Yearly Archives: 2013

artists, cast members, music

CD Review: R.A. The Rugged Man

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by Kelsey Janser

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R.A. The Rugged Man is a New York Hip Hop/Rap artist who started his music career at the age of twelve. Just this past April, he released his second album Legends Never Die. The album includes seventeen songs that skillfully address controversial topics that concern people of all ages. Although the concepts he addresses in each song are done so in a vulgar manner, they are also brought up in a witty and humorous way that makes people stop and think about the issues that plague the world. To some, his music could be insulting, but to most, the issues he discusses are real. R.A. The Rugged Man keeps incredible time with the beat in each of his songs, and delivers his lyrics at lightening speed, while still being able to be understood. His song “Learn Truth” has a very good beat and lyrics that flow effortlessly. The song is filled with record scratches that are classic to this genre of music, but also includes a brief yet beautiful melody on piano. For fans of this genre or artist, you won’t be disappointed.

artists, cast members, lifestyle, music, social networking

The Warped Tour 2013 by Alex Goldstein

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This past Saturday on July 27, 2013 at the South Florida Fairgrounds, A music festival called “ Vans Warped Tour” was held. This concert, which comes to South Florida every July, is the biggest music festival in the area next to the infamous “Ultra Music Festival.” Although the weather at one point seemed almost as if a category five hurricane struck, it would not stop these die-hard music fans from enjoying the music at this once a year event.

The many different genres of music attracted fans of all music types stemming from Rock to Dubstep to Rap. The concert lasted from 11Am-11Pm and most of these fans were there for all 12 hours. There were over 80 bands and musicians on 9 different stages including the main stage…the famous and renown Cruzan Amphitheater which holds 19,000 people alone.

Many of these music fans have waited all year for this day and surely got their share of fun as many were lined up to get autographs and take pictures with the musicians from each band. As opposed to all the other concerts I’ve been to, at this one I witnessed the most “ fan-friendly” musicians, and most of them went “crowd-surfing” and offered to take pictures with the fans as well. Since their are nine different stages, no person is strictly held to one band as they have a large variety of music to listen to. If they are not intrigued by one bands music they can simply walk to the next stage and see if they like that band a little more.

Many of the bands promoted the use of a “ mosh- pit” which is a style of dance where music fans push and slam into each other purposely. Many of the fans seemed to have the time of their lives as they were going wild in the middle of the mosh- pit. The peak of the night seemed to be “Crizzly” who was the last artist to play at the festival. Crizzly is a dubstep D.J from San Antonio Texas and is known for making dubstep remixes to the top songs out on the radio. Crizzly sure knows how to make any normal song a crazy party song. In conclusion, The Vans Warped Tour is the perfect music festival for music enthusiasts of all different genres.

artists, cast members, music, youth media

The Warped Tour West Palm Beach

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by Ben Pawliger

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The Vans Warped Tour, an 18 year old concert tour of varying types of music, came to Sunny South Florida on July 27th at the South Florida Fairgrounds in West Palm Beach. Thousands of music fans came out to see their favorite bands, with music from Punk Rock to Hip-Hop, and even some Electronic Dance music. Nearly 80 bands and musicians came to play for their South Florida fans, on 9 different stages, including the Cruzan Amphitheater. Although a few showers came and went, including one which required all fans to seek cover under the Amphitheater with pelting hail and constant lightning, the Warped Tour fans stayed loyal to their quest to hear their favorite music and stuck it through.

What’s unique about the Warped Tour is how, instead of only the fans having a deep love for their favorite artists, the artists show the love back. Many Warped Tour artists, before or after they perform, go out and walk around, talking to their fans, taking pictures, and even signing autographs. Also, because the Warped Tour has such a variety of music, it attracts people of all interests. It is one of the few places where you can have a stage of a Punk Rock band playing with just a few feet away from there is a Hip-Hop artists performing as well, which is why the Warped Tour is so popular among music fans. Rarely can you ever see Punk Rock fans with gauges and nose rings walk alongside rap fans with their shorts hanging low and tattoos on their face, both content with the music that is playing. Whatever you are in to, whether its “moshing” to Hard Rock, or “Fist-raising” to Rap, the Warped Tour has music for everyone.

Along with the music however, the Warped Tour is also infamous for being home to a portable shopping mall. In between the 9 stages, you can find dozens upon dozens of stands selling T-shirts, posters, and of course, the much needed bottled water to deal with the July heat. Overall, from the loud and energy-fueling music, to the bipolar South Florida weather, the Vans Warped Tour is the ultimate music festival for South Florida music fanatics.

artists, cast members, music, youth media

Maroon 5 Review

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by Kelsey Jansermaroon 5

“…But tonight I’m gonna hold you so close.” Yes please, Adam Levine! The Grammy winning band, Maroon 5, started their North American tour with special guests Neon Trees and Owl City in mid February and continued throughout the spring. They visited the BB&T center March 29, and blew the crowd away.

The concert’s events opened with Owl City, an electronica band run by singer/song writer Adam Young. The Minnesota native started in 2007 and eventually signed with a record label in 2008. His playlist of the night included his most popular songs, “Fireflies” and “Good Time.” He was lively and enthusiastic throughout the performance and reinforced how sincerely grateful he was to perform for the audience that night. After he finished his thirty minute set, the curtains closed and did not re-open for another half an hour.

When the curtains finally parted ways however, Neon Trees took the stage by storm. This alternative rock band from Utah first caught the general public with the playing of their single “Animal” on the radio. The single is part of their album, Habits, which was released in 2010. They performed hits from Habits as well as their new album, Picture Show, released in 2012. The February 2012 hit single “Everybody Talks” can still be heard on the radio. The band has been together since 2005 and clearly work well with each other. Lead singer Tyler Glenn is filled with passion and was born to perform. Their thirty minute set was exciting and had a majority of the audience singing along to the catchy music.

Despite the incredible performances by the preceding bands, the crowd was waiting and ready for the main act: Maroon 5. When the curtains closed on Neon Trees, they seemed to remain closed for an eternity. Just when everyone wondered if Maroon 5 was even going to show up, the lights went out and everyone began to scream. Sound effects of coins being dropped into a machine and then a phone ringing got the crowd even more impatient: Maroon 5 would be opening their set with the song “Pay Phone.” Maroon 5 is an extremely well-known pop/rock band from California. Their most recent album release, Overexposed, contains several songs that are playing on the radio.

The band, however, played popular songs from all their albums, including a beautiful acoustic version of “She Will Be Loved.” The crowd was almost louder than Adam; EVERYONE was singing. All three bands were fantastic and made the night one to remember.