What a weekend!
It was so surreal. We got on the plane in dark, cold and dreary Philadelphia, PA – flew over the rainbow (aka Minneapolis, MN) – and landed in a vibrant, technicolor Oz (Las Vegas, NV) complete with Emerald City!
There were lions, fountains, and Jonas….OH MY!
It really goes without saying that the show was awesome. After seeing 6 Jonas Brothers shows of various types (in store acoustic, short set, full set), I feel confident in saying that a Jonas Brothers show is guaranteed to be a great show!
Get all of the details after the jump!
This was such an awesome trip. Jonas imagery and Jonas fans were all over the MGM Grand and the rest of the South Strip. We were greeted with a Jonas concert promo in heavy rotation on all screens inside and outside of the MGM, there were posters everywhere, and the daiquiri stand outside of the arena even re-named all of their flavors in honor of Jonas! (I was dying to try Kevin’s Tropical Madness.) It was full on.
We briefly considered trying to wrangle some tickets to the 3pm show, but took in the South Strip (and the Forum Shops) instead and watched the sun set at the Venetian. We still had plenty of time to get back to the Hotel, enjoy some room service and get ready for the show.
The venue was one of the best we have been to, and we were much closer than we thought we would be. We were both on the floor in the front of the second sections. I was Kevside and Mememoi was Nickside. We were about 30 feet from the end of the catwalk which Joe and Kevin (especially) ventured down often. (Yay!)
The pre-show and interstitial music was AWESOME and included songs such as Elvis Costello’s “Pump It Up,” Tom Petty’s “American Girl,” Queen “Crazy Little Thing Called Love,” the Run DMC with Aerosmith version of “Walk This Way” (This got a couple of dads up and dancing), Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’” (everyone – especially those dads – knows the words to this song, BTW), REM’s “Stand” and finally Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline” just before they transitioned into the show with lights out and Queen’s “We Will Rock You“. Mememoi and I think they should somehow release this playlist.
The show opened with a cute video of the Boys introducing Honor Society. They were OK, and seemed to be on the stage for a really short time. More on them later.
Next up was Demi Lovato and she was AMAZING. We have seen her once before, in Camden, and I thought she was all right (keep in mind I was sick at the time and in a weird seat in the wings that had a weird sound swirl.) But she just hit it out of the park and was a great lead up to the main act. I was really impressed by “Don’t Forget” especially which just features her voice beautifully. Mememoi compared her to Kate Nash, which I think is apt.
TIME FOR JONAS! SQUEE!
I don’t care how many times I’ve seen them perform, I get so excited when the band starts doing their intro thing. The whole show was awesome (as I mentioned before). The staging was stripped down so there was no fire (other than their cool logo thing), nor any lifts, waterdrums, or costume changes, but the show was as solid as any we saw during the Burnin’ Up Tour proper. The fact is they don’t really need all of that stuff (as cool as it is).
Everyone seemed in great spirits and looked great. Joe was in top form (as were they all) and Kevin has really perfected his swoon-worthy “walkin’ down the catwalk and doin’ a little smile” thing. Nick seemed relaxed and ALBL was great! Nick replaced his usual Diabetes speech with one about gratitude, hope, and how much they love what they are doing and appreciate the fans. It was nice. He even gave us all some sage advice:
There are choices. Make the great ones.
He is quite wise for a young man of 16. (See that bit in the ALBL Part 2 vid below!)
There were also loads of cute chatty moments, Joe leaning on Kevin or Nick or Garbo (he even wiped the sweat off of JT’s face.) Jack caught all of his drumsticks, and the foam guns seemed more powerful than ever.
The format of the show was identical to that of other Burnin’ Up Tour shows with one major exception. Instead of playing “Can’t Have You” they brought Honor Society out again and played “Don’t Close the Book on Me.” I missed “Can’t Have You.”
Regarding Honor Society, I am not sold. Their sound is a little more “boy band” than I normally like. I don’t think they are used to playing huge shows, and they seemed a little terrified (I don’t blame them). Despite the Boys’ best efforts to pump us up, the audience was lukewarm about them (the girls around me all sat down when they came out, but they also sat during “I’m Gonna Getcha Good!”). Nick yelled at us for not singing “O-O-O-AH-O O-O-O-AH-O-OH”s loud enough (stop yelling at us, Nick). At this point I am finding them very derivative (80s keyboard, creeepy R&B stylings {sorry!}), and they are not fresh faced enough to pull off this high school schtick they are attempting. They need to focus more on the music and less on the schtick – s’all I’m sayin’. The Guys are working with HS on their new album, producing and co-writing, so I will not write them off completely. As I said, I am just not sold yet.
And I have to mention, even though I know this is picky – their “See U In The Dark” shirts are suspiciously similar to Kanye West’s “Glow In The Dark Tour” shirts. I will give them the benefit of the doubt and call it an homage. (Also, I will go on the record here and say that I am not the type of person who can’t love a band they hear cold live. That is how I discovered Weezer, Rooney, the Raconteurs, Lupe Fiasco, and N.E.R.D.) Enough about Honor Society.
The show was well covered in Vegas and they were on the front cover of the Las Vegas Review-Journal the next morning! So it was more than worth the trip!
Now for some vids!
These are not shot by me, but our favorite JB tour guru Hannah Hylen, aka SingerChick93 (she also keeps an awesome blog of her Jonas-following adventures).
Goodnight and Goodbye
ALBL 1
ALBL 2
Tonight
Burnin’ Up
Some Pics: It was as if the Boys were walking on air!
The professional photographer, Erik Kabik, put up an entire slideshow of the show we attended on his website, with some fabulous shots. Check that out here!
Thanks for another great show, Guys!
[Via: JonasHQ (Erik Kabik), singerchick93 (YouTube), saltnburn (YouTube)]
cpaig
mememoi
coolmom823
Thanks for a great recap, natch, cpaig!
The guys looked gorgeous, I LOVE the suspenders and the plaid. And singerchick93’s vids are awesome as usual. My only complaint would be that they are a little light on the Kevin, but hey, Joe and Nick deserve the love too!
Glad the trip was great, and worth it all around.
Hey there!!
I would add that the prominence of the band was also a great thing….Garbo came to the front of the stage at one point and I went nuts. I think I did like a full on jump in my aisle like the ones from those old car commercials. JT, as well. (Ryan and Jack are stuck behind their equipment, but of course we tried to give them love as well. And the abbreviated grouping of the string crew.)
I would echo Cpaig’s sentiments about Honor Society so far. I am fascinated about how the Boys will be working with them as producers, to see how they develop. I think there is a definite edge to their boybandish sound, but it doesn’t stir me yet. “See U In the Dark” is the catchiest, Fall Out Boy-esque (though I find the sexuality of it hamhanded) and I enjoy O-o-o-o-o-ing along with the “Close the Book” song…if mostly because Joe strutted to the end of the catwalk with HS for the big finale (towering a little over their frontman, whoa) and Nick’s oh-oh’s sounded just loverly.
And I liked Demi in an offhanded way before, but her soulfulness was arena-shaking that night. And she is a tiny little thing!! I just think she has learned to channel herself (and her powerful voice) and her personality more confidently, she has come a long way in a couple of months. When she wailed on the piano and sang, that was when I felt the Kate Nash connection.
I loved Joe’s outfit too, coolmom. I think SingerChick93’s Joe & Nick focus was a result of seating – according to her blog, she loves Kevin a LOT, maybe the best of the three?
Ugh I just rewatched…that was the best Nick speech ever. *sniff* I might have to make it a shirt.
Thanks for the details, cpaig! Vegas must be surreal enough on its own. To see it completely steeped in Jonas must have been over-the-rainbow surreal. I am glad you had a good trip!
They always look happy when they perform. I am totally sold on the Boys, of course. I think it is a true testament to their ability as performers that you say their shows are consistently great regardless of the venue size or staging.
I have to agree with you about Honor Society. I am one of those snobs who will write off a band if they can’t perform live and I am not feeling them yet.
AH thanks for the recap ; ) Sounds like you guys had such a blast!
And it is crazyness that people were actually sitting during “I’m Gonna Getcha Good!” – I get the biggest kick out of that cover! YAY for YouTube as chances are the next time I catch the boys live they will have replaced it with another cover. I really love the boys choices for covers – “Take On Me” was awesome as well (and I got to see that one live! : ) But really, “I’m Gonna Getcha Good!” came out of left field and just worked so perfectly for them.
Interesting to read your thoughts on Honor Society. I know very little about them other than the fact that the drummer used to drum for JB. I just googled them and pulled up their MySpace. They are cute fellows. And their dance? Made me laugh. As did the jean cutoff shorts I believe their old drummer was wearing in the video.
p.s. I love Joe’s suspenders.
Vegas was totally surreal, sharpld. Kind of Disney World on crack, lol.
We even saw Carrot Top at (our very lovely) Sunday brunch!!!
But the town is fun, and interesting…I feel like I have this new sense of this weird facet of the entertainment world I never quite understood before. Oh and the customer service is universally delightful. Thanks, service workers of Vegas!
It’s great to read about your trip. Thanks for sharing!
Wow, Nick’s speech was really sweet. And all those videos are great. They really are terrific performers.
One of my friends from LV was at both shows and posted some pictures…I’m not sure if they’re from the show you attended, but she posted some very nice pictures of Joe in a sleeve-less tank. So, I have to ask, mememoi, how those arms looked in person? hahaha
Oh, just saw the Burnin’ Up video…and it was your show where Joe wore the tank!
Ha, tlatz, our show was indeed the wifebeater show! (See “Burnin’ Up”.)
Yeah, I definitely enjoyed the wifebeater. It’s funny because in person my reaction was like, “Whoa, buff!!” but he comes off more petite when I rewatch the YouTube video. Perhaps a testament to his commanding presence, idk? He is definitely slender, especially through the waist compared to Nick, but I think he looks good – not too, too skinny. He’s got the good broad shoulders and yes, those well-developed arms. I swear that vid doesn’t do them justice!
It’s so fun to see the actual experience translated through YouTube, actually. I think Honor Society look and sound better on YouTube than the impression real life left me with. (Which, bluntly, was “sweaty, shrill, old”.) So they are not BAD.
haha, nice. Yeah, even in my friend’s pictures, his arms look bigger than the video depicts.
I haven’t heard too much of Honor Society’s music, but what I have heard gives me the impression that they are not doing anything that will set them apart from other bands making music right now. However, the group as a whole seems young and time will only tell how they develop their sound.
Reading this was a lot like reliving my own vegas experience!
(we enjoyed the jonas smoothies as well)
We had similar thoughts on HS, and were pleasantly surprised with Demi.
It’s funny that you mention Joe not being too, too skinny.
We were having similar thoughts during the show. Something along the lines of ‘I think Joe and I wear the same size shirt’
Overall, an amazing show. I can’t wait for them to go back on tour! after a much needed break of course
Totally OT but I thought I would give an update. I am now the proud owner of Kevin’s Build-a-Bear. SQUEEE?
Yes, I am grinning. I have a feeling the little guy and I are going to be friends. LOL
Aiiiieeeee! Kevin and you are going to touch the same bear!
I’m so happy for you!
I will have a total fangirl moment when it arrives, I am sure. I will have to take it with me whenever I get the chance to see them live. That just seems right somehow.
I’m totally envious sharpld. Please give the bear a squeeze for me, will you?
I will, coolmom. I have a few stuffed animals on my desk (a tiny blue cat and a pig my daughter named “Pork”) and I must admit I am a crazy lady and talk to my stuffed friends while I work. Just a comment here and there. They don’t talk back. Must be the isolation of being a telecommuter, right? I can only imagine the conversations I am going to have with my Kevbear.
I need help.
YAY!!! That is so, so awesome! I am glad it’s going to have a good home.
(I was eyeing that Joebear…but I just couldn’t do it in the end. Dang!)
Don’t feel bad. I talk to my screensaver. It’s the really big photo of the JB’s 3 faces up close – the serious one. And I have a big monitor. THey are practically life size. I feel like they are staring at me so I have to acknowledge them sometimes. LOL!
Ladies – what are your best guesses for how big the JB’s waistlines are? I’m thinking no bigger than 28 or 29, seriously. They are really slim. What could they weigh? Like 140 pounds? Maybe??
Yes, I am very happy to have it, but I did have to defend myself. I gave my husband a backward rationalization Yes, it was expensive. But the money went to charity. And just think of how much it would have cost for me and our daughter to go see one of the shows in Vegas, not to mention that she and I would have been gone for a couple of days and he would be lost without us. Now, he thinks he got off cheap. Hee hee. It is my Christmas gift. Probably birthday too. LOL
Flamom – I am really bad at guessing size and weight. They do seem to be very slim and small-framed. The stats that are up on the fan pages have Joe at 140 and Kevin at 135, and Nick at 115 but those haven’t been updated recently (very obviously for Nick). I remember reading back when they spent the day with the Philadelphia Eagles, one of the articles remarked that none of them were over 5′9″ or weighed more than 160 pounds and I thought the 160 seemed a bit high.
SQUEEEE sharpld! Totally appropriate moment to squee! How exciting….give it a big ol hug for me!
Thanks for the recap cpaig! It sounds like everyone had an amazing time. I’m going to watch all of the videos when I get home from work tonight! After the tree lighting thing on NBC of course!
And flamom, I am now the proud owner of an iphone that contains 3 very important videos- the fan mail video (which I was able to find from someone else on youtube- I quickly got it onto my hard drive before it gets yanked), the concert from the bonus dvd from the last JB cd, and the rules dvd from ALBL. How cool am I? Or dorky, you pick.
My daughter and I saw them a year ago today at a Verizon meet & greet when they were on the Miley tour. Standing literally 2 feet from them, my first impression was that they were very slight and not tall at all. Kevin seems tall in pictures (must be the man heels), but when so close, they can’t be over 140-150 lbs. My daughter is 5′7″, and at the time was taller than Nick when shaking his hand. But that was a year ago. I just looked at pics of them yesterday shopping at Christian Audiger, and Nick seems much stockier and is taking on his dad’s build. Sitting here discussing their physiques makes me think I’m a little weird. Thank goodness for this site where I can do so and not feel like I need to get a life!
On a side note, did you all see that they’ve gone either gold or platinum in several countries? I would love to know what their total album sales are. After reading your takes on the shows and seeing them live on the WYLMITE tour, I can’t help but think touring is where it’s at for them. It’s what they do best. I wish they would just make music and tour. No TV, movies, etc. No need for the “triple threat”. Just my thoughts…
Cpaig, you nailed it, as usual. Being at both shows, we were a little concerned that the boys would ‘hold back’ at the 3pm to save themselves for the 8pm, but no. They were as pumped and awesome at the 3 as they were at the 8.
Our 3pm seats were so much closer. We were Kevside up off the floor about 10 rows but right near the stage. It was incredible. Our 8pm seats were 3 rows down from the top of the arena, almost all the way to the back. Never again, we are too spoiled now. Although, obviously, given the choice of nosebleeds or not going, I’ll take nosebleeds.
We felt the same way about Honor Society. Meh. They are just not Jonas. Anything else pales in comparison. Luckily their set was very short, 4 songs.
We are not Demi fans either. She really bothers me with her yelling instead of singing. Sorry. It was 6 songs too long, for me. Of course, I come to a JB concert to see JB, so it’s excruciating for me to sit through any kind of warm up band. Even Rooney, who I kind of like.
I’m glad you guys had fun in Vegas, it was our fourth time there, we’ve gone for a week in August a couple times and while it is murderously hot, it is fun to come with no plans and just wander around and see all the sights. There’s plenty to see, even when we come with the kids and don’t gamble or party. It’s a fun town.
SHARPLD!!!! Congrats on the Kevbear!!!! Please hug him for me, as well…and will you post some pics of you with him??!!!!
I agree, sharpld, you don’t need help. I think your pending relationship with the bear is totally healthy. (Ish. Heehee.)
I must be in a post-Jonas funk…I am having one of those days where grabbing my daughter and fleeing it all (a la our “Jonas or Bust” winnebago adventure concept) is sounding really, really appealing. Boo!
Definitely post Jonas funk…Boo! indeed.
I’ll go with you, mememoi, but can we wait until my Kevbear gets here? Our daughters will probably get along famously.
Mollyanne – I will definitley hug the bear for you. Congrats on the iPhone. Glad you snagged the fan mail vid. I can’t find it anymore.
Monica – I saw the shopping pics, too. Nick is buuilt differently than his brothers. He and Kevin both looked adorabl, of course. I just really hope for Kevin’s and Joe’s sake they weren’t too rough on Nick with the big brother punishment. The way he is growing, payback could be painful indeed.
Amanda – Yes, I will hug the bear for you. I can post pics, but trust me, the bear is much cuter than I am! LOL
Flamom – not too long ago you asked about Kevin’s dogtags. I noticed in the pics from the shopping outing with Nick that the one he is wearing now isn’t the same as the one he got when Nick had his new one made. This one looks a lot more like Nick’s and doesn’t have the different colors on it. Damed OJD that I can even tell the difference. And damned OJD again, because now that worries me for Kevin.
Heh sharpid that is so awesome that you won the bear. Every once in awhile you really owe it yourself to splurge on something like that : )
Amanda, I completely agree with you about Demi. I love her personality – I think he is adorable but I think she wails and overuses her voice to a point. I think if she brought it down a notch her voice would sound so much better because I know the girl can sing. I’m just not sold on her yet. But then again I’ve never seen her live and YouTube videos aren’t really known for their sound quality so I should probably wait to judge.
And re: the boys sizes. There are so many conflicting accounts I’ve read of how tall they are. They have always seemed quite petite to me as well – especially when standing next to adults. And for some reason I think that their choice of skinny jeans sometimes highlights the fact that they have short legs. I do think Nick is going to eventually end up significantly taller than his brothers. He’s only 16 and taller then them. And he still has a few years of growing ahead of him.
I’m 5′7″. All I really hope that when I do eventually meet them that they are taller than me. Not that is really matters but I will be sure to wears flats just in case ; )
I guess it would be cool to at least be eye to eye with them…I’m 5′7″ and change myself – I assumed they were a little taller than me – in fact our sister is such a big Tokio Hotel fan so we pored over the photo of them together. The lead singer and his brother are over six feet tall, and the boys were obviously shorter than them, but did not appear to be a full 6 inches (or more) shorter…I once saw a guy with a site devoted to determining celebrity heights by meeting them and calculating their height against his own (ha!! nutty) peg them (Kevin, I think) at around 5′9″. So…who knows?!! But anyway some of the greatest guys I have ever known or crushed on were not particularly tall. Therefore I have decided, I am totally down with shorter guys!!
One question…how un-tall does this all make Mike from Honor Society? I tease, I tease…
Oh and a P.S. on Demi…I really think she is learning to tone it down! I think she will be okay, she is a talent and fun to watch. I really was wrinkling my nose at her at first, and wondering why she was being so heavily promoted, it just didn’t seem like she had what it takes to work. But now I see how it could. That said…I don’t see myself going to see her solo. Or buying more than a single or two of hers (since her recordings captured her fully, irretrievably screamy). I wonder how her album is doing?
I will also work on gathering more clear numbers for the Boys’ album sales, I am curious about this, too!
I know this is kinda OT, but Grammy nominees are announced tonight, Think the boys are up for any??
Oh are they?
I wouldn’t get my hopes up too high. They just aren’t getting that sort of respect yet, unfortunately. But that’s okay, plenty of time!!!
Wonderful to read about your adventures ladies! Thanks for sharing!
Regarding Honor Society – I’ve never heard them. The only thing I know about them is “shady Alex” is in the band – LOL! But their “80s keyboard, creeepy R&B stylings” make me not too eager to give them a listen. Honestly JB has spoiled me so I really have no need for other music!
Congrats Sharpld! I’m so happy you won the bear! I’m sure your husband will get over it eventually. As long as you don’t bring Kevteddy to bed too often! LOL!!!
I know the funk of which you speak. It is so severe it can make you want to throw only your most valuable possessions into a suitcase and follow the boys around the globe. Yep. Still got it. And my concert was in August… *sigh*
So true, Trish. I think I am going to try to set up a Crazy-Nonsense Fund in the hope I can follow them somewhere international. Preferably somewhere like Paris. Got to get a cool weekend out of it, right?
(This likelihood is pretty low barring some strange development in my worklife and/or tax return, though…a trustworthy summer day camp is pricey!!!!)
I would lovvveee to partake in a mini-Jonas road trip. Although not knowing any other Jonas fans might put a bit of a snag in my plans but details, details ; )
I’ve mentioned that I’m a big John Mayer fan. A few summers ago, two friends and I did 3 JM shows over a Friday, Saturday, Sunday in 3 different cities. Probably one of the most fun weekends I have ever had. It was such an experience.
Also, I remember when I was about 15, my parents drove me 7 hours away to see a band that I LOVED at the time perform. They didn’t attend the show – simply dropped my sister (who was not a fan and grumbled throughout the entire show) and I off and then they went out to dinner. Thinking back on it, I can’t believe that they did that, but to this day, I am still so thankful that they did.
I know some of you travelled to Vegas with your kids for these past shows (and other shows) – and really, what lucky kids you guys got. It’s so cool that they will always remember and appreciate those trips.
Really, road tripping for concerts rocks.
What band was it when you were 15? I am DYING to know! You don’t have to tell us, though. I guess.
I am happy to share the Jonases with my little girl (though like a terrible mother I ditched her for this road trip – the concerts are so tough on littler ones! So it was more about sisterly bonding) whenever I can…she’s had her share of Jonas shows, now.
I wonder who she will want to see when she is a teenager? With any luck, still the Jonas Brothers, with me. Haha. (But I am sure there will also be someone new, it’s a ways off.)
Furthermore, I don’t think I was crazy enough about anyone at that age to go and see them and have that bliss, sadly. I was into Guns n Roses and Oasis…but I was never afforded the opportunity to attend those at my delicate age. Darn.
But I remember scoffing at my best girlfriends for their big trip to see NELSON! Yeah, I was one of those. What a little butt.
Girls, am I crazy? I can’t imagine picking up and going to a concert and spending all the $$ on the tickets, and on gas, and on a hotel room (much less a plane trip). I could not love these guys more, but I’m OK with seeing them when they are here in town. I don’t have much excess income and if I do, then I spend it on Disney trips with the family, or visiting my family in New Jersey. Both of which I don’t get to do that often. So I am just too conservative? I feel badly missing out on the shows (I’ve seen only two) but I feel like I have too many responsibilities that have to come first.
OK … where Nick is concerned … never has the description “stockier” been so hot LOL. Only Nick could manage to make “stocky” sound GOOD.
Their dad was much thinner once upon a time – I don’t know if you girls have experienced this but it’s practically a given that guys gain 30 pounds when they get married, and sometimes more over the years. Big Kevin definitely followed the rule. In that video in the church with Kevin singing at 6 years old, his dad is thin.
I was really curious about their waistlines – I’m seriously thinking 29 inches for Joe, 30 for Kevin and 31 for Nick. I think Nick will end up at around 32 and the other two might stay at 30.
I remember my skinny boyfriend was size 31 when we were about 18 – he was only 5′8″ like my dad and brother. Tall enough for me.
My DH is 5′10″ which I do like but whatever.
Just thinking about Nick growing up makes me smile. I’m so bad.
Thoughts on the performance tonight? I am guessing “Tonight.”
Thanks for posting this and describing everything so well! Saying “I wish I could have been there” would be the understatement of the year.
Nick sure knows how to make a girl cry… His speeches are always so damn touching! And how is it POSSIBLE that he’s only 16? He’s so mature. Listening to him makes me feel like an immature brat – and I’m almost 2 years older than him.
Joe looks amazing! The suspenders are adorable. And those arms… Ahhh. I thought they looked great on the video, and now you’re saying that they were actually bigger? Whoa!
Goodnight & Goodbye is one of those songs that must be amazing live! I was jumping up and down on my seat just watching the video. I don’t know how they manage to do all those flips, they’re awesome.
Re: Honor Society. Judging from that one song, I’m not too impressed… But we’ll see. The name of the song reminds me of that old BSB song, “You Wrote the Book On Love” (?), lol. And Trish, I’ve been spoiled by JB, too! Everything else just pales in comparison.
I’ve been wondering about the Boys’ heights, too… I’m about 5 ft 5.5 and I think it would be cool not to tower over them if I got to meet them one day. But if I did get to meet them – and I hope I will! – I’d probably have more important things than height on my mind… Like, “What am I going to say?”, “I love them! Squee!” and “Act cool!”.
Sharpld, it’s so cool that you got the Kevbear! Congrats!!
Flamom, I would be so happy to have seen them perform even once, so two shows sounds pretty good to me!
One of the things that I hate about living in Finland is that none of my favourite bands ever come here. And if they do, it only happens once in a blue moon. I did get to see Backstreet Boys last April though, it was awesome! Maybe JB will find their way here some day… In the meantime I’m just going to have to settle for saving up for plane tickets so that I can go and see them when they next come to Europe!
I heard that they were going to perform Girl of My Dreams. I don’t know if that’s true – I think it was on a fansite.
No flamom, you’re not crazy. I could not get away with traveling anywhere for a concert, simply due to the expense. I did, however, spend about $500 on the Jonas show here last February (tickets, limo, t-shirts, poster, glow sticks, food) and my husband, bless him, didn’t even scoff at it. My very first concert was Foreigner when I was 15. My parents just dropped my best friend and I off at the arena! I think back on that and cannot believe they did that. And then Duran Duran – but by that time we were 16 and could drive. Then many, many more concerts after that – Journey, REO, Hooters, Def Lepperd, Billy Squier, Ratt, Rod Stewart, John Mellencamp, N’Sync……..and others I can’t think of. I am really dating myself here. But I am so glad I can share the concert experience with my girls. Times have changed!
Monica – Foreigner, Duran Duran, Journey? Wow! I’m jealous. You’ve seen everybody!
My money for tonight’s performance will be on their ‘Joy To The World’ song from that Target Christmas CD. I know they pre-taped a performance of that for the Disney Christmas parade.
I’m trying to remember – don’t most performers sing festive music at the Lighting?
I will have to look at the church video again, I don’t remember finding Kevin Sr. very thin? Normal, definitely. I’ll look again.
Flamom, you’re definitely not crazy! But I think it all depends. This was definitely among the more impulsive things that I have done, but, you know, it was an awesome way to recharge and indulge myself for a couple of days. And a good chance to travel somewhere new in a way I haven’t in sooooo long. I don’t do anything like that too often, so – no regrets, here. I totally needed it.
When LBF is old enough, and if I can convince our mother, we’ll do a lot more stuff like this…especially on the road. Concert road trips are the bomb for bonding and adventures!!!
Nick is definitely the stockiest bro (we’ll see how Frankie goes) but that is only in relative terms and he wears it so well…he looked pretty robust when he was little and his thinness always seemed to me to mostly be a factor of his illness. As for Joe and Kevin, they can probably eat as much junk as they can find time to eat these days but are still burning more calories running around than they are taking in. The miracle of youth!
Oh, speaking of Frankie, did anyone see that he was cast as an English voiceover for the new Miyazaki animated film? I am a Miyazaki fan, so I find this is very cool….more cache than the Farting Dog movie I’d say – go Frankie!
And OH, mememoi, the band was Hanson – I don’t know what it is with me and brother acts ; )
RANDOM. So guess what just popped up?! ” Is Kevin Jonas Breaking Up The Jonas Brothers? According to an insider…Kevin is secretly working on a solo album with an alternative music bent. He wants adult fans and to sing adult music. He loves his brothers but he definitely wants a solo career…” After my initial ‘that’s bs’ reaction, it kind of sunk in that what if this is true? Honestly, I wouldn’t mind. After hearing him sing at the HOB in LA, that boy can sing. And unfortunately, that talent is not being put to use in the band.
Funny, Gen, that’s relevant to a conversation Cpaig and I were having on our trip…
I can definitely see the Boys branching out in their own directions and doing songs that “belong” more exclusively to each brother in a sonic way (and Kevin singing more)…but that’s something lots of band members do, still within their band, as it ages, but on their albums as a band. I think that would be cool, and I am not sure I could see Kevin doing it any other way. Only time will tell.
Just because he hasn’t done it up until this point, doesn’t mean the band isn’t necessarily open to it, you know? I felt that was a big part of why they did the HOB show, to experiment with what people responded to. For example, I loved Joe getting to delve into his pet musical stylings with “Twenty-Four”, I thought it was great…so I made sure to visit their MySpace and say so.
Anyone else have thoughts on that?
Good conversations that I missed today! I’m so bummed! I’ll try and add my two cents.
I’ve only been to one show….as I became a huge fan in about May- so I saw them when they came to Indy this summer. And I’m still in a post-Jonas funk too…no worries. I’m this close to packing up my valubles and following the boys too! I could really really use that Jonas-Con RV trip/party thing!!! Let’s go!
If I had the spare funds (being fresh out of college means I’m still basically a broke college student) I would totally pack up and head to those random shows!!! How fun! It’s good to get away and recharge every once in awhile.
Hahaha Amanda. “Can you take some pictures with the bear and post them?” Too funny! You said exactly what I was thinking but didn’t want to say out loud!!! I can already picture this hilarious photoshoot…totally something I would do.
Thanks Monica and Elisa – here’s my list of concerts – eclectic that it is!
Donny & Marie 1977 (my first love was Donny – apparently I have always liked the religious types LOL!)
Van Halen 1982
Duran Duran 1984 (and about 5x after that thru this year and I am DONE with them live)
Culture Club 1984
Prince 1984
Frankie Goes to Hollywood
Vince Clarke solo
David Lee Roth
Bon Jovi (twice)
Skid Row
Cinderella
Great White (multiple times)
Whitesnake
Crimson Glory
U2 (twice I think)
Queensryche
Rush (a couple of times)
Wham!
Thompson Twins
Power Station
OMD (Orchestral Maneuvres in the Dark)
Poison (at least twice)
Ratt (not in their prime)
Dokken (not in their prime)
LA Guns (not in their prime)
Jonas Brothers (twice)
Rooney (obviously)
Hannah Montana (!)
Most of these were pre-kids. And a lot were in high school!
I forgot Robert Hazard. I think I saw the Hooters. I must have, I was in Cherry Hill at the height of their fame.
OMG on a Kevin Jonas album. No, I definitely don’t want any solo projects now. Not for a bunch more years! I dont’ want any more projects at ALL. Just work on that 4th album guys. PLEASE.
LOL, flamom, right? Let them grow into solo projects! They’ve only just begun! (Carpenter reference intentional.)
And – WOW your concert lists are impressive!! I am so jealous!!!
I will have to think about mine, there are some I really can’t remember. My first show was The Monkees, when I was 6. After that…hmmm…I don’t think I went to very many in my youth, I was more a movie obsessed girl, all the way, and I just watched MTV for my music fix. Or musicals, which I guess don’t count.
The biggest name shows I saw in my life pre-Jonas that standout in my mind are Robbie Williams, Travis, um…Eliott Smith twice…and an assortment of, like, little jazz and blues or little indie bands or friends in bands in various basements and dives in New York, New Orleans or Paris that I couldn’t name today to save my life! LOL. Oh and Andrew WK once at a rave sort of thing. So, um…not very big.
When LBF was littler I took her to the Wiggles, They Might Be Giants and Dan Zanes! And as a family we took in a bluegrass type show for kids at Levon Helms’ studio outside of Woodstock, NY…
So, the Jonases are my first act I’ve ever liked (and actually seen – sorry GnR, Oasis and the Verve) that one would even be able to see in an arena!! I’m quite intoxicated by it.
And since seeing them I’ve been consuming more live music than ever, in general. In the last year: Kate Nash, Kanye West, Rihanna, N.E.R.D., Lupe Fiasco, Paramore, Iggy Pop, Lil Wayne (ish – festival), Bob Dylan, She & Him (ish – festival). And having SO much fun with that.
See, revolutionary Jonas impact! All in all…this is why I had to go to Vegas – so much catching up to do!
I’ve always loved music but the JB have reminded how much I truly LOVE it…I can’t get enough. And how much I love seeing live shows!
sharpld- 7minutesinjonas (how do these people come up with these names?) posted the fan mail vid on youtube! just type in fan mail in the search bar and it’s a few down. Then rip it quickly before it’s gone!!!
Oh my goodness, you all are so much cooler than me!! lol My concerts were:
The Osmonds (multiple times)
Donny & Marie (twice that I remember?!)
Air Supply (twice)
England Dan and John Ford Coley
Phil Collins
Rod Stewart
Journey
Eric Martin Band
Rich Little (does that count as a concert?!)
Shania Twain
Garth Brooks
Confederate Railroad
Night Ranger
Foreigner
38 Special (multiple times)
Hilary Duff
Backstreet Boys
Jonas Brothers (4x)
But see…I would have loved to have been at any of those concerts!! Especially Phil Collins, not gonna lie.
lol, Mememoi. I have to say that my fav Phil Collins song has to be ‘Easy Lover’ with Philip Bailey.
That is a good one.
Flamom I went back to read your live list…first off, do you remember being at the Prince show? Was it amazing?
And second, why no more live Duran Duran?
OMG Bon Jovi & U2!Did I mention this was impressive?
aieeeeeeee!
They are nominated for a GRAMMY! Best New Artist! That is serious stuff!!!!!! Even my DH is impressed!
Did you not love how they transitioned from Hey JB, aren’t you excited for your nomination? to Taylor Take It Away! Joe’s face fell!
On a better note, Joe looks much less sick than earlier in the week/weekend!
I loved “Easy Lover.” I will always remember dancing with a hot older guy in a teen nightclub to that song!!!
I saw Bon Jovi twice literally because I wanted to see Skid Row open up for them, and then Cinderella open up for them.
Oh, I forgot – I also saw Beatlemania (I was a total Beatle lover from the time I found my brother’s LPs in maybe 1980 or so). And I saw Tesla. I was a huge metal fan too – I still like those bands. Great White replaced Duran Duran as my favorite band in the late 80s and I basically would still put them up high on my list. Probably #2 to Jonas, but Jonas is SO far out there it’s ridiculous.
The only bands I loved so much were Duran Duran and Wham! and nothing has been so all-consuming for me since – until the Jonas Brothers. They are seriously like a DRUG for me. They make me beam from ear to ear.
I said to my DH I NEVER cared about a goshdarn Emmy Nomination before!!!! But it’s like my own FAMILY member was nominated, I am so proud.
HOLY EFFING EFFERS!!!
Sorry, I’ve composed myself.
As you can see, I tried to talk myself out of any hope – I can’t believe my Idolator friends were right!!! This is THRILLING!
Hold thoughts peeps – blog post pending!
Kevin in a solo career? Hmmm. I found the article in my Google alerts. Taken from Star magazine, so… not buying it. He is certainly talented enough, but I think the magic is in the combination of the three, at least for now. I hope they can grow a bit and that Kevin and Joe can take ownership of songs like Nick already has – if that is what they want.
Nothing like a grammy nomination to finish off an amazing week!
Oh mememoi – yes I loved that Prince show. It was unbelievable. I was really in love with him first of all, and I knew all of his music to that point – even the really dirty stuff LOL. I just loved him. I was blown away by it.
That was a really good year for me musically, 1984. I was into so much stuff then. I lived very close to the Spectrum in Philly, and I had a group of BFFs and we went to a lot of concerts. That was when we had to SLEEP OUT for tickets! LOL! We spent so many nights at the local sporting goods mom and pop! A really really FUN time!
Re Duran Duran – oy. I have been through SO much with this band. They were my whole world for a few years, and the place ALL my money went. I had everything – every magazine, every poster, every pin, every book, every imported book and LP, every “long version,” every “picture disk” (do you remember THOSE!?) … I calculated once in 9th grade I had spent $1500 on them! That’s like $40K in grownup bucks!
I was in love with Simon le Bon. I wrote risque FAN FICTION about me and him! That was WAY before the Internet LOL! It was pretty intense stuff, esp for a really innocent 14 year old! Oh, I was crazy. All my friends were. They were all John, Nick and Roger fans though.
Anyway, that 1984 concert was the best experience of my life – it stayed that way until I got married and had kids. For real! I still remember every part of it – getting ready, going, singing every word, smashing the chairs we stood on on the floor down to the ground we were dancing so hard on them, my friend’s high heels making a hole in the chair. I planned for months for the show – I wrote out an entire itinerary of the day of the show (8:30 brush hair, etc.).
Well, you can imagine nothing else was ever as good as that. I was pretty intense at that time (that’s putting it mildly). When I saw Van Halen in 1982, I was so excited for it I could not even listen to VH afterwards, I would get so upset I could not handle it. So I saw Duran Duran lots more times over the years but as they “grew” as artists, IMO they got worse not better.
At least they became uninteresting to me. I was real angry when they did that reggae version of “Hungry Like the Wolf” for instance. And I basically hated Arcadia totally. (Power Station rocked – I love Robert Palmer)
They just never measured up to themselves or that night again! When they reunited we saw them, and that was pretty good, but they did not even have VIDEO SCREENS and I could not see a thing and I was like – the “kings of video” don’t have screens???? And they all look/looked so old and tired!!! and worn out. It made me sad.
And last year my DH & I went (and spent lots of moolah) to see them at a small outdoor ampitheatre here in town and it was not terrible but it just wasn’t for me. They are into electronica now, and I am happy for them since they are obviously enjoying it but I did not go along with their ride whatsoever. Not to mention their politics are not hidden and let’s just say I don’t agree with them (I guess I used to but I changed over the last 24 years and they have not). They make me feel OLD.
The Jonas Brothers make me feel old but in a funny way – and in a lot of ways they make me feel YOUNG, like alive and hopeful. I figured out the other day that they represent for me a hope for the next generation of true GOODNESS. The goodness I hope I am raising my kids with. They make me truly hopeful.
I don’t expect them to let me down. Frankly most of my “heroes” have in some way. But I really am young at heart and I believe!
I’m so sorry girls – I’m so wordy tonight – but I think the Kevin solo rumors are due to his recent 21-ness and sexy-ness thing. I think the media wants to try to “set him apart” from the other “young” guys in the band. Won’t work Star Magazine!!!!!
Oh, and did anyone else think it was funny (cute funny) that Nick, Joe and Kevin were bundled up like it was 30 below on the tree lighting show, but that the backup band were wearing simple pullovers! Hee hee!
OK, I will hold the SQUEE!!. But still doing the happy dance.
As for concert lists, I wanna play!
Heart
.38 Special
Huey Lewis
Alabama
Lots and lots and lots of local bands in college (Southern Culture on the Skids, Snatches of Pink, Ben Folds Five, Sex Police, Warehouse, Chew Toy, spent a summer touring with a band called Liquid Sound, etc.)
R.E.M.
Men without Hats
IceHouse
Nirvana
L7
Fugazi
Smashing Pumpkins
Concrete Blonde
Sting
Living Color
Body Count
Nine Inch Nails x3
Jane’s Addiction x3
A Perfect Circle
Tool
Soul Coughing
U2
That’s all I can remember right now…
College OMG! I forgot college!
I saw the Alarm at UMass. Awesome! I still LOVE them!
And I forgot the Black Crowes. I saw them back around that same time.
I loved Icehouse! That singer had a great mullet. LOL!
Yes he did, Flamom! They actually played at my college. Real high point in their career, I am sure.
OK Concerts…
I have been to many of the same as Mememoi this year (Kanye, N.E.R.D, Rihanna, Lupe Fiasco, Kate Nash, The Tracktenberg Family Players (0_0), She and Him, The Stooges, NIN, Bob Dylan, Paramore, L’il Wayne, and we saw The Monkeys and Herman’s Hermits together)
I also saw Swell Season and will be seeing They Might Be Giants (for the 6th time) at the end of the month.
I have also seen:
Bob Dylan – 2 other times
Raconteurs
Stevie Ray Vaughn (among others – Bob Dylan ballpark tour)
David Bowie
NIN
Dave Matthews Band
Weezer
Live
Primus
Powerman 5000
Jonas (6 times)
1993 Lollapalooza which included: Primus, Alice in Chains, Dinosaur Jr., Fishbone, Arrested Development, Front 242, Babes in Toyland, Tool, Rage Against the Machine
Rooney
Velora
The Boys have definitely inspired me to listen to more music and enjoy live shows when I can.
Mememoi and I are looking for a good Country act to go and see…any suggestions?
Sharpld, Huey Lewis!!! A true Bay Area band that made it big! I am originally from Calif. moved to Idaho 20 years ago but I loved the all the Bay Area bands.
cpaig – You saw Primus!!!! I am so jealous!
I didn’t go to the 1993 Lollapalooza, I went the first year in ‘91 (one of my 3 times seeing NIN and Jane’s Addiction). I love Primus. And Fishbone. Dang, I should have gone to that show.
flamom, I LOOOOOVE everything you said – your stories are awesome.
It’s funny, I feel the same about the Boys. They give me total hope for the future, that there is a possibility of goodness in the midst of all the mess and BS. Beyond the music itself which I love, they are so good. I am sure they won’t be perfect in all things, but I think they will always be just fine!
And BTW I totally forgot about when I got to see Pearl Jam!!!
That was so surreal, I couldn’t believe it, I really loved them too.
Oh thanks mememoi! I am feeling so very verbal this evening.
Cpaig, I am holding out for Dolly Parton, dang it!!
Though people rave about Rascal Flatts and Sugarland.
(I don’t think I’m up for any pop country princesses though. Not even Carrie Underwood.)
So … no Got Me Going Crazy or Live to Party, huh?
What was Pushing Me Away like? I love that live. Why don’t they play that these days? I hope it gets released as a single (so much).
Oh my gosh flamom and Amanda – Donny Osmond was my first crush! I loved him so much, I even had purple socks in his honor and I still know to this day what his birthdate is – Dec. 9. I played Puppy Love over and over on my little RCA record player. Never missed the Donny & Marie show! Joe Jonas is my daughter’s Donny Osmond.
I forgot about college shows, too! Saw Cheap Trick, Bryan Adams, Rainbow, 707, Huey Lewis & the News…..can’t remember the others. But REO Speedwagon was my absolute obession. I freaking loved them….
There was also a local band here in the midwest – Shooting Star – has anyone heard of them? They were so incredibly awesome. Saw them with Honeymoon Suite. This is bringing back so many memories!
Sadly, no, flamom.
I think it calls for some emergency HOB shows (superfans only) up and down the Eastern Seaboard, personally.
I also saw the Outfield in a tiny July 4 concert locally – maybe like 8 years ago. LOL!
Oh, Donny … I had the D & M dolls, and the stage. And I taped all their shows on my portable cassette player and when my dad turned the pages of his newspaper during the show I flipped out at him!
My BFF and I used to play Donny and Marie and she’d always make me Donny. I’m a little bit country – I’m a little bit rock and roll! And their teeth were all beautiful. And the JB have great teeth. Hmmmm. As well as great hair. Lots in common!
I agree…we were outside whichever resort has a Donny and Marie show at the moment in Vegas, looking at their larger than life faces up there, and musing on the comparisons some people have made of the Jonases to the Osmonds. I am totally down with that, even though the Osmonds predate me in a way that leaves me sort of unfamiliar with them. I know our oldest sis looooved them. And that we all loved Donny & Marie’s talk show in the 90s. They have that down-to-earth, familial camaraderie thing in common as well.
So cool to read everyone’s concert lists. So many legendary artists and diverse tastes! I’m very jealous of many. It makes me wonder if any of the bands that I saw in my teens and am seeing right now in my early 20s will go to become “legendary” artists.
sharpld: When did you see Fugazi? I can only imagine how awesome and intense a Fugazi show would have been.
Oh, I thought of another really good show I saw! David Sylvian. Do you remember him? He was with a group called Japan. He was so handsome back then.
Oh gosh, flamom – I love your Duran post! My infatuation with them was nearly identical. Right down to the Simon fantasies! LOL!
And I had everything – magazines, puzzle, vinyl imports, a silver ‘roadie’ jacket… I actually recouped a bit of my teenage $$ by selling the stuff on eBay the last couple of years!
I LOVE this: “I figured out the other day that they represent for me a hope for the next generation of true GOODNESS.” JB are truly something special. Something we haven’t seen the likes of in my lifetime, and something that is much needed.
Concerts, hmm… can’t even remember half of them. Used to go to all sorts of shows at hole-in-the-wall clubs with friends on weekends. Saw Elvis Costello at one of those when I was way too young to appreciate him.
Thank you Trish! I really appreciate that!!
mememoi and cpaig, Dolly Parton would be awesome in concert. I would be willing to make a couple of Country artist recommendations (I promise, no princesses!) for whatever they are worth.
I have seen both Clint Black and Vince Gill in concert, and they are both fantastic performers, TRULY gifted musicians (multiple instruments in both cases), terrific singers, and they both write their own material. They are no longer at the top of Nashville because they are older, but they were both as big as they could get 15 years ago. Back in those days musicianship rather than youth and looks counted for something in Nashville. If you ever get an opportunity to see either of them I don’t think you’d be disappointed.
Awesome, coolmom, thank you!
I will look into them. For current country crossovers, I might also check out the Grammy competition, Lady Antebellum, as well…and people are raving about Sugarland – I have one of their singles. But when I listen I am not sure I will know how they stack up to the classics. My sense of country is limited to huge legends like Dolly and Johnny Cash.
Well you certainly can’t go wrong with Dolly and Johnny, but if you’re wondering about other seminal Country artists here’s a few names near and dear to my heart:
The Carter Family: The first and greatest dynasty, can’t get better or more pure roots music.
Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys: where Texas Swing began.
Hank Williams: Must listen.
Marty Robbins: Bless his Arizona-born heart, awesome songwriter, and his voice will absolutely break your heart.
Chet Atkins: The guitarist that revered guitarists revere.
Eddy Arnold: One of the smoothest, most beautiful voices ever.
Thatz – I was lucky enoug to see Fugazi in 1992 (yes, I am old) in an underground club run by some of my friends. They loved Fugazi and managed to get them to come play. It was intense. I treauser those memories.
That’s so awesome, sharpld! At my former college radio station I used to look through old photos, and there were all these old pictures of Fugazi, Nirvana, etc playing shows at small clubs, before anyone really knew who they were. I was always very jealous.
I was fortunate enough to see Nirvana before they broe, too, in a very small club in Chapel Hill, NC, with maybe 200 other people. It was awesome. I didn’t know then what I was seeing. I just knew they were amazing. I didn’t know they would change the muscial landscape. That is another fond memory.