact, he played SO. Many. of our personal favorite songs that it felt like he made the set list exclusively for us. He opened with Tacky which was really cool because that’s what he started the show with the first time we saw him live. From there, he continued to deliver heavy hitters like Fat, Eat It, Dare to Be Stupid, eBay, Everything You Know Is Wrong, Like a Surgeon, Word Crimes, and so much more. His performance was high energy and everyone in the crowd was laughing, dancing, and singing our hearts out. It was the most amazing night and we still can’t quite believe we got to be there and hear a set that felt like we planned it. ❤

If “Weird Al” ever comes to your area, seeing him live is a complete must. I can’t wait for him to return to Akron so I can experience the magic for the fourth time!

What is your favorite “Weird Al” song? What was the last concert you went to? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Aug29

Why Do Live Performances Hit Different Than Streaming?

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Why Do Live Performances Hit Different Than Streaming?

Live performances are among the most unique and exciting adventures you can have. No matter what you enjoy, from stage plays to rock concerts, no streaming channel can match what being there offers. From sensory engagement to unpredictability, here are some examples:

Adventure and Experience:

With the rise of streaming services, it’s easy to forget the unique experience of attending a show. What’s better, relaxing on the couch and pressing a button, or planning, booking with Broadway.com, and venturing out on a trip? The convenience of streaming has its benefits. But there is nothing like experiencing a live performance, even if you do it only once. Nothing compares to the overall adventure of seeing musical idols, stunning plays, and comedians right before your very eyes.

Engaging the Senses:

Just being in the same space as a performer you love creates a tangible experience that brings the senses to life. The sound, sights, and even smells of a packed auditorium are like nothing you can get at home. Adding to the excitement is the energy of the crowd, which makes a significant contribution to the experience. Through light, sound, and smell, your brain creates powerful memories connected to emotions that will typically last for the rest of your life.

Live Performances Feel More Connected:

In 2024 alone, Ticketmaster sold 637 million tickets. It’s safe to say live performances are alive and well, and whether you enjoy stage plays like Hamilton or want to rock out at an AC/DC concert, you can only get the connection you crave from a live show, and not a TV channel:

  • Performers will usually interact with the audience in a direct manner.
  • The experience feels more personal and conversational because of this.
  • Being among an excited crowd provides more energy and electrifies a performance.

Unpredictable and Organic Performance:

While stage shows and artists might tour with a set of performances, every show is unique. There are many variables that can impact a show directly, making each experience different from the last. Improvisation, audience participation, and surprising moments can make a show memorable. Singers might begin to sing in a different key than usual, actors can bring an audience member on stage, and an unexpected event can cause the show to change to a once in a lifetime memory.

The Emotional Impact:

The vivid sensory experience of a live performance is unlike anything else. Because of this, the emotions attached to it while you are there become much more pronounced, and this forges solid memories. More than a studio production, a live show has the power to evoke an even deeper emotional response due to the unfiltered energy that a band, singer, or actor exudes over the crowd. What makes it even more special is that that moment will never happen again.

The adventure and experience are why live performances deliver something no streaming platform can. Go to a show and have the time of your life!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Jun29

Bob Dylan & Willie Nelson Concert

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Bob Dylan & Willie Nelson Concert

Howdy!! This past weekend, Johnny and I checked off another concert on our summer lineup list. It was Outlaw Fest at Blossom Music Center and Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson were performing. We were supposed to see Willie Nelson at Blossom during the pandemic and had to skip on it so we were so happy to have been able to make up for it. I mean… kind of? Because the night definitely didn’t go accordingly to plan and it was basically one of the wildest nights out I’ve had since the after party at our wedding lol. Take a look at some pics that I don’t even remember a random stranger taking and let’s discuss:

Like any big event, the concession prices at Blossom are absolutely insane. To remedy that, literally everyone going to a show there pregames in a great big parking lot tailgate. Johnny and I got to the show with about an hour to kill, White Claw ready to go, and we posted up in the trunk of our car to sip away. As we were having our trunk time, a young couple who went with family across the way approached us to talk about our tattoos and they became our instant BFFs. We were chatting up a storm and, eventually, the entire family joined us. They were absolutely hilarious and we spent our pregame in stitches together. We were having so much fun that I don’t think any of us noticed we were all getting a fair bit tipsy.

Once we all felt good and ready to head into the venue, we did so as a team and found a nice, shady spot to watch from. We couldn’t see anyone on the stage, but we could hear the music and that was perfectly fine. Besides, Johnny and I were DEEPLY invested in conversation at this point. You guys, I kid you not, Johnny and I held individual sidebars with every single member of the family. Lol, they came to us with their complaints, we essentially gave them the “you have to get your ish together” motivational speech and we’re keeping our fingers crossed that the mother’s daughter’s boyfriend would get a job and a license. We stepped into our roles as therapist beautifully and hope for nothing but the best!

Once Johnny and I had our fill of other people’s problems, I REALLY needed the bathroom so he waited for me while I did my thang. When I emerged from the facilities, I found Johnny standing there with two mixed drinks that featured a commemorative plastic pink cowboy hat. Lol he just couldn’t help himself! At this point, I was gone to the wind (Johnny was responsible because he was driving!) and we broke free from the family therapy session. We had been outside in ninety plus degree temps for close to four hours, Willie Nelson was going to be on soon, and we wanted to be able to fully enjoy it.

From what I recall and the poorly shot videos on my phone, both Willie and Bob tore it up. Those senior citizens still sound great!! Also, I was a little busy while Willie was playing because I ended up somehow with a new job perspective lol? One of the people we were standing by needed some social media assistance and we exchanged information! The night just kept getting better and better and I joked that Willie Nelson and Bob Dylan were simply our background music for the evening. By the time the show was over, we were totally and completely beat but it was so worth it for a whole lot of fun!

When we drove to the concert, we were not expecting for our night to transpire the way it did. It was, however, a memory (Or lack thereof!) for the ages!!

What is the craziest night out you have ever had? Are you going to any concerts this summer? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jun3

AC/DC Concert

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AC/DC Concert

Hello! Wednesday the 28th was a fantastic, wonderful day because Johnny and I went to see AC/DC in Cleveland at Huntington Bank Field!! AC/DC is one of Johnny’s all time favorite bands and he has wanted to see them live ever since he was just a little guy. When I learned that they would be playing their last show in America in Cleveland for their Power Up tour, I decided to make his bucket list dreams come true with tickets for our birthaversary. While the opening act, The Pretty Reckless, sucked eggs lol, AC/DC delivered with over two hours of nonstop, high voltage rock. It was absolutely astounding!! Check out these pics of all of the ultra cool lighting and be sure to stop by my TikTok for videos:

When Johnny and I arrived at the stadium, The Pretty Reckless was already playing and as I was saying, they sucked eggs. And, as I told Johnny, they are REALLY trying hard to be The Dead Weather and failing miserably. Anyways, we were basically ignoring their portion of the show because we had more pressing matters to tend to. We were in the nosebleeds. And, when I say the nosebleeds, I mean that to the fullest extent because we were in the literal last row at the top of the stadium. We climbed the mountainous stairs up, up, up and all the while, I was deep breathing and refusing to look down because it was terrifying!! When we made it to our seats, I was panicking – we were up SO high!! It took me a phat minute to calm myself down and then I could actually appreciate our view. We were looking right down on the stage!

Blessedly, The Pretty Reckless wrapped up shortly after we were settled and we waited on pins and needles for AC/DC to take the stage. And, when they did, it was the best. Yes, it was cool to see them but it was even better to see Johnny’s reaction. He lit up like a kid on Christmas day! The show opened with If You Want Blood (You’ve Got It) and the hits just kept on coming. The set was filled with all of the crowd pleasers like Thunderstruck, Back in Black, Stiff Upper Lip, Shot in the Dark, Hells Bells, Have a Drink on Me, and the list goes on and on. The lighting was nothing short of spectacular and, my god, did they sound good too. Brian Johnson simply nailed it and Johnny and I were in awe that his vocals still sound SO crisp after all of these years. We also just adored his little dances lol. And, of course, seeing Angus Young duck walk will never be forgotten. That man can shred like no other and seeing his iconic moves IRL really was a dream come true for my main squeeze.

The set continued with banger after banger (IE: Shoot to Thrill, Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap, Whole Lotta Rosie, Rock ‘n’ Roll Train, and You Shook Me All Night Long) and it was truly one big party. To be in such a huge crowd of fans, sing along to every word, and dance like crazy was intoxicating. And, when it got darker outside, it was even more special. The sea of concert goers was lit up with devil horns a la Angus Young and it was a sight to behold. Unfortunately, Johnny and I began making our long trek back to the parking garage at the beginning of their last song pre-encore, Let There Be Rock. However, we could still hear them playing as we made our way to the car. We walked to the beat as we reveled in the high of one of the best shows we have ever seen.

What a night it was at Huntington Bank Field!! Being able to see AC/DC with Johnny was a once in a lifetime experience and we cherished every moment! ❤

What is the best concert you have ever been to? Are you seeing any concerts this summer? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May16

Can’t Wait!!!

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Can’t Wait!!!

Hello!! During the pandemic, Johnny and I had tickets to several concerts that we could no longer attend. We were going to go to Riot Fest for the My Chemical Romance reunion and that hurt deeply. We also had tickets to see Willie Nelson at Blossom Music Center and that fell through too. It was all extremely disappointing, to say the least. However, I am thrilled to say that we have an excellent concert lineup for this summer and the festivities are going to be starting very soon because…

WE ARE GOING TO SEE AC/DC AT THE END OF THE MONTH!!!!

Johnny and I don’t merely celebrate birthdays, but a birthaversary. His birthday is June first, mine is the seventh, and we got married on the fourth. So, when this momentous occasion happens – we do it big! My husband has wanted to see AC/DC live since he was just a little guy and when we found out they were coming to Cleveland, I had to make it happen. We will be in the nosebleeds and that is A-okay because we are going to be there!! Since the beginning of May, I must have heard Johnny say how excited he is at least one hundred times and it never gets old. We have been listening to ALL of the AC/DC even more so than usual and I can’t believe the big show is only a few weeks away since I purchased the tickets forever ago. It’s going to be so special to have this experience with him and I wish it would just hurry up and get here! 😀

Not only do we have AC/DC on our roster but we are also going to be seeing Willie Nelson and Bob Dylan for Outlaw Fest as well as Weird Al, both taking place at Blossom Music Center. We will finally be making good on seeing Willie Nelson together and this will be mine and my brother’s third time being blessed by Weird Al. Blossom has gifted us with an amazing lineup this year and I am chomping at the bit to fill mine and Johnny’s summer concert series even more. Ghost will be coming to Cleveland as well as The Struts and we would absolutely love to see them too. Needless to say, my honey and I are going to be living it up this summer! ❤

So many concerts, so little time and I am so excited to be able to share them with all of you!!

Are you going to any concerts this summer? What is the best concert you have ever been to? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep2

Alice Cooper Concert

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Alice Cooper Concert

Howdy! Last Wednesday was one of the best nights ever because Johnny and I got to see Alice Cooper at Blossom Music Center. It was the most fantastic time and we both still can’t believe that we actually got to see him live. It always feels a bit surreal to see an artist you love in real life but this concert definitely hit different. We have talked about it every day since! Even though we were seated at the back of the pavilion, we had a pretty good view of the stage. I took tons of pictures and videos and just had to share some of them with all of you! Check it out:

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As you can see, this was quite the production indeed! I have never been to a concert that felt like I was watching live theater too but that’s Alice Cooper for you! Every new song played was like a set change and it was so cool to see the stage transform before our eyes. There were amazing lights, projections, props, snakes, and sets which is such a far cry from any other concert I’ve seen before as the production value is limited to what can be done with lighting. Our favorite part has got to be when a giant Frankenstein lumbered about the stage during Feed My Frankenstein. We also loved when Alice Cooper entered the stage on a parade float for Elected. What really took the cake, though, was seeing a tried and true staple at an Alice Cooper concert: When his wife dressed as Marie Antoinette “beheaded” her husband on a guillotine!

The set list included lots of fan favorites including No More Mr. Nice Guy, Hey Stoopid, Snakebite (Complete with snake!), Go To Hell, and Poison. As I suspected, the show ended with a huge blow out production of School’s Out. It also included parts of Pink Floyd’s Another Brick in the Wall Pt. 2, which was a nice touch. During School’s Out, there was confetti everywhere and the biggest balloons I had ever seen going haywire. When the balloons got close to the stage, Alice Cooper would pop them with his cane and more confetti went flying. My only disappointment about the set list was that Black Widow in its entirety wasn’t played. However, the intro was performed and we got to see a projection of Vincent Price so that was the tops. 🙂

This was, easily, one of the best shows Johnny and I have been to and we are elated to have checked Alice Cooper off of our concert bucket list. If he is coming to your neck of the woods, it is a must go!

What is your favorite Alice Cooper song? Are you going to any concerts soon? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep1

Best Date Night EVER!!!!

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Best Date Night EVER!!!!

Hello!! This past Wednesday was the absolute best because Johnny and I had a night on the town. We literally never do anything during the work week because of our demanding schedules. However, sometimes exceptions need to be made and that came in the form of an Alice Cooper concert at Blossom Music Center. This is the second concert I have attended there in the past month and I am so happy that Johnny and I were able to make this date night work. This show was our very first concert together! I will post tons of pics tomorrow, but would love to discuss our experience today. Let’s get to it:

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Johnny and I are HUGE Alice Cooper fans and when we learned that he was performing at a venue ten minutes away from our apartment, we just had to go. We spent all of Wednesday willing the day to go by faster so we could get our Alice on and made our way to the venue around 5:30. The show started at six and the opening act, Ministry, was already playing by the time we got there. This was no harm no foul because we didn’t care at all lol. As the opener played, Johnny and I purchased drinks and had to make a pit stop so he could use the little rock star’s room. This ended up being an awesome detour, indeed!

While Johnny was in the facilities, I sat at a picnic bench with a mom and her daughter who was my age. We got to chatting and Didn’t. Stop. Chatting. Johnny and I spent the majority of our time getting to know our new friends who were freaking hilarious. In fact, we were so deep in our conversations and belly laughs that we didn’t even realize the second performer, Rob Zombie, had taken the stage. I genuinely thought music was just being played through the speakers. I have to admit, I was a bit disappointed not to have watched Rob Zombie’s set because I have never seen him live before. I had the opportunity to at another show but left before he went on. In a way, though, this was also no harm no foul. I can’t imagine the set was anything to write home about considering we had no idea it was even happening lolol.

As we continued with our newfound comradery, Alice Cooper finally began his performance. We said quick goodbyes and are very much looking forward to hanging out with them again. Johnny and I hauled ass to our seats in the pavilion and were treated to the show of a lifetime. Alice Cooper’s set was honestly like watching a horror movie unfold onstage. We were well aware of his usual tricks and gimmicks but to see them live before our very eyes was pure magic. He sounded amazing, the band was phenomenal, and the production value was equivalent to watching theater. A complete and total dream come true.

Alice Cooper played for roughly an hour and my only regret was that the show wasn’t longer! The concert ended with a rousing performance of School’s Out and it was so celebratory and fun. After the song ended, Johnny and I started making our long trek back to the car. We knew that if an encore was performed that we would still be able to hear it as we walked and we were not trying to be stuck in traffic for hours on end to get home. It took about twenty minutes to get back to the Little Red Love Machine and there was no encore to be heard. Once we were safely settled in my whip, we saw a massive throng of concert goers making their way to their cars too. We were well ahead in that race and got out of the venue and home within ten minutes flat. That’s what I’m talking about!

Johnny and I are still pinching ourselves that we actually saw Alice Cooper live and I can’t wait to share more from the show tomorrow. Stay tuned!

Who would you like to see in concert? What was the best concert you attended? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Dec11

How You Can Harmonize Your Concert Experience

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How You Can Harmonize Your Concert Experience

Who doesn’t love going to a good concert? Getting to see your favorite performer live just feels unreal, doesn’t it? There’s so much anticipation, so much hype, and all of it is thrilling! Even though it’s exciting, concerts aren’t really what they used to be; even concerts today aren’t the same as they were a decade ago. Nowadays, there are phones recording everything everywhere, high ticket prices thanks to a certain company, and sometimes you have to drive really far just to see your favorite performers, like Weird Al. In general, it all feels a bit different. With that said, it’s important to make the most of concerts as the prices and etiquette change. Here’s everything you need to know:

Plan Everything Far in Advance:

Seriously, who wants to feel stressed out before, during, and after a concert? You’ll want to go ahead and choose your tickets wisely based on your preferences for seating, proximity to the stage, and overall concert atmosphere. Basically, as soon as you find out about the concert, buy the tickets ASAP. It is also helpful to keep tabs on who is playing by entering a search for “Uncasville concerts” (or your local area). The last thing you want is to find out your favorite band is playing and the tickets are sold out!!

Transportation is another big part of concert prep. You’ll need to research your options, whether it’s public transit, ride share services, or parking facilities near the venue. No matter what, you’ll need to always plan for potential traffic and make sure you have a reliable way to get there and back.

Another thing you’ll need to do in advance is to have an idea about the policies at the venue; they all vary no matter which MSG bag policy is common for that venue, but more and more venues are getting strict about this; there are even some that won’t allow for phone or camera usage either.

Comfortable Attire:

While it’s totally understandable that you want to look as cute as possible, being comfortable matters way more. This especially goes for shoes; you’ll want to opt for comfortable shoes, especially if there’s standing involved (for some reason, standing concerts seem to be getting more common). You’ll likely be on your feet for an extended period and comfortable footwear can make a significant difference. Of course, sometimes it’s just fun to wear whatever you like! Sassy cowboy boots seems like the only way to go if you are seeing Shania Twain in Guilford (or your local area).

You Need Ear Protection:

No matter how far away you are from the stage or speakers, you’ll still need ear protection. People will be screaming all around you, seriously everywhere, there will be screams (unless this is a classical concert, of course). So it’s best to just consider bringing ear protection to safeguard your hearing without compromising the music experience.

Contribute to a Positive Atmosphere:

This seems to be a problem nowadays, not just the etiquette but this questionable toxicity that’s been growing. You need to embrace the collective excitement, and you definitely need to respect the performers and fellow concertgoers to create an enjoyable environment for everyone.

Concerts are an amazing experience and they can be even better with the tips above!

Featured Image By: Unsplash