Every bar that I know around Chicagoland that caters to young people. you know 18-25, they all have dj’s on the weekends that play hip hop or electronic music. I don’t see them booking live bands anymore. The bars that cater to the older crowd, which is 35 and up sure like to book live bands though. Mostly of the classic rock genre.
So my question is, why are bars that want a younger crowd not pushing bands anymore, and instead booking dj’s and playing dance music?
Near the end of Rick Springfield’s free concert at the Indiana State fair in the early evening 90+ degree heat Thursday night, the soon-to-be 61 year-old singer waded into the track seats, while singing his 1983 hit “Human Touch”. he walked – on the chairs – through the audience, from one end to the other. then he went up into the grandstand, making his way to the upper section, slapping hands and hanging onto shoulders to keep his balance.
While this move, and an extended version of his 1982 hit “Don’t Talk to Strangers” that concluded with four girls, ranging in ages from 4 to 17, singing the chorus – evokes more than a whiff of rock and roll cheese when done at a normal 21-and-over concert, it worked perfectly for the free outdoor show at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. the mix of 40 and 50-something moms and cougars, plus kids, teens and guys who wrongly won’t admit going, mixed into an engaged, tuned-in crowd. It doesn’t hurt that Springfield is a relaxed and seasoned musical road dog, having been on stage for more than 40 years.
Many in attendance had seemingly seen a Springfield show before (the Hoosier Lottery lady who came out 15 minutes before the show asked, and more than 50 percent of the hands went into the air), but even those who only know the radio songs were rewarded with the hits – and just couple misses.
Dressed in a black and white checkered button-up shirt, black jeans and Chuck Taylor’s, Springfield was aided by a band that recreated the sound of the records on many of Rick’s later-career songs, though struggled on a couple of his more power-poppy Working Class Dog hits.
Their harmonies were spot-on and the pounding drums, clean vocals and two guitars fighting for attention in a loud sound system helped make the night a success,.
From the first song (a cut off his new-ish Venus in Overdrive album – one of four he would admirably play off that record) through a pair of encore tunes at the end of the 20-song, 105-minute performance, the band never wilted in what Springfield said midway through the show “May be the hottest show we’ve ever played. Where are we? in the South?”
Despite the heat, Springfield bounced and whirled and frequently jumped in the air far better than someone his age should be able to do.
Early in the set, “I’ve done everything for You”, “Affair of the Heart” and the title cut to the Living in Oz album engaged the crowd of approximately 4,000. the first of those three, one of his best rockers (written by Sammy Hagar) was slightly slowed in the live setting, taking away from the rushing, sugary-rough pop song it is.
A misfire on “What’s Victoria’s Secret” and it’s recycled “Jessie’s Girl” riff fell flat before a pair of small hits and one album cut let the band find their sweet spot. “I Get Excited” from Don’t Talk to Strangers, followed by “Alyson” and “Souls”, both from 1983’s Living in Oz connected in a more rock, less pop way.
Springfield threatened to run some of the free show crowd away with back-to-back songs from the new album: the hopping alt-rock title track that sounds nothing like his hits (though not bad) and a little gem of a midtempo rocker called “I’ll Miss that Someday” that Springfield introduced as “about Dads”.
Most of audience hung on, and were rewarded with one of the best runs of the show. 1981′s “Love is Alright”, a version of “Crossroads” that elicited a roar from the grandstands at the song’s conclusion, and a disinterested beginning to his mega-hit “Don’t Talk to Strangers” that somehow wound it’s way into State fair magic with those four girls on stage singing.
Sure, Rick injected a few groan-inducing, double-entendre comments that still make his female fans cheer and squeal (“Man, it is hot. I’m sweating. Anyone else wet?”), but kept his sex-appeal push at a mostly PG-13 rating (one f-bomb, plus changing shirts at the microphone stand midshow, and playing the encore sans shirt)
A sloppy-but-rocking take on his last big hit “Love Somebody” was saved by the pure pop/rock goodness of the tune. the audience-parting “Human Touch” led into a terrific set-ending “Jessie’s Girl” as the tight band clicked with their take on one of the best-ever power-pop songs.
An encore of by-the-numbers “Wild Thing” and Springfield’s “Kristina” was not really necessary. but concertgoers hung around for it anyway.
The man who built his career on the convergence of “Jessie’s Girl” and playing Dr. Noah Drake on General Hospital in 1981 ain’t doing too bad 30 years later. he found fame in an era of FM Top 40 radio that could create mass appeal hits. And he was there for the beginning of MTV. He’s probably not headed to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame anytime soon, but I don’t think it matters.
Springfield played the hit songs Thursday night, in the daylight, with no video screen or stage backdrop. in the end, it worked; the right combination of price, memories and loud guitars.
Possibly related posts: (automatically generated)
Kings Of Leon treated a sold-out crowd at London’s Hyde Park last night to a four-song teaser from its upcoming, untitled album.
With support coming from The Drums and The Black Keys, the Nashville-based rockers headlined the 60,000 capacity event. The working titles of their new songs included Mary (a stunner, we say, see video below), Southbound, Immortal and Radioactive.
“Since we saw you guys last we went and made a record,” frontman Caleb Followill told the crowd. “That’s what we put a lot of work into. Just yesterday some people at the record label got to hear a couple of songs from it. I don’t know if they want us to play a bunch of new song, but I think ‘fuck it’ – were gonna do it!”
The group also played a cover of the Pixies’ Where is My Mind?, which some members of the audience took to be another of KOL’s new songs.
“It’s been one of the greatest experiences of my life,” Followill told the crowd. “Thank you all very much. One of these days, when we’re all fat and bald…or balder, and we’re sitting in Tennessee telling all our kids about all the great things that happened to us, this is gonna be one of those.”
Go King Of Leon!!
Tegan and Sara Sign on to Support Multiplatinum HeadlinerAdditional Acts TBAAccess to Special Pre-Sale Tickets begins Tuesday, March 23 on www.HondaCivicTour.com
LOS ANGELES, March 22
LOS ANGELES, March 22 /PRNewswire/ — for the past decade, the Honda Civic Tour has provided millions of fans with a “must-see” concert experience that will continue this year with headliner Paramore. The nationwide tour will begin July 23 in Raleigh, NC, and rock out from coast to coast all summer long. Support artists include critically adored, crowd-pleasing pop rock band Tegan and Sara, as well as two other acts to be announced.
Starting today at 3 p.m. local time, an exclusive Paramore Fanclub pre-sale will be available at http://tixx1.artistarena.com/hctparamore. Paramore and Honda are also offering access to a pre-sale starting Tuesday, March 23rd available through www.HondaCivicTour.com. The general on-sale date is March 27, beginning at 10 a.m. in most cities (check local concert listings); in addition to the dates listed below, more shows will be announced. As always on the Honda Civic Tour, tickets will be priced for maximum affordability for all fans.
“We are so excited to be headlining the Honda Civic Tour and to hit all these great cities and see our fans across the country. We have a killer lineup and can’t wait until July!” said Paramore lead singer Hayley Williams.
Honda Civic Tour is known for its key trademark, a customized Honda Civic. this year the Honda Civic Tour will give away a Honda Civic Si Coupe to one lucky fan! this unique vehicle, designed and autographed by Paramore, will be showcased at each Honda Civic Tour stop. become a fan today and register for tour updates, news and information about the Paramore customized Honda Civic at Facebook.com/HondaCivicTour.
In the tradition of the past Honda Civic Tours, the 2010 trek continues to promote the importance of positive environmental change. Reverb, a non-profit organization specializing in the “greening” of concert tours, joins again as a partner. a portion of tour proceeds goes toward Honda Civic Tour’s greening efforts. Being green doesn’t get any easier than buying a ticket to the 2010 Honda Civic Tour featuring Paramore. Paramore, Honda and Reverb will be working closely to raise awareness and engage attendees with fun, interactive exhibits.
Produced by Marketing Factory, the Honda Civic Tour brings innovation and environmental consciousness to the masses by combining the hottest in automotive technology with the hottest in music. a majority of shows on the Honda Civic Tour will be promoted nationally by Live Nation.
For more information, visit the official Honda Civic Tour website at www.HondaCivicTour.com.
The 2010 Honda Civic Tour Schedule (Dates and Venues Subject to Change): ————————————————————— DATE VENUE CITY ON SALE —- —– —- ——- July 23 Raleigh Boutique Amphitheater Raleigh, NC April 2 ——- —————————– ———– ——- July 24 Delaware State fair Harrington, DE April 3 ——- ——————- ————– ——- Toyota Presents the Oakdale July 27 Theater Wallingford, CT* March 27 ——- —————————- —————- ——– July 28 Comcast Center Boston, MA* April 3 ——- ————– ———– ——- July 30 Constant Convocation Center Norfolk, VA* March 27 ——- ————————— ———— ——– July 31 Merriweather Post Pavilion Columbia, MD March 27 ——- ————————– ———— ——– August 3 Meadowbrook Pavilion Gilford, NH March 27 ——– ——————– ———– ——– August 4 Pier at Penns Landing Philadelphia, PA March 27 ——– ——————— —————- ——– Hersheypark Stadium & Star August 7 Pavilion Hershey, PA March 27 ——– ————————— ———– ——– Darien Lake Performing Arts Darien Center, August 8 Center NY March 27 ——– —————————- ————— ——– Time Warner Cable Amphitheater August 10 at Tower City Cleveland, OH March 27 ——— ——————————- ————- ——– August 12 PNC Pavilion Cincinnati, OH March 27 ——— ———— ————– ——– August 14 Marcus Amphitheater Side Stage Milwaukee, WI April 2 ——— —————————— ————- ——- August 15 Meadowbrook Music fair Detroit, MI April 2 ——— ———————- ———– ——- Charter One Pavilion at August 18 Northerly Island Chicago, IL April 2 ——— ———————— ———– ——- The Lawn at White River State August 19 Park Indianapolis, IN March 27 ——— —————————— —————- ——– August 21 Municipal Auditorium Nashville, TN March 27 ——— ——————– ————- ——– September 1 The Arena at Gwinnett Center Atlanta, GA April 3 ———– —————————- ———– ——- St. Augustine, September 2 St. Augustine Amphitheater FL April 9 ———– ————————– ————— ——- September 4 Bayfront Park Amphitheater Miami, FL April 9 ———– ————————– ——— ——- September 5 UCF Arena Orlando, FL March 27 ———– ——— ———– ——– September 7 UNO Lakefront Arena New Orleans, LA March 27 ———– ——————- ————— ——– September 8 Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion Houston, TX March 27 ———– ——————————- ———– ——– September 10 Nokia Theater at Grand Prairie Dallas, TX March 27 ———— —————————— ———- ——– September 13 Red Rocks Amphitheatre Denver, CO April 24 ———— ———————- ———- ——– September 15 Dodge Theater Phoenix, AZ March 27 ———— ————- ———– ——– September 17 Theater at HP Pavilion San Jose, CA March 27 ———— ———————- ———— ——– September 18 Viejas Arena San Diego, CA March 27 ———— ———— ————- ——– September 19 Honda Center Anaheim, CA March 27 ———— ———— ———– ——– * Tegan and Sara will not appear at this show.
About Honda Civic
The Honda Civic meets the needs of a diverse audience with economical and fun-to-drive performance in a wide variety of choices and styles. Offering five distinct models, the lineup includes the technologically advanced Civic Sedan and Coupe models, a Civic Hybrid, a high-performance Civic Si and a dedicated natural gas-powered Civic GX. all Civics were recently enhanced inside and out for the 2009 model year with new exterior styling, colors and increased availability of tech-friendly features. The Civic’s reputation for durability, quality and reliability helps it stand apart from the crowd.
About Reverb
Reverb is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 2004 by environmentalist Lauren Sullivan and her musician husband, Adam Gardner of Guster. Reverb provides turnkey greening programs for artists’ tours while conducting grassroots outreach and education with music fans everywhere. Reverb’s greening program is generously funded with tour proceeds.
About Paramore
Paramore’s acclaimed third album, brand new eyes, features two Top 10 Modern Rock hits, “Ignorance” and “Brick by boring Brick.” The collection, which was recently certified gold, was among 2009’s biggest popular and critical successes, debuting at #2 on the Billboard 200 and coming in as the “Album of the Year” in Alternative Press’ “Readers Poll ‘09,” as well as the #2 favorite on the magazine’s own “Best Albums of 2009″ tally. The New York Times’ Jon Caramanica placed brand new eyes on his 2009 Top 10, praising it for “choruses (that) roll up like tidal waves.” SPIN magazine counted brand new eyes among its “40 best Albums of 2009,” noting that Paramore have “entered the rarified world of rock that matters.” further honors keep piling up, including a second Grammy nomination as well as wins for “Favorite Rock Band” at the 2010 People’s choice Awards and “Best International Band” at the NME Awards.
About Tegan and Sara
Over the course of six albums and tours that have encircled the globe countless times, Tegan and Sara have become one of the most critically praised and fan-beloved forces in modern pop/rock music. their current album, Sainthood, as well as their previous two albums, The Con (2007) and So Jealous (2004), have attracted an ever-growing, highly dedicated base of fans who have taken their songs deeply to heart. The press has also responded with similar affection: “The main attraction has always been the emotional virtue of Tegan and Sara’s songs,” said SPIN magazine. Outburn Magazine enthused: “Indie pop/rock perfection.” Alternative Press simply concurred: “Impressively skillful.” by the time The White Stripes had covered and released their version of the T&S classic “Walking with a Ghost,” in 2005, they had already toured with the likes of Neil Young, The Killers, The Pretenders, Ryan Adams, and Death Cab for Cutie. Late night television appearances on Letterman, Leno, Conan, Kimmel and Ferguson brought their songs to an even greater cultural awareness. meanwhile Sainthood, just as each of its predecessors, was placed on several “Best of 2009″ critics and readers polls as diverse as Alternative Press, AOL, SPIN, Rolling Stone, Blurt Magazine, New York Daily News, New York Newsday, Outburn, Stereogum and many others.
For assets, photos and more info on the Honda Civic Tour, visit the HCT online media kit at www.marketingfactory.com/hondacivictour (for media professionals only–restricted access).
SOURCE Honda Civic Tour
Contact
Fran Curtis, +1-212-445-8423, fcurtis@rogersandcowan.com, or Caitlin McNamara, +1-212-445-8232, cmcnamara@rogersandcowan.com, or Lauren Wilsman, +1-212-445-8486, lwilsman@rogersandcowan.com, all of Rogers & Cowan, Honda Civic Tour; or Christina Kotsamanidis of Atlantic Records for Paramore, +1-212-707-2241, Christina.Kotsamanidis@atlanticrecords.com; or Rick Gershon of Warner Bros. Records for Tegan and Sara, +1-818-953-3473, Rick.Gershon@wbr.com; or Christina Ra of American Honda Motor co., Inc., +1-310-783-3170, christina_ra@ahm.honda.com
Gregg Gillis, otherwise known by his stage name “Girl Talk,” performed at the College at Brockport Feb. 20 to a sold-out crowd of 950. the concert, put on by the Brockport Student Government, was held in the Union Ballroom. Girl Talk performed a continuous two-hour set of mixes and mash-ups of current and past hit songs.
How did you get into DJing?
I’ve never really considered myself a DJ. I got into making electronic music when I was 14 or 15. got involved in the local music scene in Pittsburgh and was into finding out about how weird and how far out things can get.
I discovered a lot of noise and underground music, it was the sort of scene where you just watched it and realized that anyone can do that. My friends and I started a band and started fiddling around and that’s where it started. It was baby steps getting into doing Girl Talk.
When you start making a mix, whats the process? how do you get started and where does the inspiration come from?
It’s like one giant body of work to me that I started 10 years ago and it just continues to build. There’s always a world of pop music to sample. I cut apart different things and when I find something I like, I try to work it into the set.
When I perform it’s all live sample triggering, but it’s a big collage of many elements. I kind of do that for a long period of time until I get to the point where I feel it’s a complete album. for the past couple albums it’s been about two years of work and then I sit back and say ‘alright, it’s enough for an album.’
You studied biological engineering? how did you transition from studying for a career to making music for a living?
I didn’t really transition ever. They existed simultaneously. When I went to college I knew I’d make music, but the sort of music I made was never intended to be a career. the shows I played as Girl Talk for the first five or six years were mainly to 30 or less people and it was not ‘cuz I was doing it poorly, but just ‘cuz that’s what it was about. It was a smaller scene and just a more isolated subculture of music.
I always wanted to go to school and finish so I graduated from Case Western in 2004 and worked in biomedical engineering for two or three years. at that point I put out my third album and it blew up unexpectedly. I was touring so much on the weekends that I just had to pick one or another. Music was kind of an obvious choice.
I am a DJ that has started playing some different types of clubs that are geared more to the hip hop crowd / top 40. do any of you know a good place to find some house/electro remixes of the popular club tunes?
Thanks
Front man Ted Moore admits he’ll be a lot more nervous singing for a Chilliwack crowd, than he is performing for 10,000 screaming rock fans.
As lead singer of Blaze of Glory, the “ultimate Bon Jovi tribute experience,” Moore tells the Progress he is totally stoked about finally being able to play for a Chilliwack audience next Friday night.
He’s been in Chilliwack on and off for 20 years, but this is his first real chance to play live for friends and family.
The singer-songwriter says he left the music business years ago, after a big record label deal went sour, and headed to SFU to became a teacher. he spent six years at the altar of higher education, and didn’t sing a note.
But the musically inclined Moore was eventually was drawn inexorably back into the biz a few years later. his Grade 7 students in White Rock kept telling him how much he looked and sounded like Jon Bon Jovi. He’d heard that one before in his music career — a lot.
Moore thought about how the tribute phenomenon was really starting to take off. the bands were being booked in big, classy venues like casinos and corporate gigs. that was something he’d always aspired to, with a one-stop-shop for a wide demographic — from kids to seniors.
He set out to make it happen. A few years ago, when he put on his concert duds and sunglasses, and climbed the stairs to the stage again, he became Jon Bon Jovi almost to a tee.
Talk about having your cake and eating it, too.
The online reviewer called the band “remarkably powerful” and “a spectacular tribute” to the music of multi-platinum selling artist Jon Bon Jovi.
Blaze of Glory is Moore on vocals, Randy Robertson on guitar, Mike Champigny on bass, Mike Russel on keyboards and Doug Grant on drums.
They’re performing Feb. 19, at the Echo Room on Main St. Tickets $10. Check out video and more on their wicked website at blazeofglory.ca.
Here’s how the rest of the Q&A interview went with Moore:
What’s it feel like to have a local gig coming up?
“We’re pretty excited about it. Blaze has never played here. Most of our shows end up being a long ways away in other provinces. this one is about playing for my family and friends and neighbours. They know me on the strata council, or running a computer company, or working as an education consultant. and now they’re going to see me as a rock singer. It’s rewarding. I’m going to try to do the show as I always do it.”
How did Blaze of Glory come together?
“| conjured up the idea for the group. I saw some of the tribute acts out there. Some were impressive, others not so much. I found it was important to not only sound like the band, but to look like them. There’s a large pool of talent in the Lower Mainland. so I started hitting the clubs, and I hand-picked each guy. It took me weeks and weeks of cruising the clubs and shopping musicians. I figured I would need contingencies, but I got my first choice. I’d pitch them my spiel and they’d say, ‘Ted, let’s do it.’ one was on tour with Doug and the Slugs, another in Prism, Crome and more. but they have actually grown fond of this group.
Any pre-show rituals you can share?
“Before I go on I like to have the band together for the last 10 minutes. We’ll go through the day, in a bit of a round table. we let go of everything that’s happened that day, and we manage to expunge the evils of the day. That’s a big ritual. oh, and I always wear black socks for the show. Does that count?”
What do you play?
“I do pretty much what Jon Bon Jovi does, which is play acoustic guitar and lead vocals.”
You avoid backing tracks and every note is performed live. Why?
“I think we’re one of the few bands that does that. We’re pretty lucky with four lead vocalists, who are all lead singers of their respective bands. You might think that would be a recipe for disaster, but we have nothing to prove. We’ve been together for a few years. There’s none of the posturing or chest-puffing. when you’re on stage all the time, you can get carried away. but we keep it humble, and we remember we’re not the rock stars, Bon Jovi are the rock stars.”
Do you practise a lot?
“As the singer, knowing the band is there means a lot. We’re well-rehearsed with at least 150 hours of rehearsal time logged. I waded them through hundreds of hours of Bon Jovi concert footage when we first got together. We’d sit and study certain aspects of their performances, all the way from 1983 to the present. so yeah, everyone’s got the moves down and the clothes. we figure, if you’re going to do it, do it right.”
How did you avoid the spandex era?
“Ha ha. that was one of the first questions the guys asked at the beginning: which era were we going for? the one with poodle hair cuts and spandex? no, Bon Jovi got out of hair metal phase and headed into middle-America. That’s where we’re going to hit, from 1995 to 2001, and even some of the current stuff. but the fans, that’s a different story. People have a fondness for that time period, and the Bon Jovi fans who come out, take the opportunity to dig out all their fringed leather jackets, spandex and big hair, and come out to the show to have a good time.”
If you could pick any song in the world to dance to what would it be? new or old. not like with your hubby or wife, but like in front of a crowd or something fast.
I’m trying to find a good song.
Verse 1: She’s back on drugs again even though she knows it ain’t right She can’t even call up her friends And say “help me save my life” She’s so ashamed of herself that she’s come full circle Nobody understands what it’s like to Be this girl So She disappeared, and she Wasn’t clear, and she Didnt say where she was going Chorus: Save my life, won’t you help me Save my life, won’t you help me Save my life, won’t you hear me Save my life, won’t you help me Verse 2: She had the man of her dreams And some success And she was so pleased, and looking well It was this one dark night, that she Slipped And then the next morning that she Felt like a piece of shit So she’s hanging out, and she’s With the crowd, and she’s Travelin’ where the wind is blowing Chorus Bridge: And he’s a real excellent guy and he Wants to save her ’cause he’s More than been there all before And she’s so confused and his heart is breaking and he Dreams she’s knockin’ on his door save my life Chorus
Tags: bridge, crowd, drugs, heart, life, man of her dreams, next morning, piece of shit, Save, this, travelin, verse 1, verse 2
Search :
This entry was posted on Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010 at 4:27 am and is filed under Rock Pop Music. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
Top incoming search terms for this post
8. Save My Life- P!nk- Try This – Rock Pop Music @ThePopsters.Com
If you want to make a DJ playlist, you need to first think about your audience.
(After all, it is the audience you want to keep happy right?)
Here are some considerations to make -
All things must be carefully considered in order to strike a balance of the right music played at the right time.
Playing music that keeps 99% of the crowd happy at all times is the mark of a great DJ. (You can’t keep 100% of the people happy 100% of the time, no DJ in the world could do that!). but try and aim to keep the vast majority of the room in a good mood and you will get a lot of referrals and great kudos.
Word of mouth advertising is 10 times more effective than any paid advertising.
Do a great job right from your very first gig and you will never be out of paid work. (And really well paid work once you gain a good reputation!)
Make a DJ Playlist – What You Need to Know to Make a Killer Playlist
