Guess Who's Back, Back Again?

 I'm back!

          After (almost) a one year break from this music blog, I'm back to attending and writing about my live show experiences.  Since last year, I have tasted the bitterness of failure and the sweetness of victory!  I took the Florida Bar Exam in July of 2012 and did not pass.  The day I found out was filled with tears, Entenmann's chocolate donuts and some seriously sappy movies.  The kind of movies you can only watch when you are feeling low and for some reason only want to feel lower.  I can't remember what movies I watched, I only remember it feeling slightly inappropriate to be crying so hard in the middle of the afternoon.  As if crying like that is reserved for 3:00AM on the bathroom floor. 
 
          However, the next day I peeled myself out of bed and vowed to get it right the second time around.  "I will pass the Florida Bar Exam in February 2013!"  That's exactly what I did!  I sequestered myself in Islamorada from November to February (mostly in pj's without a brush through my hair).  Some days I would study from the time I woke up, until the time I went to bed, having never seen the outside the whole day.  Sounds pretty attractive huh?  In the last week of February I sat for the exam.  I gorged myself on the free brie and snacks from Marriott's concierge lounge, littered my hotel room with study materials and powered through those hellish 2 days.  On April 15th, I got the good news that I would never have to experience that ordeal again.  I was finally able to say, "I passed."  The beautiful thing about the whole experience was the outpouring of love, encouragement, strength, and positivity I received from my family and friends.  We may have our own bodies, but if we are lucky in life, we don't live alone.  There is nothing like a strong support group to get you through the tough times.  Sometimes you need someone who loves you to remind you exactly what you're capable of. 

         If we are even luckier in life we will experience some great moments highlighted by some great music.  It brings me great joy to say that I will be leaving for my 8th annual Bonnaroo trip in 2 weeks time.  We officially have 10 of us going.  It's the most people we've had camping since our first year in 2006!  The music at Bonnaroo is incredible, but it's not the same unless you have people to share it with.  See my old post about Bonnaroo here.  http://www.ajourneythroughmusic.blogspot.com/2011/09/6-year-bonnaroo-vet.html

 
          The lineup for Bonnaroo 2013 can be found at www.bonnaroo.com.  As always it is extensive as it is eclectic.  For now I will focus on the three main headliners, Paul McCartney, Mumford and Sons and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.
 
          PAUL MCCARTNEY!!!  I'm going to see a real life Beatle live in person!!!  Holy crap!  I apologize. But seriously?  A Beatle!  I am convinced that 'Hey Jude' will be an experience filled with goosebumps and tears.  There something spiritual about a song like that being sung by 80,000 people in unison.   
 

          Mumford and Sons is a band I've only recently discovered.  In the last year or so, I've heard their songs here and there.  I saw them perform on TV.  I was intrigued.  I liked them.  Then it happened.  I saw their documentary, 'Road to Redrocks.'  That was it.  That was my "ah ha" moment with them.  I believe I will have a long smoldering love affair with Mumford and Sons.  Their music is vibrant, alive and passionate.  I think seeing their performance on the farm this year is going to be one for the history books.  I imagine myself dancing in a beautiful circle with my nearest and dearest with flowers in my hair!
 

          Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.  Sounds so formal doesn't it?  I mean, for a guy I know on a first name basis.  Tom has been there for some of the happiest moments of my life.  He was there at my very first Bonnaroo.  Me and 80,000 of my friends belted out the words to, 'You don't know how it feels,' 'Free fallin,' and 'I won't back down,' like it was our last night on Earth.  It was one of the most memorable shows I have ever experienced.  For some reason it felt like I understood his lyrics for the first time.  I had been a huge fan for years.  But seeing him on the farm,  really connected us.  It didn't hurt that he brought the legendary Stevie Nicks on stage with him for a few songs.  Incredible.  This year he is closing out the festival.  He is the very last performance on Sunday night.  I couldn't think of a better way to say goodbye to another year at Bonnaroo.
 

          I head out for this year's Bonnaroo with a clear mind, with love in my heart, gratitude, and 10 of my closest friends.

          Don't forget to follow me on Twitter! https://twitter.com/journythrumusic I will be tweeting from this year's Bonnaroo!

Helpful links:

www.bonnaroo.com
www.paulmccartney.com
www.mumfordandsons.com
www.tompetty.com

Graduation and Hiatus Explanation

Big news! 

     I graduated from law school! 3 years of madness down. But I still have one more hurdle to jump: The Florida Bar Exam.  I tackle the beast on July 24 and 25 in Tampa, FL.  Now it's time to prepare for the last standardized test of my life (hopefully).  Studying for the bar has put a serious damper on going to concerts and show write ups.  Soon my studying days will be over and I will join the real world again.  When that happens I will bask in my freedom by attending live shows and sharing my experiences, pictures, and videos with you.  In the meantime, enjoy some music for me for the next 8 weeks, as I will be trapped in a hell of practice problems, endless books, and coffee tweaks.  Wish me luck!

 

 Shows I attended but still need to write about: 
-Red Hot Chili Peppers
-Jon Leguizamo
-Ultra Music Fest

Shows I'm missing to study for the bar: 
-Bonnaroo (such heartbreak)
-Tim McGraw/ Kenny Chesney

Shows I am attending once I regain freedom:
-Kiss/Mötley Crew
-Eddie Vedder
-Ted Nugent

 

Skrillex

Skrillex

Fillmore Miami Beach at The Jackie Gleason Theater

Miami Beach, FL 

December 17, 2011

 

          I thought it was appropriate to post my Skrillex experience during the week of the World Music Conference.  The World Music Conference also known as Ultra Music Festival is taking place this weekend, March 23-25, 2012, in Miami, FL.  Skrillex will be performing on the Main Stage on Friday at 9:10pm.  Sonny John Moore (Skrillex) is a master dubstepsman.  He drops beats that you can feel in your chest a week after the show.  In a genre of music with copy cat artists and unoriginal sounds, he stands out.  I see Skrillex as being before his time.  His time being about fifty years in the future.  I picture teenagers in silver studded suits, dyed hair and piercings living on the moon someday listening to his music.  The sound that comes out of the speakers when he takes the stage is simply space aged.  If I could compare it to something I would.  For me it is very enjoyable to watch someone so good at their craft.  To quote Beavis and Butthead, "he warps space and time."  That's what it feels like.  That's what it sounds like.  It is always a successful evening when filled with loud music, laughter, dancing and great company.  I know this sounds rather vague but there are not words in existence to describe what Skrillex sounds like.  Sometimes you have to hear something for yourself.  Not only was the music mind blowing but the stage set up was from the future too.  His clothing or actual body was rigged with sensors that controlled a giant robot on the screen behind him.  It looked as though a huge futuristic robot was playing the show for us.  He moved, the robot moved.  I had never seen anything like it.  When I see someone really reach their audience I always say, "He knows what he's doing." He does.  If you're not into dubstep Skrillex may be a little harsh for your taste but if you listen with an open mind you may just see the future.          

Me in pink at Skrillex

   

 

12th Planet

          12th Planet was the opening act for Skrillex.  He's closer to house than dubstep.  I had never heard of him before the show and I left a fan.  12th Planet is also playing Ultra Music Festival on Saturday at the UMF Brazil stage at 5:00pm.  

Skrillex and 12th Planet

 

This is what he looks like up close.


Skrillex Discography:

Studio Albums:
2012: Voltage

Extended plays:
2010: My Name Is Skrillex
2010: Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites
2011: More Monsters and Sprites
2011: Bangarang

Be sure to check out videos from this show and others I've been to on my YouTube channel!  http://www.youtube.com/user/AJourneyThroughMusic?feature=guide

Side note: The delay in my blog output has a direct correlation with me being in my last year of law school.  I currently have 54 days until graduation (May 12, 2012)!  Unfortunately after I graduate I will be studying for the bar and there will be a severe drop off in concert attendance and fun in general.  I am actually missing bonnaroo this year for the first time in six years, as well as a Tim McGraw show.  Ugh.  More on this later.