All posts by Diana Stevens

Diana Stevens has been previously recognized for her creative short stories and poetry. On top of writing she is also an award winning costume designer, seamstress, and fashion designer. She is currently an art teacher part time while planning her new fashion business, Makaria Drake Designs.

REVIEW: Death Cab for Cutie Fans in Phoenix Are Left Thankful for Today (9-29-18)

PHOENIX — For the fourth stop of their Fall 2018 tour, Death Cab for Cutie returned to Phoenix to promote their ninth album, Thank You for Today. In the first album since 2015, the band comes back strong in their signature indie pop songwriting and foggy vocals. The band has already released three singles since the August 2018 album release date, building anticipation for their tour. Death Cab for Cutie added two new members to the band after the departure of guitarist and producer Chris Walla. The two new members, guitarist Dave Depper and keyboardist Zac Rae, seem to bring a new cohesive energy to the band, which made for a polished and low-key performance at the sold out music venue in Phoenix.

Charly Bliss - Photo Credit: Katherine Amy Vega
Eva Hendricks (Vocalist/Guitarist), Charly Bliss
Photography:
Katherine Amy Vega
© Kataklizmic Design. All Rights Reserved.

When the show started at 8:00PM, opening power-pop band Charly Bliss welcomed the crowd. Lead vocalist Eva Hendricks bounced around the stage, swinging the white fringe from her short shorts. Her spunky attitude infused the crowd with energy, starting off the night with a positive jolt of indie pop rock, reminiscent of the early 2000s.

Charly Bliss - Photo Credit: Katherine Amy Vega
Eva Hendricks (Vocalist/Guitarist), Charly Bliss
Photography:
Katherine Amy Vega
© Kataklizmic Design. All Rights Reserved.

Joining her on stage was guitarist/vocalist Spencer Fox, drummer Sam Hendricks, and bassist/vocalist Dan Shure. At the end of their set, they generously thanked the audience and anticipation crescendoed for the main act, Death Cab for Cutie. Charly Bliss’ debut full-length album, Guppy, was released in April of 2017.

As the stage washed with ambient purple light, the four members of Death Cab for Cutie took the stage clad in  black.

Death Cab for Cutie - Photo Credit: Katherine Amy Vega
Death Cab for Cutie |
Photography:
Katherine Amy Vega
© Kataklizmic Design. All Rights Reserved

Lead vocalist Ben Gibbard jumped right into their new song “I Dreamt We Spoke Again”, washing the audience in his unique melancholy vocals. Guitarist/vocalist Depper complemented Ben’s voice in creating a beautiful harmony, while drummer Jason McGerr, bassist Nick Harmer, and keyboardist Rae rounded out the sound; making for a solid performance that reflected the band’s years of refinement.

Death Cab for Cutie - Photo Credit: Katherine Amy Vega
Zac Rae (Keyboardist/Guitarist/Vocalist), Death Cab for Cutie
Photography:
Katherine Amy Vega
© Kataklizmic Design. All Rights Reserved

Without pause, they began “Summer Years”, and then picked up the pace with the following song, “The Ghosts of Beverly Drive.” After the third song, Gibbard addressed the audience, introducing the band and briefly thanking those in attendance.

After a few more new songs, they went into “Gold Rush,” the fresh-sounding first single released from their new album. Recognizing the song from heavy rotation, the crowd erupted in cheers and voices rising up in unison. Reactions were similarly enthusiastic when the well-known notes of “Title and Registration” from  Transatlanticism reached their ears.

Death Cab for Cutie - Photo Credit: Katherine Amy Vega
Ben Gibbard (Vocalist/Guitarist/Pianist), Death Cab for Cutie
Photography:
Katherine Amy Vega
© Kataklizmic Design. All Rights Reserved

The next few songs were a mix from earlier albums, including “Company Calls,” “No Sunlight,” and “What Sarah Said.” The chill vibes of their show would make for a great date night, or an escape from the work week. Gibbard occasionally dances about the stage facing the drummer and side stepping to the beat. While their performance was strong and their live sound comparable to their albums in every sense, the band’s minimal audience interaction and dependance on old songs might cause a loss of interest in newer listeners. There seemed to be a lack of connection that was sorely needed between the band and the audience. All members could benefit from some storytelling. Their lyrics are so beautiful and meaningful, the audience would surely love to hear some stories behind writing them.

A piano was rolled onto the stage for, “I Will Possess your Heart,” and Gibbard temporarily switched his guitar for the keys. The following song, “Autumn Love”, includes some beautiful lyrics such as, “If there’s no beacon tonight to guide me, I’ll finally break the shackles of direction and let the headlights lead me anywhere that they wanna go.” The depth of their latest album was described in a Facebook post on the date of release, which refers to it as “a record that reflects upon and asks questions of the past”, and “also a record about the future. Looking forwards and backwards simultaneously, from summer to autumn.”

Death Cab for Cutie - Photo Credit: Katherine Amy Vega
Dave Depper (Guitar/Keys/Vocals), Death Cab for Cutie
Photography:
Katherine Amy Vega
© Kataklizmic Design. All Rights Reserved

As they finished out the set they finally addressed the audience once again, giving a big thank you to Charly Bliss for being a great opening band. Of course they had to play one of their biggest hits, “Soul Meets Body”, and the crowd went wild, nearly everyone singing along. At the end of the song, Gibbard triumphantly held his guitar up in the air like a trophy. The last song, “Marching Bands of Manhattan”, left the audience still wanting more, cheering into the emptiness as the stage went black.

It only took a few minutes before Gibbard returned, playing an acoustic version of their hit “I’ll Follow You Into the Dark.” It was at this moment that Gibbard opened up to the crowd with some cheerful banter, and he asked the audience to sing the second verse of the song. Afterwards, the rest of the band joined Gibbard on stage and played not one more, but three more songs: “Your Hurricane”, “Crooked Teeth”, and they finished the night with “Transatlanticism”.

With a generous 24-song setlist, Death Cab for Cutie brought a unique and beautiful energy to The Van Buren, and a recording-quality sound. The title of Thank You for Today no doubt resonated with die-hard Death Cab for Cutie fans.

 

PHOTO ALBUM

Photographer: Katherine Amy Vega

Death Cab for Cutie & Charly Bliss – The Van Buren 9-29-18

Photography © Katherine Amy Vega, Kataklizmic Design
All Rights Reserved.

REVIEW: Lindsey Stirling Spreads Christmas Cheer with “Warmer in the Winter” Tour Finale in Phoenix 12-23-17

PHOENIX — It was nearly Christmas Eve as Lindsey Stirling’s fans gathered at Comerica Theatre. Donning their Santa caps and winter scarves, they fell down the rabbit hole that is the visually stunning show on the Warmer in the Winter tour. The last show on Stirling’s tour landed here, in her hometown of Phoenix, and fans couldn’t be happier to welcome her back home for the holidays. Stirling has recently competed on “Dancing with the Stars”, and her dance partner Mark Ballus was opening for her on the tour with his band Alexander Jean. It was the last show on her tour, and she didn’t slow down for one second, inspiring the audience to follow their dreams, break boundaries and defy industry.

Lindsey Stirling - Photo Credit: Katherine Amy Vega
Lindsey Stirling
| Photography:
Katherine Amy Vega © All Rights Reserved

Stirling emerged from a curtained archway, sparkling in ruffles of metallic purple, silver and gold playing “All I Want for Christmas”. Surrounding her were snow-covered illuminated houses, straight from a children’s book.  She was joined by her four dancers, and together they ignited the audience with their smiles and choreography.

Lindsey Stirling - Photo Credit: Katherine Amy Vega
Lindsey Stirling
| Photography:
Katherine Amy Vega © All Rights Reserved

For the next number, snowflakes swirled in the background as the notes to “Frosty the Snowman” and “Let it Snow” were merged.  The dancers twirled with black umbrellas that sprinkled snow as they glided across the stage.  The Christmas spirit was alive and swelling inside the theatre as Stirling performed “Warmer in the Winter”, in which she both sang and played violin, and the classic fiddle song “I Saw Three Ships.” Visions of the ocean and pirates flickered on the screen as dancers appeared in plaid skirts with bouncing steps.

Lindsey Stirling - Photo Credit: Katherine Amy Vega
Lindsey Stirling
| Photography:
Katherine Amy Vega © All Rights Reserved

After a short musical break, Stirling reemerged in a stunning sheer dress adorned with sparkling silver sequins. She and her bandmates sat down on the floor toward the front of the stage for a special treat.  Stirling had laid out “instruments” for them all to play: two kazoos, a toy piano and a tiny violin.  She told the crowd that she had an advantage because her instrument wasn’t a toy, it was the violin that most children start playing on at the age of 5. She laughed, saying “this one’s name is Pickles” as she held the tiny violin in the air.  Together the group serenaded the crowd with a medley of tunes starting with “Jingle Bells”, merging into the Harry Potter theme, and winding down with a saucy “Santa Baby”.

Lindsey Stirling - Photo Credit: Katherine Amy Vega
Lindsey Stirling
Photography:
Katherine Amy Vega © All Rights Reserved

At the end of the group’s medley, the pianist Kit challenged Stirling to play “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” on the tiny violin, claiming “it’s what the audience is really wondering.” And she smiled, rising to the challenge as she played about 20 seconds of the fast-paced classic fiddle song. The crowd erupted in cheers as they quickly cleared the little instruments from the stage.

The first few notes of “Crystalize” fell over the crowd, mesmerizing them as Stirling elegantly danced across the stage in a mist, with slivers of light casting eerily beautiful shadows over her. The audience listened as if under a spell, being broken only by Stirling herself, as she addressed the crowd before her next number. She spoke powerful words about her own experiences with anorexia and self-esteem.  She reminded the crowd, as they listened to the next song, to remember that even if they don’t see the beauty in themselves “someone sees the beauty in you.” She then went on to perform “Hallelujah” with the curtain closed and only her guitarist to accompany her. The curtains then opened as dancers joined her on stage to perform “Angels We Have Heard on High”, wearing swaths of white fabric that draped and swirled around them as though they were angels themselves.

Lindsey Stirling - Photo Credit: Katherine Amy Vega
Lindsey Stirling
| Photography:
Katherine Amy Vega © All Rights Reserved

For the last part of the show, Stirling emerged once again in a different costume; a shining pink strapless dress, with her iconic marching band hat, with white feathers reaching towards the sky. The show pulsed with excitement as lights and sound were pushed to an impressive high. After a stunning rendition of “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy”, Stirling went right into “The Grinch”, where her dancers flowed across the stage in red sequins. They held giant red feather fans. At one point covered Stirling, who emerged from the fans in shorts after shedding her ruffled skirt, ready to dance about on the stage. They continued with “Carol of the Bells” as the stage lights flickered with the beat, a visual feast for the eyes and ears.

Lindsey Stirling - Photo Credit: Katherine Amy Vega
Lindsey Stirling
| Photography:
Katherine Amy Vega © All Rights Reserved

Before the last number, Stirling addressed the audience one more time and shared her family tradition of wearing matching PJs every year. “Christmas C’mon”, with a track of vocals by Becky G, rang through the theatre, as lights and dancers in matching pajamas spum around the stage.  Once finished they left the stage, but the audience waited, clapping and yelling. Stirling reappeared to the ample applause of the crowd and shared a very personal story. She said while she usually likes to leave a crowd with a big number so she can read on their instagram that they just “went to a violin concert and got their face melted off.” This time, however,  she was going to close on a more personal note. She shared the story of the loss of her father last year around this time, and that this song was very dear to her. She asked the audience to remember those they loved and hold them close, and played “Silent Night” to close out the night.

The “Warmer in the Winter” Tour was like a traveling snow globe, shaken up with a wonderland of lights, sounds, and dancing. Stirling touched hearts with her words and music, and spread smiles with her jokes and shining personality. As people poured from the theatre that night, they were ready to celebrate not just Christmas, but their family, friends and loved ones and everything that they held dear.

PHOTO ALBUM

Photographer: Katherine Amy Vega

Lindsey Stirling – Comerica Theatre 12-23-17

Photography © Katherine Amy Vega, Kataklizmic Design
All Rights Reserved.

REVIEW: Breaking the Sound Barrier with Arch Enemy and Trivium at Marquee Theatre 12-1-17

PHOENIX —  In the brisk evening air of December 1st, fans waited outside the Marquee Theatre in eager anticipation.  It was Friday night and fans were ready to throw their weekday woes away and get ready to listen to the raw sounds awaiting them.  On tonight’s agenda: long established metal bands Arch Enemy and Trivium.

Fit for an Autopsy - Photo Credit: Dale Hurt
Joe Badolato (Vocalist), Fit for an Autopsy
Photo Credit: Dale Hurt © All Rights Reserved

Fit for an Autopsy & While She Sleeps

The night opened with New Jersey’s Fit for an Autopsy whose bass lines seemed to tremble right through the floor into your very breath.  The stage splashed with red and blue light as they worked up the crowd. Next up was While She Sleeps, all the way from Sheffield, England.  Lead vocalist Lawrence Taylor was a whirlwind of energy headbanging and even crowd surfing. Calling to the audience, he challenged them to “meet him” by crowd surfing all the way to the pit. Needless to say, many met his challenge. Taylor was all over the stage, even standing atop the drum set.  After their set, the crowd was definitely ready for Arch Enemy.

While She Sleeps - Photo Credit: Dale Hurt
Lawrence Taylor (Vocalist), While She Sleeps
Photo Credit: Dale Hurt © All Rights Reserved

Arch Enemy

As equipment was set up and sound checks were made, more and more people crowded into the room, shouldering and squeezing into their own perfect spot.  A backdrop reflecting hell itself stared back at the audience, with twisted demons and a red glowing reflection.  As the music started, a laser show of lights flooded the stage and members of the Swedish band Arch Enemy descended.  Vocalist Alissa White-Gluz dominated the stage with her powerful voice and energy.  She was a force to behold in her skeletal ripped bodysuit and wild blue hair.  Alongside her, guitarists Michael Amott and Jeff Loomis did amazing fingerwork and left the crowd screaming after their amazing guitar duo.  

Arch Enemy - Photo Credit: Dale Hurt
Angela Gossow (Vocalist), Arch Enemy
Photo Credit: Dale Hurt © All Rights Reserved

Arch Enemy promoted their new album Will to Power, showcasing some amazing songs such as “The World is Yours” and “The Eagle Flies Alone.”  In one moment, Alissa called to the audience, before the song “Will to Power”, to shine a light – and her will was done as the audience swayed their phones in the air.  She closed off the set with one of her favorite songs, “Payday.”  It’s safe to assume many who came to see Trivium that night left an Arch Enemy fan as well.  

Arch Enemy - Photo Credit: Dale Hurt
Jeff Loomis (Guitarist), Arch Enemy
Photo Credit: Dale Hurt © All Rights Reserved

Trivium

After a short break for set changes, Trivium was about to take the stage.  In the dim lights, the audience got so excitedly impatient that they started chanting the band’s name: “Trivium!… Trivium!…” Their chants were met with red and white flashing lights, and Trivium took the stage.  The backdrop was the same as the cover of their new album, The Sin and the Sentence.  Blanketing the wall was solid black with clean gold lines and iconic images, a great reflection of the band.

Trivium - Photo Credit: Dale Hurt
Matt Heafy (Vocalist), Trivium
Photo Credit: Dale Hurt © All Rights Reserved

Lead vocalist Matt Heafy’s passionate and clean vocals were accented by the raw enraged voices of guitarist Corey Beaulieu and bassist Paolo Gregoletto.  While Trivium’s sound has changed over the years, the audience was in full agreement that they sounded amazing! Many fans sang along with the lyrics, Heafy’s clear and thought provoking words making this an easy task.  Songs like “The Heart from Your Hate” and “The Sin and the Sentence” are surprisingly addictive, with their fast paced melodies and powerful lyrics.   

Paolo Gregoletto (Bassist), Trivium
Photo Credit: Dale Hurt © All Rights Reserved

In Closing

The show was five straight hours of metal. There is something about metal that is cathartic, raw, and enticing; this show was no exception. Arch Enemy and Trivium helped take the week’s stress, ball it up, grind it into the ground and just let loose in the music, allowing everyone to start their weekend refreshed.   

Photo Gallery

Photographer: Dale Hurt

Trivium, Arch Enemy, & More – Marquee Theatre 12-1-17

Photography © Dale Hurt. All Rights Reserved

Musicians Mastermind & Workshop Sessions – Phoenix – Interview with Host, Ricardo Luis Cañez

EVENT POSTPONED: “FermataMediaGroupLLC are all about Giving Back to our community of musicians and creators. If we can’t give you value, we’ll adjust and make whatever effort is needed to make it better.

We had an event scheduled for December 3rd in Phoenix, AZ. The Musicians Mastermind Workshop. Sadly due to some issues along with some scheduling conflicts from some of our presenters, we are going to have to reschedule the workshop. We’ll have an announcement later this week on the new date and Phoenix location.

We apologize to all those who planned to attend. We want to make sure that the event would be the experience we had all hoped. We promise that the rescheduled date will give you all that and more.

An email has been sent to all those who purchased tickets. Please check your inbox and contact us with any questions.

Thank you for your support and understanding. We’ll keep everyone updated on the new workshop date as soon as possible.”

Ricardo Luis Cañez, Fermata Media Group
Ricardo Luis Cañez, Fermata Media Group

There is a very unique event happening in Phoenix on December 3rd for all musicians.  The Musicians Mastermind Sessions Program is coming to the Sheraton downtown, bringing professionals from the music industry to collaborate and personally advise a select 25 musicians.  This is a great opportunity, especially for those starting out who don’t know where to begin in this age of self-promotion in a digital market. Burning Hot Events was able to learn all the details from Ricardo Luis Cañez, one of the creators of MMS, in the Q & A below…

 

Tell me a little about yourself and how Musicians Mastermind Workshops got started…

I’ve been involved in music, entertainment since 1980. First as a musician, then DJ. Also during that time, we produced and promoted concerts in the Phoenix area. Other musicians would hire me to create their promotional material and consult on their career path. I’ve also handled event production, have been a keynote speaker on music and marketing, and have helped others with their event businesses.

In 2015, I started Fermata Media Group as an agency whose mission is to help musicians and creators achieve a career that will sustain them artistically and financially. Fermata started as more of a digital marketing company, creating websites and managing social media for our clients. We also connected clients to those in the industry that could help them, as well as offering career advice.

 

Wow, you’ve been all over the industry.  In your opinion, who would benefit most from attending an event like this?

The Musicians Mastermind Sessions Program has been something that we’ve been developing for about three years. We’ve taken 37 years of observing, learning and experiencing both the good and bad, researched the music industry and talked to a ton of musicians in all genres of music to see what was missing for them to succeed. It’s our passion to give back from what we’ve learned.  The industry changes practically every day and if musicians don’t understand how to navigate and keep up with the latest music creation technology and marketing techniques, they’re going to be left behind.

Our goal with MMS is to give them a different perspective on how to succeed in an industry that is not receptive to the needs of all musicians; just the ones that they can control to make the most money. It’s time musicians control their own brand, dictate how their music is created, who they’re trying to reach and what steps need to be taken to have a long career and be respected as artists. Indie musicians and Hip Hop artists get it. Be a music entrepreneur, build your support system and control your career.

Any musician, songwriter, producer should attend the workshop. It doesn’t matter what genre, level of experience or age they are. We can all learn from each other. That’s the beauty of a Mastermind. We all share our knowledge and experience so that we all come away better musicians and people. If music is your life and you’re unsure of what the next steps should be, this is for you.

High school and college students should attend to get a better understanding from established musicians and experts on what to expect as they enter the industry. They’ll gain a different perspective that is not taught in schools.

 

So this is definitely a great place to start. Who are the professionals scheduled to be at this event?

We’ve put together a great set of presenters for this session.

Rene Camacho and JV Collier are professional bassists from Los Angeles with over 25 years of touring and recording experience each. See their bios on the site for the impressive list of artists they’ve performed with. They’ll have stories what it takes to be a musician on the road and the studio and still have a real life.

Jenn Kaye is a communications coach who will get everyone to discover their true “why”. To dig deep and understand why they do what they do. To set a foundation for their career.

Krystle Delgado is an Entertainment Attorney and is also a singer, composer, producer who is a rising star in pop music as “Miss Krystle”. She’ll talk about the legal issues all musicians need to know. Copyrights, trademarks, contracts, etc. She’ll also talk about her experiences as a performer.

Angelina Greer is the owner of NThreeQ Media, a full service marketing agency. She’ll share her knowledge on “Disruptive Innovation”. How to start getting noticed and continuing to move up and create your brand. She’ll give information on how to utilize digital marketing.

Ed Baker has over 20 years in the industry having worked with Linkin Park, matchbox 20, Regina Spektor and many others. Ed will talk about career paths and how to work with a management agency.

Bjorgvin Benediktsson is a musician and audio engineer who has written books on studio techniques. He’ll share his thoughts on setting up a home studio to give your music a polished professional sound.

All their bios and website links are on our website:
HungerFeedsTheDream.com/Phoenix

 

That is an amazing group with so much experience to share. Can you give us some examples of what will be happening in this busy one day session?

This is a great team to learn from. There will be Q & A throughout the sessions. It will be interactive and fun, without being intimidating. Everyone will leave informed and more confident about the course of their career. The networking alone among the attendees and the presenters is something you can’t get through online courses or just by Googling. This is why we feel that this live setting is best. There’s accountability and support from everyone.

 

Sounds like a great environment to learn in.  What should attendees know before purchasing tickets? Limits or rules?

We’d like to have artists who are serious about learning and advancing their careers attend. Those who value their talent, fellow musicians and audience. Those that want to see music and musicians get the respect and rewards they deserve. Those willing to share and learn.

We don’t want those who think they know it all or don’t respect themselves or their audience. If you can’t share or take advice from others, this is not for you. It’s too bad, because they might learn something.  This is our opportunity to give back to the music community. For attendees to learn from our experiences and to motivate young and aspiring musicians and creators.

We are only taking the first 25 musicians who sign up for this workshop. We want to keep it small so that everyone gets the most value from the workshop.

You must come in with an open mind, be ready to engage with all who are there, be willing to learn and then take action on what you experience. Students can get a discount on this session because we want to encourage them to learn from the best. They can bring one parent or guardian with them at no extra cost to sit in on the sessions. We start at 9:00 AM and end at 5:30 PM on Sunday, December 3rd at the Sheraton Crescent Hotel in Phoenix. All the registration details are on the site.

Once registered, musicians can email us a sample of their music, which we’ll play that day to get them more visibility. There are other perks that are on the website. We’ll also be a networking happy hour after the sessions so they can interact with everyone who attends

Our promise to all the attendees is:
We won’t waste your time!

 

I know everyone will appreciate that promise.  Lastly,  where, when, and how much are tickets? Are there any discounts for students?

Early registration tickets are $595.00 per attendee until November 27th.

After the 27th they are at the regular cost of $695.00.

Student tickets are $495.00, including one adult. A copy of their school ID is required to purchase the ticket.

Again, we are limiting attendance to the first 25 who register. The Sheraton Crescent has special room rates for this workshop.

If you were to work with the presenters individually, it would cost you between $5,000 – $6,000 for their services. We wanted to keep cost down so that everyone benefits from the workshop. We are passionate about creating value to all musicians and creators.

 

That’s a terrific deal!  Anything else you want to mention about the event?

We’re here to help. We’re here to inspire and motivate. We’re here to make an impact. We’re here for all musicians, songwriters and producers who want more control. We are especially here for students who need to know what to expect as they continue on their musical journey. We want to give you a head start, a push, a “lightbulb” moment or two. Details and registration: HungerFeedsTheDream.com/Phoenix

You can reserve your seat to
The Musicians Mastermind & Workshop Sessions (Phoenix)
on their
website.    

 

And make sure to contribute to our Patreon to ensure that  Burning Hot Events and Kataklizmic Design can continue to bring you more amazing content!

 

REVIEW: Soaring to New Heights at the Ben Folds Paper Airplane Tour at Marquee Theatre 9-22-17

Tempe, Ariz. — Even before a band took the stage there was a sense of friendship and camaraderie sweeping the room at the Marquee Theatre that Friday, September 22.  Ben Folds’ Paper Airplane tour had come to town, and the audience smiled and laughed as they waited excitedly for the show to start.

Tall Heights

Tim Harrington and Paul Wright of the duo Tall Heights sauntered on stage, carrying their instruments: a guitar and a cello.  The electrofolk group from Boston serenaded with haunting harmonies that lulled back and forth as an ocean’s tide, pulling the audience in and releasing them once again.  Their emotive lyrics of songs like “Spirit Cold” and “Iron in the Fire” weighed on hearts and the duo used creative sounds like cell phone feedback to accompany the song Cross my Mind. The spell was eventually broken as their set came to an end, signalling to the crowd to usher forward for the main event, Ben Folds.  

Tall Heights - Photo Credit: Katherine Amy Vega
Tall Heights
Photo Credit: Katherine Amy Vega © Kataklizmic Design. All Rights Reserved

Ben Folds

Ben Folds - Photo Credit: Katherine Amy Vega
Ben Folds
Photo Credit: Katherine Amy Vega © Kataklizmic Design. All Rights Reserved

After holding the audience in eager anticipation Ben Folds entered the stage and seated himself at the piano, gave a short wave and sheepish grin to the crowd, then immediately slammed fingers to keys, playing “Annie Waits.  Arms slipped over shoulders and the audience sang along.  It was as though everyone was invited to an intimate house party, every song a precious memory as it poured over the audience, friendly reminders of days now past.  

Ben Folds warmly shared stories, talking about his father as a construction worker and being cornered by his Uncle Walter who talked about what he would do if he were president.  Occasionally Ben Folds would stop singing and just listen to the audience sing instead.  He stood and happily conducted the crowd in a five part harmony singing “Not the Same”.  Tall Heights came back to the stage joining Ben Folds to sing “Still Fighting It.

Ben Folds & Tall Heights - Photo Credit: Katherine Amy Vega
Ben Folds featuring Tall Heights
Photo Credit: Katherine Amy Vega © Kataklizmic Design. All Rights Reserved

 For the grand finale of the first half of his set he started playing a drum while walking across the stage and continued playing an amazing drum solo as they set up the remaining set around him. The stunned audience continued to watch intently, impressed into silence broken intermittently by hoots and screams.  When it was over, a brief intermission began, but there was a catch.  

Ben Folds - Photo Credit: Katherine Amy Vega
Ben Folds
Photo Credit: Katherine Amy Vega © Kataklizmic Design. All Rights Reserved

The audience was instructed to go into the lobby and get a piece of paper.  Write a request on it and fold it into a paper airplane to be sailed across the Marquee landing gently on the stage, where Ben Folds would take it and play what was written on it.   People rushed to get their paper and pushed their way close to the stage, hoping that their paper would make it, and more importantly, that their paper would be chosen.  It was none other than Arizona’s own Alice Cooper who came on to the stage, swinging red lights and wearing his signature black hat, who initiated the count down. The crowd chanted “10, 9, 8…” and at 0 the entire audience sailed airplanes towards the stage.  The planes that didn’t make it were picked up by strangers and thrown again, everyone helping to get all the paper planes to the stage.

Alice Cooper with Paper Airplanes in the air - Photo Credit: Katherine Amy Vega
Alice Cooper at Ben Folds Concert
Photo Credit: Katherine Amy Vega © Kataklizmic Design. All Rights Reserved

Ben Folds did explain he might not be able to sing every song, or occasionally a song wasn’t even written on the paper, making it impossible to play.  However, the highlight of the second half of the set was when just that happened.  He started to play a song that no one recognized, and went on to completely ad-lib a song based off what was written on the airplane, which was “Rock this B***h, Omaha Symphony 2017.”  In the song Ben Folds told a story about how he acquired his favorite piano, his Frank LLoyd Wright piano for only $8000, singing that the guy who sold it “thought that was a lot.”  The audience laughed over and over at the witty story set to music, all in the guise of a request written on an airplane.  

Ben Folds - Photo Credit: Katherine Amy Vega
Ben Folds
Photo Credit: Katherine Amy Vega © Kataklizmic Design. All Rights Reserved

Songs kept coming and wrists flung in the air to the beat of “Kate” while bodies moved back and forth to the sweet piano chords.  Abruptly, Ben stood and bowed the audience, thanking them for coming out and left the stage.  The audience continued to cheer and scream, knowing an encore had to be in store. In a few minutes he returned and played “Zak and Sarafor a rejoicing audience.

Then it really was over, the house lights came on and the crowd started to head to the doors.  Their faces full of smiles, holding the hands of loved ones and already reminiscing about their favorite part of the concert. It was as though they were leaving a friend’s party who had come to town unexpectedly, hyped up and already awaiting the next chance they get to see each other.  The next time Ben Folds comes to town, they’ll be ready.

 

PHOTO ALBUM

Photographer: Katherine Amy Vega

Ben Folds & Tall Heights – Marquee Theatre 9-22-17

Photography © Katherine Amy Vega, Kataklizmic Design
All Rights Reserved.

REVIEW: Nothing Stood in the Way of Epica, Lacuna Coil, Insomnium, & Elantris at Marquee Theatre 9-17-17

Phoenix —  A long of line of dark figures stood waiting outside the Marquee Theatre on September 17th. Even on a Sunday night, fans gathered together under the setting sun, bonding over their shared excitement of the night to come. The Dutch symphonic metal band Epica was joining the Italian gothfathers Lacuna Coil in a show that was sure to not be forgotten.

Elantris & Insomnium

As the stage glowed an ominous red the opening band Elantris, a female-fronted symphonic metal band, perched on the edge of the stage amping up the crowd.  The melodic voice of Lindsay Victoria Ketchum mixed with the gravelly screams of Thomas Ullom made for a beautiful contrast and got hearts pumping, Thomas even joined the crowd for moshing. After Elantris, Insomnium took the stage, bringing the crowd to new heights with their super charged energy and in-sync head banging. All the way from Finland, they were excited to be celebrating their 7th album Winter’s Gate.

Lacuna Coil

It was now time for Lacuna Coil to take the stage and the crowd pushed forward, the room thick and dripping with anticipation. One-by-one, the band members took to the stage, adorned in their sanitorium costumes.  Straight jackets stained red and band members’ faces painted white and red to look like sadistic clowns.

Lacuna Coil - Photo Credit: Katherine Amy Vega
Marco Coti Zelati (Bassist), Lacuna CoilBand Photo Album
Photo Credit: Katherine Amy Vega © Kataklizmic Design. All Rights Reserved.

Only the vocalists Cristina Scabbia and Andrea Ferro stood with unpainted faces, their clothes scrawled with lyrics such as “Leave me Alone” in erratic black marker. It was a sight to behold.  They immediately launched into song and the crowd’s cheering filled the theatre.

Lacuna Coil - Photo Credit: Katherine Amy Vega
Christina Scabbia (Vocalist), Lacuna Coil
Band Photo Album
Photo Credit: Katherine Amy Vega
© Kataklizmic Design. All Rights Reserved.

They started off the night with some of their new songs from their latest album, Delirium which was released May, 2016.  Songs such as “Delirium” as well as “House of Shame” and “Blood, Tears, Dust” all shook the theatre to the core.  In between each song, vocalist Cristina Scabbia would address the crowd and make connections on a personal level.  She told the audience to “Leave your problems at the door, because everyone is welcome in the sanatorium!”; and made them cheer as she told them, “We know where we are, and we are headed towards our destiny!”

Midway through their set, Cristina challenged the audience to raise the bar as she burst into their hit song “Swamped” the audience went wild, moshing and throwing their hands in the air.  After singing “Come to Me” and “My Demons” Lacuna Coil brought it down a notch, asking the crowd to get out their lighters and cell phones and keep loved ones alive in their hearts as they sang “Downfall.”

Lacuna Coil - Photo Credit: Katherine Amy Vega
Lacuna CoilBand Photo Album
Photo Credit: Katherine Amy Vega © Kataklizmic Design. All Rights Reserved.

Towards the end of their set Lacuna Coil announced a new project for their 20 year anniversary.  They will be releasing a book entitled “We Fear Nothing” in 2018, which will document the band’s journey from beginning to their current platform.  It should be an amazing and vivid illustration full of their accomplishments and past concerts. They finished their set with “Nothing Stands in Our Way” emphasizing that they believe in destiny!  Even as the band members left stage, the audience was soaking in their message of love, acceptance, and strength.  But the night wasn’t over.

Epica

The last band to take the stage was another female-fronted symphonic metal band, Epica.  On their Ultimate Principle Tour, Epica promoted their newest album The Holographic Principle.

Epica - Photo Credit: Katherine Amy Vega
Simone Simons (Vocalist), EpicaBand Photo Album
Photo Credit: Katherine Amy Vega © Kataklizmic Design. All Rights Reserved.

The band members took the stage as the eager crowd cheered them on. Vocalist Simone Simons appeared last, in a tight-fitting black leather like dress, flipping her iconic long red hair.  Her operatic vocals filled the theatre as guitarists Mark Jansen and Isaac Dela haye wowed the crowd with their fingering skills, parading back and forth.  Even the keyboardist Coen Janssen got into it, spinning his keyboard around and headbanging with his bandmates, even with his shaved head!  

Epica - Photo Credit: Katherine Amy Vega
Mark Jansen (Guitarist), EpicaBand Photo Album
Photo Credit: Katherine Amy Vega © Kataklizmic Design. All Rights Reserved.

Green light emanated from behind them as though the audience was transported to a different world, as alternating lights flickered and flashed.  Belting out the songs “Our Destiny” and “The Essence of Silence” the audience was electrified as though in a trance. It was the best way to end the night.

Afterwards, it was hard not to dwell on the lyrics and messages of the bands.  It felt as though you could take on the world with a newfound passion and strength. With the words echoing in your head, “We Fear Nothing!”, it was time to tackle Monday.

 

Photo Album

Photographer: Katherine Amy Vega

Lacuna Coil & Epica – Marquee Theatre 9-17-17

Photography © Katherine Amy Vega, Kataklizmic Design
All Rights Reserved.