Set list:
Breathe
Get on Your Boots
Magnificent
Mysterious Ways
Beautiful Day
I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For
Stuck In A Moment
No Line on the Horizon
Elevation
In A Little While
Unknown Caller
Until The End of the World
The Unforgettable Fire
City of Blinding Lights
Vertigo
I’ll Go Crazy If I Don’t Go Crazy Tonight
Sunday Bloody Sunday
MLK
Walk On
One
Where The Streets Have No Name
Encore:
Ultraviolet
With or Without You
Moment of Surrender

No related posts.

Too enthused to wait until the 7:30pm show time, Endless Hallway began their set a few minutes early. They came on stage and delivered a consistently high energy set from the first to the last song. The drum beatings, guitar rhythms and intense vocals that were heard from outside the Rialto lured stragglers and onlookers into the theater where they purchased last minute tickets.

Inside the theater, the floor was filled with young fans accompanied by their parental chaperones. Age difference aside, there was united excitement and shared enjoyment.

Escape the Fate then came on stage and gave a performance that stole the night. They were a step-up from the last time I saw them at KFMA day last spring. Possibly due to the intimate nature of the Rialto Theatre versus the massive audience from the outdoor event, Escape the Fate were personable, funny, and they dominated the stage with apparent zeal. At times, when lead singer Craig Mabbitt would head bang with such force, I was afraid he would suffer some whiplash.  It was good to see a band onstage having a good time and rocking out despite however many times they have heard and performed their own songs.

At approximately 9:25pm, Atreyu came on stage and were greeted by the loud chanting from an awaiting audience. The band started off performing songs from their new album Congregation of the Damned, and gave some background on favorite songs such as “Gallows” while practicing in rehearsal. If you haven’t heard of Atreyu, their music can be described as screamo/metal. Atreyu live sounds like incomprehensible vocals coupled with quick beats, their strong point was that they were consistently powerful throughout each song, but their performance did not allow for listeners to notice a distinction from one song to the next. After half an hour of listening to songs with only slight noticeable differences, they performed their new radio favorite song “Falling Down” from Lead Sails Paper Anchors.  This song is not just drastically different from the other songs performed so far, but it sounds like it belongs in a Weird Al Yankovic album.  After “Falling Down” they returned to performing predominantly screamo style songs.

The spotlight to the night’s show definitely belonged to Escape the Fate rather than the Headliners Atreyu. Each band performed well, but Escape the Fate truly knew how to deliver their music to show the uniqueness of each song.

Concert photos by Mike Leland | www.mikeleland.com

1234►

Related posts:

1. RockStar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival 2010 Concert Photos and Review! The Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival rolled into town last...
2. Korn and Rob Zombie Top Bill on Third Annual RockStar Energry Drink Mayhem Festival KORN AND ROB ZOMBIE TOP BILL ON THIRD ANNUAL ROCKSTAR...

On Saturday the 3rd, fairgrounds were dominated by the young rock crowd. For this all-day event it is striking how many attending would compromise comfort to show off their alternative style mall clothes. Black and neon, frills and vinyl, hair done and faces made up, and yet keeping themselves together after 10 hours at the fairgrounds, they were definitely troopers to last the entire day.

Highlights from Saturday included an amazing performance by club/rock act Paper Tongues. I wasn’t sure what to expect since the only song that has received much radio play is Ride to California. I have noticed when there is one song associated with an artist, it is usually the only one that is radio friendly or would appeal to a larger audience. However, I was captivated with their entire set and I recommend listening to a few more songs.

Misfits then took the stage and gave a lesson in punk history. Not a band that you would hear on KFMA, they seemed a little out of place. They did give a high energy performance with hardly a break between songs. The lure of the Misfits is that they are a well known name which attracted an older crowd. Long-time Misfit fans pushed their way through the young rockers to the front of the stage and held their fists in the air with each song.

Now returning to music that is played on KFMA, Flyleaf was an instant crowd favorite. Lead singer Lacey Mosley gave positive energy as she told everyone that we looked beautiful. Mosley has a voice that compares to Paramore’s Hayley Williams in that it is strong, powerful, and feminine without taking away from the savagery of their music. Flyleaf performed “Again,” which is their first single from their new album Memento Mori.

Leading into the evening The Used brought about rekindled excitement to the exhausted crowd. This excitement was quickly turned into disappointment when lead singer Burt McCraken made a homophobic joke and then asked the crowd to boo them. Most people that I could see around me were taken aback by his interaction with everyone. It is difficult to enjoy and appreciate a band when they make comments that are distasteful.

To save the night, Rise Against came on stage and took upon one of the most difficult feats of a day long concert. Finding an annoyed and exhausted audience, Rise Against turned the crowd around and hyped them up by playing some of their more popular songs right away.

The evening ended and some of us waited with anticipation to see what Sunday would bring.

Walking into the Pima County Fairgrounds on Sunday, my first thought was, “when did they have time to clean up the mess that was left behind the night before?” After dismissing that thought I set out to find my spot in the field to enjoy the 30th anniversary of KLPXfest.

The first noticeable difference between the young rockers from Saturday and those who have been going to concerts for decades is that the KLPX crowd no longer has a need to impress anyone around them with clothes or attitude. There were hardly any dark clothes or outlandish ensembles. Jeans and t-shirts was the outfit of choice, sprinkled with a few bandanas and leather vests from the biker crowd.

In addition, these wise concert elders brought blankets that quilted most of the fairground. Saturday I stood for 7 hours straight without a break, and I noticed that the people that came Sunday were not fooling themselves into thinking they could last all day without taking breaks between bands. I took heed and found my own spot on the grass.

The 30th anniversary of KLPXfest featured an epic classic rock line-up. I have always been a fan of 80’s rock, but it wasn’t until today that I became aware of how the music has changed in the last 30 years.

Sunday’s opener Great White was greeted by a crowd that was ready to rock loud and hard. Most of the crowd standing near the stage was cheering and singing with each song, and then more people joined when Great White finished with their most recognizable hit “Once Bitten, Twice Shy.” This made me realize that since these bands have been around for such a long time, I would expect a more intense reaction with each stirring of nostalgia.

During the intermission between bands, KLPX announced that the next band Ratt had to cancel due to illness. Not wanting to leave their fans disappointed, Ratt has scheduled a make-up performance on a later date.

War came on next with their laid back yet funky styling. As War played “Why Can’t We Be Friends” I saw a unity among the crowd as people would hold hands and sway to the music, it was a different pace to the head banging I’m used to being around.

As the evening set Styx possibly gave the best show of the night. They were energetic, funny, personable and extraordinary. A legendary band and much anticipated by those who partook in KLPXfest. Styx were the only band to give an encore to the demanding audience. Their presentation gave the impression that the band itself was excited to be part of the night.

Unfortunately for half of the crowd who left after Styx finished performing, REO Speedwagon came on and was absolutely incredible. Lucky for me and others waiting for REO, there was room for us to come close to the stage. I was taken aback that so many people had left, and wondered why KLPX had chosen to end with REO Speedwagon. Although it seemed as if there was more anticipation for Styx, I think people knew more REO Speedwagon songs. After so much excitement during the day, the mellowness of REO Speedwagon and lulled the remaining crowd into a near-slumber and put those blankets to good use.

www.kfma.com

www.klpx.com

Fall Ball concert photos by Alonso Murillo | www.photobyalonso.com

123►

KLPXfest concert photos by Mike Leland | www.mikeleland.com

123456►

Related posts:

1. KFMA – Fall Ball 2009 Concert Photos! KFMA – Fall Ball 2009 Concert Photos! Were you at...

Hunched over while grabbing his side and bellowing out songs with a powerful raspy voice, Scottish-born Paolo Nutini delivered a performance that reminisces of a time when such music was banned for its sinful appeal.  Nutini has revived a sound that captures different genres in music history and gives it an undertone that reaches out to the modern day music listener.

I couldn’t help but feel myself consumed by the music and needing to get up to the front of the theater to be part of the vibes and energy exuding from the stage onto the floor.  There was no way for me to stay still because the music demanded movement and participation. After listening to the opening act of Anya Marina showcasing her new album Slow and Steady Seduction: Phase II I anticipated that the night would be uplifting, but I didn’t imagine being awestruck.

There was dancing, singing, toe-tapping and head-bopping by the people sharing in the night with Paolo Nutini and his band at the Rialto Theater on September 8, 2009. His band is a composition of musicians that were ready to take a risk in playing songs that may not have had the commercial appeal found on television or top 40 radio stations today. However, the universal themes, and the feel good beats will appeal to any person that appreciates music that is felt more than sung.

I think that Nutini broke down the idea that we can’t return to a time when music was a message and an emotional outlet.  Apparently there was room for Nutini in the commercial market as his song “New Shoes” became the song associate with a shoe advertisement in the summer of 2008.  Other songs have found their way into television shows such as Grey’s Anatomy, and One Tree Hill.

His band lends the sounds of big band, ragtime, blues, soul, and everything in between.  Accompanying Nutini and his guitar are Donny Little on guitar/vocals, Seamus Simon on drums, Michael McDaid on bass and keys, Dave Nelson on guitar, vocals, keys, and percussion, and Gavin Fitzjohn on saxophone, trumpet and keys.  Each member contributed their own unique sound, but kept cohesion throughout each song.

Paolo Nutini shares a story with excruciating emotion to each song. But when you look at him up close there is a sense of humor.  Nutini would throw in some jokes interjected between songs, but with his heavy Scottish accent, I wasn’t able to understand what he said.  I’m just glad most of the show-goers knew what he was saying because they definitely seemed amused.

I left the theater raving that the show was amazing and that I had a new appreciation for the music that beforehand I was only able to hear in recordings.  Thinking that I was listening to the scatting genius of Louis Armstrong, or the music compilations of old time jazz fused with soulfulness of Ray Charles and even the jump and jive of the Big Bopper I was transformed.  Nutini performs hunched over grabbing the microphone, frankly looking and sounding like an older man with a soul full of pain, but with a beat that is so lifting and satisfying it must be a sin to enjoy.

www.myspace.com/paolonutini

www.paolonutini.com

www.myspace.com/anyamarina

No related posts.

Opening the night was Goodbye to Pretty, a hybrid band with members from AZ and California. The sound has a similar flavor to RCPM in that the influences are old time rock and roll, country, and that southwest aura. They definitely complimented RCPM and gave an entertaining performance that lent to setting the atmosphere of the evening. They are light with a sense of humor that has a bit of a twist as noted in the song “Slave” and in the way they introduced the song “I see her” stating that it is “all about that late night booty call.”

Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers have been touring for what seems non stop this year. This is their 4^th time around in Arizona this year alone, starting in Flagstaff, Tempe and Tucson, twice (and soon they will be heading back up to Flagstaff on September 12^th and Phoenix on Sept 19).  It’s typical to see this group around these parts several times a year performing to packed audiences.

Young, old, fancy, laid back and all walks of life in-between were dancing and singing to RCPM. It seems as though everyone attending was eager to be part of the night, whether it be by lending Roger a sombrero to wear or handing him a shot of tequila. RCPM is not signed to any label and have kept the band independent in order to conduct their music, their shows, and themselves with freedom. Not to say that any band shouldn’t try to connect with the fans, but the relationship RCPM has is unique and intimate.  They do not shy away from opening their ideas, processes, and lives.  As the night progresses the band and audience merge into one as each song could be sung by either part.

The music continued consistently in energy and enthusiasm from the first down to the last song performed during the encore. Saturday was no exception to this type of relationship. More than a concert, more than a performance, it’s a party. Beach balls where tossed around for a few songs and a toast “to celestial bodies, bikinis, and Mexican moonshine.”

www.myspace.com/azpeacemakers

www.azpeacemakers.com

www.myspace.com/goodbyetopretty

Play list: (as jotted down throughout the night).

• Blue Collar Suicide
• Wanted
• Americano
• Hello new day
• Counterclockwise
• Beautiful disaster
• Bury my heart at the trailer park
• Mexico
• Lemons
• Mexican Moonshine
• No more beautiful world
• Green & Dumb
• Preacher’s daughter
• Banditos
• Mercy
• Maybe we should fall in love
• Tell yer momma
• Down together
• King of the hill theme song
• I don’t need another thrill
• Broken record
• Lost and found
• Contraband
• Encore:
• Ashes of San Miguel
• Girly
• I do
• Mekong

No related posts.