MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE HITS ALL THE RIGHT NOTES ON OPENING NIGHT OF KIA FORUM RESIDENCY
MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE HITS ALL THE RIGHT NOTES ON OPENING NIGHT OF THEIR KIA FORUM RESIDENCY
MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE ARE IN THE MIDST OF A SOLD OUT FIVE NIGHT RESIDENCY AT L.A.’s KIA FORUM
TRB WAS AT OPENING NIGHT LAST TUESDAY
READ THE FULL SHOW REVIEW WITH CONCERT PHOTOS BELOW…
Gerard and that Flamethrower
For a band that first came onto the scene at a time when it seemed like many of that generation were carbon copies of each other or just very surface-level. My Chemical Romance has easily been the band that has stood the test of time astutely navigating an increasingly challenging music industry. One where bands come and go or quickly lose their identity and creative freedom somewhere down the line. So to hear that My Chemical Romance was to return in 2019. A band that stuck their roots AND experimented. The band whose songs many of us adored in our teenage and young adult years when we felt unsure or worse about ourselves was back. Waiting two more years would only cause the feverish excitement around this reunion to grow.
On each of the five nights, the band featured different opening acts. For night one, they had Youth Code, an EBM (Electronic Body Music) and Industrial music duo, then the band Taking Back Sunday. Youth Code shook up the crowd. Unfortunately, much of it was still arriving. Lead vocalist Sara Taylor has a visceral and fierce stage presence. Something that truly opened up the show and what would ultimately be five nights of incredible music. Taking Back Sunday took to the stage next, with the crowd slowly filling up and even TBS taking note of that. The guys of Taking Back Sunday put on a fast-paced, energetic eight-song set. Frontman Adam Lazzara pulled out some sweet dance moves with every swing of his microphone. They ended with their 2006 classic and biggest hit, MakeDamnSure.
You could feel the weight of the two-and-a-half years reverberating throughout the forum. Hearing the crowd chant MCR! MCR! as The Foundations Of Decay familiar signature buzzing sound began to whirl until silence. My Chemical Romance takes to the stage under the cloak of darkness, with frontman Gerard Way walking out dressed as a cheerleader holding an actual flamethrower! Wait... what just happened? Before anyone can digest that, the band launches into The Foundations Of Decay, the first new song from the group in years, and it sounded just as harrowing and insane live. It was the perfect way to reintroduce the band in a city that can quickly become jaded. The band has never sounded better and more in sync with each other live. The band said early on that they were playing whatever they wanted each night, and that's what they did.
My Chemical Romance then proceeded to hopscotch their way through their back catalog, playing with finesse and intensity. The crowd sang along, chanting, dancing, and even crying. Nostalgia had hit hard for many as the band went from songs like This Is The Best Day Ever, which has a harrowing punkish lean. To the power pop strut of Na Na Na, each of these tracks are two albums apart. Other songs like Planetary (GO!), DESTROYA, and Teenagers had the audience go from head banging to straight-up booty shaking. Also, that night the band pulled out, Desolation Row for the first time since 2011. One of the most unique and edgy Bob Dylan covers. The show ended with a two-song encore with songs from their first album, I Brought You Bullets, You Brought Me Your Love. The moving heartache of Skylines and Turnstiles and the haunting euphoria of Demolition Lovers. Songs that both truly encapsulate why we fell in love with the music in the first place.
FITZ AND THE TANTRUMS + ANDY GRAMMER BRING THE WRONG PARTY TOUR TO L.A. WITH HELP FROM BRELAND
Last Saturday, Three of what seems like the unlikeliest artists brought what was an epic dance party to The Greek Theatre. Opener Breland with Hip-Hop Country, Andy Grammer with his happy Pop, and Fitz And The Tantrums, whose soulful pop tunes have ears tuned, feet dancing since their KCRW days have endearingly collided on their The Wrong Party tour.
Michael “Fitz” Fitzpatrick of Fitz And The Tantrums
Last Saturday, Three of what seems like the unlikeliest artists brought what was an epic dance party to The Greek Theatre. Opener Breland with Hip-Hop Country, Andy Grammer with his happy Pop, and Fitz And The Tantrums, whose soulful pop tunes have ears tuned, feet dancing since their KCRW days have endearingly collided on their The Wrong Party tour. While it may, on the surface, come across like a mish-mash of Adult Alternative radio artists with popular hits. It ultimately worked for many reasons, as it was a family show. Families were out and about on this breezy Saturday evening. Also, all three acts together brought showmanship. Lastly, two performers on the lineup (Breland and Andy Grammer) have roots in the country music space.
Breland performs at The Greek Theatre
Breland was first up on the lineup. His sound has its roots in country music but was so much more. "Praise The Lord" was gospel tinged with a hipper country sound. Then songs like "Thick" and "Throw It Back" completely leaned into the Country-Rap sound. So it was no surprise that his Nelly mashup was straight fire. The New Jersey native and Gen Z artist fused Hip-Hop, Gospel, Soul, and Pop into what I could only describe as a Breland fusion. A mix of funky, bouncy, feel-good music. That easily captured the audience. An audience that was only starting to trickle in. Make no mistake, though, Breland fans were there and ready to party. His opening set was full of exuberant boundless energy and the perfect joyful vibe to start the night out. His banter between his songs was my favorite as he regaled the audience with jokes and other anecdotes from his life. Including the time Keith Urban asked him out to Nashville to write music, and he hopped on a plane and arrived the following morning.
Andy Grammer performs at The Greek Theatre
Andy Grammer was next out, opening with a spoken word poem befitting his brand of joyful uplifting pop. That poem transitioned into the song "Damn It Feels Good to Be Me". A booming pop-jazz style band backed Grammer and was complete with backup singers who also played jazz instruments like the saxophone. For some, Grammer may not be a face that is easily recognizable but with his penchant for writing memorable pop hooks and catchy melodies. There is no doubt that you have heard a song or two from him. Infectious melodies, jazzy riffs, and dance-pop synths permeated the well-paced sixteen-song set. Some highlights include the new collab, “The Wrong Party”, with Michael ‘Fitz’ Fitzpatrick of Fitz And The Tantrums, who popped out to sing it with him. Then the monogamy and relationship anthem, Honey, I’m Good. Or the soulful foot stomper, Good To Be Alive. His vocals shined throughout and soared best on the more personal numbers like “Fresh Eyes”, Joy, or later on, during the encore “Saved My Life”. The jazz-inflected “Pennies From Heaven / Stay / Fine by Me” mashup was a sweet surprise. His debut track, “Keep Your Head Up”, was another brilliant moment during his encore. Those lyrics still resonate and speak to the dreamer in all of us.
Noelle Scaggs of Fitz And The Tantrums performs at The Greek Theatre
Lastly, Fitz And The Tantrums closed out the night and the L.A. stop of The Wrong Party tour. Although far removed from their KRCW days where blue-eyed soul and a vintage sound dominated their music. Their evolution to Alterna-Pop heavy hitters makes this band so great, reminding us that a dream and hard work will ultimately pay off. The band fronted by two singers, the aforementioned Michael 'Fitz' Fitzpatrick and Noelle Scaggs plus their insane chemistry. The Greek Theatre showcased their exuberant blend of soulful dance pop and was the perfect way to cap off what was an eclectic dance party in the canyons of L.A. The band opened with “OCD” into a “Don’t Gotta Work It Out”, a Fitz classic and staple. Songs like “Complicated” got the party moving with its R&B bounce before moving into synth-laden “Out Of My League”. Other highlights from the band include their new cut “Sway”, the soul-inflected “MoneyGrabber”, and the skittering pop of “123456”. Fitz and The Tantrums continued the trend of incredible musicianship and professionalism that night. They closed out their eighteen-song set with an encore that included hits, “HandClap” and “The Walker”. “The Wrong Party” tour offered fans and music lovers a night of fun, dancing, and lighthearted escapism in its purest form. It was a bubbly hip-pop disco party accentuated by an incredible light show. Fun for all too, as you’re never late to this party.
CONCERT REVIEW + PHOTOS: GLASS ANIMALS AT HOLLYWOOD FOREVER
The new(ish) Indie Pop/Rock band are one the industry’s most exciting live music acts
Indie Rock quartet Glass Animals brought their groovy brand of heat to Hollywood Forever on Sunday with the ‘Dreamland’ tour. It’s a funky blend of nostalgic meets vaporwave that permeates the album but the shows as well. The tour featured the Electro Pop newcomer Binki as the opener. He played a short and engaging set closing out with “Heybb!”. A song you’ve most likely heard from its prominence of being in an Apple iPad commercial. While his energy was great, it was clear the crowd was there for Glass Animals (many didn’t arrive until they were on). The Indie Pop foursome comprised of childhood friends Joe Seaward, Ed Irwin-Singer and Drew Macfarlane is anchored by the feverishly bold lead singer, Dave Bayley. All walked out to a stunningly loud crowd full of cheers and energy that was ready to dance. Bayley who held a captive audience all night was also ready to party with us. He hovered somewhere between bewildered and emboldened, in awe of the crowd. Opening up the set with the futuristic lullaby “Dreamland”. Which segued into the tribal drum-heavy dance bop “Life Itself” & the island tinged “Tangerine” to kick off the party. Glass Animals tore through a 17 song setlist with such aplomb. Some of the major set highlights were the tour debut of “Poplar St.”. Where Dave Bayley forgot the lyrics (it had been a while) but powered through like a pro. “Space Ghost Coast to Coast”, which Dave remarked was a bit eerie playing in a cemetery. Their new track “I Don’t Wanna Talk (I Just Wanna Dance)” is truly the ultimate dance party. They closed out their fun albeit spooky two-day residency at Hollywood Forever with a two-song encore. Of which included the bands’ breakout hit “Heatwaves” and the glitch-inspired “Tokyo Drifting”. Overall, Glass Animals displayed exciting musicianship. Their knack for writing super catchy lyrics with dynamic pop hooks, all transferred brilliantly into a live setting. You can check out my photo gallery of the show below.
THE DARKNESS // "HEART EXPLODES" - SINGLE REVIEW
English Rock band The Darkness drop new single "Heart Explodes". The song is off the bands' upcoming concept record Easter is Cancelled. The album is due out October 4th the band will tour the United States in 2020, and are currently opening up for Ed Sheeran in the UK for a string of dates.
“It’s about the despair of change. Having to reappraise your life and what you're holding on to. It’s like that feeling when you just want to go for a swim and keep going. Wanting to be enveloped by something that will gradually pull you down. If you really, really want to survive that process, you can. We've all been there - people who say they haven't are lying.”
- Justin Hawkins
"Heart Explodes" finds the band in excellent form, lead singer Justin Hawkins well known and often used falsetto is not overdone on the track. From the first hit of the drums that anchor the entire song, which seems to ride back and forth between ballad and mid-tempo rock number. The abundance of emotion is fully present with every guitar stroke and lyric sung. The Darkness has become known for their unique blend of opera rock this single isn't any different, as Folk-rock elements, even a banjo, can be heard well within the mix of instruments on the song. It's a tune essentially about being caught between the apathy and wanting to change. Something that is often told but on "Heart Explodes", The Darkness dig into what they are good at to find a novel approach to this subject matter.
You watch the lyric video for "Heart Explodes" below...
Until then
Brittney x
HEY VIOLET // CONCERT REVIEW + GALLERY
Pop Rock band Hey Violet delivered an highly energetic and fun set at The Troubadour this past Thursday (May 30th), to an enthusiastic crowd of fans. The opener was Pop R&B newcomer Sage Charmaine whose stage presence was effervescent, her songs spunky and fun. Yet it was clear the audience was there for Hey Violet. The band having just released two new singles "Close My Eyes" and "Better By Myself". The latter which I reviewed here. The band walked out to massive cheers and a crowd that knew every single line and lyric. Lead singer Rena Lovelis voice was surprisingly sweet set against Electro rock numbers and she overcame the slight sound issues earlier in the set very well. Her crowd interaction was amazing. Rena shook hands, gave hugs, and handshakes as she sang even jumping into the crowd at one point, nearly causing some of her fans to freak out. For Hey Violet crowd interaction with fans is key. The band despite how young they are, are all pros. Rena's sister and drummer Nia Lovelis is lively on the drums and the back-beat of the band. Guitarist Casey Moreta is a jack of all trades in Hey Violet truly rounding out the band. The addition of touring live bassist Hayley Jane Batt (who had to learn 15 songs in a week) rounded out to a high energy and fun show at The Troubadour. Check out my gallery from the gig below and the full set list as well.
HEY VIOLET // The Troubadour Set list
All We Ever Wanted
Brand New Moves
Better By Myself
My Consequence
ODD
Queen of The Night
Pure
Unholy
Guys My Age
Where Have You Been (All My Night)
Close My Eyes
Viva La Vida (Coldplay cover)
Clean
Break My Heart
HEY VIOLET // Socials
Website / Facebook / Instagram / Twitter
Thanks to Capitol Records for the invite out!
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Until then,
Brittney x
