I have got to admit, I'm a country girl. Generally speaking, I know what to expect from a country concert. Still, this concert held a few surprises for me.
When I recieved my tickets to this concert, the opening acts were listed as Kellie Pickler, Taylor Swift, and Little Big Town. However, currently on tour with Brad Paisley are Jack Ingram, Taylor Swift, and Kellie Pickler. I decided I was more than okay with whoever this third opener was, as I love both Jack Ingram and Little Big Town.
Eight o'clock brought concert time. Floor seats in the arena provided for an amazing view of the stage, despite the obvious disadvantages of being short and on the floor. Four teenaged girls seated behind me were not enjoyable, however. But it's a concert, so I'm not going to complain about other fans (even if I was ecstatic when these four mysteriously disappeared before Brad Paisley's set).
The "Good Morning Guys" from Northern Colorado's 99.1 K99 greeted the fans and announced that Kellie Pickler would not be performing as she is sick. That is one singer I am glad to have missed. They then introduced Jack Ingram to the crowd.
Jack Ingram played a typical opener's set of five of his most popular songs. He started with a new single (of a name I cannot recall), continued on through Wherever You Are, his cover of Hinder's Lips of an Angel, another newer song, and closed out the set with the ever-popular Love You. I must say, Jack Ingram was much better live than I expected.
Taylor Swift entered the stage next playing her four singles: Teardrops on My Guitar, Tim McGraw, Picture to Burn, and Our Song (not in that order). She also threw in an unreleased song titled Permanent Marker. The crowd wholly enjoyed this 17-year-old wunderkind.
Brad Paisley's set included many songs from his newest album (released last Tuesday). The crowd was mixed as to whether or not they new the new songs. Still, the set was fast-paced and enjoyable (albeit a little on the short side). One powerful moment came during Brad's solo section (him, a stool, a mic, and an acoustic-electric). The crowd gave a cheer upon hearing the beginning melody of Whiskey Lullaby and were genuinely thrilled when the song's featured singer, Allison Krauss, appeared on stage to accompany Brad. Brad closed out his set, and the show, with a cover of Johnny Cash's Folsom Prison Blues.
The hundreds of people who were looking to enjoy a Breaking Benjamin and Three Days Grace concert Thursday at the Fillmore found a jam-packed pit in a sweltering 100 degree building. But that wasn't necessarily a bad thing.
Red, a rather unknown band, opened the show. Playing a four song hard rock set, they got the place going despite the heat.
After a tortureous 30-45 switch over, Breaking Benjamin stirred the crowd into a moshing frenzy. Sweat and bottled water flowed abundant. However, the approximately ten-song set rocked and was quite enjoyable. This is possibly the best band I have ever heard live.
In the next switch over, I fled from the massive pit to the bar area and am much happier for it. The less crowded air led for a much cooler atmosphere. But who's tired with my complaining about the heat in the Fillmore?
Three Days Grace had the floor jumping instantly, opening their set with Animal I Have Become. The energy carried straight through slower, emotion-filled, acoustic covers by Adam. Three Days Grace closed out their all-too short set with a powerful performance of I Hate Everything About You.
All in all, this was a show to remember.
If you're someone who loved Songs About Jane, you will have mixed feelings about the new It Won't Be Soon Before Long, released today (May 22). The tracks are generally more dance/disco oriented than the SAJ tracks we are accustomed to...but this album still includes slower and more-melodic tracks that SAJ-lovers will thrill over.
If you're someone who hated Songs About Jane, you too will have mixed feelings about the new album. The dance tracks may appeal to you, depending on your music preferences. Yet, the slower tracks may annoy you as did the over-played tracks on SAJ (and, undoubtedly, the single "Makes Me Wonder" is now).
Still, check it out and give the Cali boys a chance. You may love what you see.
Comments
I had mixed feelings about SAJ. At first I liked it, I even saw them live opening for someone else, but then they played the same 5 singles from the album all the time for the last 5 years and I decided to hate them based on the fact that I don't think a band should get to be that famous and have that much air play from their only album and then wait 5 years to release another. I'll probably like this one, too though.