Hanging With Hoodie Tour Review feat. Hoodie Allen and Down With Webster

Aaaaaaand the summer has begun. Finally. I fortunately got to kick off this summer on quite a high note when I went to St. Louis to see Hoodie Allen this past week. Now since I've been home for the summer I had to drive a few hours back to St. Louis to go to the show but it was completely worth it! This was my second time seeing Hoodie in St. Louis so I knew that it would be fantastic. This time the show was at the Ready Room which is a recently opened venue in St. Louis. This venue was great! It had quite a bit of space while still managing to maintain an intimate vibe. It didn't necessarily matter where you stood because you were able to feel close to the artist. If you want to relive this awesome sold out tour with me then keep on reading…

DOWN WITH WEBSTER:

This opening act is probably one I will never forget. I was completely ready to just be standing there tapping my foot waiting for the main act to take the stage but that was definitely not the case. Down With Webster is a six-piece group that is possibly the most surprising act I've ever seen. When they all came out onstage I had to question if all six of them were actually together in one group. I had no idea how this group managed to pull it off but aside from having crazy good and catchy songs, they seem to have taken influence from all sorts of music genres from hip hop to rock to alternative…the list goes on. I literally felt like I was at a party instead of an actual concert. I wouldn't doubt that Down With Webster was having just as much fun as us either. These guys are incredible! I literally CANNOT get enough of their music. If you don't check out this group sometime in your life then you are definitely missing out on something huge. I can't wait to see them in the future because you can bet I'll be front and center at their next STL show.

Down With Webster-"Chills":

And check out MY current favorite DWW song:

Stay updated on everything Down With Webster:

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Twitter: DWW, Tyler, Camm, Andrew, Bucky Buck, Pat, Diggy

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HOODIE ALLEN:

I. LOVE. THIS. GUY. I could literally watch Hoodie Allen perform forever. His shows are some of the most fun I've ever had. He delivers his own dose of "Hoodie-Hop" with every verse and there's a bit of something for everyone to love. Whether you're trying to get over an ex, wanting to hang out with friends, or just looking to party, you HAVE to see Hoodie Allen. First of all, the guy is not only crazy talented, he's so down to earth. He literally wants to be friends with anyone and everyone who comes to his shows. He's so chill and down for just about anything. Something he did during the show that really stuck with me was when he asked people in the audience what some of their favorite songs were off of his old mix tapes that he came out with way back when and then he performed those songs right there on the spot. Talk about audience participation. We were literally creating a setlist ourselves. I mean who doesn't want to go see your favorite artist perform and get to tell them exactly which songs really connect with you…? He purposely wanted the shows on this tour to be more intimate so only around 500 tickets were sold for each date. The thing is Hoodie is the kind of artist who is genuinely thankful for everything that has been given to him throughout the years *not without a lot of hard work though*. He just gets it. Fans are the reason why he is able to do what he does and without all of those people buying his music and lining up to see him at shows, he would not be able to do a fraction of what he has been doing. Part of the Hanging With Hoodie Tour was automatic VIP. If you bought a ticket, you were VIP. He personally met every single person that walked into each venue just to show his appreciation. Lots of artists don't really take the time to even give their fans a second look. They become caught up in the success of it all and forget the very reason why they're able to do what they do. Artists like Hoodie Allen are hard to find these days but he really sets an example for up-and-coming performers. Know your skills. Know your roots. Keep the goal in mind. As long as he keeps doing his thing there's really no stopping him. Keep your eye out for his debut album set to drop this August!

Hoodie Allen--"Show Me What You're Made Of":

Check out Hoodie's latest track "Nolan Ryan":

Keep up with Hoodie!:

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HANGING WITH HOODIE TOUR~AS TOLD BY MADS

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CONCERT REVIEW: Demi Lovato--Neon Lights Tour feat. Cher Lloyd, and Fifth Harmony

Arena tours…arena tours…arena tours! I forgot how much I've missed going to an arena tour. It's insane! I've gotten so used to the hectic and crowded vibe of general admission that I've rediscovered my love for arena tours. Having a seat, no pressure, no stress. Fantastic. If you want to hear about an absolutely incredible show that is probably the girliest concert I've been to in my life then keep on reading…

FIFTH HARMONY:

Fifth Harmony on the Neon Lights Tour: (from left) Lauren
Jauregui, Ally Brooke, Camila Cabello, Normani
Hamilton, and Dinah Jane Hansen

Alright so I'm going to be COMPLETELY honest when I say I've never been a big fan of Fifth Harmony. It's not that I had anything against them it's mainly just the fact that I wasn't sure initially how a new girl group was going to go over in the US. I assumed that they would be fine considering they had enough of a fanbase to exit in third place on the X Factor US back in 2012. Although, over the past couple years I've gotten to see their insanely dedicated fanbase grow every single day. I guess I hadn't ever really given them much of a chance after X Factor *I'd only ever heard about 90 seconds of "Miss Movin' On"* and I was quite skeptical of some competition for my girls Little Mix. Fifth Harmony was the first act to perform on the Neon Lights Tour and I was……pleasantly surprised. I mean, they've got it going on. They are very different from what I had seen on X Factor and I was really pleased by their stage presence and natural talent. It was great to see a group of gorgeous ladies sing Destiny's Child and preach about hanging out with the girls. What a breath of fresh air! Got to admit, I'm a 5H believer now. Well done, Cowell.

Fifth Harmony's music video for "Miss Movin' On":

Twitter: 5H, Dinah, Normani, Ally, Camila, Lauren

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CHER LLOYD:

Cher! She's talented. She's BEAUTIFUL. She's basically everything you could ever want and if you can't be her then you want to be her best friend. I saw Cher last summer so I knew she would be able to give a flawless and fun performance. She is the sweetest person I think I have ever seen in my life. You basically can't look at her without wanting to hug her. She performed her latest single, "Sirens," as well as some of her previous hits, "I Wish," "Oath," and of course, "Want U Back." She delivered a fantastic set as to be expected with the usual Cher sass and spark. She is the kind of artist that seems to go through phases. She was sort of an edgy/hip style singer back on X Factor. Then she went through the whole rocker/shave half your head stage. And basically through a bunch of different phases she's landed on quite a nice, reflective sort of heartfelt stage. Her newest single, "Sirens," is a bit slower than her other singles but really gives fans a chance to see what this girl is all about: unique and flawless vocals.

Cher Lloyd "I Wish" music video!

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DEMI LOVATO:

The woman of the hour. Little Miss Demi Lovato is…INCREDIBLE. Let me say that again…IN-CRE-DI-BLE. The thing with me is that I really have to get to know an artist before I become a fan of them. One of my biggest pet peeves is someone who is fake or puts on a mask when interacting with fans that doesn't really reflect who they really are. I personally need to know that this person is 100% real and doesn't need all the fancy stage production and autotune that lots of singers use today. This is one of the reasons why I am absolutely in love with Demi. She gets on stage and is nothing but real. She wears her heart on her sleeve when performing and, I'm not gonna lie, I almost teared up a bit listening to her talk about her past and how she overcame so many obstacles.

Demi got a lot of flack from the public and the media when she went into rehab and when all of the stories were released talking about her mental and health disorders. It is absolutely true that it's not about how far you fall but how you are able to pick yourself back up again. And Demi did that and more. She has focused lots of her attention on helping and inspiring people who struggle with any sort of self-esteem issues, substance abuse, mental illnesses, etc, etc, the list goes on. The lyrics she writes not only reflect how she feels inside but they are extremely relatable for all of the young people struggling with different issues. I not only respect her as a singer *because she is absolutely amazing* but also as a person. I can't believe everything she has done for other people and how she has pulled herself out of an almost hellish situation and come back stronger than ever. Each performance she gives has so much visible emotion behind it that it makes you feel as though you can achieve something in this hum drum world and not worry about the little things and belt those songs out at the top of your lungs. If you ever have the chance to see Demi live I encourage you to not miss out on it. She is one of my all-time favorite vocalists and I can't wait to see her again hopefully some time in the future.

*Also, if you find yourself struggling with any of the issues I have mentioned or you're just looking for a bit of inspiration here and there, I HIGHLY urge you to check out her bestselling book: Staying Strong: 365 Days A Year. I love this book so much. There are quotes and stories for each day of the year to inspire you and maybe give you that little pick-me-up you've been needing. Get it on Amazon here.*

Demi's latest video for "Neon Lights":

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This was an incredible show and definitely one I won't forget. The Neon Lights Tour is hitting Columbus, Grand Rapids, Toronto, Cleveland, and Nashville before wrapping up on March 30th in Indianapolis. Make sure you go check out the show because I can promise you it will be an amazing time. Did I mention that cute little 17 year-old magician, Collins Key, does a bit of magic before each act? Amazing! Follow him on Twitter and check out this video of him performing for Demi!



NEON LIGHTS TOUR~AS TOLD BY MADS
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CONCERT REVIEW: Hollywood Ending--Freaks & Geeks Tour

This past Friday I went to the Freaks & Geeks Tour at the Firebird in St. Louis. Now we all know that the Firebird is one of my absolute favorite venues! So take the intimacy and cool rock vibe from this venue and mix in 5 crazy talented pop punk/rock/pop bands with a dash of post hardcore jumping, head banging, and sweating and you've got The Freaks & Geeks Tour. Depending on the date, there were different bands performing but on Friday, The Strive, This Is All Now, 7 Minutes in Heaven, Late Nite Reading, and Hollywood Ending took the stage so sit back and try to convince yourself why missing out on one of these shows is a good idea. *Good luck with that*

THE STRIVE:

The Strive:from left--Greg Dowd, Nick Stacy,
Brendan Stevens, Luke Davis, Michael Zenk

I had never even heard of The Strive until frontman Brendan Stevens came up to me in line and was nothing but charismatic and enthusiastic about getting the band's name out there. I wasn't sure what to expect from this Kansas City group but let me say this…they.do.not.disappoint. The whole "ugh I don't know this opening act do they really have to perform right now" feeling is always something present at shows but it wasn't even a minute into their first song and this band had the crowd raving. It didn't really matter anymore if you didn't know the words because it was just that great. Definitely keep The Strive fresh in your mind as one to watch this year.

             

Check out their latest video:

Twitter: The Strive, Brendan, Luke, Greg, Michael

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THIS IS ALL NOW:

This Is All Now:from left--Mike Pitelli, Louie Malpeli,
Okan Kazdal, Jordan Caroleo, Tom Angenbroich

This Is All Now! I was really looking forward to seeing these guys and, yes, it was fantastic! These New York natives were a long way from home but right in their element throughout the entire set. They performed their fan favorites like "Supernova" and "Another" and even threw in a little rock-esque One Direction cover that kept the crowd on their feet. Their onstage banter was matched well with their natural talent and insane hype. If you've missed out on the first leg of the Freaks & Geeks Tour, the This Is All Now guys will be playing a few dates of Against the Current's upcoming Sink or Swim Tour. It's guaranteed to be a great time.

This Is All Now-"Another" music video:

Twitter: This Is All Now, Mike, Okan, Jordan,

Louie, Tom

Facebook

7 MINUTES IN HEAVEN:

Before Friday I had only ever heard of 7 Minutes in Heaven. I had never really gotten around to checking out any music and I'm really angry that I hadn't. Timmy Rasmussen is one talented kid. He also had Derek Mrdjenovich and Aaron Porta from The Big Time as well as Alex Rogers from She's Alive helping out. At one point they had the entire crowd running around in a giant circle just because. How can you not have a great time?? His alternative/rock style is a huge breath of fresh air right now. There are so many people trying to get in and have a go at the same edgy alt scene and flopping. Timmy's clearly got his mind made up about what 7 Minutes in Heaven is all about and he's good at showing fans that. I'm looking forward to seeing him sometime soon at his own headlining tour…*hopefully*

"Here's to Never Growing Up" cover by 7 Minutes in Heaven:

Twitter: 7 Minutes in Heaven, Timmy

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LATE NITE READING:

Late Nite Reading: from left--Clayton Collins, Brady
Szuhaj, Dalton Wixom, Drew Cottrell

All I can say is thank the lord these Indiana boys are doing what they're doing because WOW. I've been a fan of Late Nite Reading for awhile and this was my first time seeing them live. I couldn't believe how absolutely crazy it was! They've got the look, the talent, the style, and the ability to turn a venue upside down. Their pop-punk style did not disappoint in the slightest and once they finished their set all I wanted was for them to come back onstage and do it all over again. I highly suggest checking out this band and turning up to one of their future shows. They are one of the best live performers I have seen and I'm sure you'll agree. 

Late Nite Reading's latest acoustic--"Rumor":

Twitter: Late Nite Reading, Dalton,

Clayton, Brady, Drew

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HOLLYWOOD ENDING:

Hollywood Ending: from left--Chris Bourne, Cameron Byrd,
Tyler Wilson, Dan Geraghty

The main event…and a good one at that. It's an understatement to say Hollywood Ending have come a long way from their start as a five-piece pop band which later became a four-piece and then a three-piece and then a four-piece again. Did you get all that? The Freaks & Geeks Tour is their first headlining tour and has so far been a huge success. They have been crossing the country, playing for fans who are nothing but ecstatic to see them on this new venture. They played songs from their first EP along with their newest release, "Freak Like Me," and a few new songs that are to be released *as Tyler said* "eventually." Well, they'll be out soon enough and are bound to cause a craze among Hollywood Ending fans everywhere. Their songs are catchy and insanely fun to jump and dance along to in a crowded general admission concert. What these guys do best is make every fan feel involved in the show. They aren't afraid to show how grateful they are that people made the effort to drive out just to see them perform. It's been a bit of a weird ride for Hollywood Ending over the years but I can see these four guys really going far in the next year. I'm personally looking forward to their new music and many more headlining tours to come. If you have the chance, head out and see them. You won't be disappointed. 

Hollywood Ending's latest music video--"Freak Like Me":

Twitter: Hollywood Ending, Tyler,

Chris, Dan, Cam

Youtube

Facebook

Website

The Freaks & Geeks Tour is hitting Chicago, Toronto, Montreal, NYC, and Boston before wrapping up in Allentown, PA on the ninth of March. All of these bands are insanely talented and some of the nicest people I've ever met. Tickets are still available so grab yourself a pair and head out to the tour because you don't want to miss this!

I'll be posting lots of pictures from the show over the next week so don't forget to follow me on Twitter!
I've also made a page with a handful of pictures from the show so click through and enjoy!

HOLLYWOOD ENDING--THE FREAKS & GEEKS TOUR~AS TOLD BY MADS

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CONCERT REVIEW: Never Shout Never w/ Nick Santino and Front Porch Step

     This past week I attended a Never Shout Never show in St. Louis at The Firebird. Let me just start off by saying NSN is incredible!…..I mean of course if you're into that whole "let's chill under the sun and talk about the little things" meditation. I was looking forward to this show in particular because I knew NSN was very easy going and that can be said for their music as well. There's sometimes nothing better than having that one artist who can just help you calm the hell down. *Perfect for students working through busy homework schedules especially might I add.* 

     The band had two opening acts: Front Porch Step and Nick Santino. Front Porch Step while not hiding his amazement at the opportunity to be able to perform in front of an actual crowd, was in all honesty quite surprising. He was personable in that he wanted his audience to understand the true meaning behind the songs he was singing. The songs themselves were full of emotion and well-written. He may have mentioned his mother just a bit too much (c'mon, man, you're not supposed to want your mom to be your only fan) but I enjoyed his energy and wouldn't mind seeing him open another show. 

     Nick Santino, a member of the former rock band A Rocket to the Moon, was definitely the better of the opening acts. Apart from his seemingly down-south charm and quirky yet attractive sense of style, his songs certainly found their way into the hearts of many of the audience members. He is extremely relatable and isn't afraid to crack a joke at his own expense. I can honestly say that his unique blend of country and rock complemented by a smooth, raspy tone is enough to make anyone weak at the knees. Beautiful!

      Moving on to the main event, Never Shout Never did not disappoint with their Holiday Tour. There's nothing better than a bit of head bobbing and basic guitar picking to go along with the giant blow-up snowman prop in the background. The props related to previous projects by the band that true fans would surely understand which would make the experience even better. I must say that having a band that is comfortable enough to drink onstage and be a bit on the "off" side if you know what I mean ;) makes for one interesting night. Never Shout Never, particularly front man, Christofer Drew, has always had that special place in our hearts. Everyone has been a NSN fan at one point in their lives. For most of us near twenty-somethings, our NSN stage hit us hard at about age 16 with Chris' innocent, punkish charm (and oh man that ukelele!) and most of us fell off the bandwagon soon after that. Little did we know the NSN crew had so much more in store. 

      For those of us who stuck around, the sound of NSN has changed over the years but never disappointed. The Holiday Tour featured songs from nearly every album and a few festive tunes to get us in the Christmas spirit. The guys' charm and hilarious comments throughout the show meant that there was never a dull moment. Some of the songs were tweaked and remastered for the tour making everything a little more personal and fun. Not to mention that The Firebird was the PERFECT venue for this type of show. It was small enough so that everyone could feel some sort of closeness in proximity to the stage (some were even sitting on the edge of it). I highly recommend this venue for any show because it is the perfect way to feel personally connected to your favorite artists. 

     If you have ever thought about going to see Never Shout Never, all I can say is….DO IT! Whether it be on one of their smaller tours or maybe even Warped Tour 2014(hopefully!), NSN will not disappoint and will certainly put you in a great mood. 

NEVER SHOUT NEVER HOLIDAY TOUR~AS TOLD BY MADS

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Never Shout Never:

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The Firebird

Check out the band! 

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Xmas EP

The NSN track I'm LOVING at the moment:

And something to get you in the Christmas mood: