Hanson

On Thursday, October 20, 2011 I did something I never thought I'd ever do in my lifetime...I went to a Hanson show at the TLA on South Street in Philly. Many people who know me now are surprised I was never into Hanson back in the day of boy bands because they know how much I loved (and still love) 'NSync, Backstreet Boys, and New Kids on the Block (plus a few others). For some reason, I was never really a fan of Hanson's - maybe it was the long hair lol. So, when my best friend and concert going buddy, Joanna, asked me to go with her (she, unlike myself, was a HUGE fan of Hanson's and still is) I said I would because the Melissa of today doesn't discriminate against any kind of music. Well, during the show, I jotted down some thoughts on my phone and I think this will pretty much sum up my thoughts of the night. Here's what I wrote, "Say what you want about these boy bands who were all about pop music, but if you go to one of their shows, you get to experience the impact they have on thousands of fans all over the world. Sometimes I'm amazed to just sit back and listen to the crowd singing along to every single lyric. Maybe these guys were looked at as "bubble gum pop" back in the 90s, but when it comes down to it...they play their own instruments and they play real music. I'll be the first to admit I was never a fan when they first came out, but that's because I didn't know real music back then. I loved the boy bands who were full of choreography. But I will admit, after seeing Hanson live tonight, I was impressed." So, there you go, I became a fan after seeing them live. The only set back I had was I only recognized a few songs out of about 25 that they played. We found out that the band actually did some type of voting online for fans of each city to choose which full CD they were going to play at that city's show. Philly ended up choosing their first CD, "Middle of Nowhere," but they also played some songs on their more current CDs as well. I kept track of the set list like usual, and I shot a few videos with my iPhone that I included below, so be sure to check them out. I also included some other videos I found on YouTube that were shot at this same show.

Hanson's Set List - TLA, Philadelphia, PA - Thursday, October 20, 2011
Musical Ride
Waiting For This
Can't Stop
And I Waited
Thinking 'Bout Somethin'
Thinking of You
Where's the Love
Look At You
Speechless
Watch Over Me
Lucy
Weird
I Will Come to You
Love Song
Madeline
With You In Your Dreams
Yearbook
This Time Around
Day Has Come
Penny & Me
Give a Little
MMMBop
If Only/Let's Get It On (Marvin Gaye cover)
-Encore-
Lost Without Each Other
Man From Milwaukee

Hanson performing "Where's the Love" (my video)
Hanson performing "Give a Little" (my video)
Hanson performing "MMMBop" (my video)
Hanson performing "Man From Milwaukee" (my video)
Hanson performing "Man From Milwaukee" (not my video - found on YouTube)
Hanson performing "Madeline" (not my video)

Kate Voegele & Natasha Bedingfield

Last night, Sunday, June 12th, 2011, I saw Kate Voegele open up for Natasha Bedingfield at the TLA in Philly, PA. I initially got the tickets because I am a huge Kate Voegele fan. Not only is she an amazing musician, but she also has a role on one of my favorite TV shows, One Tree Hill. I've actually seen her a few times, and I've seen Natasha once before, so I knew I wouldn't be disappointed. My friend and I were really happy that we also got to meet Kate after the show. She signed her CD for us and then took a picture. :-)

Kate's set was a little shorter than I would have liked, but I guess that happens when you're one of the opening acts. She played mostly songs from her new album, Gravity Happens, which came out last month, and then played one or two songs from her other two CD's. I shot video of her performing one of her new songs, "Sandcastles," (which I included the link below) because I really enjoy the lyrics to that specific song. That's one thing I do love about both of these ladies - they write fantastic lyrics that you can really relate to.

Set List - Kate Voegele - TLA, Philly, PA - Sunday, June 12th, 2011
Say You're Mine
Impatient Girl
Enough For Always
Heart In Chains
99 Times
Sandcastles
Kindly Unspoken

Natasha's set was filled with a good mix of songs from all three of her CD's. She's another musician with a great voice, and she's fun to watch on stage. She gives off a positive, carefree energy, and it reflects in the lyrics of all her songs. She loves to move around on stage, too. I don't think she really gets enough credit for her music. Most people think of her as the artist who's song "Unwritten" was the theme song to The Hills show on MTV. But you should really look into all of her music. Her lyrics are very relatable. I shot some good video with my camera of her performing the song, "Single" and I shot some video with my iPhone4 of her songs "Soulmate" and "Bruise Easily."

Set List - Natasha Bedingfield - TLA, Philly, PA - Sunday, June 12th, 2011
Neon Lights
Little Too Much
These Words
All I Need
Message in a Bottle (SOS) - The Police cover
Single
Bruise Easily
Strip Me
Run Run Run
Can't Fall Down
A.N.G.E.L.
Soulmate
Wild Horses
Try
Purple Rain (Prince Cover)
Pocketful of Sunshine
Love Like This
Put Your Arms Around Me
Weightless
Recover
Unwritten

Kate Voegele's Official Website
Natasha Bedingfield's Official Website
Kate Voegele performing "Sandcastles" (at TLA)
Natasha Bedingfield performing "Single" (at TLA)
Natasha Bedingfield performing "Bruise Easily" (at TLA)
Natasha Bedingfield performing "Soulmate" (at TLA)

KT Tunstall

On Sunday, April 10th, 2011 I went to the Theatre of the Living Arts (TLA) on South Street in Philadelphia to see KT Tunstall for the first time. I first learned about KT Tunstall when I heard her single, "Black Horse and A Cherry Tree." I started singing this song at karaoke (with the smart suggestion of my good friend, Cisco) and it quickly became one of my favorites to sing (and a crowd pleaser as well). In the past few years, I have bought her CD's but I must admit I never really listened to her songs that frequently. It wasn't that I didn't like her music...I'm actually not sure why I never listened lol. Well, after seeing her live earlier this month, I became an even bigger fan. She performed the entire night by herself using looping pedals instead of having a band back her up. For those of you who are not familiar with looping, here's a definition: Loops are short sections of tracks (probably between one and four bars in length), which you believe might work being repeated. A loop is not "any sample, but...specifically a small section of sound that's repeated continuously. Besides her unique vocals, she also used instruments including a guitar, kazoo, piano, and drums. I had never been to a show where the artist used this technique the entire time, and I must say, it was really cool to experience first hand. Along with her musical talent, she also had a great personality. She was hilarious and conversed with the crowd a lot. I found her to have a great connection with the crowd and she was very appreciative of the support she was receiving from the audience. Many people would probably put her in the country genre since "Black Horse and A Cherry Tree" sounds a bit country and that's one of her most popular singles, but she actually has a rock feel to the rest of her music. I definitely recommend checking her out, especially if you can see her perform live. You won't be disappointed. (Definitely check out the video below of KT performing "Black Horse" at this show because she does a cool version of "Seven Nation Army" in the middle of the song.)

KT Tunstall's Official Website
KT Tunstall performing "Black Horse and A Cherry Tree" at TLA
KT Tunstall performing "Uummannaq Song"
KT Tunstall performing "Glamour Puss"
KT Tunstall performing "Through the Dark"