Category Archives: Publicists

The Stadium Tour Summer 2020: Def Leppard, Mötley Crüe, w/ Poison and Joan Jett & The Blackhearts

The world’s most iconic and celebrated rock legends will hit the road together next summer for a coheadlining tour SO MASSIVE that it could only be held in America’s biggest stadiums. The Stadium Tour featuring Def Leppard, Mötley Crüe, with Poison and Joan Jett & The Blackhearts will hit select cities in the U.S. where each band will bring their electrifying stage shows while promising to perform their stadium sized anthems. Produced by Live Nation, the summer tour is set to steamroll through America, visiting the country’s most iconic stadiums, was announced today at SiriusXM’s Hollywood Studios live on the Volume Channel 106.

Tickets will go on-sale to the general public beginning Friday, December 13 at 10am via Live Nation HERE, check local listings for details. Citi is the official presale credit card for the tour. As such, Citi cardmembers will have access to purchase presale tickets beginning Tuesday, December 10 at 12pm local time until Thursday, December 12 at 10pm local time through Citi EntertainmentSM. For complete presale details visit Citi HERE.

Tour Itinerary

Tuesday, July 7 MIAMI, FL Hard Rock Stadium
Thursday, July 9 ORLANDO, FL Camping World Stadium
Saturday, July 11 CHARLOTTE, NC Bank of America Stadium
Tuesday, July 14 ARLINGTON, TX Globe Life Field
Wednesday, July 15 HOUSTON, TX Minute Maid Park
Sunday, July 19 SAN FRANCISCO, CA Oracle Park
Thursday, July 23 SAN DIEGO, CA Petco Park
Saturday, July 25 PHOENIX, AZ State Farm Stadium
Sunday, August 9 ATLANTA, GA SunTrust Park
Tuesday, August 11 HERSHEY, PA Hersheypark Stadium
Thursday, August 13 BUFFALO, NY New Era Field
Saturday, August 15 PHILADELPHIA, PA Citizens Bank Park
Sunday, August 16 PITTSBURGH, PA PNC Park
Tuesday, August 18 MILWAUKEE, WI Miller Park
Thursday, August 20 DETROIT, MI Comerica Park
Saturday, August 22 WASHINGTON DC Nationals Park
Sunday, August 23 FLUSHING, NY Citi Field
Tuesday, August 25 BOSTON, MA Fenway Park*
Friday, August 28 CHICAGO, IL Wrigley Field
Sunday, August 30 DENVER, CO Coors Field
Wednesday, September 2 SEATTLE, WA T-Mobile Park
Saturday, September 5 LOS ANGELES, CA SoFi Stadium

Mötley Crüe

Following the huge success of their Netflix biopic The Dirt, Mötley Crüe has seen a massive surge in new audience with fans around the world demanding the band tour again. This lead to the band members reuniting and announcing that “Mötley Crüe is back” just recently. While The Dirt caused a meteoric 350% increase in streams of Mötley Crüe’s music across all platforms and the younger 18-44 demographic now represents 64% of the band’s fanbase most of the new fans have never seen any of the band’s legendary live shows that Crüeheads have relished for close to 4 decades. Mötley Crüe is also celebrating the 30th Anniversary of their #1 charting, 7x Platinum album, Dr. Feelgood this year. The band is ready to deliver an over the top stage show packed full of hit songs.

Mötley Crüe Online:

Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | Get The Dirt

Listen to Mötley Crüe:

Spotify | Apple Music | Amazon | Deezer | Pandora

Def Leppard

2019 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductees Def Leppard are one of the most important forces in rock music. Over the past year, the icons closed out a sold-out worldwide tour including a North American stadium run & headlining the UK’s Download Festival to 90k screaming fans. Def Leppard’s star continues to rise and prevail. The band have amassed a staggering 2.5 billion streams since releasing their music digitally last year. Def Leppard’s influential career crosses generations and includes numerous hit singles and ground-breaking multi-platinum albums—including two of the best-selling albums of all time, Pyromania and Hysteria, both of which are certified Diamond (10x platinum).

Def Leppard Online:

Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | Website

Listen to Def Leppard:

Spotify | Apple Music | Amazon | Deezer | Pandora

Poison & Brett Michaels

Poison will be bringing a rocking real and relevant no holds barred thunderous live show to the Stadium tour this summer with the all original lineup of Bret Michaels, C.C. DeVille, Bobby Dall and Rikki Rockett. Poison will be unleashing an onslaught of hit after hit songs in its set. Friday the 13th will be an historic date for two reasons, Stadium tour tickets will go on sale as well as Poison front man, Bret Michaels will receive the Humanitarian of the Year award to air on the CW network the same night. Michaels along with Poison is known to bring a unique style of passionate high energy, sincere gratitude and a positive attitude. Michaels engages all the fans and makes it an absolute epic ride of true live music. Together with C.C. Deville on guitar, Bobby Dall on bass, and Rikki Rockett on drums Poison will rock the stadium with a chemistry that will bring a big summer mega party vibe and Michaels promises to give 1000 % on the stage as the hotter it gets the harder Poison promises to rock!!!

Poison Online:

Web | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube

Listen to Poison:

Spotify | Apple Music | Amazon | Deezer | Pandora

Bret Michaels Online:

Web | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube

Listen to Bret Michaels:

Spotify | Apple Music | Amazon | Deezer | Pandora

Joan Jett & The Blackhearts

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee Joan Jett & The Blackhearts are no strangers to stadium sized shows having toured with The Who, Green Day and the Foo Fighters in recent years on their stadium tours. Jett celebrated the story of her life in a critically acclaimed 2018 documentary Bad Reputation which showcased all the female firepower of her life and musical career.

Joan Jett & The Blackhearts Online:

Web | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube




Maroon 5 Announce 2020 North American Tour

U.S. Dates to Kick off on May 30th

Leon Bridges will appear on all stadium dates. 
Meghan Trainor will appear on all show dates.

Three-time GRAMMY® Award winning multiplatinum band Maroon 5 have announced dates for their upcoming 2020 U.S. tour produced by Live Nation. These upcoming tour dates mark the biggest U.S. shows of the band’s career, with the group playing iconic venues such as at Wrigley Field, Fenway Park, Citi Field and Banc of California Stadium. The band’s multi-country tour will kick off on May 30th at North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre in Chula Vista, CA

Most recently Maroon 5 released their latest single “Memories” to critical acclaim. Leon Bridges’ new collaborative EP with Khruangbin, Texas Sun will be released February 7th  and the title track is out now.  Meghan Trainor will release her anticipated third studio album entitled Treat Myself, coming January 31st on Epic Records.

Tickets for the tour are set to go on sale starting on Monday, December 9th and will be available to the public on Friday, December 13th. A limited number of LaneOne Premium Packages will also be available, including amazing seats, transportation, preferred entrance and more.  Click HERE for LaneOne details. For more information, please see tour dates below and click HERE.

American Express® Card Members can purchase tickets in select markets before the general public beginning Monday, December 9th at 12pm local time through Thursday, December 12th at 10pm local time.

Citi cardmembers will have access to purchase U.S. presale tickets in select markets beginning Monday, December 9th at 12pm local time until Thursday, December 12th at 10pm local time through Citi EntertainmentSM. For complete presale details visit www.citientertainment.com.

Maroon 5’s New Hit Single “Memories” Out Now – #1 on Hot AC

The band’s tour announcement follows the debut of their most recent single, “Memories” (222 Records/ Interscope Records).  The release of “Memories”marks the first new music from the Los Angeles band since the release of their global anthem “Girls Like You.” Produced by Adam Levine and The Monsters & Strangerz and Executive Produced by Jacob “J Kash” Hindlin, “Memories” marks a moment of creative and personal progression for the musicians. The minimalist ballad starkly pairs a lilting clean guitar with chantable and evocative lyrics from Levine. In addition to representing another sonic side, it tackles uncharted subject matter for the group— namely loss—but from a different angle. 

Following its release, “Memories” quickly claimed Maroon 5’s 22nd appearance on Billboard Hot 100’s Top 40. The track is currently holding at peak position #4 on Billboard Hot 100 chart, their 10th Top 5, and their 12th Top 10 this decade; that includes at least one new song sent into the Top 10 each year since 2011. The track just reached #1 on Billboard Hot AC chart, their 14th #1 which is the most by any act. The David Dobkin directed music video has garnered over 185 million views on Youtube; pushing their video catalog to 12 BILLION views across all official channels on YouTube.

Previously Announced Tour Dates

  • 2/23     Mexico City, MEX – Foro Sol
  • 2/28     Santiago, CHL – Estadio Bicentenario de la Florida
  • 3/1       Sao Paulo, BRA – Allinaz Parque
  • 3/5       Recife, BRA – Classic Hall
  • 3/7       Rio de Janeiro, BRA – Estacionamento da Jeunesse
  • 3/10     Montevideo, URY – Estadio Centenario
  • 3/12     Buenos Aires, ARG – Campo Argentino de Polo
  • 3/14     Bogota, COL – Parque Salitre Magico

Newly Announced 2020 Tour Dates

  • 5/30     Chula Vista, CA – North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre
  • 5/31     Phoenix, AZ – Ak-Chin Pavilion
  • 6/3       Alburquerque, NM – Isleta Amphitheater
  • 6/5       Denver, CO – Pepsi Center
  • 6/7       Austin, TX – Austin360 Amphitheater
  • 6/8       The Woodlands, TX – The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
  • 6/10     Dallas, TX – Dos Equis Pavilion
  • 6/13     Chicago, IL – Wrigley Field
  • 6/14     Noblesville, IN – Ruoff Home Mortgage Music Center
  • 6/16     Clarkston, MI – DTE Energy Music Theatre
  • 6/18     Cuyahoga Falls, OH – Blossom Music Center
  • 6/19     Burgettstown, PA – KeyBank Pavilion
  • 6/24     Boston, MA – Fenway Park
  • 6/25     Flushing, NY – Citi Field
  • 6/27     Darien Center, NY – Darien Lake Amphitheater
  • 6/28     Toronto, ON – Budweiser Stage
  • 8/2       North Little Rock, AR – Simmons Bank Arena
  • 8/4       Oklahoma City, OK – Chesapeake Energy Arena
  • 8/6       Lincoln, NE – Pinnacle Bank Arena
  • 8/8       Fargo, ND – Fargodome
  • 8/9       St. Paul, MN – Xcel Energy Center
  • 8/12     Edmonton, AB – Rogers Place
  • 8/14     Vancouver, BC  – Rogers Arena
  • 8/15     Auburn, WA – White River Amphitheatre
  • 8/17     Portland, OR – Moda Center
  • 8/19     Mountain View, CA – Shoreline Amphitheatre
  • 8/21     Los Angeles, CA – Banc of California Stadium
  • 8/24     Salt Lake City, UT – USANA Amphitheatre
  • 8/27     Kansas City, MO – Sprint Center
  • 8/29     Maryland Heights, MO – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
  • 8/30     Milwaukee, WI – American Family Insurance Amphitheater
  • 9/1       Cincinnati, OH – Riverbend Music Center
  • 9/3       Camden, NJ – BB&T Pavilion
  • 9/5       Hershey, PA – Hersheypark Stadium
  • 9/6       Saratoga Springs, NY – Saratoga Performing Arts Center
  • 9/9       Hartford, CT – XFINITY Theatre
  • 9/11     Bristow, VA – Jiffy Lube Live
  • 9/12     Raleigh, NC – Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek
  • 9/14     Charlotte, NC – PNC Music Pavilion
  • 9/16     West Palm Beach, FL – Coral Sky Amphitheatre
  • 9/17     Tampa, FL – MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre

Maroon 5 Online:

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter


REVIEW: New Politics, The Mowgli’s, Plain White T’s — 3 Dimensions of Music Come to The Van Buren (12-1-19)

PHOENIX — The weekend after Thanksgiving can be a bit of a challenge when it comes to energy levels. Between possibly overindulging on turkey (or tofurkey) and pie, grinning nervously through family dinners, and running through the aisles of the local electronic store, it is indeed easy to feel completely worn out by the time Sunday night rolls around. However, this year there was a cure for the fatigue: The “3 Dimensional Tour” at The Van Buren. Triple-headlined by the New Politics, The Mowgli’s, and Plain White T’s, it was a night filled with energy and noise, and a perfect antidote to the anecdotes you heard over the helpings of holiday fixings.

Plain White T’s

Plain White T’s started the night, as a backdrop lit up with the cover of their latest album Parallel Universe, before drummer De’mar Hamilton came out and sat down to set the tone for the rest of the night. Hamilton is an exceptional drummer, and it was truly fun to watch as he laid down a solid beat throughout the set. As the first notes of “Light Up The Room” were played, lead singer Tom Higgenson strode to the microphone with a huge smile on his face and said, “What up Phoenix?! Let’s have some fun!” Higgenson and the rest of the band delivered on that promise, with Mike Retondo deadpanning “Thank you for liking my bass,” as Higgenson asked the audience to applaud Retondo after “Rhythm of Love”. Higgenson interacted and joked with the audience extensively throughout the night, taking time to thank everyone for coming out, and taking notice that “It looks like you’re having a good time! Everyone in the front is smiling!

Tim Lopez (Guitarist), Plain White T’s
| Photographer:
Rodrigo Izquierdo © All Rights Reserved
Band Photo Gallery

Indeed, it is hard not to feel jovial at a Plain White T’s show, as Higgenson keeps smiling throughout the night. As the set started to wind down – entirely too soon, it seemed – Higgenson and the band started to play “Hey There Delilah,” the song they are best known for. The crowd took over singing for him as he backed away from the microphone with a look of joy and gratitude on his face. After “Our Time Now,” he thanked the audience once more and the band left the stage.

The Mowgli’s

After a quick stage change, The Mowgli’s came out while a video played in the background, showing clips from movies meshed with scenes that gave a bit of a psychedelic vibe to the start of the show. In fact, the video continued throughout the set, and at certain points, it displayed the lyrics of the songs. As the first song “Spacin’ Out” started, the shift in energy was very apparent: where the Plain White T’s generate the audience energy through engagement with fans and having fun, while The Mowgli’s generate energy via the audience by turning the stage into a massive dance party. 

Katie Earl (Vocalist, Percussion), The Mowgli’s
| Photographer:
Rodrigo Izquierdo © All Rights Reserved
Band Photo Gallery

Vocalist Katie Earl never once stopped moving, even imploring the audience multiple times to dance along. It was a challenge to stay still as they played songs like “Real Good Life,” “I’m Good,” and “San Francisco,” and so the crowd gladly obliged her requests. She also talked about the need to talk through the tough conversations to come to an understanding with another person. The Mowgli’s have quite a bit of fun on stage. At one point during “Talk About It,” — off of their latest EP American Feelings — almost the entire band switched positions, with everyone playing a different instrument. As the last notes of “San Francisco” faded, Hogan and Earl jumped off the stage, high-fived some in the crowd, and shook hands with others. There was a great deal of appreciation from the band toward the audience.

New Politics

The show ended with a loud, chaotic set from the New Politics. David Boyd pranced onto the stage while rapping the opening lyrics to “Unstoppable,” the first song off of the new album An Invitation to an Alternate Reality. Boyd has a stage presence that is unforgettable, as he prowls and dances like an uncontainable bundle of energy around the stage. At one point during “Yeah Yeah Yeah,” Boyd jumped over the barricade and had the audience gather around and jump together with him.  Those in the crowd were visibly exuberant as they interacted with Boyd and circulated energy amongst each other.

David Boyd (Vocalist), New Politics
| Photographer:
Rodrigo Izquierdo © All Rights Reserved
Band Photo Gallery

During another song break, he promised everyone that the band would sit in the back after the show and sign everything that was purchased at the merch table. While it became a bit difficult to see the stage at some points due to the amount of smoke, the show was incredibly high energy, even when things didn’t quite go as planned. Guitarist Soren Hansen threw his guitar into the air, and while it didn’t hit the stage, it also apparently didn’t do what he had hoped it would do. He recovered quickly, brushing off the mishap as if nothing had happened. 

David Boyd (Vocalist), New Politics
| Photographer:
Rodrigo Izquierdo © All Rights Reserved
Band Photo Gallery

Part of the magic of a New Politics show is the apparently inexhaustible front man: As the show came closer to the end, Boyd seemed to only become more energetic — At one point, right before “Harlem” started, Boyd started breakdancing, ending up on his head in an impressive pose. As the last notes of “Everywhere I Go (Kings and Queens)” faded, Boyd stood on the drum kit — his back to the audience — and did a backflip, sticking the landing and getting a massive cheer from the astonished fans.It was the perfect end to a night of noise and energy, a night that saw three extremely talented bands take the stage and leave the audience energized, with the food coma of the recent holiday in the rearview mirror. The “3 Dimensional Tour” wraps in Sioux City, IA on December 20th, and is a show that should not be missed. (View Tour Dates)

Photo Gallery

Photographer: Rodrigo Izquierdo

View Separately: New Politics | The Mowgli’s | Plain White T’s

New Politics, The Mowgli’s, Plain White T’s – The Van Buren 12-1-19

Photography © Reagle Photography
All Rights Reserved

REVIEW: ‘Juliana Hatfield Sings The Police’ — A Worthwhile Covers Album

At one point or another, we’ve all lovingly paid tribute to our favorite artists by covering an entire album of their work, but it was usually done alone in the car or at home and far away from a judging audience. Actual cover albums, however, are left up to the audiences and critics, and are weighed against the original. In short, they are a tightrope walk. At its worst, the covers are so faithful to the originals that it leaves the listener wondering, “So what’s the point?” At its best, a covers album sees an artist putting their own fresh spin on the music in a way that honors the source material while also creating something unique. With the recent release of Juliana Hatfield Sings The Police, Hatfield has managed to do just that: taking songs we’ve all heard countless times over the years and melds each with her style to make it much more than just a covers album.

Juliana Hatfield
| Photographer:
David-Doobinin

With a career that dates back more than 30 years, Hatfield has been one of indie-rock’s most prolific singer-songwriters. She debuted with Nicely, Nicely, from her first band, college-rock legends Blake Babies. The band dissolved following four albums, and she has subsequently released sixteen solo albums, two albums with The Juliana Hatfield Three, two albums with Some Girls, and a reunion album with Blake Babies. (View Discography)

Even for someone already as productive as Hatfield, her signing with American Laundromat Records in 2017 marked the beginning of her most prolific period, releasing five albums (four solo and one with a reunited Juliana Hatfield Three) in just two years. While she’d previously released an album of cover songs — 2012’s self-titled Juliana Hatfield (featuring songs by Foo Fighters, Creedence Clearwater Revival, and Led Zeppelin, amongst others) — it was with the 2018 release of Juliana Hatfield Sings Olivia Newton-John that she made one of her most interesting career choices: taking on an entire album of music by another artist, whose selection might have initially surprised even her long-time fans. Last month’s release of Juliana Hatfield Sings The Police marks the second in a hopefully ongoing series of albums honoring her musical influences. 

Just as Hatfield has made a career out of defying expectations with her many side projects and cover albums, she does the same with The Police songs she chose to cover for this album. While many beloved hits are present on the album (“Roxanne,” “Every Breath You Take,” and “De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da”, for example), she pulled the rest from points across the band’s catalog, with tracks from each of their five albums. 

Track List

  1. Can’t Stand Losing You
  2. Canary in a Coalmine
  3. Next To You
  4. Hungry For You (J’aurais Toujours Faim De Toi)
  5. Roxanee
  6. Every Breath You Take
  7. Hole In My Life
  8. De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da
  9. Murder By Numbers
  10. Landlord
  11. Rehumanize Yourself

Most noticeable from the opening track, “Can’t Stand Losing You,” is that Hatfield eschews The Police’s groundbreaking hybrid of new wave and reggae, reimagining each song in her own style. While the original track from The Police’s first album Outlandos D’Amour had a sadness at the heart of it, Hatfield’s vocals seem to recast the narrative as more defiant, with a tone more of “good riddance” than “please don’t go.” 

Throughout the album, Hatfield plays with the tempos of the original tracks, slowing them down where the band hit the accelerator. On the second track, “Canary in a Coalmine,” and the third track, “Next To You,”  she slows down the original tracks’ frantic pace. In doing so, both tracks have a more playful tone to them versus the intensity they possessed before. Juliana Hatfield’s vocals have always had a sweetness to them, even when the lyrics are sorrowful. 

Two of the standout tracks on the album are the one-two punch of two of The Police’s biggest hits: “Roxanne” and “Every Breath You Take,” with each revisited through a different lens. “Roxanne,” Sting’s romantic ode, now feels like a dirge, with its crashing guitar riffs. Hatfield’s almost desperate pleading is balanced by her own harmonized backing vocals, almost angelic in stark contrast. 

On her career-spanning greatest-hits album, Gold Stars 1992-2002: The Juliana Hatfield Collection, Hatfield previously covered “Every Breath You Take,” which had a brokenhearted yearning to it, like the song’s narrator is making a last-ditch effort to will back an ex. While much has been made of the implied meaning of the original song, Hatfield recasts it as a genuinely sweet romantic ode.

For all the beauty she infuses into “Every Breath You Take,” she takes the opposite approach to “Hole in My Life.” Her focus here is squarely on the pain in the lyrics, and she tones down the song’s tempo to match its mournfulness. Where The Police balanced the heartbroken lyrics with an almost bouncy rhythm, Hatfield lets it wallow in its own dejected misery.

In her take of Synchronicity’s “Murder By Numbers,” she does away with the sing-songy rhythm and soulful vocals of the original in favor of a fuzz-guitar sped-up punk. You can feel the Boston punk scene Hatfield grew up around in the 80’s in its style: now a foot-stomping, fist-pumping moshing classic that is one of the album’s standout tracks. Just as she did with her tribute to Olivia Newton-John, she manages to straddle the line of honoring the original material expertly, while also breathing new life into each song by layering herself into them. Though …Sings The Police is the second in her series of cover/tribute albums, it stands on its own as an album uniquely belonging to Juliana Hatfield.

Juliana Hatfield Tour Dates:

1/16 Evanston, IL @ S.P.A.C.E.
1/17 Indianapolis, IN @ Hi-Fi
1/18 Nashville, TN @ The Basement East
1/19 Birmingham, AL @ Workplay Theater
1/21 Dallas, TX @ Granada Theatre
1/22 Austin, TX @3Ten at ACL Live
1/24 Phoenix, AZ @ Crescent Ballroom
1/25 Pioneertown, CA @ Pappy + Harriet’s
1/27 Los Angeles, CA @ The Echoplex
1/28 San Francisco, CA @ Slim’s
1/30 Portland, OR @ Doug Fir Lounge
2/01 Seattle, WA @ Tractor Tavern


Connect with Juliana Hatfield

Website | Twitter | Instagram

Ravenword Album Details and First Single Out Now

Italian symphonic power metal band Ravenword has unleashed “No More,” first single from their one-time studio album, Transcendence, out January 31 via Rockshots Records.

Vocalist Chiara Tricarico comments: 
“This song is a classical power metal track with a beautiful piano part and a super-fast solo.” 

The track features Davide Lovecchio as special guest on the lead guitar. 

“No More” is available as digital single at all major online stores, paired with an official audio track on YouTube.

Spotify |  iTunes | YouTube

Transcendence is now available for pre-order at the Rockshots Records’ official store. Inspired by Edgar Allan Poe’s novel The Raven, the Milan, Italy, based band was originally formed in 2007 by keyboardist and composer Davide Scuteri (Choirs Of Veritas). After several years of activity, which included a self-titled demo, the band went on a brief hiatus, re-grouping in 2016 when singer Chiara Tricarico (Sound StormMoonlight Haze), drummer Michele Olmi (ChronosfearSkeleeton) and bass/guitar player Cesare Ferrari (Choirs Of Veritas) joined the band, in order to create a one-time studio album that embodies the whole history of the band.  

With TranscendenceRavenword captures the romantic and decadent poetic themes typical of Edgar Allan Poe’s period, combined with an equally decadent symphonic metal sound. In line with Ravenword’s ode to poetry, the title Transcendence was chosen to symbolize the idea of always going beyond one’s perception of reality and seeking deeper meanings. 

Transcendence Tracklisting:

  1. Blue Roses
  2. Life Is In Your Hands
  3. No More
  4. Lullaby Of The Last Petal
  5. Purity
  6. Rain Of Stars
  7. The Queen Of Darkness
  8. What I Need
  9. The Swansong
  10. Dylan
  11. Crimson Lake
  12. The Distance
  13. Bleeding Moon

Ravenword Online:

Rockshots Records | Facebook


Alanis Morissette Announces 2020 Tour Celebrating 25 Years Of ‘Jagged Little Pill’

Today, seven-time GRAMMY® Award-winning singer/songwriter Alanis Morissette announced that she will be embarking on a 31-date North American tour which kicks off June 2nd, 2020 in Portland, OR. Produced by Live Nation, the tour will celebrate 25 years of Jagged Little Pill. It will hit cities like Los Angeles, New York, Toronto, and Chicago before wrapping in Nashville, TN on July 25th, 2020 and she’ll be playing all her biggest hits along the way. Alanis will be joined by special guest Garbage and also appearing Liz Phair.

New Single “Reasons I Drink” Out Today From Forthcoming Album, 
Such Pretty Forks In The Road, Due Out May 1st, 2020

Alanis also released her new song, “Reasons I Drink” today via Epiphany Music. Get it HERE! “Reasons I Drink” was co-written by Alanis and Michael Farrell (Morrissey, Macy Gray) and produced by Alex Hope (Troye Sivan, Ben Platt, Tove Lo). The track comes off Alanis’ highly anticipated ninth album, Such Pretty Forks In The Road, due out May 1st. This will be Alanis’ first original album since 2012’s Havoc and Bright Lights. On December 4th, catch Alanis’ debut television performance of “Reasons I Drink” on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. Alanis is also being honored with the 2019 Billboard Women In Music Icon Award at their ceremony on December 12th in Los Angeles.

Presales for the tour will begin on December 10 at 11 AM local time and tickets will go on sale to the general public beginning Friday, December 13th at 11 AM local time HERE. VIP packages will be available starting with the presale. With each transaction, fans will receive an instant grat download of “Reasons I Drink” and a digital download of Alanis’ new album Such Pretty Forks In The Road, upon its release on May 1st. For tickets and more information, go HERE. Citi is the official presale credit card for the tour. As such, Citi cardmembers will have access to purchase U.S. presale tickets beginning Wednesday, December 11th at 11 AM local time until Thursday, December 12th at 12 PM local time through Citi’s Entertainment program. For complete presale details visit HERE.

Alanis Morissette 2020 Tour Dates:

June 02, 2020Portland, ORSunlight Supply Amphitheater
June 03, 2020Seattle, WAWhite River Amphitheatre
June 05, 2020Concord, CAConcord Pavilion
June 07, 2020Salt Lake City, UTUSANA Amphitheatre
June 09, 2020Los Angeles, CAHollywood Bowl
June 10, 2020Phoenix, AZAk-Chin Pavilion
June 12, 2020Austin, TXAustin360 Amphitheater
June 13, 2020Rogers, ARWalmart AMP
June 14, 2020Dallas, TXDos Equis Pavilion
June 17, 2020Tampa, FLMIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre
June 18, 2020West Palm Beach, FLCoral Sky Amphitheatre
June 20, 2020Alpharetta, GAAmeris Bank Amphitheatre
June 21, 2020Charlotte, NCPNC Music Pavilion
June 23, 2020Raleigh, NCCoastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek
June 26, 2020Wantagh, NYNorthwell Health at Jones Beach Theater
June 27, 2020Hartford, CTXFINITY Theatre
June 28, 2020Camden, NJBB&T Pavilion
July 01, 2020Holmdel, NJPNC Bank Arts Center
July 02, 2020Columbia, MDMerriweather Post Pavilion
July 03, 2020Virginia Beach, VAVeterans United Home Loans Amphitheater
July 06, 2020Gilford, NHBank of New Hampshire Pavilion
July 08, 2020Saratoga Springs, NYSaratoga Performing Arts Center
July 09, 2020Mansfield, MA XFINITY Center
July 11, 2020Toronto, ONBudweiser Stage
July 16, 2020Noblesville, INRuoff Home Mortgage Music Center
July 17, 2020Tinley Park, ILHollywood Casino Amphitheatre
July 18, 2020Maryland Heights, MOHollywood Casino Amphitheatre
July 21, 2020Clarkston, MIDTE Energy Music Theatre
July 23, 2020Cuyahoga Falls, OHBlossom Music Center
July 24, 2020Cincinnati, OHRiverbend Music Center
July 25, 2020Nashville, TNBridgestone Arena

JAGGED LITTLE PILL OPENING ON BROADWAY DECEMBER 5TH

Alanis M Jagged Little Pill Musical

Jagged Little Pill will be making its debut on Broadway this Thursday, December 5th at the Broadhurst Theatre in New York City. Featuring lyrics by Alanis and music by Alanis and six-time Grammy winner Glen Ballard, Jagged Little Pill is directed by Tony Award winner Diane Paulus (Waitress, Pippin) and features an original story by Academy Award-winning writer Diablo Cody (Juno, Tully). Jagged Little Pill is a breathtaking new musical inspired by the themes and emotions revealed in Alanis Morissette’s album of the same name. Variety notes “[a]lways engaging, often moving and even rousing, the show boasts dramatic interest and integrity on its own theatrical terms.” For tickets, please visit Telecharge.

Alanis Morissette Online:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube



Five Finger Death Punch Announce Massive Spring 2020 U.S. Arena Tour

Special Guests Papa Roach, I Prevail,
& Support from Ice Nine Kills

4x Platinum, 6x Gold record selling rock juggernaut Five Finger Death Punch have announced that they will kick off the 2nd leg of their current U.S. arena headline tour in April, featuring special guests Papa Roach, I Prevail, as well as highly acclaimed newcomer Ice Nine Kills. The tour is co-produced by Frank Productions and Live Nation. See all dates below.

VIP presale, artist fanclub presale, and cyber monday presale begins today at 10:00 AM (local time). Citi is the official presale credit card of the tour. As such, Citi cardmembers will have access to purchase U.S. presale tickets beginning Tuesday, December 3rd at 10:00 AM (local time) until Thursday, December 5th at 10:00 PM through Citi’s Entertainment program. Local promoter venue and radio presales will kick off on Thursday, December 5th at 10:00 AM (local time). Tickets will go on-sale to the general public beginning Friday, December 6th at 10:00 AM (local time).

Five Finger Death Punch are currently touring US arenas before heading to Europe right after the holidays for their nearly sold out European arena run with very special guests Megadeth and global breakout rock sensation Bad Wolves. Information on all tour dates including links to tickets and VIP packages can be found HERE.

FFDPTour

Five Finger Death Punch Spring 2020 Tour Dates:

  • 4/8 – Sunrise, FL // BB&T Center
  • 4/10 – Duluth, GA // Infinite Energy Center
  • 4/11 – Pelham, AL // Oak Mountain Amphitheater
  • 4/13 – San Antonio, TX // AT&T Center
  • 4/14 – Ft. Worth, TX // Dickies Arena
  • 4/16 – Houston, TX // Toyota Center
  • 4/18 – Phoenix, AZ // Talking Stick Resort Arena
  • 4/19 – San Diego, CA // Viejas Arena
  • 4/21 – Los Angeles, CA // The Forum
  • 4/23 – Tacoma, WA // Tacoma Dome
  • 4/25 – Portland, OR // Veteran Memorial Coliseum
  • 4/27 – Morrison, CO // Red Rocks Amphitheatre
  • 4/29 – Kansas City, MO //Sprint Center
  • 5/3 – Baltimore, MD // Royal Farms Arena
  • 5/5 – Worcester, MA // DCU Center
  • 5/6 – Newark, NJ // Prudential Center
  • 5/8 – Cincinnati, OH // Heritage Bank Center
  • 5/12 – Detroit, MI // Little Caesars Arena
  • 5/14 – Pittsburgh, PA // PPG Paints Center
  • 5/15 – Camden, NJ // BB&T Pavilion
  • 5/17 – Nashville, TN // Bridgestone Arena
  • 5/19 – Rosemont, IL // Allstate Arena
  • 5/20 – St. Paul, MN // Xcel Energy Center

Coinciding with the unveiling of their next massive tour, Five Finger Death Punch have announced their long awaited eighth studio album, titled F8. The album will be released globally on February 28th, 2020 and is available for pre-order now.

Five Finger Death Punch have amassed over 3 billion streams to date, over 2 billion video views and are the 3rd biggest artist in the hard rock space measured by total consumption (sales and streams) – surpassed only by Metallica and AC/DC. Newly signed to Better Noise Music, they’ve garnered 22 top 10, hit singles over the last few years.

Today, Five Finger Death Punch also premiered the debut single from F8, “Inside Out” one of the most personal songs that the band has released to date. Watch the official lyric video HERE.

Fans who pre-order the album digitally will receive an instant download of “Inside Out” along with two other new tracks before the release on February 28th. The album will be available in the following formats: CD, digital download, mastered for iTunes download, double gatefold vinyl and picture disc vinyl. The band also curated special F8 merchandise bundles of albums with exclusive t-shirts, hoodies and more, available for pre-order HERE.

Says Five Finger Death Punch guitarist Zoltan Bathory, “We had an extremely successful, yet tumultuous couple of years as a band. We didn’t just weather the storm but came out on the other side better than ever. It was a focused sober group recording, our most important album to date and without a question it shows.”

“This album represents rebirth, progression, transcendence both personally and musically.” Vocalist Ivan Moody adds, “This record to me is ‘absolution’ – everything I’ve done in my life has led up to this moment.”

F8 was produced by Five Finger Death Punch with long time producer Kevin Churko (Ozzy Osbourne, Disturbed, Slash, etc). See the full tracklisting for F8 below.

FFDP F8

TRACKLISTING FOR F8:

  1. F8
  2. Inside Out
  3. Full Circle
  4. Living The Dream
  5. A Little Bit Off
  6. Bottom Of The Top
  7. To Be Alone
  8. Mother May I (Tic Toc)
  9. Darkness Settles In
  10. This Is War
  11. Leave It All Behind
  12. Scar Tissue
  13. Brighter Side Of Grey
  14. Making Monsters (BONUS)
  15. Death Punch Therapy (BONUS)
  16. Inside Out (Radio Edit) (BONUS)

The new album F8 follows Five Finger Death Punch’s hugely successful 2018 release, And Justice For None, which debuted in the Top 5 around the world and became the #1 streaming Hard Rock/Heavy Metal album of that year. They’ve built a rabid, global fan base by creating a unique sound that blurs the line between rock and metal, which has never been more apparent than on their upcoming eighth studio album F8 and their upward trajectory doesn’t seem to waver.

Five Finger Death Punch Is:

Zoltan Bathory
Ivan Moody
Jason Hook
Charlie Engen
Chris Kael

Download/Stream Five Finger Death Punch:

Spotify | Apple Music

Five Finger Death Punch Online:

Website | Twitter | Instagram  
Facebook | YouTube



Featured photo (top) by Stephen Jensen


INTERVIEW: My Immortal Enemy Singer Discusses Impending Debut Album — ‘Akuma’

Rock and punk fans should keep an ear out for the band My Immortal Enemy, especially if some of your favorite bands include Beartooth, Avenged Sevenfold, My Chemical Romance, and AFI.  Steven Juliano is their vocalist, Joel Chandler is bassist, Ryan Loomis is on drums, and Ryan Heggum is the guitarist.

My Immortal Enemy
Photography:
Cats Eye View Photography

If Juliano’s name sounds familiar, then perhaps you’ve heard of the band I Am Ghost from Epitaph records. Juliano is hitting the ground running with My Immortal Enemy, and their new duet album Akuma, featuring 12 head-banging rock songs, is coming out soon on January 10th, 2020. Their album was recorded at Indigital Studios in Santa Cruz, CA. It was mixed/mastered by Zack Ohren who has previously worked with Machine Head, All Shall Perish, and Set Your Goals.

Most of the members are still in their early 20’s and are excited to hear what music lovers think of their new record. They can’t wait to hit the road and meet their fans on tour, hopefully sometime in 2020.

Juliano generously gave Burning Hot Events some of his time to discuss the album concept, choices behind its development, and band evolution:

Interview with Steven Juliano, Singer of My Immortal Enemy

Q & A with music journalist Brittney Coon

The word “akuma” is Japanese for “demon” or “devil”, and Akuma is also the name of a character from Street Fighter. What is the inspiration for your album title?

Juliano: From the very beginning, before we had even written a song, I had a concept for this record. With my last band (I Am Ghost), rock-opera-albums was our thing, but after the band disbanded I started a few other music projects and kind of steered away from all that. The reason being concept albums are a lot of work. Mentally hard work. I wasn’t ready to wrap my head around such a large endeavor then.

This time I felt I was ready again, knowing all too well I was making a lot more work for myself lyrically. But I like challenges, I guess. I’m a glutton for punishment as they say. So, I created this detailed story; a semi-fictional tale with me as the protagonist, the devil (Akuma) the main antagonist. It’s a life journey story in a sense, something I believe we can all relate to.  

On your website and on SoundCloud, the track “Paradise” shows an image of Baphomet, a Satanic deity. Lyrically, does your album contain a lot of occult elements? If so, does this reflect your personal beliefs, or is it more of a stylistic choice?

Juliano: It’s all about the concept of the album, honestly, and has nothing to do with our religious beliefs. None of us in My Immortal Enemy are Satanist. None of us are very religious to begin with. I’ve been asked by a lot by people on what the artwork means, why all the dark/religious undertones, etc… and it’s hard to explain since the album isn’t out yet. Once you hear it all in context, it makes sense. 

What drew you to having Zack Ohren produce your debut album?

Juliano: The band actually wrote/produced the album ourselves and Zack did the entire mixing/mastering. Before he came on board we had another guy, a semi-famous gentleman whose band had sold millions and millions of albums in the past. So we thought it was a no brainer to have him mix our album. Well, his mixes were turning out… terrible. And not only terrible, he was taking months to get mixes back. There was a definite low period in the band. I had never gone through anything like that before in my career. We all felt helpless, like our album had been hijacked. Finally, I just called up the guy and fired him.

Soon after the search was on for a new mixing-engineer. My bass player told me about a guy he’d worked with in the past, a guy whose discography of bands was perfect for what we’re trying to convey. At the time, Zack was working on the new Machine Head album but graciously took on our project. 

Out of all the tracks on your new album, why did you choose “The Laughing Heart” as your first single?

Juliano:  Figuring out the first song to release is always difficult. Especially from a new band no one’s heard of yet. You have all these questions swirling in your head: “Do we release an aggressive song? A “radio song”? What if no one likes it? Blah blah blah.” All artists are insecure in a way. If they say they’re not they are lying. We decided it was best to release something that had a little bit of everything.

What I’ve learned from doing this for so long is that not everyone is going to like your music. It took me quite some time to realize that. Easier said than done… I know. But in the end you just have to put out songs you dig and keep moving forward. Second thing I’ve learned (mostly by trial and error) is that if you’re writing honest music with honest lyrics, people tend to lean towards that more often than not.   

Currently showing four men as your band members, who is the female vocalist on tracks such as “Into the Blue”?

Juliano:  At the early conception of the band we had a female guitarist who played and sang on the album. But, as in life, shit happened… shit that was completely out of our control. One minute she’s all about that tour life… the next minute she’s like “I’m going to get married and I don’t want to be in a band anymore.” Ultimately she moved away and gave up.

That’s the hardest part of being in a serious band; finding people who are all on the same page. Some would think finding great, seasoned musicians is the hardest part, but that’s not true at all. That’s the easy part actually. Finding musicians who you get along with and are willing to put in the long hours is definitely the hardest part. 

We know how difficult it can be to retain band members in a new band. With six members listed on your Facebook page, have you gained and lost many members over the past year? If so, how were you able to recover?

Juliano: We’ve been lucky enough to keep the four main members, all of whom are the main song writers of the group. So in retrospect it’s been rather painless. Most touring bands have members who are really just hired guns anyways, so the fact we’ve kept our core unit in tact is a blessing. 

How is this band different, in sound or otherwise, than I Am Ghost?

I Am Ghost’s Those We Leave Behind Album Cover

Juliano: The biggest difference with My Immortal Enemy and I Am Ghost is that I Am Ghost had a strong, almost ungodly major label push from day one. I Am Ghost was signed by Epitaph Records very early in our career. We signed a three album deal after only a couple of shows under our belts. And when I say couple, I mean only like three of four shows… ever.  After that we became another monster. We had real management and agents and a team of publicists… big dogs that would never even return my emails in any of my previous bands… and all this happened literally overnight.

My Immortal Enemy’s Akuma Album Artwork
By:
Steven Juliano

My Immortal Enemy, on the other hand, is all DIY. We do everything ourselves. We paid for the recording and mixing of our album ourselves… which was very expensive. Our upcoming music video we paid ourselves. We book all our own shows. I design all the artwork in the band. The negative in all that is its financially draining. The positive, and you have to always look at the positive being in a band, is that there is zero outside influence regarding our music, and for the moment, we rather enjoy the freedom. As to the actual musical styles between the two, My Immortal Enemy is definitely very similar, although I wasn’t trying for that to happen at all. It just kind of happened, I guess. 

Your website currently shows a “coming soon” message under the “Tour” section. Are tour plans currently in the works to support the album release?

Juliano: We wanted to take off a few months and get the album release in order. All that takes a lot of work since we are doing it ourselves. Also, being that it’s winter, there really is no reason to hop into a van and travel the US battling all that darn rain and snow. Again, I’ve been touring since I was 19 years old, so subsequently I know how it goes. Winter dates more likely than not get canceled because of bad weather, and most importantly it’s too dangerous traveling. We will be back early 2020 with tour dates, so rest assured. We hope to play as many shows and in as many different places as we possibly can. 

What headlining bands would you love to tour with?

Juliano: The cool thing about our band is I feel we could tour with anyone and do ok. We have that definite metal vibe but I’m a punk kid at heart and I think we’d do well on a punk tour, or a hard rock tour. I think we’d fit in well on a pop punk tour… hell, throw us on a ska tour we’d survive. But bands that would be fun to tour with would be bands like Beartooth or Avenged Sevenfold, or even My Chemical Romance now that they have gotten back together. 

How are you going to celebrate the release of your new album?

Juliano: This might sound stupid but it feels as though we’ve gone to war in some far off country and have finally returned home… like years later.  There’s definitely this “Holy shit man, we did it. We made it home alive…” type mentality with the four of us, which in the end has only brought us closer together. Ultimately, bad things happen in life… things completely out of your control and you can either be resilient or just give up.

But we honestly believe in this album. We think it’s not just good, but rather exceptional. Especially if you know all the history surrounding its inception… of how many times we were knocked down but kept getting back up. My Immortal Enemy are fighters, that’s for damn sure.

Order Akuma:

Arrives in stores everywhere January 10th, 2020. You can now pre-order your physical copy of My Immortal Enemy’s debut 12 song album, “Akuma” HERE. Signed by entire band. Includes two stickers and 1.5 inch button. Bundle pack includes Black Skull/Coffin T-Shirt. FREE shipping (if in the USA). Album ships world-wide.

Also Available for Pre-Order at:

Amazon | Apple Music

Track Listing:

  1. Dangerous
  2. I Devil’lyn
  3. Into The Blue
  4. The Laughing Heart
  5. Atlas
  6. Paradise
  7. Blood On My Hands
  8. Chances Are
  9. After the Funeral
  10. Shiver
  11. Dearly Departed
  12. Hellos Are Harder Than Goodbyes

Stream My Immortal Enemy:

Spotify | SoundCloud | Deezer
YouTube | Play Music | iHeartRadio

Connect with My Immortal Enemy

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Faith No More Return, First European Performances in Five Years 

SAN FRANCISCO – Faith No More return to the road next summer, announcing what will be the band’s first European performances in five years: Hellfest (June 20), Sunstroke (June 13) and Tons of Rock (June 26), with more European festival performances to be announced soon.

“Five years, four colonoscopies, two root canals and a handful of prostate exams tell us that it’s time to carpe diem our asses back to Europe asap,” said the band, collectively.

Faith No More last played in Europe in June of 2015, following the May 2015 release of Sol Invictus (Ipecac/Reclamation Recordings). The collection debuted atop the international sales charts: #2 in Australia, #4 in Germany, and #6 in both the U.S. and UK. Rolling Stone dubbed the 10-song album “triumphant,” the New Yorker called it “a reminder of everything that made Faith No More great in the first place,” and the Los Angeles Times said, Faith No More has a history of defying expectations, and that’s what it’s doing again with Sol Invictus.”

The San Francisco-born, platinum-selling band have released seven studio albums: We Care A Lot (1985), Introduce Yourself (1987), The Real Thing (1989), Angel Dust (1992), King For A Day… Fool For A Lifetime (1995), Album of the Year (1997) and Sol Invictus (2015).

Faith No More Is:

Mike Bordin (drums)
Roddy Bottum (keyboards)
Bill Gould (bass)
Jon Hudson (guitar)
Mike Patton (vocals)

Faith No More Online:

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

Featured photo (top) by Jimmy Hubbard



REVIEW: Lindsey Stirling Enthralls in Hometown Show at Comerica Theatre (11-23-19)

PHOENIX — There is an age-old argument over when exactly the Christmas season starts. Some would say that the day after Halloween is the official date that you can start preparing for Christmas, and others argue that the day after Thanksgiving, and not a day before, is the proper date to throw some Christmas music on and start feeling festive. It should be postulated that neither of these are correct: The first day that it officially feels like Christmas is the day of the first concert in Lindsey Stirling’s annual winter tour.

The tour is in its third year now, first named “Warmer in the Winter” in 2017, “The Wanderland Tour” in 2018 and now “Warmer in the Winter” again. Stirling, an Arizona native, noted during the show that the name came from all of the warm winters she spent here in Arizona. “The Wanderland Tour” bypassed Arizona, which may possibly explain why the tour changed names last year.

Arizona winters are indeed warm, and this one was no exception up until earlier this week. As the doors opened and the public began pouring into Comerica Theatre in Downtown Phoenix, there was a chill in the air, one that announced that winter actually does come to Arizona. In the moments leading up to the first wisp of smoke from the machine on stage, the audience filtered into the theatre and found their seats with a growing buzz of anticipation, as excited conversations built toward a crescendo as showtime drew closer. All ages had come out to see Lindsey Stirling, from the wide-eyed young girls who wore dresses that looked much like the dresses that Stirling wears in her music videos, to the older fans who looked like they were ready for a Sunday morning church service. For the young, they had come to see their hero. For the older, to see an artist who has redefined what it means to be a violinist. No one left disappointed. 

Lindsey Stirling
| Photographer:
Mark Greenawalt © All Rights Reserved

The “Warmer in the Winter” tour was a delight in every way possible. From the first few moments after the smoke machines kicked on to announce the start of the show until the final notes of the last song, “I Wonder While I Wander,” each and every second was packed with magic. Stirling and her dancers moved effortlessly through incredibly difficult maneuvers, drawing the crowd in. She is well known for her violin skills and her dancing, but she is also an incredible singer with a wicked sense of humor. Backed by a talented band including Kit Nolan on the keyboard and Drew Steen on the drums, Stirling danced, sang, and cracked jokes throughout the night. 

Lindsey Stirling
| Photographer:
Mark Greenawalt © All Rights Reserved

The production includes special effects, props, and costuming that inspire awe and joy. The backdrop was a massive screen, which was one of the key elements to the show. Throughout the night, it would be used to show a clip of Stirling’s alter ego Phebla, become a backdrop of the universe while she played “Between The Twilight” from her newest album Artemis, and finally to have us fly through a field of mushrooms as a nod to Alice In Wonderland during “Carol of the Bells.” She explained that she named the album after Artemis because Artemis is the Goddess of the moon, and the moon brings light into the darkness. 

Her concerts are always an inspirational and moving experience because heartfelt speeches in between songs are a regular part of the show. She told the audience, “I want you to think about how amazing you are, because I think that’s something you may not tell yourself enough…every single person in this room is incredible and powerful…as I play this song, maybe even close your eyes and see yourself for how beautiful you are and for your own light, because the world needs every single person to shine.” As she started to play “Between The Twilight”, the spotlight turned off, and the screen behind her showed the universe, or the stars in it at least. The ethereal sound took the audience on a journey of light, of sound, of beauty.

Stirling is also a fierce advocate for her fans. After a visually stunning “We Three Gentlemen,” She gave an emotional speech, talking about her journey to get where she was. She then told the audience “Nobody else can write your story. Never let anyone else tell you what you can do, what you can’t do, what you’re good at, what you’re not good at — because you’re the only one who knows what you can do, what’s inside of you.” She admitted that her insecurities had not changed from before she found fame until now. 

Lindsey Stirling
| Photographer:
Mark Greenawalt © All Rights Reserved

Stirling spoke at length, her voice quivering a bit as she talked about losing her best friend to cancer 4 years ago, and her dad 3 years ago. It was an emotional, vulnerable speech. She spoke about angels and how she felt they surrounded her. This led into “Angels We Have Heard on High,” during which she stood at the top of the stairs in front of the screens with a mesmerizingly beautiful light that followed her every move with her bow. It was the most impactful song of the show. 

She spoke with gratitude of how much she appreciated the shows in Arizona, saying that she looked forward to them because, “I feel like this is my family.

“Thank you guys so much for coming! It’s only because of you guys and the support I had from home from the very beginning that I am here. Thank you.” 

Lindsey Stirling
| Photographer:
Mark Greenawalt © All Rights Reserved

During Stirling’s “favorite song to play,” “Hallelujah,” the tone switched away from happy, jovial, and infectious. The entire venue was utterly captivated by the otherworldly beautiful sound of the violin and backing guitar. There were some in the audience wiping away tears as the last notes faded away and Stirling again thanked everyone.

There are those that dedicate their life to the mastery of the violin, and others who train to lead the dance troupe at the theatre. To be able to do both at once – and do it well – is rare indeed. As the show started it became apparent the immense amount of planning and attention to detail that went into each and every step of this spectacular display. Each costume change was so well-planned that it would not be noticed or delay the show, and each dance move was tightly choreographed. Stirling has a zest for performing, a love for the fans, and a respect for her craft that lends itself to a show that would be hard to equal. 

Lindsey Stirling
| Photographer:
Mark Greenawalt © All Rights Reserved

Everyone had gathered for a concert, but those in attendance received so much more than that. Viewing the show through the eyes of one who has seen many, it was an incredible, exciting show — one that lingers in the back of the mind. She is a wonderful role model to the young that view her as a giant. They aspire to one day reach her greatness after witnessing the impact of her beauty and grace.

Lindsey Stirling
| Photographer:
Mark Greenawalt © All Rights Reserved

Stirling has a self-awareness that gives strength and power to those around her, saying what people need to hear before they even know they need to hear it. She is, in a word, rare. She is a once in a generation talent who has captured the imagination of the young, inspires the broken and gives peace to all who hear her. As the show ended and we walked into the cold night air of her hometown, it was hard not to feel refreshed and ready to celebrate the season. And that, in the end, is the magic of Lindsey Stirling.

Photographer: Mark Greenawalt

Lindsey Stirling – Comerica Theatre 11-23-19

Photography © Mark Greenawalt
All Rights Reserved