All posts tagged with: Concert

From Tim McGraw to Lady Antebellum, Bruno Mars to Jake Owen, the 2013 Houston Rodeo had a full line-up of concerts featuring a wide-range of fantastic acts. On Thursday, March 14, Pitbull hit the stage in front of over 144,000 fans at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas; the fourth busiest night of the 2013 rodeo.

The hip-hop artist was delivered to the stage in a black SUV and immediately had the crowd excited for the show. Performing hit-after-hit, the entire concert was electric. Pitbull thanked Houston and Texas many times for their support, pleasing the crowd.

While the concert performance was fantastic, someone really needs to give Pitbull some new dance moves and help him out with his clothing options – at every live concert he only has three hip-shaking moves, and he only wears a black suit with a black shirt and sunglasses. Really? Come on.

The stage, which spun a full 365 degrees, was assembled in the centre of the stadium and featured eight massive screens. From the lighting to the fireworks, the show was visually impressive. The sound quality was very good for such a large stadium; concert goers were moving and shaking throughout the one-and-a-half hour long performance.

Tickets for the full evening of events, which included singing of the national anthem, professional rodeo events, kids rodeo event, and the Pitbull concert ranged from $18-$300.

It’s been almost 20 years since the British electronic rock band, MUSE, was first introduced to the music scene. High school buddies, Matthew Bellamy, Christopher Wolstenholme, and Dominic Howard, joined forces and their passion for progressive, alternative rock.

MUSE performed at Rogers Arena on Wednesday, February 6, 2013, as the final show on their 2^ND LAW North American Tour, western tour. They are on a quick trip back to the UK for one show, before returning back to North America for the second leg of their tour along the east coast and southern states.

Well known for outstanding concerts, the 2^ND LAW tour is a lighting, video, and audio spectacle. From a spaceship looking stage with screens all the way down to the floor, to a giant four-tier, multi-dynamic pyramid video and graphic projected screen system overhead; the show is full of colour and motion.

Throughout the almost two-hour set, the trio belted out a range of music from their six albums spanning from 1991-2012, including Survival, the official song of the London 2012 Olympic Summer Games.

This past summer Joe Jonas came to Vancouver to perform at the Summer Playland Festival at Playland / PNE. The 45 minute set was a shot stopper for many Jonas Brother fans who were able to get within just a few feet of the outdoor stage.

Gabe showing off his abs and Calvin Klein underwear during his performance at the Summer Playland Festival in Vancouver.

Lead singer for Cobra Starship, Gabriel Saporta, has enjoyed a very exciting and fast paced music career. He was the creative energy for the formation of the synthpop band, which has put out four albums since they formed in 2003.

Cobra Starship is made up of five members, including Gabe (lead vocals). The other band members are Ryland Blackinton (guitar), Victoria Asher  (keytarist), Nate Novarro (drummer), and Alex Suarez (bass).

The New York based band has released four albums and is currently signed to record label Decaydance.

• While the City Sleeps, We Rule the Streets (2006–2007)
• ¡Viva La Cobra! (2007–2008)
• Hot Mess (2009–2010)
• Night Shades (2011–present)

Prior to founding Cobra Starship, Gabriel was the bass player and lead vocalist for the dance-punk band, Midtown. Gabe was born in Uraguay on October 11, 1979 and moved to New York when he was four years old. Gabe is a vegetarian, an active PETA member, and is currently dating fashion designer, Erin Fetherston.

In 2011, Gabe and the rest of the Cobra Starship band appeared on Season 4, Episode 5 of 90210, ‘Rock the Vote’,  and performed their new song, #1night.

Gabe also made an appearance on Season 5, Episode 24 of his favourite TV show, Gossip Girl, where he played a drug-addict named Zeke.

*Photos taken at the Summer Playland Festival in Vancouver, BC, July 2012. 

“Legs” and “What a voice” were the two most commonly said things about the recent Carrie Underwood concert at Rogers Arena in Vancouver.

Song after song, Carrie belted out ballads and her bit hits. Her voice perfectly in tune and on key as if she was recording each song in a studio, destined for final mixing. Each note she sang was clear and confident. Her stage presence, almost flawless.

Just as she can carry on a tune forever, her legs go on just as long! Carrie’s legs were the show-stopper in each of her dazzling outfits. She wore it all, including flashy skin tight metallic blue pants, a spectacular layered blue, purple and white short dress, a black dress with a slit that went all the way up to her hip, and a feather-inspired skirt with black high heels. Her wardrobe screamed fashionista!

The stage production wasn’t over the top like other concerts, however she won approval with the crowd as her floating plexiglass stage gracefully floated across the arena, brining the songstress close to her fans.

The most awkward moment of the entire evening was her duet with Brad Paisley. Paisley, who was not on the tour, he pre-recorded his portion of the duet Remind Me and Carrie sang along with him as it displayed on the LCD screen flanking the stage.

Opening for Carrie was Hunter Hayes, who later joined her on stage during her show to perform a duet. It was a huge surprise for all the country fans, which was clearly enjoyed by everyone.

Hundreds of enthusiastic and cheering fans came out last night to see Owl City perform at Commodore Ballroom in downtown Vancouver. The room buzzed with excitement as the electronic band pounded out song after song, including their platinum hit Fireflies and their latest and hottest single featuring Carly Rae Jepsen, Good Time.

Lead singer, Adam Young, started the band in 2007 in his parents basement. Adam, is skilled in playing a variety of instruments including both guitar and drums. His music ranges from pop-dance songs to mellow instrumentals.

Owl City is currently promoting their latest album, Mid Summer Station, on a multi-country world tour.

With hits including Joyride, Listen to Your Heart, Dangerous, Dressed for Success, and Must Have Been Love, Roxette made a huge impression on the music scene throughout the 1980’s and 90’s. Today, the Swedish band is back on the road performing their hits spanning the last three decades, including some new songs.

Roxette recently performed at Rogers Arena in Vancouver. What many people don’t know is that lead singer, Marie Fredriksson, now suffers from blindness in her right eye as a result of having both a tumor in the back of her head and brain cancer. Her serious illnesses have dramatically altered her ability to perform on stage, however Marie has not let her disabilities diminish her desire and passion to perform on stage.

It was evident the crowd was wanted the old Roxette. The room was filled with energy and excitement for the rock band, but after the first song when Marie just stood in one place slapping her hip, the crowd had an awkward reaction. It wasn’t just for the first song, but literally for the entire concert.

As the band pushed through and other members made up for her loss of movement on stage, the crowd had a disconnected feeling. The other band members danced around the stage and tried to keep the audience engaged by dancing around the stage, but it was evident their fans were hesitant on how to react to the situation.

What made a difficult situation even more awkward was when Marie and the rest of the band would get the crowd warmed up on a song and then completely stop, hoping the crowd could keep the song going. Each time the audience struggled to keep the words going and the song would fade miserably until the band started playing again.

This was probably one of the most calm, behaved and quietest concerts Rogers Arena has ever hosted. The mix of hit songs and ballads had the crowd up and down in their seats all throughout the show.

It must be incredibly hard for the once successful rock band to step onto a stage in an arena, and with obvious deep passion for music, playing their hearts out just like they would have two decades ago when they were at their peak, only to have the crowd half-heartily engaged.

Cancer is tough. It sucks the life out of a person. In this case, it’s sad to say that it’s also sucked the life out of Roxette live on stage. Keep the CD’s handy though, and enjoy the songs on the radio, because Roxette will always have a good place in our hearts as the legendary Swedish rock band from the 80′s and 90′s.

On Wednesday, September 12, Glass Tiger hit the stage at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, BC. The Canadian band, originally named Tokyo, is from Ontario, and still knocks out a solid concert with all their hit music, bursting with energy.

Just as exciting as they were when they burst onto the music scene in the 1980’s, Glass Tiger wowed the crowd with their classic songs that we’ve come to know and love on the radio. Fans eagerly sang along throughout the concert including to the popular hit song, Thin Red Line.

The band hit their peak in the mid 80’s when they won three Juno awards in 1986 and two more in 1987. Glass Tiger was also nominated for a Grammy Award in 1987 for best new artist.

The band is promoting their new album and is currently on a late-summer tour with Roxette, after having just returned from their third trip to Afghanistan.

Fifteen years after the hit song MMMbop made them international pop-stars, the Hanson trio are still performing and banging out the hits.

Despite the threat of rain, the three pop artists, Isaac, Taylor and Zachary performed during the Summer Nights Concert series at the PNE in Vancouver, BC, in front of a full-crowd of eager fans.

Their display of talent spanning their career kept the crowd going for the 45+ minute performance on the WestJet Festival concert stage.

At the end of a summer tour, Gavin De Graw made a stop over in Vancouver, BC to perform at the PNE on Sunday, August 26, 2012.

Throughout the 45 minute set, Gavin entertained the crowd with many of his popular hits including Chariot, I Don’t Want to Be, In Live with a Girl, and Not Over You.

Gavin’s fingers magically danced along the keys of the piano for many of the songs her performed during the show.

The well-seasoned performer kept the crowd entertained as he told stories and had some fun with the live-camera crew filming the event.

The 35 year-old American, singer, songwriter is ending a summer co-headline tour with Gammy award winner, Colbie Caillat.

The talented 27 year-old Colbie Caillat memorized the crowds on Sunday, August 26 on the WestJet Festival Stage as part of the Summer Nights concert series at the PNE.

The Grammy award-winning singer kept the crowd entertained as she cheerfully sang a mix of songs off her three albums.

Fans were treated to a special duet with Gavin DeGraw, whom she has been co-touring with this summer.

To date, Colbie has sold over six million albums and ten million singles world-wide.

An ocean of loyal and die-hard fans of The Queen Bee, came out in droves to see her perform live at LA Pride on Saturday, June 9, 2012.

The Brooklyn born rapper kept the crowd entertained for well over an hour with hit songs that spanned her music career.

The five-time Grammy nominated and winner of Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals for  the 2002 hit, “Lady Marmalade”, enjoyed her time on stage and thanked her loyal fans over and over.

The concert included multiple wardrobe changes of sexy costumes, incredibly sexy dancers and support crew, and beats that kept the crowd entertained throughout the entire performance.

Overall, the gay’s loved Lil Kim and the Mayor of West Hollywood gave her the keys to the city after she proclaimed West Hollywood her second home.

The show was one of many stops along her 2012 Return Of The Queen Tour.

This summer, some of the hottest acts including Marianas Trench, Joe Jonas, One Republic, Dragonette, Cobra Starship, and Carly Rae Jepson, are coming to perform at Playland from July 6-8, 2012.

The teen-targeted music festival is the first-ever of its kind in North America. All together there will be 21 exciting live concerts, seven each day over the three day event.

“We’re thrilled to be able to offer this incredible teen summer music festival and believe it will be a great way for youth to kick-off the summer season,” said Mike McDaniel, President and CEO, Pacific National Exhibition.  “We think it’s a fantastic addition to our summer programming at Playland and will be a great lead in to our 17-day Summer Night Concert Series that happens nightly during the Fair at the PNE.”

The PNE amphitheater stage acts include Dragonette, Carly Rae Jepsen, Marianas Trench, Danny Fernandes, Gym Class Heroes, OneRepublic, Hot Chelle Rae, Joe Jonas and Cobra Starship.

Park Stage acts: DiRTY Radio, Kaylee Johnston, Neverest, The Proper Villains, Jackie Valentine, Eric Solomon, Kristina Maria, Jesse Giddings, Victoria Duffield, and The New Cities.

Single and multi-day concert ticket holders will have full access to all the rides at Playland too.

Tickets are now on sale through Ticket Leader or and the PNE. Single Day tickets are $59 for Bleachers, $89 for Floor and $129 for VIP.  Three day Festival Passes are $159 for Bleachers, $229 for Floor and $329 for VIP.

Named after a small gold-rush town from the early 1900’s, the rock band, Hedley, just wrapped up their Canadian tour promoting their latest album, Storm, this past weekend in Vancouver, BC.

The concert was held at Rogers Area in downtown Vancouver. From screaming young girls to couples in their early thirties, and family and friends of the band, the two-hour set was filled with passion and praise from the band members to all their Vancouver fans and supporters.

As the rolled through their four albums going back to 2004, they spanned a variety of music styles. Their chart-topping songs including Cha-Ching, She’s So Sorry, Own My Own, Don’t Talk to Strangers, Invincible, and One Life, all proved to be very popular with the crowd.

Lead singer, Jacob Hoggard, founded the band before his appearance on Canadian Idol, which he dropped out of to focus on the band and not just his own personal music career.

Hedley has toured across North America with Simple Plan, Faber Drive, MxPx, Nickelback and Bon Jovi. Hedley’s next tour starts again on the east coast in May.

After playing at the Closing Ceremonies live in Whistler for the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games in March 2010 and signing with record label, Epic, in November 2010, Andrew Allen’s career was launched into fast-forward in 2011.

The BC acoustic / pop artist started off 2011 with a 6-month, 45 state tour across North America. From West Chester, PA, to Columbus, OH, to San Francisco, every stop along the way was full of fun and adventure for Andrew and his band.

Throughout his tour, Andrew Allen opened for some of the biggest names including Josh Radin, Barenaked Ladies, Bruno Mars, Lifehouse and The Script.

Andrew Allen and his band recently played in Vancouver, BC at the Pacific National Exhibition.

Andrew admits that although he had a great time traveling all across America, performing in front of so many of his fans, it’s always nice to come home and to relax.

“The hardest thing about coming off the road is getting used to doing things again, like making the bed and cooking,” Andrew said.

This fall Andrew is back in the studio and is as busy as ever. He has been working on writing new songs for other up-and-coming artists and has a few new songs of his own. I Want You has just been recorded and is set to release this fall in Canada, and Time Will Tell will be released in the near future.

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After a full day of sporting events, athletes and spectators traded in their running shoes for dancing shoes this past Saturday, July 30, as thousands gathered to see legendary 90’s Swedish pop band, Ace of Base, at the Plaza of Nations for the Closing Party for the 2011 North America Outgames.

Based out of Gothenburg, Sweden, the band released four studio albums from 1993 to 2002, selling an excess of 30 million copies world-wide.

Their album, Happy Nation / The Sign, is one of the best-selling albums of all-time, being certified nine times platinum in the United States. The debut album featuring All That She Wants, The Sign and Don’t Turn Around, was the first debut album to produce three number one singles on the Top 40 charts.

Today, original band members, Jonas and Ulf are back on the road featuring two new female vocalists, Clara Hagman and Julia Williamson. The new group released their first album, The Golden Ratio, in September 2010.

“I can’t believe how many people have discovered our music,” said band leader, Ulf. “Jonus and I have been together for 25 years. Now, it’s a different concept. We have new songs.”

“It all works well together” said Ulf as he described the new and updated sound for Ace of Base. “Clara has become the punch and Julia is more classical.”

Ulf admits there have been challenges along the way.

“Mixing rock – pop star life with having kids and raising a family is tough,” explained Ulf. “You can’t bring them with you. You need to learn to balance it out.”

Ace of Base  will make a total of four stops on their brief Canadian summer tour; Vancouver, Edmonton, Montreal and Toronto.

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Photo Credit: Jay Minter

On Tuesday, July 19, Katy Perry brought her California Dreams tour to Rogers Arena in Vancouver; the last stop in the Canadian tour. Katy Perry pulled out all the stops to make sure the audience at the sold-out show had a fun time.

The funhouse atmosphere was alive right from the beginning. The scent of cotton candy and cupcakes filled the air. Fans were dressed in electric blue and pink wigs, flashing headbands and wands.

Janelle Monae and DJ Skeet Skeet warmed up the diverse audience of tweens, moms & dads and everyone in between.

Katy’s show kicked off with a video vignette, setting the stage of “Candy-fornia” Dreams, the theme of the tour. Katy appeared in the lollipops and candy floss covered stage and hit the ground running with her hit single, Teenage Dreams.

Hot n Cold, I Kissed a Girl, and Firework were just a few of her many hits she sang throughout the night. The costumes throughout the concert ranged from Vegas showgirl to cartoon damsel.

Katy was extremely interactive with the audience too, inviting selected people to join her on stage to sing, dance and have their photos taken.

In other parts of the show she demonstrated that she was more than just goofy, frivolity, when she did a segment of ‘Katy karaoke’ and sung adaptations of other artists work.  Rihanna’s ‘Only Girl In The World”, Jay-Z’s “Big Pimpin’”, Rebecca Black’s “Friday” and Willow Smith’s “I Whip My Hair Back And Forth” which were interspersed with commentary on how much she loved Canada and Canadians.

On Sunday, May 22, the Vancouver Convention Centre welcomed over 6,000 concert-goers to the largest indoor general admission dance event ever hosted in the province of British Columbia, David Guetta!

Opening acts included Dre Morel, Sultan & Ned Shepars w/ Nada Ali, followed by Avicii. A huge applause erupted as David Guetta arrived on the massive stage, taking his position infront of the decks.

The red-hot, chart-hitting, Grammy winner DJ from Europe once again worked his magic. The energy and excitement lasted for two full hours and included hit tracks “Sexy Bitch”, “Club Can’t Handle Me”, “When Love Takes Over”, “Memories”, “Commander” and so many more.

The back of the stage was a wall of screens and LED lights covered the front of the stage. Confetti canons shot multiple times, adding to the already electric energy in the room.

Photo credits: @jminter

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Celebrating 35 years since their debut “Dreamboad Annie”, legendary rock band, Heart, has been out on the road promoting their latest album, “Night At Sky Church”.

Heart recently they wrapped up a 20-date cross-Canada tour at Vancouver’s Queen Elizabeth Theatre, bringing them back to the city that gave them their start nearly 40 years ago. Ann still sings with power and edge and Nancy still struts and strums with the exuberance and energy just as she did when she first started.

The Wilson’s are proud of their ties to Vancouver, citing local events and venues of the past, and where they recorded their first hit record “Dreamboat Annie”.

New songs from the 2010 released album, “Red Velvet Car”, produced by Vancouverite, Ben Mink, compliment their hits from the past. Ben even joined Ann and Nancy on stage during their recent Vancouver stop, for a couple of the new singles adding a lush depth to the songs with his violin.

Whether it’s belting out hard rocking tracks like “Barracuda” and “Crazy On You”, a simple stripped down version of “These Dreams” or power ballad “Alone” these are classic tunes performed by the talented pros.

Over the years Heart’s sound has covered a wide range of eras and tastes; hard, electronic tinged, soft ballad, country but through it all there is the continuing  knowledge that rock ties it all together and these ladies don’t look like they’ll stop rocking any time soon… thankfully!

Article and photos contributed by Jay Minter.

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Gone is the Fabio-esque long flowing mane of hair so synonymous with Michael Bolton of the 80’s and 90’s but the voice and the hits live on.

Based on his recent sell-out show at the River Rock Casino Theatre, Michael Bolton certainly cannot be accused of limiting himself to a single genre. Over his lengthy career, beginning in a hard rock band, he has recorded R&B, Contemporary Pop, Classic pop, Standards, Swing, and Opera.

During his two hour show at the River Rock, the audience was treated to a wide variety of his music genres, showcasing his diversity of range and skill.  Having just an image of the 80’s Michael Bolton as a frame of reference, many were impressed with what was presented.

On Bolton’s most recent tour, saxophonist and successful recording artist, Michael Lington was along as a band member and performed his hit single “You & I”.

Changing out of a suit and into comfortable and familiar jeans and a t-shirt, a set of the best know Michael Bolton songs followed: “How Can We Be Lovers”, “Georgia On My Mind”, and “How Am I Supposed to Live Without You”.

The positive energy in the theatre translated into an entertaining evening and a good time. That ability to know exactly how to win over the whole audience is the difference between a good musician and great performer.

Michael Bolton is currently working in-studio recording his next album. Bolton’s career is still going strong to there’s ample time for him to try a few more genres…perhaps Bolton Goes Country is in the future?

Article and photos contributed by Jay Minter.