PHOENIX — Unity, love, and an all-around good time were the three main focuses of the Lost in Translation Tour’s stop in Phoenix. “Don’t ever forget that each and every one of you here has the power to do anything you set your heart on,” said David Boyd, lead singer of New Politics.
New Politics, Dreamers, and The Wrecks put on an sensational sold out show at Crescent Ballroom, with each band bringing the energy of a headliner.
The Wrecks were first in the lineup with an electrifying set. Lead singer Nick Anderson’s unique voice took the crowd to a new level. The energy from the five piece band was reminiscent of early 2000’s pop punk. Their new EP Panic Vertigo, just released last month, showcased the growth of the band. The Wrecks played an unreleased song “Live”, and Anderson said the band only plays it when people in the audience have enough energy to give back. They ended with the upbeat angst filled song “Favorite Liar” which has been played frequently on 93.3 Alt AZ. The Wrecks hinted at wanting to do a headline tour with a stop in Phoenix soon.
Their band name describes their set: dreamy. The three-piece band played fan favorites such as “Painkiller” and “Sweet Disaster”, which have been on rotation on 93.3 Alt AZ as well. With catchy guitar riffs from lead singer and guitarist Nick Wold, strong rhythm from bassist and back-up vocalist Marc Nelson, and striking drums from drummer and back-up vocalist Jacob Lee Wick, the band amped up the crowd.The upbeat set proposed the feeling for New Politics’ upcoming performance. Their song “Bleed Through”, Wold explained, is about people who have jumped off the Golden Gate Bridge and coming back from that ledge; also for any who has fallen.
Inspiring the crowd to raise their hands immediately, the energy exuded by the three piece band from Copenhagen, Denmark, was mind-blowing, to say the least. With Boyd sporting pants that could have been inspired by Beetlejuice, and a John Lennon style hat, his charisma got the crowd rocking.
The trio started their set off with “Istanbul” from their latest record Lost in Translation, which was released last year (2017). Their set consisted of a variety of songs that showed how diverse they are.
“Girl Crush”, “Everywhere I Go (Kings and Queens)”, and “Dignity” were noticeably among the crowd-favorites.
“Tonight You’re Perfect”, “One of Us”, and “Harlem” are among the most well-known songs from the trio.
One of the more intimate songs played during the set was “Color Green”, which Boyd dedicated to his newborn daughter.
Guitarist and lead/backup vocalist Søren Hansen and drummer Louis Vecchio, were highly animated throughout the 20 song set. It was impressive to see the same energy that Boyd offers in Hansen and Vecchio.
Boyd knows how to perform. The lead singer engaged the crowd from all angles, and got intimate with the crowd multiple times by resting his leg in fans’ hands as he sang. It also seemed as if he would sing directly into fans’ phones. ULTIMATE FANGIRL DREAM.
By mentioning unity more than once, it was clear that Boyd places importance on giving fans a unifying experience. He showed his gratitude to the fans at the end of “One Of Us” by making bowing gestures toward them, suggesting that this experience is just as meaningful to him.
“I don’t want this to end”, Boyd exclaimed before the final song. “There’s only one thing we’re gonna have to do, is come back soon, right?”, he continued. “So what we’re gonna do right now, ‘cause endings are so sad, we’re gonna do the opposite. We’re gonna take this energy here, and we’re gonna celebrate that we f***ing did it! Alright? And we’re gonna cherish every memory of tonight, and we’re gonna even make it better, and there will be a surprise…”
The band certainly knows how to end a show with a grand finale, by playing the explosive “Yeah Yeah Yeah”, with Dreamers’ Wold singing the first verse, and The Wrecks’ Anderson coming back to rap during the second verse.
How to end a show: with Hansen crowd surfing as he plays his guitar solo. √ CHECK
LOS ANGELES (Mar 6, 2018) – Transcendent, two-time GRAMMY® Award-winning rock band Evanescence and acclaimed Billboard Award-winning electronic violinist Lindsey Stirling today announce their co-headlining 2018 summer amphitheater tour across North America. The tour, produced by Live Nation, will kick off July 6 in Kansas City, MO at the Starlight Theatre and will make stops in 31 North American cities. The trek will wrap September 8 in Ridgefield, WA at the Sunlight Supply Amphitheater.
Tickets On Sale To General Public Starting Friday, March 9 at LiveNation.com
Artists’ pre-sales will begin tomorrow (Wednesday, March 7) at 10am local time. Tickets for the tour will go on sale to the general public beginning Friday, March 9 at 10am local time at LiveNation.com. Evanescence will offer a limited number of VIP packages for purchase that include premium seating, attending sound check and a champagne toast with Evanescence. Visit Evanescence.com for full details.
“Lee firmly re-establishes herself as one of rock’s pre-eminent vocalists, exhibiting an impressive range that still packs a wallop…a synthesis of rock, classical and EDM” – Variety
Amy Lee, Evanescence | Photography: Paul Brown
Lindsey Stirling will also offer a limited number of VIP packages for purchase that include premium seating, a pre-show party, and exclusive merchandise. Visit LindseyStirling.com for full details. VIP Packages will go on sale tomorrow (Wednesday, March 7) at 10:00 am local time.
“Live, Stirling’s performance takes on a new level of respect as you see her stiff left arm holding the violin while her body twists, contorts and moves around. She never misses a note or beat as her music carries the listener on a whirlwind of instrumentals.” – Creative Loafing
Lindsey Stirling | Photography: Shervin Lainez
Both artist’s shows will be accompanied by a full orchestra, highlighting both acts musicality and their incredible performance abilities that continue to blow fans away. The orchestrated performances will also perfectly accent the astounding amphitheater venues across the U.S. and Canada that the two will be performing in, making for a magical summer evening.
The two artists recently collaborated on the song, “Hi-Lo” from the latest Evanescence album, Synthesis, which features a virtuosic violin solo by Lindsey Stirling. Listen to the track HERE.
PHOENIX — P!nk kicked off her Beautiful Trauma World Tour in an unreal musical experience that rocked the Valley of the Sun. Following the release of her seventh studio album, aptly named Beautiful Trauma, came the announcement that she would hit the road once again to share her exquisite sound with the world. With anticipation of her first album release in five years, it came as no surprise that the Phoenix show was completely sold out. Fans flooded Talking Stick Arena, sporting the artist’s color in everything from bedazzled wigs to homemade jumpsuits. Inside the arena KidCutUp could be heard spinning his usual mashup of hip hop and party songs in order to rouse the crowd before the main act.
From start to finish, P!nk put on a show that left the crowd wanting more, even after a 21-song setlist. Her energy is tangible as soon as she appears before the crowd, launching into the show with one of her biggest hits of all time “Get the Party Started.” What was seen as the curtain dropped at the start of the song could only be described as unbelievable. Breathtaking acrobatics featuring her in a full body sequined jumpsuit paired with incredible dance numbers involving an array of mobile props on stage and back-up dancers. It made for a mind-blowing start to what would be a truly unforgettable set.
Paying ode to her newest album release, P!nk segued straight into “Beautiful Trauma,” serenading the audience with her haunting lyrics before taking them right back in time with old favorites like “Just Like a Pill” and “Who Knew?”
“Hello!”, she shouted into the mic, taking a moment to address the audience, “I can’t believe tonight’s finally here! Just like you guys, I have no idea what’s going to happen!” Her excitement rang through the arena, the frenzied crowd cheering the whole time. That energy remained, with those on stage and those in the crowd, for the entire performance. She played several more songs off of her new album such as “Revenge”, “Barbies”, and “I Am Here”, while also including additional top hits “Try” and “Just Like Fire.” Whether old fan or new, everyone in the arena was able to sing along.
P!nk collaborated with artists such as Eminem and Phoenix’s own Nate Ruess, who both made appearances in creative ways. A video of Ruess was displayed on a screen, while Eminem was made into an enormous inflatable puppet that was guided across the stage by her dancers as P!nk sang along beside it.
One thing that makes P!nk stand out as a performer amongst others is that each song is, in and of itself, like a unique mini concert. From the band to the dancers and backup vocals, there was a passion that could be felt from all of them. Beautiful costumes were accompanied by expert dance sequences and enormous, detailed props were used on and off the stage to help create a multi-level experience. With each new song came a sense of wonder as to what magic would take over the stage next.
Another thing that makes her stand out as an artist is her fierce dedication to being herself and her love for people. Throughout the show, she takes time to shed light on important messages and reminds everyone about things like love and unity, connecting with her fans on a level unlike many other music artists.
As the show neared its end, she amped the energy up to the maximum level and brought the crowd to its feet once again with her smash hits “Raise Your Glass” “Blow Me (One Last Kiss)” and “So What.” She spent a majority of that time soaring far and wide throughout the arena sporting her same sequined jumpsuit. Lights flashed in every direction as confetti shot from mini cannons on stage. Fans watched in wonder as she flipped through the air past all of the sections. “Thank you all, remember to love one another,” she said as she was lowered to the ground for the final time.
Concertgoers left amazed with the show they had just witnessed, although it was clear that they would have stayed all night if they could. P!nk puts on a performance unlike any other artist in today’s music scene, and that is partially due to the immense love she has for her fans and a driving desire to make a difference in the world. She truly is the beauty and strength that resonates in her music, and she uses that as a driving force to give her beloved fans an unforgettable experience.
Los Angeles, CA – Today, JUNO-nominated rock band, The Glorious Sons, are pleased to share their cover of Kanye West’s hit single, “Runaway.” Their version of the song was recorded at Fiction Studios in London, U.K. and showcases frontmanBrett Emmons’ raw and earnest vocals. This is the first of a series of stripped down videos to be released over the upcoming weeks. The track is available to stream and purchase at digital retailers.
“Chris Koster [guitar, vocals] is a gigantic Kanye fan and he’s been covering the song for years. We played it in a church once together, and my voice just kind of worked with the song,” says Brett. “I can remember listening to My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy and watching the short film all the time in university. It is by far my favorite Kanye album. I had never heard rap sound like that before. In my opinion, this album is one of the most important of the 21st century, and “Runaway” is one of the most perfect pop songs ever written.”
After extensive touring across the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. last year in support of their sophomore album, Young Beauties and Fools (Oct. 2017 via BMG US), The Glorious Sons will kick off their new North American headline dates on March 13th in Minneapolis MN. On May 8th, the band will meet up with The Struts for a run of support shows that launch in Bloomington, IL and wrap in Portland, OR on May 23rd. The Glorious Sons will also hit the festival circuit this summer, performing at Hang Out Music Festival (Gulf Shores, AL),Firefly Music Festival (Dover, DE), and the esteemed Reading & Leeds Festivals (U.K.).
“You don’t know what you’re going to get night to night from us,” says Jay Emmons [guitar, vocals]. “It’s something you have to see – we try to keep it interesting and powerful,” adds Brett. A full list of shows is included below, and all tickets can be purchased HERE.
Young Beauties and Fools scored a nomination at the JUNO Awards for Rock Album of the Year. This is the second JUNO nod for the band, whose debut album, The Union, earned a nomination in the same category in 2015. YBAF’s lead single, “Everything Is Alright,” was named Apple Music’s “Best of the Week,” hit over 2.6 million streams in Canada, and was the guys’ first #1 at the Alternative format. The track is also currently streaming on Spotify’s“Rock This” playlist. Watch the “Everything Is Alright” video HERE.
The Glorious Sons have garnered over 26 million streams in North America, sold nearly 150k singles, produced nine consecutive top 10 radio singles including “Everything Is Alright” and “Josie,” and earned the title of Most Played Artist on Canadian Rock Radio. Daniel P Carter of BBC Radio 1 called the album one of his favorites of the year, and the band recently completed a Maida Vale live session on the Radio 1 Rock Show as well.
The Glorious Sons Tour Dates:
3/13/18 – Minneapolis, MN @ 7th St Entry *
3/14/18 – Chicago, IL @ Schubas Tavern *
3/17/18 – Atlanta, GA @ Atlantic Station (ALT 105.7’s Shamrock the Station)
3/18/18 – New Orleans, LA @ Gasa Gasa *
3/19/18 – Houston, TX @ House Of Blues *
3/21/18 – Kansas City, MO @ recordBar *
3/22/18 – Denver, CO @ Globe Hall *
3/23/18 – Colorado Springs, CO @ The Black Sheep *
Tempe, AZ — February 24th, 2018, shortly a month after Zakk Wylde’s 50th birthday, he put on a great show at the Marquee Theatre with Black Label Society, showing that he’s definitely at a different level musically and also in showmanship. Opener EyeHateGod, a band that has been playing since 1988 showed great energy, starting what was about to be a great night of rock. Corrosion of Conformity, who I remember watching their music video “Dance of the Dead” when I lived in Chile, only raised the bar and rocked the house, closing with their most popular song, “Clean My Wounds”.
Then the show became the kind of show you’d expect to see at a full stadium, opening with pyrotechnics and a classic curtain drop, to the excitement of the fans that had filled up the venue to what seemed to be absolutely max capacity. This was my first time seeing Black Label Society live, and I could not have been more pleased, as their sound and showmanship was definitely beyond what you normally see at small venues like the Marquee Theatre.
Photo Album
Photographer: Rodrigo Izquierdo
Black Label Society, Corrosion Of Conformity, & EyeHateGod – Marquee Theatre 2-24-18
Scottsdale, AZ – For 9 out of 10 years strong, a very special show has been held annually at Pub Rock – a venue formerly named Chasers Bar. A staple in the Industrial/Gothic community, Mustache Massacre is an event that brings together both new and well-known faces alike, for a night that reminds us not to take ourselves too seriously. It’s a free concert with one caveat… you’re only getting in free if you have a mustache.
“Grow it, glue it, draw it, clip it, tape it, make it…So, trim your sister’s armpit hair, shave a dead muskrat, or steal the president’s toupee. ‘Cuz we don’t care where you get the hair, as long as it’s there!…CAN YOUR FACE HANDLE IT?!!!”
The 10th Annual Mustache Massacre (& Wa’s 40th Birthday Bash) featured entertainment by Ikonoklast, 80*D, Goth Brooks, Camel Enamel, Family Secret, and DJs //SHE// & Zander. With these 5 bands bringing industrial, goth, punk, metal, and even a little bit country, 2 DJs, a crowd of characters that weren’t afraid to dance and mosh, a photo booth run by Burning Hot Events, and even a mustache contest, it made for a long, hard, and nutty night.
“Get yo’ bad-ass mo’-fro’ pho-togged to show your grand kids what a freakin’ weirdo you were!”
Check out all of the shots from the photo booth HERE!
Mustache Rules:
Must be hands-free (attached to your face somehow)
No finger mustaches! (drawing on finger and placing to face)
5 o’clock shadow does not count (add some roughage to that stubble!)
The more outrageous, the better! (get creative, there is a contest!)
Los Angeles, CA – Today, PVRIS released the live acoustic video for their hit single, “Heaven,” which appears on their sophomore full-length studio album, All We Know of Heaven, All We Need of Hell (August 2017, BMG/Rise). The record hit #5 on Billboard’s Rock Chart, #1 on Billboard’s Emerging Artists Chart, and has been praised in the press by the likes of Alternative Press, Kerrang!, Rock Sound, NME, and more. Watch the video HERE.
After headlining shows worldwide, touring alongside Fall Out Boy, Muse, and Thirty Seconds to Mars, and performing on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, PVRIS is back on the road on a new leg of headline dates. The trek takes the band across North America and wraps in San Antonio, TX on March 15th. After a short break, the second half of the tour picks up on April 14th in Santa Cruz, CA and concludes in Portland, ME on May 4th.
PVRIS is also confirmed to play the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival on Friday, April 13th and 20th, along with additional summer performances at Forecastle Festival (Louisville, KY), Sloss Festival (Birmingham, AL), and Panorama Festival (New York, NY). The three-piece also recently announced a headline show at The Roxy in Los Angeles on April 12th.
A full list of tour dates can be found below, and all tickets can be purchased HERE.
PVRIS North American Tour Dates:
Feb 22 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Stage AE
Feb 23 – Cleveland, OH @ House of Blues
Feb 24 – Grand Rapids, MI @ The Intersection
Feb 26 – Saint Louis, MO @ Delmar Hall
Feb 27 – Milwaukee, WI @ The Rave
Feb 28 – Lawrence, KS @ Granada
Mar 02 – Denver, CO @ Ogden Theatre
Mar 03 – Salt Lake City, UT @ The Depot
Mar 05 – Seattle, WA @ The Showbox
Mar 06 – Vancouver, Canada @ Vogue Theatre
Mar 07 Portland, OR @ Wonder Ballroom
Mar 09 San Francisco, CA @ The Fillmore
Mar 10 – Las Vegas, NV @ House of Blues
Mar 11 – Tucson, AZ @ Rialto Theatre
Mar 13 – Albuquerque, NM @ Sunshine Theatre
Mar 15 – San Antonio, TX @ The Aztec Theatre
Mar 17 – Iztacalco, Mexico @ Vive Latino
Apr 12 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Roxy
Apr 13 – Indio, CA @ Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival
Apr 14 – Santa Cruz, CA @ Catalyst
Apr 17 – Santa Barbara, CA @ Velvet Jones
Apr 20 – Indio, CA @ Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival
PHOENIX – Arainy Valentine’s Day evening in Phoenix, Arizona – what a perfect night for one of the most bizarre acts to come through town. Moriah Rose Pereira, who goes by the name Poppy on the internet, is a multi-talented internet phenomenon. A young veteran in dancing, singing, acting, and creativity, Poppy was able to bring her peculiar act to the desert. Fans and onlookers of all shapes, sizes, and types gathered together at the Crescent Ballroom to see the internet come to life and behold the spectacle that is the “Poppy.Computer Tour“. It certainly did not disappoint.
What Exactly is Poppy?
Believed to be an android by many, acult leader by some, and an all-around weirdo by “normies” on the internet, Poppy found massive notoriety over YouTube after releasing her infamous video “I’m Poppy,” which can be viewed here. Produced with the help of Titanic Sinclair, another well-known internet phenomenon, musician, and director, Poppy was quickly able to gain the attention of the modern world, mostly through her series of outlandish videos.
She eventually turned this YouTube sensation into an effective tool in the pursuit of her ultimate dream: becoming a pop star. In fact, Poppy even won a Streamy Award in late 2017 for “Breakthrough Artist.” However, it would likely be more apt to label her an anti-pop star, as her work seems to revolve around calling out the absurdities of contemporary popular culture, pop music, and fame in the modern world.
While Poppy originally claimed not to be in a cult a little over a year ago, with Titanic Sinclair vouching for the accuracy of this claim, the “Poppy.Computer Tour” seemed to prove otherwise. This humorous take on possibly spinning criticism on its own head and turned it into another powerful tool in their digital and cultural arsenals; Titanic Sinclair and Poppy seem to embrace this cultish mentality, and they certainly took it and ran with it.
This cultish theme led to some fabulously interesting and entertaining moments during the show; from the computer-renderedspeech synthesis-style narration, to fans “drinking the Kool-Aid,” this cult-themed joke certainly balances itself on a thin line between satire and reality. Nonetheless, the screaming fans—aka “Poppy Seeds”—and fascinated observers did not seem to mind either way. After all, is this not the essence of modern popular culture? Undying fealty to those famous people all fans have sworn allegiance to.
Poppy.Computer Tour
The “Poppy.Computer Tour” is Poppy’s first time visiting real people as a musician, and it was originally planned to visit only 20 cities across North America, but likely due to its greater-than-expected success, the tour was expanded to include a stop in London, Tokyo, and 15 other stops in North America. Poppy and Titanic Sinclair planned this epic adventure in order to promote Poppy’s first official album, Poppy.Computer.
The most interesting aspect of this tour is that, with the exception of her Toronto show, there were no opening acts. Instead, Poppy substituted the time slot traditionally reserved for an opener for one of the characters off her YouTube channel – Charlotte the Mannequin. This same character also happens to be the main antagonist from Poppy’s new YouTube Red film, with a potential to become a series, titled I’m Poppy.
Poppy also traveled with two amazingly talented backup dancers, Alec and Jason. These two stole the spotlight during many points, yet they always made sure to give it back to Poppy when the time was right. They were their to support and augment her, after all, with their keytar dance moves, air drums, and even their own take on what looked like a Thousand Arms Dance. Complete with tutus, bleach blonde wigs, and face masks, they offered an unsettling yet oddly charming addition to the stage.
Charlotte the Mannequin
As fans eagerly awaited the unexpected, uncertainty swirled in the air. Would there be an opener? How would they start the show? What, exactly, was this going to be like? Those who knew Poppy from the internet likely had all sorts of wild ideas, and “Africa” by Toto was playing on loop as they contemplated the imminent future. As the song itself has become its own infamous meme, it seemed only fitting to fill the void of time while everyone waited for the show to start.
Charlotte Quin, or Charlotte the Mannequin, sat alone on the stage, aside a MacBook DJ setup and between two massive screens. She opened the show with a pre-selected audio set. While she isn’t the most animated character, she does have her very own YouTube channel where she occasionally copies Poppy’s ideas, makes her own versions of Poppy’s songs, and otherwise wreaks havoc on Poppy’s online presence. She also happens to have a diverse but excellent taste in music, sampling and playing songs of all genres and eras. There was certainly something for just about everyone in her playlist, and her transitions were seamless.
Songs and artists featured during this most interesting of opening DJ acts include: Daft Punk, Baha Men, Missy Elliot, N.W.A., Vanessa Carlton, TLC, Cake, Abba, Ke$ha, The B-52s, Of Montreal, Talking Heads, Madonna, Rihanna, LMFAO, Justin Bieber, Billy Joel, Britney Spears, Lou Bega’s Mambo No. 5, Jimmy Eat World, Electric Light Orchestra (ELO), Dr. Dre, Cyndi Lauper, Ed Sheeran, Nena’s (Original German) “99 Red Balloons”, and Miley Cyrus.
Throughout this playlist, symbols resembling every meme about the Illuminati played, mixed in with some of the visuals from Poppy’s videos—most notably, “This Birdcage” and “Where is Poppy?”, a video made in collaboration with entertainment company and internet phenomenon Super Deluxe. Strung throughout the set were also sound clips from various Poppy videos, most notably increasingly-frequent statements of “I’m Poppy.” Charlotte’s own statements of “Hello Internet“ and how she is going to be the “Queen of YouTube.” It also featured some sound clips of Poppy and Charlotte discussing the Bible, internet meme sensation Ain’t Nobody Got Time for That, and an old Blockbuster commercial.
Towards the end of Charlotte’s set, there was some banter between her and Poppy, ending with Poppy stating she was “Uncomfortable,” with Charlotte replying, “Uncomfortable? I’ll show you uncomfortable!” Poppy called for “Security!” As the final two songs played, the unusual opening act ended with the question, “Are you ready for Poppy?” playing over and over. They then played just about every ending theme ever, and random noises or themes, from things such as: The Simpsons, Castle Rock Entertainment, Windows ME, Viacom, Paramount, 20th Century Fox, and so on. It was hard to keep track of since they were only samples given in rapid succession, but the result was immensely entertaining.
Initiating
To capitalize on this hype, Titanic Sinclair came out on stage just before the show began. He presented what was most likely a delicious Poppy beverage (Kool-Aid) prior to sampling some himself. He then set down the pitcher and prepared the crowd for initiation. Warning messages popped up on the screens, and then fans were inducted into the Cult of Poppy over three different Programming Sequences, complete with all the necessary digital and broadcast noises to make it just weird enough. Titanic Sinclair proceeded to pour cups of the delicious Poppy beverage during this time.
With all the grace granted to an android, Poppy slowly and quietly proceeded on stage with her two gender-ambiguous backup dancers, taking her place center stage with her back facing the audience. Her fans were ravenous, but Poppy is the master of timing and patience. Once the appropriate time came, she began to perform her iconic song and first single from her new album, “I’m Poppy“. She followed this up with “Computer Boy,” the second single from her new album.
Once “Computer Boy” concluded, Poppy played her video “Doritos Monster Energy Drink,” because when else is a perfect time?
She continued the weirdness by asking the audience, “Do you love me?” She then proceeded to hand out her delicious Poppy beverage, passing out Kool-Aid to a few people in the front row. Titanic Sinclair and the backup dancers also helped with cup distribution. It was a beautiful, if not strange, moment.
Later on, Poppy also brought up the LOVE METER on the large screens, and her backup dancers hyped the audience up – everyone screamed, cheered, and clapped as loud as they could in order to fill the meter up. It turns out that the crowd does, in fact, love Poppy, as they were able to fill the meter up completely. What a way to spend Valentine’s Day!
Poppy performed many of her popular songs from the new album, including “Let’s Make a Video,” “Moshi Moshi,” “Interweb,” and “Bleach Blonde Baby.” The music videos, styles, and live performances are all uniquely performed and designed, and they are all quite reminiscent of Japanese Pop Music (J-Pop).
Kyary Pamyu Pamyu (KPP) especially comes to mind when exploring Poppy’s musical styles and approaches – especially her songs “PONPONPON,” “CANDY CANDY,” and “Invader Invader.” The latter two of these are especially reminiscent of Poppy’s live performance, particularly regarding her backup dancers; CANDY CANDY features what is likely a male impersonator of KPP, dancing behind her with a wig in her same hairstyle and a mask that is an anime version of her face. In Invader Invader, she has many gender-ambiguous backup dancers as well. There certainly seems to be a lot of inspiration here from J-Pop, making Poppy’s performance a great mix of American and Japanese pop music styles.
Another marriage between pop styles can be seen with French pop artist Yelle, who is also famous for her interesting approaches to music, live performances, and music videos. While the connections aren’t as clear as between Poppy and KPP, Yelle’s upbeat and interesting approaches to pop culture certainly are sights to behold. Yelle’s hit song “Ba$$in” is particularly apt, as well as “Comme Un Enfant,” “Safari Disco Club,” “Complètement fou,” and “Ici & Maintenant.” If anything, her unique dancing styles are certainly comparable to Poppy’s own take on dance, which was Poppy’s first love.
In the middle of Poppy’s performance, she played her video “3:36“ and followed it up with some live additions: “Should we end the show early?” The audience, of course, said no, and she replied, “Okay.” However, it would not have been much of a surprise if she had ended it early.
Throughout the show, Poppy made excellent eye contact with just about everyone in the crowd. She was excellent at engaging people in that way while still maintaining her android-like, robotic façade. At one point, she did go through the front row and gave high fives or held hands, briefly, with as many fans as she could. Her backup dancers also, at one point, took 2 phones from fans in the crowd and took some photos of Poppy from their perspectives on the stage. It is clear that Poppy and company are trying their best to maintain their fans’ loyalty and love.
As the end approached, Poppy asked, “Can I be your Valentine?” The crowd, of course, agreed with great enthusiasm. However, all was not perfect, as Charlotte had to make her final attempt of the night at overthrowing Poppy – her voice popped up over the speakers, as she had just been sitting there, quietly, on stage throughout Poppy’s performance.
“Can I sing a song?” Charlotte asked. “You’ve already had your turn,” Poppy replied. She then requested for the crowd to join her in chanting, “Bye bye, Charlotte!” Apparently, at some point, Charlotte’s head was removed, so it is clear the crowd was quite serious about quieting her pleas for fame and recognition.
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Poppy’s penultimate song for the show was her song, “Where’s My Microphone?” The audience, backup dancers, Titanic Sinclair, and Poppy all joined in on worrying about where Poppy’s microphone was, but everyone was quite relieved when she realized it was in her hands the whole time! “Oh, there it is!”
Finally, the time came for Poppy’s last song, “Software Upgrade.” She gave it her all, and her energy was quite infectious. Most in the crowd were having such a great time singing and dancing along, with a few wallflowers hanging around and enjoying their interesting Valentine’s Day adventure. Poppy finished the song by assuring everyone that she loved them prior to departing the stage as mysteriously as she had appeared, and the crowd chanted and screamed for an encore.
Unfortunately, that encore never came, and it ended up being an early evening for Poppy fans and Crescent Ballroom guests. Charlotte the Mannequin had played her set from about 8pm to 8:40pm, and Poppy performed from that point until 9:30pm. It was a short show, but it can be said this was certainly not the most traditional concert or musical experience anyway. While it would have been nice to see Poppy perform a couple of her original songs prior to the Poppy.Computer album, such as “Money“ or “Lowlife,” it was still an immensely surrealistic and enjoyable experience to see such an internet phenomenon in real life.
Overall, Valentine’s Day with Poppy at the Crescent Ballroom was an interesting yet amusing way to spend an evening, and it is clear Poppy will be going places. Her partnership with Titanic Sinclair has, so far, been wildly successful, and it will be interesting to see where they go and what they do next. If they do choose to come back to Phoenix, however, it might be best to visit another venue – Crescent Ballroom was a bit too small for her sold out show, and the stage is too low for everyone in the audience to see the screens fully. At times, it was even difficult to see the backup dancers or Poppy herself, which was disappointing during certain moments. This was a show one did not want to miss a moment of – so many small details were hidden throughout.
One thing is for certain, though – the lack of encore and the resuming of “Africa” by Toto at the end of the show was the greatest troll moment of all. Disappointing and unexpected, yes, but one cannot help to smile after such a thoroughly bizarre experience.
TEMPE, AZ – Lights, along with special guests Chase Atlantic and DCF, illuminated Marquee Theatre last Thursday. This eclectic mix of musicians magnetized a diverse crowd to The Marquee’s doors, and together, the entire venue celebrated a night of pure joy and musical euphoria. Fans of all ages blissfully enjoyed the great sound, atmosphere, and company of each band, but Lights certainly shone brightest of all — fans were dazzled by their otherworldly sounds and gorgeous visuals on stage, and it is clear for any outside observer to understand why they command an army of such devoted fans.
For those who know and love Lights already, they’re aware that this is certainly not Lights’ first rodeo — they’ve been to Phoenix many times since 2008, but as lead singer Lights Valerie Poxleitner put it, they come back stronger every time. From The Nile to Warped Tour, Lights certainly know how to command a stage of any size and location, and their attention to detail certainly transfixes audiences on multiple levels. As Poxleitner is an artist in more ways than one, it is no surprise that Lights’ live performances are as much visual spectacle as they are aural extravaganza. It’s no wonder that Lights has recently received nominations for the Pop Album of the Year and Artist of the Year categories in the 2018 JUNO Awards.
DCF
The first performance of the evening was DCF, an artist who is a compelling example of contemporary pop, alternative, and indie music styles. His was a solo act, yet he projected enough energy and personality to decently command the entire stage and crowd. Concert-goers, in fact, were somewhat devastated when it came time for Prince DCF to exit the stage after an acoustic version of “Misery Business” by Paramore, letting out an audible sigh as he departed.
DCF’s interesting style, mix of genres, and unique take on what is considered pop music all went well with what could only have been a Napoleonic-era Royal Navy Admiral’s Coat. Together with his stylish hairstyle and glasses, DCF exudes confidence and mirth as he DJs, sings, cracks jokes, and finds any other way to entertain a crowd. His performance was certainly a great ice breaker for the evening, though it did end on a relatively anticlimactic note.
Chase Atlantic
Next up was Chase Atlantic, a wonderful group visiting all the way from Australia; they likely chased the Pacific in this case, but everyone at The Marquee was certainly happy to see them. They instantly took over the stage and crowd, carrying the momentum over from DCF and further building fans up for Lights later in the evening. Their high energy was contagious, and they also shared a unique take on contemporary music, just as DCF had done before them. It would be difficult to say exactly what they sound like, but all alternative musicians seem to be elusive when it comes to absolute definition.
Due to their eclectic mix of sounds, it was easy for everyone in the crowd to join in on the fun. Lead singer Mitchel Cave, who first got his big start on the world stage by performing on X-Factor Australia, must have chugged several energy drinks prior to coming out, because he was moving at the speed of light all over the stage. He also seemed to love having the audience join him in the adventure, jumping down to join them briefly, before hopping back up on stage to hype everyone up even further. Chase Atlantic was definitely a great act to follow DCF with, and these boys made the transition into Lights’ scintillating performance a flawless one.
LIGHTS
Though the performances of Chase Atlantic and DCF were fantastic, some fans simply could not contain their excitement for the main act of the evening — Lights; in fact, one young fan was spotted running all over The Marquee, seemingly unable to contain her excitement. It was clear this was likely not her first time seeing Lights, and her excitement proved to be quite the harbinger of the incredible musical and visual adventure ahead.
Lights came out on stage after quite the setup time, but the wait was certainly well worth it. Immediately, fans were greeted by lead vocalist Lights Valerie Poxleitner’s silhouette in front of a massive screen; the bright, neon lights behind her perfectly symbolized the band’s name, and the hype and tension felt throughout the crowd instantly reached a breaking point. The buildup to her full visual reveal was palpable, and her glamorous, vogue-like poses as she sang in her spectral, ethereal form brought out the best fashion week vibes. Finally, she emerged from the darkness and into the light to a feverish sea of fans.
Lights performed in 3 major acts throughout the evening. During the first act, Poxleitner kept the energy from Chase Atlantic going, with some of their most exciting, upbeat songs. During this portion of the show, she asked the audience if anyone here has seen them live before. There was a resounding, screaming yes, with the majority of hands within the crowd immediately shooting up as high as they could go. She continued, clearly pleased by this reaction, explaining that they love coming back to Phoenix, and that their first time here was at The Nile (Nile Theater) over in Mesa, AZ back in 2008, where they performed with Copeland. They’ve been back many times, including to Warped Tour, and she stated, “Year after year, we keep coming back stronger.” For fans who missed out on this tour, I think it is safe to assume that Lights will surely be back soon.
As the mood seemed to chill out a bit, Poxleitner began a new discussion: “I wrote this song when I was going through a shitty time. Who’s been through a shitty time?” The oddly enthusiastic screams from the crowd were certainly clear answer enough; “We’ve all been through shitty times. Do you know what helps get us through it? Friendship, a little bit of wine, and music.” The crowd loved this strategy, and prior to performing “Face Up,” Poxleitner gave them further inspiration: “Your weaknesses become your strengths.” This phrase would certainly make a great tattoo.
“Your weaknesses become your strengths” – Lights
We Were Here Tour – Issue Two
After “Face Up,” Lights retreated off stage for a brief respite. During this time, Poxleitner displayed some of her artwork on the huge screen on stage. Since she is an artist and illustrator, it only made sense — we got to see some of her characters and settings from her Skin & Earth comic series, synonymous with Lights’ new album of the same name, which currently has 6 issues out for purchase. The images and scenes shown were quite similar to the trailer for Skin & Earth, which can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/FnbL7ZE4hmo
During this phase of the performance, Lights returned to the stage with a more somber attitude. The setup had changed during this short intermission as well — suddenly, there was a piano with lots of candles on top, helping to relax the mood even further. It was time for some calm, more acoustic songs. Poxleitner was back on stage in a new outfit, sporting an acoustic guitar. It was a pleasant change of pace, and it certainly kept the vibes fresh for the evening. It also made the grand finale that much more powerful.
After another quick break and some more stunning illustrations on the big screen, Lights was back on stage, and Poxleitner was sporting a third and final outfit. They brought back the high energy with a vengeance this time around, and Poxleitner joined the band with her own electric guitar. This guitar, she explained, represented her second character in her comic books, and it sported the beautiful Skin & Earth logo seen on stage, on the cover of her books, and all over her website and social media accounts — not to mention she also has it tattooed on her arm. She transitioned into her song “Running with the Boys” after this interesting discussion.
A highlight from this phase of the show was the video clips of Sailor Moon’s transformation and Street Fighter’s Chun Li pronouncing, “I am the strongest woman in the world!” playing in the background, which perfectly complemented the power behind Lights’ performance. Towards the end of this third act, Poxleitner brought up her song “We Were Here,” asking everyone, “When the song starts, do you hear waves or a storm?” The majority seemed to scream, “WAVES!” Poxleitner replied with, “Fuck. I always hear a storm.” She continued to discuss the music video for “We Were Here,” saying that she doesn’t recommend burning a bus, but that it was definitely a lot of fun: “Full disclosure — a pyrotech got to do it. But I got to throw the lighter.”
Bonus Issue – The Encore
Once more unto the breach, Lights came back on stage for a quick encore. They weren’t off stage long, likely because the crowd’s chants, screams, and claps were so demanding. Poxleitner picked the mic back up and asked, “Do you guys wanna hear another song?” Everyone, of course, responded with a loud “YES!” She replied, “Alright, so be it, but you guys gotta dance, and you gotta sing,” and the crowd certainly complied. To reward fans, Poxleitner jumped down into the crowd for a bit to give most people up front the best high-fives ever before jumping back on stage for a special surprise for Poxleitner’s sister.
Poxleitner pulled out her phone near the very end of the show and told everyone that it was her sister’s birthday. She wanted to get a video of herself singing “Happy Birthday” with everyone in the audience, so the lights lit the house up, and everyone sang along while she recorded. “I’ve never done one of these before!” she exclaimed after. Her sister certainly got the best little gift from that moment.
Overall, the Phoenix stop of Lights’ We Were Here Tour was an exhilarating experience for everyone, and it was clear the entire band had just as great of a time as the crowd. In fact, Poxleitner may have had the most fun of all — she truly seems to love what she does, and this shines through in her incredible displays of creativity. From the life-sized cardboard cutouts of her comic book character illustrations out in the lobby to the strange vegan pizza box introduction to some synthy song intro tunes, her contagious enthusiasm spread throughout Marquee Theatre and well beyond. This went well with her aura of power her music, and she herself exudes, in addition to her uplifting spirit. She is an inspiration in many ways — a true Renaissance Woman.
Prior to heading out for the evening, Poxleitner explained that Lights is part of Plus 1, a movement and organization that ensures $1 from every ticket sold for participating shows and artists goes to causes they believe in. Lights decided on GRID Alternatives, an organization that helps to bring solar power to places across the states. Poxleitner closed by stating we all need to “protect this little planet that we have… it’s all we got.” They left the stage to resounding cheers of joy, leaving everyone to their evenings with a little positive thinking and a lot of great memories.
Los Angeles — Today, LP debuted her new live video for “Up Against Me,” serving as the fifth installment in the “A Night at The McKittrick Hotel” series. Fans can watch the video HEREalong with the previous four performances – “Lost on You,” “Switchblade,” “When We’re High,” and “Muddy Waters.”
After touring non stop this past year throughout Europe and the U.S., LP is heading back out on the road in celebration of her fourth full-length studio album, Lost On You. The North American headline tour begins February 9th in Sacramento, CA and wraps up in Atlanta, GA on March 10th with support from Noah Kahan. LP’s powerful live shows are in high demand, as dates in San Francisco, Vancouver, Seattle, Chicago, Toronto, Montreal, Brooklyn, Boston, and Philadelphia are already sold out. Watch the tour trailer HERE.
Following a run of shows across Russia and Turkey, LP is confirmed to play the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival in Indio, CA on Sunday, April 15th and 22nd alongside Eminem, Portugal. The Man, A Perfect Circle, Cardi B, and Miguel, to name a few.
Tickets for all shows are on sale now and can be purchased HERE.
LP North American Tour Dates:
02/09 – Sacramento, CA @ Ace Of Spades
02/10 – San Francisco, CA @ The Independent [SOLD OUT]
02/11 – San Francisco, CA @ The Independent [SOLD OUT]
02/13 – Vancouver, BC @ Commodore Ballroom [SOLD OUT]
02/14 – Seattle, WA @ The Showbox [SOLD OUT]
02/15 – Portland, OR @ Wonder Ballroom
02/16 – Boise, ID @ Knitting Factory Concert House
02/17 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Metro Music Hall
02/20 – Aspen, CO @ Belly Up Aspen
02/21 – Boulder, CO @ Boulder Theater
02/23 – Kansas City, MO @ The Truman
02/24 – Chicago, IL @ Metro [SOLD OUT]
02/25 – Detroit, MI @ The Majestic
02/27 – Toronto, ON @ Danforth Music Hall [SOLD OUT]
02/28 – Montreal, QC @ MTELUS [SOLD OUT]
03/01 – Brooklyn, NY @ Brooklyn Steel [SOLD OUT]
03/02 – Boston, MA @ Royale Nightclub [SOLD OUT]
03/03 – Philadelphia, PA @ Theater of Living Arts [SOLD OUT]
03/05 – Washington, D.C. @ 9:30 Club
03/07 – Carrboro, NC @ Cat’s Cradle
03/08 – Charlotte, NC @ The Underground
03/09 – Nashville, TN @ Cannery Ballroom
03/10 – Atlanta, GA @ Center Stage
04/15 – Indio, CA @ Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival
04/22 – Indio, CA @ Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival
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