Imagine Dragons in Concert, Raleigh, NC

Tonight (technically last night) I had the opportunity to see Imagine Dragons live  in concert at the Red Hat Amphitheater in Raleigh, NC. Needless to say, it was definitely worth it waiting in the rain for 4 hours. They’re currently on tour for their album “Night Visions.” 

For those unfamiliar with Imagine Dragons, their music is an acoustic “straight ahead rock.” They do a lot of experimenting with synthetic sounds, and this sound becomes an electric shade over the chordal undertones.

Based out of Las Vegas, Nevada, they have grown from an act in casinos to a touring worldwide sensation. It is clear that they have mastered the emotional art of song writing- each song is an anthem of their collective struggles. It’s part of what makes the album so extraordinary.

Though it was one of the shortest concerts I’ve ever been to, it was certainly one of the most entertaining. The rain might have delayed their performance, but it didn’t hinder their energy whatsoever.

Oddly, I did not recognize  their opener. I had listened to this CD thoroughly, and I was confident that I knew every word on that album. I was dumbfounded. Apparently, I only owned the regular version of the CD. After searching Spotify, I discovered that there are 6 additional tracks, including a medley of “Nothing Left to Say Now/Rocks Medley.” Regardless, it was impressive.

The Red Hat Amphitheater

They put a unique touch on each one of their songs with an extended instrumental introduction. It was unexpected but remarkable. It almost gave the audience a sense of suspense as we waited to recognize the familiar openings of each song. It was definitely unique, something that I had never seen a band do before. From the band ‘s perspective, it was smart too, especially since a majority of the fans were presumably very familiar with the CD.

There are few concerts I’ve attended where the lead singer will sound familiar to his or her recordings. This was unquestionably one of them. Scratch that. It was even better. Their energy went a long way in delivering their music. They were interactive with the crowd, and  lead singer Daniel Reynolds even flew. There was a drum hanging from the top of the amphitheater, and little did we expect to see him get lifted through the air to play it. It was CRAZY.

And the lights go down in the city…!

Meanwhile, while his feet were on the stage, he was surrounding by a cascade of lights. It was absolutely breathtaking. The colors alternated between a cool and misty blue pallet  during sensitive tunes like “Demons,” and became  a bright, strong red orange for the harder anthems like “Radioactive.” There was a spinning disk on the stage that flashed colors too. While  he was in the air, the disk became a sun, and he literally was, “On Top of the World.”

If you have not heard of Imagine Dragons, I would greatly suggest that you do. “Night Visions” is truly a masterpiece. Unlike many other one hit wonder albums, this album is made up of 11 outstanding and relatable tracks, and believe me when I say, you’re not going to want to miss it.

xoxo,

 

Sources:

“Imagine Dragons.” : Biography. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 May 2013.

 

 

Related articles

• Album Review: Imagine Dragons’ “Night Visions” (anthonymaroon.wordpress.com)
• Tuesday Tunes: Imagine Dragons Concert Review (lorancook.com)

The 20 Best Movie Hits Ever Released on Soundtrack

There a few things more crucial than picking the perfect songs for a film soundtrack. An entire scene can be governed by what song plays in the background. Just think, what would these movies be like without the following hits? Honestly, what’s better than the perfect music and film selection? I’ll tell you what: Nada.

1. Hero, Chad Kroeger- Spiderman (2000)
2. Don’t You Forget About Me, Simple Minds , The Breakfast Club (1985)
3. (I’ve Had) The Time of My Life, Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes, Dirty Dancing (1987)
4. War, Edwin Starr, Rush Hour (1998)
5. I Believe I Can Fly, R. Kelly, Space Jams (1996)
6. Take my Breath Away, Berlin, Top Gun (1986)
7. Eve of the Tiger, Survivor, Rocky III (1982)
8. My Heart Will Go On, Celine Dion, Titanic (1997)
9. I’m a Believer, Smashmouth, Shrek (2001)
10. Hedwig’s Theme, John Williams, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (2001)
11. Shout, The Isley Brothers, Wedding Crashers (2005)
12. Skyfall, Adele, Skyfall (2012)
13. What I’ve Done, Linkin Park, Transformers (2007)
14. Keep Holding On, Avril Lavinge, Eragon (2006)
15. Lose Yourself, Eminem, 8 Mile (2002)
16. Life is a Highway, Rascal Flatts, Cars (2006)
17. Broken, Seether feat. Amy Lee, The Punisher (2004)
18. Bring Me to Life, Evanescence, Daredevil (2003)
19. Old Time Rock And Roll, Bob Seger and the Big Bullet Band, Risky Business (1983)
20. A Thousand Years, Christina Perry, Breaking Dawn Part 1 (2011)

**This list is excluding musicals for obvious reasons.

xoxo,

 

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Sources:

IMDb. IMDb.com, n.d. Web. 07 May 2013.

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• “The Great Gatsby” Soundtrack Is Here! (queenbeetch.com)

The City that Never Sleeps

“New York, concrete jungle where dreams are made of

There’s nothing you can’t do

Now you’re in New York

These streets will make you feel brand new

Big Lights will Inspire You

Let’s Hear it for New York, New York,

New York“

                          

One of my favorite cities on the planet. I may even move back here after college. There is NOTHING about this city that you can’t love: The Broadway Musicals, the shopping, Time Square, Central Park, the music scene, the nightlife, the constant throngs of people, a Starbucks on every corner, and so much more.

 For those of you who have never been, book a flight immediately. It’s called the “City that Never Sleeps” for a reason!

I posted this on another blog the night before I left for New York City for Spring Break! Since it’s both musical and artsy, I’m bringing it back to this blog! So here you have it, fifty of the best songs about New York City.

 

The Top 50 Songs about New York City:

1. Empire State of Mind – Alecia Keys and Jay Z.
2. New York State of Mind -Billy Joel
3. I Love New York – Madonna
4. New York, New York -On the Town
5. New York – Ja Rule, Fat Joe, Jadakiss
6. Theme from New York, New York -Frank Sinatra
7. Give my Regards to Broadway -James Cagney
8. New York Groove -Ace Frehley
9. On Broadway -George Benson
10. New York Lights -Fort Atlantic
11. Fairytale of New York – The Pogues and Kirsty MacColl
12. Moving to New York -The Wombats
13. New York Minute – Don Henley
14. Bells of New York City- Josh Groban
15. The Secret to New York – We the Kings
16. Big Apple Dreamin’ (Hippo)- Alice Cooper
17. New York City Cops- The Strokes
18. Manhattan- Kings of Leon
19. Manhattan- Ella Fitzgerald
20. Living for the City – Stevie Wonder
21. Rhapsody in Blue- Leonard Bernstein with the Columbia Symphony Orchestra
22. No Sleep Till Brooklyn- Beastie Boys
23. Brooklyn- Buckcherry
24. Brooklyn Bound- The Black Keys
25. Brooklyn Go Hard- Jay Z feat. Santigold
26. Autumn in New York- Billie Holiday
27. New York City Serenade- Bruce Springsteen
28. Across 110th Street -Bobby Womack
29. Harlem Shuffle- Bob & Earl
30. I And Love And You- The Avett Brothers
31. Coney Island-  Death Cab for Cutie
32. Angel of Harlem- U2
33. I Love NYC- Andrew W.K.
34. Let’s Have a Kiki- Scissor Sisters
35. The Message- Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five feat. Melle mel and Duke Bootee
36. Subway Train- The New York Dolls
37. Daddy Don’t Live in the New York City No More- Steely Dan
38. Anniversary- Suzanne Vega
39. Englishman in New York- Sting
40. Gypsy- Fleetwood Mac
41. Start Me Up- The Rolling Stones
42. Uptown Girl- Billy Joel
43. Bitter Sweet Symphony- The Verve
44. Harlem – Bill Withers
45. Stayin’ Alive- Bee Gees
46. Take the A Train- Duke Ellington & His Orchestra
47. Jenny From the Block- Jennifer Lopez feat. Jadakiss and Styles P.
48. The Luckiest Guy on the Lower East Side- The Magnetic Fields
49. New York- The Sex Pistols
50. Downtown Train- Tom Waits

 

 

““One belongs to New York instantly, one belongs to it as much in five minutes as in five years.” -Tom Wolfe

 

 

xoxo,