Yallapalooza 2011 Featuring Eric Church - Kansas City 8/27/11

Yesterday, was Q104's 17th annual Yallapalooza at Sandstone featuring Eric Church.  The music itself was great but I first need to start off by talking about the train-wreck that is Sandstone.

The place is just awful.  It really should just be closed.  Since it was purchased a few years ago, it has not had any updates and has gone downhill.  It was supposed to be one of the first "green" concert venues.  I guess "green" that means you let it deteriorate so bad that it fades back into nature.

The food vendors were terrible, you had the option of some fries, nachos, soda and beer.  Not good at all.  They weren't even all open.  The seats were also in awful shape, could really use some paint and the metal part was getting very rusted out.

Then the bathrooms, they were gross.  Not clean at all...then later in the night one was closed because it "exploded".  Not sure I want to know what that means but it cannot be good!

On the positive side, the sound was really good.  I just hope if they have this next year, it is somewhere else.  Sandstone either needs a big makeover or to retire.

Now to the music...

First up, the Dirt Drifters.  I had seen them earlier this summer opening up for Clay Walker.  I really enjoy them and wish they could have played longer.

The Dirt Drifters are so confident in their music that they were giving their CD away for free.  I am betting it worked, because all of their songs are really good. 

My favorite song by them right now is "Always a Reason" so I had to get that...

Next up was Hunter Hayes...I was really not that excited to see him.  I only had heard one song and it sounds a little too feminine for me.

I can say I liked him much better than I thought I would.  He played a more bluesy style of country.  He also seems to be a really talented guitar player too...even played a little keyboard.  One of my favorite things about concerts, finding an artist that can win you over.

And here is his first single, "Storm Warning"...

Next up was David Nail.  I missed part of him due to the M&G, but what I heard was great.  He really played up that he was from Missouri and had band members who went to KU and KSU.  He said even though he was from Missouri, he loved the area.  "If Bell Self walked out on stage right now, I would hug the shit out of him."

David seemed really excited to be there.  I think being on tour all the time, he liked being in the same general area that he is from.  He even sounded like he got emotional on a few songs.

Here he is singing his current single, "Let it Rain"...

I enjoyed David Nail, but like I said...I missed a large chunk of it.  I am curious to see how the rest of his career goes...here he is singing "Red Light"...

And finally it was time for Eric Church.  I have seen him so many times I decided I wasn't getting any songs except ones from the new album "Chief".

An Eric Church concert is about lots of things...drinking, Eric's energy, the crowd knowing all his songs...you put all of that together and you get a unique country concert experience.

Not many other artists would have people going crazy for a song that was never on the radio.  For example, all the people waving their boots around during "These Boots"...

Not sure how else to even describe an Eric Church concert.  It is really close to being a rock show.  It is funny to see these women who know him for "Hell on the Heart" or "Love Your Love the Most" and see how crazy the crowd is.

Eric was joining right in with the party last night.  He slammed a couple of beers on stage...just like the crowd had been doing all night...

Even though the venue was pure garbage, the concert was great.  Eric Church is consistently entertaining in concert...he just never disappoints. 

And here are the songs of Eric I got...

Drink in My Hand

I'm Getting Stoned

Homeboy

Creepin

Jack Daniels

Jerrod Niemann Concert Recap - Kansas City 8/26/11

The last night of the summer season of Hot Country Nights at the Kansas City Power & Light District happened yesterday.  Jerrod Niemann was the last performer and it was the most crowded of the year besides the Band Perry.

I have seen Jerrod maybe 10 times.  I have been following him for almost two years.  I used to hear One More Drinkin Song about 2 years ago.  Lover, Lover was on XM57 way before normal radio also.  I saw him last year at Whiskey Tango and no one even knew who he was.  Very different story now!

I was a little worried about the sound.  It was off during the opening act and when the Q104 DJs came out, you couldn't heard them.  Fortunately, the sound was way better for Jerrod.  The weather was good too, the walk from the car was like a fall day.

Jerrod's debut album was named one of the best of last year, heck even the NY Times said so.  I have heard all the songs live before and pretty much the style that he does them.  Nothing wrong with it, but it even limited the videos I took.

Jerrod did mix in some covers I have never seen him do.  I really liked his version of Santeria!

The crowd was very into the show tonight.  A few times I felt they were a little extra rowdy but what do you expect from a party crowd?  Plenty of kids there and Jerrod's songs are really not very offensive.

This fall Jerrod is opening for Dierks Bentley along with Eli Young Band.  I hope it comes close, because I will for sure be there.

Going to miss going downtown every Thursday night...will make for a long winter.  They normally have some shows throughout the fall/winter, but it is not the same.

Here is Jerrod's best known song so far, "Lover, Lover"...

And another great cover, "Dixieland Delight"...

Pistol Annies Album out tomorrow (8/23/11)!!!!

The Pistol Annies' debut single comes out tomorrow, titled Hell on Heels.  It is Miranda Lambert's new group that looks to let her release some songs she would not otherwise.

I was at Miranda Lambert's Fan Club party in Nashville in June.  There she had the Pistol Annies play 3 songs from this album.

So I have heard 4 or 5 songs from the album and they all sound really fun.  I think the other two girls were in Miranda's wedding which is pretty cool.

Ashley Monroe was at the Power & Light District a couple of years ago.  She has had one sort of successful song at the time, but I think is more destined to be a hit than anything she did solo.  I also know she is a successful songwriter, she was a co-writer on Jason Aldean's "The Truth".

The Annies seem to love to sing about drinking and men.  So it really is pretty mush everything Miranda already sings about except with a couple additional voices.

Angaleena Presley is the third member of the group.  I don't know anything about her past but you can tell that girl has some personality.  She would be someone you wouldn't want to piss off.

I think this will be an album I will be playing a ton when it comes out tomorrow.  Miranda Lambert's magic touch continues...

Boy from the South

Heel on Heels

Josh Thompson Concert Recap - Kearney, MO 8/20/11

For the 2nd time in 2 weeks, I went to Keanrey Amphitheatre to see a concert.  The difference was 20 degrees lower which made the same venue so much better.  We actually had to put jackets on near the end.  Kearney does a great job of hosting these concerts and I am looking forward to see what they have in 2012.

Josh Thompson is one of my favorite new country artists.  I have seen him maybe 10 times...at his fan club  party, opening for Dierks, opening for Eric Church and even by himself a couple times.  It was another great night with him.  I can't wait till his next album comes out.

Josh's album "Way Out Here" has such a great collection of songs. I have heard him do almost every song on the album several times.  I really never get tired of any of them, I would go see him tonight if I could...

He also did a few covers.  I wouldn't mind him putting out some sort of iTunes album where he did only covers. 

Josh sounded great and full of energy.  He said he had been fishing and drinking beer in the pond at the park all day, and he was ready to party.

He played a couple new songs.  I like them all and hearing them just makes me want to hear that new album even more.

Josh Thompson really connects well with an audience.  I think everyone that was there will now be a fan.

My favorite song by Josh Thompson for sure is "Way Out Here"...when you live Kansas I think you can really relate to it.  When you see some of the stuff on the news, you feel like you live in a different country..

We just saw Jason Aldean last week and it was cool to hear Josh do a song he wrote for Jason's new album..

I have seen Josh so many times...it was hard to get any videos since I already had almost all of them already on my YouTube channel.  He was just as good as always and I look forward to his new music and another tour.

Craig Campbell Concert Recap - Kansas City 8/18/11

Another week, another great show at Kansas City Power & Light District.  Been going to them all summer and I am kind of sad that it will be over next week.  There is always next summer!

I doubt a ton of people there had seen him before.  I had actually seen him last November in Ft Scott opening for Luke Bryan.  It was right before "Family Man" came out so no one really knew who he was.

Craig Campbell is what I would call an old fashioned country singer.  He has tight songs and he stands behind the mic and sings them.  No dancing or any sudden movements for Craig...he is letting the music speak for itself.

Craig Campbell might be a "New" artist but he has put his time in Nashville.  He played weekly on Broadway for a few years and it shows.  He has a specific sound and his backing band was one of the best that has rolled through P&L this summer.

He played several covers and they were right on the money.  He went through some of his favorite songs and I think the crowd definitely agreed with him on those choices.  "Killin' Time" was maybe my favorite.

Craig has plenty of original songs too.  I can't say I know all of them, but there wasn't one that I thought was lacking or that he should stop playing.  That is pretty unusual.

I knew Craig had played with Luke Bryan but I figured he had played guitar.  Nope, he played piano.  He sat down and did a couple songs on the piano which was unique.  For album two, we need some more piano based songs!

The sound was the best it has been at P&L all summer.  You could hear Craig clearly along with all the other instruments, including the fiddle!

Craig's first single was "Family Man".  This is what make country music great...he actually sings a song about being a father and husband.  You don't see that everywhere else.

Oh, and speaking of songs that aren't in other genres..."Fish".  It is a tongue in cheek song that the crowd went nuts for...I think he has a big hit on his hands.

And since he has the current single "Fish", he might be obligated to sing "Fishin' in the Dark" for his encore.  He even changed it a little to make it his own.

The next-to-last Hot Country Night concert for 2011 was one of the best.  He seemed to be happy to see such a big crowd in a place he had never been just to see him.  I think next time he is here he will have even more songs on the radio. 

Katy Perry Concert Recap - Kansas City 8/17/11

When I call these concert recaps and not reviews, this is the perfect example.  I went going in knowing I didn't have every song memorized and I was not the target demographic for Katy Perry, but when I left I knew I had still had a good time.

The opening act was Janelle Monae.  She is from Kansas City, KS so you knew she would be ready to put on a show.  The mix for her was awful though, you couldn't understand anything she was saying.  Plus, it was just way too dark and for some reason they didn't have the video screens going.

Even though you couldn't see or understand her, you could tell it was crazy.  She had guys all dressed in black with scary masks that looked like they were from the Clockwork Orange...then at the end she got on a guy's back and ran through the crowd.  I wasn't sure what had happened, but something energetic did!

 

The worst part of the night came next.  Janelle ended at 8 PM.  A lame DJ came on to promote his music for to the disbelief of all.  He did that for about 30 minutes which was way too long.  Then after him we had another 45 minutes to wait for Katy Perry.  It was way too drawn out and people were practically asleep by the time she came on.  Lots of young kids there to so I am sure they were happy about going to school the next day.

Saying all that, once Katy Perry entered the stage it was all forgotten.  The concert had a theme about running away from a baker through a bizarre Candyland type thing...whatever, it was an excuse to have a really colorful set and some good videos to play while Katy changed clothes.

Katy Perry plays great pop music.  It is catchy and all her songs seem to have a positive message or at least a party message.

Almost every song had a costume or theme change...someone really put some great thought into the show.  It reminded me of going to a Vegas show (didn't hurt that there was Showgirl costumes and an Elvis).

In the audience, they sold light up cotton candy.  I am not sure there is a better way to describe the show than that.  It was glittery, pop music that tastes good when you eat it.

 

She did a variation of karaoke thing in the middle.  That was kind of boring, but with all the dancing and singing she did, you can't blame her at all.  Plus, she only has two albums now so it was expected.

My biggest complaint would have been with most of the parents who brought kids to the show.  This girl next to me was way into Extra Terrestrial.  I am not sure she should be so into those lyrics and there were plenty of other themes about sex and drugs that parents should have kept them away from.  But since I didn't bring my kids, I guess to each his own.

Katy Perry danced and sang songs all night.  It appeared that was a vocal track behind her at all times, but you could also tell she was really singing.  As much as she was running around on stage, the track behind her was probably a necessity.

Here she is singing Firework...

She said her goal for the night was to make everyone smile.  I think you would have a hard time finding people that weren't smiling at the end of the show.

Katy Perry may not be my cup of tea but I am sure glad I went to the concert.  She is a breath of fresh air compared to other pop concerts I have attended.  For one thing, she smiles and looks like she is having a great time.  I really think I would go see her again if she comes through town.

And finally her current #1 hit, "Last Friday Night"...

Jason Aldean Concert Recap - Sedalia 8/13/11

Last night, I went to see Jason Aldean in Sedalia at the Missouri State Fair.  It was a very beautiful night but I feel like there were some organizational problems with the event.

The biggest problem was the parking.  It probably took us around 45 minutes to park.  It was not organized well at all.  There was not enough parking and it was not labeled where you should go to find parking.  There were plenty of spaces but you had to have some special sticker.  What a way to make visitors feel welcome.

We even asked some police officers where to park, they didn't really know either.  Eventually, we just found a spot pretty far away and parked.

Because of this we were slightly late, and missed part of the opening act which was Thompson Square.  I have seen them before and really like them.  Too bad we only got to hear the last two songs.

Next up was Chris Young.  He has made news recently because he has ditched his cowboy hat.  I am not sure that look is working for him.  He looks too preppy or something.

Chris Young already has several hits, the only problem I have with them is that they are generally all the same.  They are low tempo and mostly romantic songs.  It is making him a successful country star but a little boring in concert.

Chris Young sounded fine, but his set just didn't have any highlights.  You can't say he did anything wrong, but I didn't think he gave me a reason to see him again.

Finally, it was time for Jason Aldean.  I have seen this same concert earlier this year (with Eric Church and JaneDear Girls as the openers).  It was still very awesome!

As far as I am concerned, Jason Aldean is pretty much the biggest male country artist of the moment.  He is in 2011 what Tim McGraw, Alan Jackson and almost what Garth Brooks was back in the day.  There are lots of reasons for that...he has a great stage presence, he knows how to select songs, and he can really sing.  He is just on top of his game right now and I am glad I get to be there to see it.

I got to meet Jason in Nashville at CMA Fest.  He seemed like a really cool guy and his fame has not gone to his head.  That always makes it a little better.

Jason may be a country singer with a cowboy hat but he mostly is a rocker.  He sings about some country living but he even mixes in a little rap with "Dirt Road Anthem".

The concert was sold out and I am not sure I have been to any state fair where the show was sold out.  That tells you how popular he is right now.  I hope he is working on the next album already because he really needs to keep this going now. 

Jason had three microphones, one on each side and one in the middle. He spent his time going from side to side so he could smile and wave at all of his fans.  He had some cool video boards behind him but since I had seen him already in 2011 it was all the same. For people seeing it for the first time, I am sure it was awesome. 

It is probably obvious but Jason Aldean is one of my favorite artists.  Even with all the problems getting inside, I still enjoyed the concert.  If his concert comes anywhere near you, you should go.  Some day in the future, people will be talking about the time when Jason Aldean ruled the country music genre and stage.