Concert Review: Third Eye Blind @ First Ave.

Third Eye Blind made a stop at First Ave. in Minneapolis last Sunday, May 31st. The show was packed and my view was obstructed by a lot of tall people, but that didn't bother me because I had a real good time singing along.

It took the first few songs for the band to really get into it, but their energy level after that more than exceeded my expectations. Even though Third Eye Blind experienced a ridiculous amount of success in the 90's they have not sold out. They made it clear how much they appreciate us all sticking with them through their 6-year-no-album-break and that they would not be out on tour before their album even drops if it was not for all the fans. They played a good mix of songs from all their albums. The band did something really interesting in the middle of the set to slow it down and relax a little bit. All the members sat down on the drum risers and played acoustic instruments for a few songs and even let the crowd chose a few of the songs they would play. It really felt like there was a connection between the band and the audience. After that they bounced back to being just as energetic as they were earlier in their set closing with many of the upbeat sing-a-longs like "Jumper" and "Semi Charmed Life". They even played a song from their most recent EP Red Star, and another from their forthcoming LP, Ursa Major.


The most powerful moment of the concert for me was when they played "Motorcycle Drive By". Stephen Jenkins explained that it is a really old song and it meant a lot to him when he wrote it and that it continues to mean a lot to him now because it means a lot to so many of us. It is one of my favorite songs by the band and I couldn't help but get chills when they played it.

Everyone pick up their forthcoming LP, Ursa Major, that is coming out August 18th! Third Eye Blind is currently a completely independent band with no record label, so I am sure they would really appreciate the support.

-Hannah

Concert Review: Third Eye Blind @ First Ave.

Jason Mraz @ The Myth Nightclub

I've been a huge fan of Jason Mraz for years. I don't know what the perception of Jason Mraz is among non-fans so I don't know if that sounds cheesy or not, but I just have to be truthful, no matter what you might think of me. Jason Mraz is possibly my favorite artist of all time. He's bigger than Reba to me, and that's saying something.

I finally got the chance to see him play live last week, and I was not disappointed. And trust me, I was getting myself ready to be. I realized in the days leading up to the show that I'd pretty much idealized this guy. I didn't think there was any way he could actually be as good as I'd been imagining him to be. I was almost sorry I'd bought the tickets.

But I was worrying about nothing. The show was incredible, spiritual, uplifting, to say the least. He was vocally perfect, receptive and responsive to his audience, and overall, just a huge ball of energy. In lieu of singing the radio singles (well, he sang the two new ones, "I'm Yours," and "Lucky" with his opener, Lisa Hannigan, as well as "Remedy," which he really had to sing) he did most of his show with album cuts like "Who Needs Shelter," "Song for a Friend," and tons of stuff off the new album like "Make it Mine," "Live High," and "The Dynamo of Volition." He covered Rick James' "Mary Jane," and if I may say so, it was twice as good as the original. "Build Me Up Buttercup," was another highlight, as was another cover, "No Woman, No Cry," originally by Bob Marley. His sense of humor is even better in person than it is through the music or his blog posts, and really, I just have three more words to say: Rock. Hard. Body.

So considering the amazing show Mraz put on Thursday night, the amount of success he's had at radio with "I'm Yours" this year, and just his overall musicianship, I was disappointed beyond belief Sunday night while watching the American Music Awards. It wasn't just that Jason wasn't there, it was that the people who were--the ones performing especially-- were atrocious. Well, okay, not all of them. The Alicia Keys- Queen Latifah- Kathleen Battle matchup was incredible. But really? Miley Cyrus? The Jonas Brothers? The New Kids on the Block? The Pussycat Dolls? All terrible, terrible performances. All the while, one of the most talented, consistent people in music was out on the road, doing his thing, seemingly unnoticed by the AMA.

Oh well, I guess. I got to see him live and in person, and that's so much better than seeing him on some cheesy awards show anyway.

-Courtney

Jason Mraz @ The Myth Nightclub

slush slush slush

My decision to go out on the town last night may have been the best or worst decision of my week. It was the best because I was able to see quite a bit of live entertainment and it was the worst because of the horrible wintery weather mix coming straight at us in APRIL! C'mon now!

Here is a recap of my night:

6:30 my friends so kindly pick me up for a night out on the town
6:37 feelings of excitement about what the night has in store for us
7:00 grab happy hour and more happy hour and more happy hour
8:59 fall down in the slush while wearing pink shoes
9:00ish catch the hold steady set at northrup
10:01 hear some dude yelling during songs and turn around to find out that we know him
10:35 backstage at the hold steady
11:00 catch an amazing hip hop act that i would like to check out again
11:48 see someone we know walking through the slush as we're driving by, again i get excited
12:10 walk in my casa and throw on some pj's
9:00am awake to find my footprints on the sidewalk from last night and laugh because i was not walking a straight line- not at all.

slush slush slush