KROQ WEENIE ROAST EXPERIENCE

OMG OMG OMG OMG SUNSHINERS! BEST DAY OF MY FRICKEN LIFE !!!!

Wow, just wow.

KROQ Weenie Roast was the best concert I have ever been to! Their lineup was insane and literally, those 9 1/2 hours went by so fast! Here's who played:

The highlights for me were OF COURSE taking a picture with Dan Smith (from Bastille). Honestly, I feel silly for being so happy, but I don't care! As you can tell I was majorly fangirling!

Look at his security, I feel like that guy is saying, "BEWARE there's this blonde goober being weird by Dan!" I am beyond thankful that he'd even go in the crowd and he went on our side, like WHAT!

A couple of other highlights were Capital Cities! They were absolutely amazing and their trumpet player became my new hero, he absolutely killed it! I officially need to go to their own concert because I am totally a huge fan of their sound!

The Neighbourhood of course wowed me and made me so excited to see them July 24th! They just have such a great sound, it's interesting how even though their music isn't like JUMP UP AND DOWN AND PARTY, it still gets you pumped and of course Jesse Rutherford (lead singer) personality is awesome, he has this cool guy vibe, but also dangerous covered in tattoos F you kind of attitude.

I do have to mention The 1975 because not only did Dr. Drew introduce them, but literally every girl completely pushed one another just to get close. Matty is a funny guy, like he definitely has that cool guy vibe as well, more like he can wear a girls Forever21 "DRUGS" with a big x on it and yet sing songs about drugs and still make you want to be his best friend. His voice too is way awesome, although I couldn't understand much because that accent is thick! At one point a girl threw her shirt on stage and he just looked at it and said "thanks for the shirt, I mean it has literally nothing to do with me, like you just took off your shirt and gave it to me, like that's it." Then somebody gave him roses, which was quite rad. All in all, i think I became a true 1975 fan!

There's was a major twist in events when American Authors came on and I realized how much I love them! When I've listened to them in the past I wasn't too like "omg i love them" kind of thing, but Zac Barnette's (lead singer) personality kind of reminds me of Panic At the Disco's Brendon Urie! Very upbeat and super outgoing attitude and he made me feel really positive! Not only with the song "Believer" and "Best Day of My Life", but also him just talking to the crowd and about how he went to the Weenie Roast back in the day and how surreal it is to be on the stage now and just to follow your dreams. Plus he's quite good looking! Honestly, most of the artists were ripped, like, how can I get that?? Also James Adam Shelley rocked the banjo, so I mean, kind of obsessed with them now!

Phantogram was kind of a disappointment, which was way sad because I love "Fall In Love" by them, but honestly that's kind of the only song I do like and after seeing them live that fact definitely was true. Although Sarah Barthel is like the coolest, she kept saying "Hello LA" and we were in Irvine, but then like their sound just didn't do too great with the crowd and didn't sound good, they were having some instrument problems, but the only song that got the crowd going was "Fall in Love". Other than that, there was nothing special. I did get to the very front though, so I got to enjoy that song to the fullest!

Now let's talk Fall Out Boy! Wow, like come on, they played Sugar We're Goin' down, DANCE DANCE, and Thanks for the Memories and if you use to completely rock out to those back in the day then you can understand my excitement! They sound exactly the same and completely got the crowd on their feet and even Pete Wentz ran through the crowd during "My Songs know what you did in the dark" and he also gave an inspiring speech to never let anyone bring you down and always go for your dreams.

Foster the People was incredible! Absolutely incredible! I was a tad scared only because I've never thought of their music as like jump around music and my friend who saw them a day at before 91x Fest said they weren't good live, but they definitely blew her mind! Plus their graphics rocked the house and their lights completely got us all pumped and oh my goodness I want to completely listen to all their songs! It kind of reminded me of a disco and Mark Fosters voice is absolutely brilliant! Very very strong!

We didn't see Beck only because I had listen to them on spotify and their music just wasn't my jam, but apparently I had asked somebody how he was and they said they were great live, but we had gone to this like dance party down that was down from the Amphitheatre (which was crazy awesome!), although I didn't realize how silly us Americans are, like there were the typical blonde California girls on stage completely grinding on eachother thinking they were the absolutely shizzzle, but actually looked super retarded. Yet, the DJ played some great jams and my friend and I were going crazy! Then this little kid completely shocked the crowd with his swag. We all basically went in a circle around him while he danced his little heart out!

The best part (other than Dan Smith walking next to me) was AVICCI! Wow. Now that was seriously the best thing ever, I basically felt like I was at a rave, but more innocent and not as crazy, but almost the same thing! Everybody had glow sticks (that were apparently free and I couldn't find the guy so I didn't get any) and AVICCI's mixes completely took over! Like he had fire, sparklers, and I guess it's called smoke? I don't even know! It was just the BEST! That's what absolutely made it the best day ever! During that I really didn't want it to end! The music completely took control and there was one point I was so tired and was about to like sit down because I had a major head ache and calf cramp, but I was like NO THIS IS THE ONLY CHANCE YOU'RE GONNA GET TO JUMP UP AND DOWN AND DANCE LIKE A MANIAC SO LIVE IT TO IT'S FULLEST .... and I did! I know can still barely move, but completely worth it.

Oh and did I mention the tan lines my friend and I got? Yeah.. brutal ..

I was really scared to go to the Weenie Roast since it was completely out of my comfort zone, but wow, I am totally thankful I did and will definitely be going again!

Definitely watch my KROQ WEENIE ROAST VLOG! Dan Smith makes a cameo :}

Song of the Day: Lions in Cages by Wolf Gang

Hello Sunshiners! Before we start this Song of the Day, you must listen to the song. So here is the wonderful Lions in Cages by Wolf Gang:



Super fantastic right?!

This song had played awhile back on my Bastille Pandora Station and ever since then I was like, "wow, who are these guys?!" Little did I know that their album was so good and that they'd become one of my favorite bands at the moment.

I actually start my Tracks that are Inspiring me spotify playlist with this song because I remember hearing it again recently and needing to scream it to the sky how awesome it was!

Before I get ahead of myself and just talk about how awesome they are, I better give you some insight into the band Wolf Gang.

They are a british alternative and symphonic rock band consisting of Max McElligott as lead vocalist, Gavin Slater as guitarist, James Wood on bass, and Lasse Petersen hitting it on the drums. Their website described their sound as :

"abundance of suave panache, ear-thwacking beats and heart-throttling melodies"

A lot of words to take in right? If you listen to them, you'll quickly agree! They've also toured with many great artist like Coldplay, Florence & The Machine, The Killers, The Naked And Famous, and recently are playing some shows with Bastille, quite the resume I must say!

How did they come to be though? Well, Max McElligott was actually studying Anthropology at the London School of Economics when he took a year off to give this music thing a try and recorded Suego Faults (which he came up with the name from a dream) and he actually played every instrument! After listening to his Timeout interview, I see that his vision was specific and sometimes doing it yourself can be the best because as a control freak I understand the struggle of trying to get other people to do it exactly how you want it to be done, so I say good job man, your vision was spot on!

So their talent is impeccable and there's always something inspiring about an artist dropping out of a more socially accepted career to chase their dreams in music, makes us believe maybe our dreams will come true too.

I think opening for a band is difficult because sometimes people just want you to get off the stage so the main act can come on, so it creates a challenge and Wolf Gang is definitely the act to blow people away and show them what they are made of. Especially with their sound, it's got a good beat, wonderful chorus, and they have some killer stage presence (watched on YouTube). Sadly I've never seen them live and would die to see them open for Bastille, but it's sold out. Yet, I may be able to score some tickets to their North Carolina show depending on my moms business meeting over there. If not then hopefully next time! 

They are definitely a band that I'll be keeping my eye on and rocking out to in my car on a regular basis. Plus, their band twitter is following me, so let's just say I'm totally fangirling at the moment! It's weird because I never understood the whole "omg their following me" freakout, until they started following me and now I guess I feel like I exist to them? Taking notice of their fans is really amazing and makes me just like them more!

Make sure you check them out at http://www.wolf-gang.co.uk/ and take a listen of their music, you wont be disappointed! 

Bastille Las Vegas Concert

Happy Wednesday Sunshiners! I hope your weekend and week has gone great and all is well! This past weekend I was lucky enough to go to the Bastille show in Las Vegas at the House of Blues, somebody happened to be reselling their tickets on ticket master and I snagged them in seconds. Honestly, that concert was the best thing in my life, even though there were many issues and I even cried at one point, the concert itself made up for it.

This post is going to be mainly on my concert experience and if you'd like to know what happened that particular day, then head on over to youtube.com/alexasunshine83 for a Concert vlog. I'm also going to mainly focus on my experience of the concert, but if you haven't already check out my post on the opening act To Kill a King.

BEFORE THE CONCERT:
Now let's start with before the concert, we had left quite early that morning so we'd all have time to get ready and have a chance to get in line at a good time. Honestly, I would of waited in that line for 12 hours, I was insanely excited and anxious, to the point where I literally couldn't sit still at lunch. So I ran to the House of Blues line (luckily was inside the Mandalay Bay) and got my place as the 3rd person at 2:25pm. Now you can imagine the fantasy I was having of being right in the very front looking at Dan Smith because I literally not only was the 3rd person, but I ended up paying an extra $40 to get a "Front of the Line Pass", yes it's like Fast Pass for concerts. Many people said it wasn't worth it, but they divided the "Front of the Line" people and the normal concert goers and if you have a chance to get that pass, I recommend you do.

IN LINE:
My experience in line was really great and it went way fast, when you're around people that like the same music as you it just makes everything click. Everyone was wonderful too, this one gal even owned a Music Venue and you could tell music is her life, it really kind of inspired me. It was really nice to feel like you actually aren't crazy, like your love for your band isn't something weird because here everyone had the same love and we could gush about Dan Smith's hair for an hour and then discuss our favorite song. Then when Pompeii played in the hotel, everyone just screamed!

DOORS OPEN:
Fast forward to 6pm where the doors open and I happily, excitedly, nervously make my way into the venue and show my ticket to security, which they proceed to tell me my ticket isn't general admission and I must make my way to the very top. Yes, I was as far away as you possibly could be, reason why I ended up balling my eyes out. Eventually I realized I was being silly and should be happy to just be there. BIG TIP OF ADVICE! Always get General Admission (apparently the reseller didn't mention that to me and basically ripped me off)!

Disappointed I was, but I would probably do it again in a heart beat. My sister and I met the loveliest people as well, three different girls all from different places (Wyoming,Colorado, Nevada) and their boyfriends who were forced into coming (they eventually acknowledged Bastille's talent though). Being in Vegas I did realize the amount of alcohol that is in peoples systems and since there weren't many of us and there was a bar right there, many people ordered shots left and right, creating a humorous enviroment.

THE CONCERT STARTS:
By 6:30pm, the lights dimmed and everyones hearts began to race, knowing they weren't on but that it was going to happen soon. The opening act To Kill a King came out and were ready to show their stuff, I did a whole post on them so for right now I'm going to skip what happened.

The intermission only last maybe 20 minutes, I personally can't even remember because my the anticipation was running through my veins. Yet, as fogged emerged from the stage and the lights completely out, I began to feel chills up and down my body. The way they started the concert was fantastic, if you haven't heard their Other Peoples Heart Ache cover CD then I definitely recommend that you do because the words they played to start the concert was a theme throughout those songs.

The beat finally started and everyone's screams shook the room! Bad Blood started it off and completely took my breath away and my voice. The feeling of being there hearing it live is absolutely magical, I've been listening to their whole CD non-stop since November so I knew every word and every beat. The freeness of being able to sing along and jump around was amazing, I completely let go and my head naturally went with every sound (leaving me with some terrible whiplash).

Bastille does not only make great music, but their talent is incredible. Live vs. their CD isn't too different, Dan Smith's voice was so on point and with no slip ups that you can tell how genuine it is on their recordings, which made me have such respect for him. He bounced, danced, jumped, and singed his heart out and without ever being out of breath. He is probably the best singer and performed I have ever seen and him singing Oblivion just melted everyones hearts.

DAN SMITH:
 Dan Smith's humbleness is also something else that has been recognized, after every single song he said, "thank you so much" and then laughed when the whole room screamed at his adorableness. Even if he was a jerk, I'm sure we'd all still listen to him, but the fact that he truly is a good guy and really appreciated whats happened to him makes you just love him more! Even his low self-esteem about his dance moves made everyone wanna give him a hug, which that British boy can definitely move! Plus, his hair stays in place the entire time, probably the most miraculous thing ever!

So the band was awesome and the lights just added to it! Now when I listen to The Weight of Living Pt. 2 I can see the green lights going back in forth with the intro and you could feel the music through the lights. I remember watching an interview with them talking about how amazing the band Muse lights were (when they had opened for them) and it definitely must of influenced how they set up theirs. Bravo boys!

I just have to mention this real quick because this was probably the only time where I really wanted to cry again, during Flaws, Dan Smith put on his grey hoodie and with security went into the pit, which you can imagine broke my heart. Doing this though really creates such a bond with him and his fans, the fact that first of all he'd risk going into a pit with his fans (some could be scary) and second the the acknowledgement that they are there makes you feel special.

THE END:
This amazing concert probably has changed my life and really made me think about my future (I will touch more on this epiphany in another post), but the last two songs really just brought the whole night together. Rhythm of the Night was completely unreal, the lyric "lift your hands and voices, free your mind and join us" just took reality away and brought you into this place where life is all okay and the beat completely vibrated your body. The last song was absolutely perfect placement, as Pompeii is probably the song that their most known for (in America) they decided play it at the end and leave the concert on a very energized note. I also learned that To Kill a King was actually part of the "eh ooooh oooh eh oh" part in the actual song, so they called them on stage and you could see how fun they were having. A whole stage of British men ... yes, I very much enjoyed it!

Sadly this wonderful night had to end, even though I wished so much that it wouldn't. I will forever remember that concert and will definitely being seeing them as soon as they come back, this time front row!

My sister and I are still blown away at how amazing Dan Smith's voice is and the fact that we actually felt like we were in the front row because of the energy and performance! Bastille is going to be one of those bands that are known forever, like The Killers and Muse. So thankful I was lucky enough to see them. Best experience ever!

WATCH MY VEGAS VLOG HERE: http://youtu.be/q30MAgQAF9M

Hello. Welcome. Hi.

Yes. It's 11:15pm on a Tuesday night and I have found I cannot sleep. Last night I worked til 11:30pm and didn't get to bed til an hour later and then woke up today at 6:15am for school. Whoever said college was the best years of of lives was probably high.

I feel like such a grandma sometimes, I'm angry that my job makes me stay up til midnight. My perfect life is going to sleep at the same time every night: 9:30pm and then awake at 6am the next morning. Is that weird? I just get so much out of my days and now I just feel so unmotivated and ill. My body honestly doesn't understand what the heck is happening because it can't handle this type of exhaustion. It's one of those ridiculously sensitive things my bodies all about. I just want to say "who cares!" to my body and tell it to let loose, but my thoughts of worry destroy any of that type of thinking.

I'm just in a pit of confusion and .. melancholy you could say. One thing that gets me going is buying clothes, oh yeah, even though I've spent $500 on my hair (going back blonde, WHY THE HECK DID I GO DARK) and I still just want to BUY BUY BUY more clothes because I feel like I don't have the clothes that my style needs. Like I'm still wearing what I loved 3 years ago, but now I hate it, yet can't throw it away! I need a major shopping spree with major cash. God, doesn't it suck not being able to get something? It's a ridiculous thing that I never really understood/understand. In your mind it's possible, yet it's impossible in reality. Like today I was going to sign up for a contest to get a chance to go to Coachella and see the band that I know will literally change my life (Bastille: Dan Smith = Ultimate fangirl moment) yet I even pulled over on the side of the road to create an account to be able to sign up on my iphone. I was so excited and had high hopes but then it proceeded to tell me I needed $1,200 ppoints. What. The. Heck. Crush my dreams don't cha! I want so many things in life and in my imagination it's right before me but in life it's so far away that there is a zero chance of it happening. Yes, I've had to come to terms that Leonardo Dicaprio is not going to randomly see me in a coffee shop and ask for my hand in marriage. Poop.

So here's to the nights of utter rambling and a fresh start on a new month of the new year (which I've totally blown January. FML.). Also a new blog. Welcome. Whoever you are. Blank Space of an abyss of life.

This is your heart .. can you feel it ... can you feel it ..