Mary Andrews

February 23-24, 2024

Spring training has ensued once again in Arizona. C 3 Presents has continued to offer music and baseball in the sixth annual Innings Music Festival with big name entertainers and baseball stars in Tempe. The weather was perfectly temperate and the musical acts were scorching.The attendence on Friday was packed, while Saturday left room to move around with ease. 

The festival happened to open at the same time as Arizona’s Cactus League Spring training. Fans were able to see MLB legends Matt Kemp, Andre Ethier, and Luis Gonzalez practicing. Ultimately, it was a win-win for players and fans alike.

Here is some of the best of the best musical acts of the first weekend.

Red Hot Chili Peppers headlined opening day with a crowd pleasing finish to the first day. Drummer Chad Smith set the tone for the set as he banged a gong to get  started. The set was filled with hits as returning lead guitarist John Frusciante, bassist Flee, and lead singer Anthony Kiedis graced the stage. Frusciante fulfilled his reputation as on of the best guitarists in the business as he played electifying instrumental jams throughout the set. “Snow( Hey Oh)” was a fine example.

Flea leaped through the air in his purple shirt with musical chops that added to the intensity of the band’s performance.

Flea and Frusciante were head to head several times during the set seemingly challenging each other with each’s groove. Kiedis had his own swagger with his commanding vocals as the crowds joined in singing their familiar songs.

Set list: https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/red-hot-chili-peppers/2024/tempe-beach-park-tempe-az-6badceb6.html

Even though Greta Van Fleet has matured as the years have past, they still have that young boy aesthetic, facial hair and all. Josh Kiszka’s vocals seem to favor Robert Plant’s voice. That said, his vocals are impressive. The band totally performs to impress their young crowd especially seen with brother Jake on lead guitar. 

311 had the fans singing their faces off as they danced in place when lead singer Nick Hexum hit the stage with “Beautiful Disaster.” The set was hot in more ways than one.

Setlsit: https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/311/2024/tempe-beach-park-tempe-az-6badceae.html

The Beaches’ all girl alternative rock band was a pleasant surprise in the afternoon set. Bassist Jordan Miller had a perfect voice to expose their music to the crowd with harmonies presented by the rest of the band. Highlights included “What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Paranoid” and”Everything Is Boring.” They are presently on their ‘Blame My Ex’ tour. 

Set list: https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/the-beaches/2024/tempe-beach-park-tempe-az-7bad228c.html

Phantogram gave fans a splendid set in the afternoon. The band is listed as a duo, but the show is definitely led by Sarah Barthel doing vocals, guitars, keyboards, and synthesizers. Barthel takes command of the stage from start to finish. Electronic rock never had so much energy. The red-haired singer dances, spins and throws her hair about as she sang the songs “Don’t Move,” “Mouthfull of Diamonds,” and “You Don’t Get Me High Anymore.” The set left the crowd wanting more. 

Set list: https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/phantogram/2024/tempe-beach-park-tempe-az-1badc94c.html

Macklemore was the highlight of Saturday’s fare. His present tour is dubbed the ‘Ben’ tour. That happens to be the title of his latest album. Five minutes late, the rapper ran on the stage singing “Chant” from his latest album with a cavacade of support performers including background singers, dancers and musicians. 

His energy was infectious and the crowd was thrilled to experience Macklemore. “Thrift Shop,” “No Bad Days” and “White Walls” followed. Fans were eager to sing along. Maclemore informed the crowd he and his family had been in the Phoenix area for the entire week and took in some of the local sights. He also discussed struggling with addition in the past and mentioning that the fans with addition problems were not alone. There seemed to be an intimacy Maclemore had with such a huge crowd.

Set list: https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/macklemore/2024/tempe-beach-park-tempe-az-63ad3e77.html

This was the second appearance for Young the Giant at the Innings Festival and again they were a welcome sight. The first song of the set was “Wake Up” and was a crowd pleaser. Sameer Gadhia, the band’s lead singer. guided the band through songs from their latest album “American Bollywood.” Fan favorites like “Cough Syryp” were also performed.

Set list: https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/young-the-giant/2024/tempe-beach-park-tempe-az-6bad3e76.html

Hozier was Saturday’s headlining act. He is on his ‘Unreal,Unearth’ World Tour promoting his new album of the same name. He stepped out on a blue darkened stage and started performing “DeSelby (Part 1) and (Part 2). Then he slid into the more familiar “Jackie and Wilson.” Hozier has a commanding stage presence. Other songs included tracks from his three studio albums. “Cherry Wine” and “Take Me to Church” were among the songs included in the set. Hozier is adorned with incredible vocals, stage presence, and musical talent. Well worth attending.

Setlist: https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/hozier/2024/tempe-beach-park-tempe-az-7bad3e70.html 

It was a great weekend of great vibes and rock music during this two day weekend. New this year: Innings Festival will continue next weekend with an Extra Innings Festival with Chris Stableton and Dave Matthews Band headlining. We will report on this next week.

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Wintrust Arena

2/21/2024

By Keeton Robinson 

The Wintrust Arena in Chicago was set ablaze on Saturday night as Burna Boy, the Nigerian superstar, brought his African Giant Tour to the Windy City. Fans from all corners of the city flocked to the arena, eager to witness the Afrobeat sensation in action.

The night kicked off with an electrifying performance by Nissi, who set the mood with a mix of afrobeats and dancehall tunes that had the crowd on their feet from the get-go. Her song selection and infectious energy warmed up the audience for the main event.

As the clock struck 9 pm, the lights dimmed, and the arena erupted in cheers as Burna Boy made his grand entrance. Dressed in a vibrant Ankara outfit, he exuded charisma and confidence as he launched into his opening song, “Anybody,” setting the tone for the rest of the evening.

From chart-topping hits like “Ye” and “On the Low” to deeper cuts like “Gbona” and “Dangote,” Burna Boy delivered a diverse setlist that showcased his musical versatility and lyrical prowess. The crowd sang along to every word, creating an electric atmosphere that pulsed with energy and excitement.

Throughout the night, Burna Boy’s live band brought an extra layer of dynamism to the performance, infusing traditional African rhythms with modern sounds to create a truly immersive experience. The synergy between the musicians and the audience was palpable, transcending language and cultural barriers to unite everyone in a shared moment of musical euphoria.

As the concert drew to a close and Burna Boy took his final bow, the arena reverberated with applause and cheers, a testament to the artist’s undeniable talent and magnetic stage presence. For fans in attendance, it was more than just a concert – it was a celebration of African music and culture, a night filled with joy, unity, and unforgettable memories.

In conclusion, Burna Boy’s concert at Wintrust Arena was a triumph of afrobeat music and a testament to the artist’s status as a global icon. With his infectious energy, powerful vocals, and magnetic stage presence, Burna Boy delivered a performance that will be etched in the minds of fans for years to come.

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Wintrust Arena

2/21/2024

Writer: Sommer Thornton 

Photographer: Shrithik Karthik 

Styled-out and sexy fans packed the Wintrust Arena to see Burna Boy’s Chicago stop of his “I Told Them” tour.

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The African Giant hit Chicago’s Wintrust Arena for his “I Told Them,” Tour. The show kicked off with Burna Boy seated at the “City Boy Cutz” barber shop, part of an imaginative set with two tiers and a full band of over a dozen musicians. The top tier seemed to be an homage to his young adulthood in Ghana. As the lights came up, dancers dressed in white overalls were cleaning the windows to the beat, then Burna Boy emerged and immediately seized the crowd.

Burna Boy’s voice is flawless, and the energy in his vocals was on 10. Not many artists can move between singing and rapping at a fast pace seamlessly live, and Burna has mastered this. For this show, the African Giant brought us into the world this album was created in, where Burna shows how raw he is to his critics and whoever still doesn’t know his brilliance.

One song in, Burna sang the first line of his timeless hit, “Gbona,” and the crowd went crazy. Burna Boy and his band made the concert stellar. His rich satiny voice and the horn section that belted out these blissful bridges along with multiple keyboards, a guitar and a special all-female string quartet created an atmosphere that felt like we were being transported from a party in Johannesburg to laying on the beach in Negril, to a symphony in Egypt.

Burna Boy breezed through current hits from his new album like “Dey Play,” “Location,” and “On My Hand.” But it’s the classics “Anybody,” “On the Low,” and “Kilometre,” that sent the crowd to the next stratosphere.

Hit after hit after hit Burna Boy showed off his incredible vocals and amazing stamina teasing the crowd and playfully interacting with his all-female dancers who, dressed in painter’s overalls and doing very relatable choreography connected with the audience in a fresh way. It was like friends or cousins were up there doing the dances they practiced together that made everybody happy. When Burna sang the ballad, “If I’m Lying,” from his new album, he poured his heart out with the string quartet.

With this tour, Burna Boy has ascended to the helm of Afro Fusion with hard work, grit, and refined talent. He has forged his own lane. After over 10 years in the game, no other artist in this genre can touch him vocally and lyrically. On top of charisma, good looks, style, and incredible stage presence, Burna Boy uses the stage design, the wardrobe, even the musical accompaniment to show a deeper side of himself and his artistry. It’s like the lyrics in his song “I Told Them” say, he told them he would make it, he told them he was the flyest, they said he was crazy, self-confidence of a lion.

Saying that Burna Boy’s voice live is as flawlessly sweet as it sounds on the album is an understatement. Even when silent on stage, the Burna Boy show was captivating because he allowed his band to reinforce the vibe and the audience could sit – not recording, but really taking in the beautiful moment together and letting the music immerse us.

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by Keeton Robinson 

Lovers & Friends music festival is making its highly-anticipated return to Las Vegas this year, promising an unforgettable experience for music lovers and festival-goers. After a brief hiatus, the festival is back with a stellar lineup and exciting new attractions, set to take place at the Las Vegas Festival Grounds.

This year’s lineup features an impressive array of chart-topping artists and legendary performers. From hip-hop icons to R&B superstars, attendees can look forward to electrifying performances by artists such as May J Blige, Usher, Lil Wayne, Snoop Dogg, and many more. The festival promises to be a melting pot of musical talent, catering to a diverse range of musical preferences.

In addition to the star-studded performances, Lovers & Friends offers a plethora of attractions and experiences for attendees to enjoy. From interactive art installations to delectable food options from renowned vendors, the festival aims to create an immersive environment that goes beyond the music. Attendees can expect to be entertained at every turn, with surprises and delights awaiting them throughout the festival grounds.

Set against the backdrop of the vibrant city of Las Vegas, Lovers & Friends offers festival-goers the opportunity to immerse themselves in the unique energy of Sin City. With its world-class accommodations, renowned dining options, and non-stop entertainment, Las Vegas provides the perfect setting for a music festival of this caliber. Attendees can explore the city’s iconic landmarks and attractions, adding an extra layer of excitement to their festival experience.

As the countdown to Lovers & Friends begins, anticipation is reaching a fever pitch. With its stellar lineup, innovative attractions, and the allure of Las Vegas, this year’s festival is poised to be an unmissable event for music enthusiasts. Whether you’re a devoted fan of the headlining artists or simply seeking an unforgettable entertainment experience, Lovers & Friends promises to deliver an unforgettable weekend of music, fun, and excitement.

Gear up for an unforgettable weekend at Lovers & Friends music festival in Las Vegas, where music, entertainment, and the spirit of celebration converge in a spectacular showcase of talent and creativity.

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This year the lineup of artists contains some of the biggest names in the music industry with Post Malone, Rauw Alejandro, The Killers, 21 Savage, SZA, and Peso Pluma. Post Malone was one of the headliners in 2021 and he returns this year with three more albums added to his catalog and he will definitely put on an incredible show. SZA has been on an incredible run recently going on a huge extended world tour this year and last year, and her songs have garnered well over a billion plays in 2023 alone. Peso Pluma has gained heavy traction only recently in 2023 with the release of his song Ella Baila Sola which has gone viral on practically every major platform. 21 Savage also returns to Gov Ball this year as the headliner after performing in 2021. With his new release of his album “american dream” he will put on a performance you will not want to miss out. These artists cover a huge range of music including Latin R&B, Rap, Rock, and more.

Incredible food options exist all around the festival this year with over 50 food options in 2023 and even more expected this year. Located in the heart of New York City, Governors Ball will be three days of fantastic energy and fun. With a beautiful park and so much to explore there will be lots of room to move around. Getting to the festival is very simple and convenient with options such as trains, buses, and the airport is close by as well. This year comes with the addition of one-day, two-day and three-day tickets which allow people to choose which days they want to attend and get the most bang for their back. Be sure to bring your best friends, your best energy, sing your heart out, and get ready to have the time of your life this year at Governors Ball 2024. Grab your tickets right now on the official website governorsballmusicfestival.com/ 

Be on the lookout for any news on the social media pages.
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Detroit Fox Theater

Detroit, Michigan

October 13, 2023

By Teri Butler

Photos by Guest Photographer David “Odiwams” Wright

The venue, the opulent Detroit Fox Theater, was the perfect backdrop for this musical buffet. What would you like? Smooth caramel grooves? A warm and light ballad? How about a heaping side of funky bass with a sprinkle of fun? You can have it all with Tony Toni Tone!

The entire venue was prepared for this: the couple one row ahead of me had to get a room. They serenaded and crooned to one another – gazing at one another, dancing practically the entire concert. Even the ushers were dancing and singing as they directed the latecomers to their seats.

The energy is ELECTRIC.

Tony Toni Tone has done it again… a smooth transition completely serenading our minds while marinating our souls.

Tony Toni Tone knew how to take the crowd back to a simpler time. With many of the audience dancing and singing to their childhood. And back to “Anniversary” a song by Tony! Toni! Toné!. That was released on September 14, 1993, as the second single from their third studio album, Sons of Soul (1993). Just think about that a band from the 90s still filling concert halls.

Has time freeze for the members of Tony! Toni! Tone. No, they had had lives and moved on. But this is their Anniversary Tour. And they know how to take you back to all their hits. And with all the news going on in the world with the far left and the far right. 

They are just what the doctor has ordered.

WELCOME BACK

Just what the doctor ordered. Welcome back.

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John Mayer played a solo set at Chicago’s United Center on Wednesday and, while on stage, took a stroll down memory lane, back to his days of just starting out as a young(er) musician. Little did he know that back then, it would be just the beginning of what would become a wildly successful worldwide music career. That being said, Mayer’s concerts are not just about the music; he’s also known for his engaging stage presence and storytelling. He interacts with the audience, shares anecdotes, and creates a more intimate and personal connection with his fans. And, on October 18th, he did not disappoint, saying, “I love Chicago. I remember playing for just my friends here, at Schuba’s years ago. So, tonight, I will consider all of y’all…my friends.” Of course, the thousands in attendance at the United Center went wild.

Depending on the show, Mayer might bring out guest musicians to join him on stage. He has a history of collaborating with other notable artists, making his live performances even more exciting and unpredictable, although this was not the case in Chicago but the nearly sold-out crowd certainly did not seem to mind. He began his set with, “Heartbreak Warfare,” under a slight spotlight and intense blue lasers that blanketed his face and body as he sat comfortably on a white upholstered chair. He also visited his piano for a couple of his tunes, including, “You’re Going to Live Forever in Me,” and, “Changing.” The set was amazing, with just him on that gigantic stage…no surprise guests required.

Mayer’s music has definitely evolved over the years, and his live shows reflect this progression. He seamlessly transitions between different musical genres, showcasing his growth as an artist. Also known for his soulful, and smooth voice, his live performances highlight his vocal and guitar mastery. He often adds improvisational vocal elements to his songs, creating unique renditions for his live audience.

The John Mayer solo tour continues into early November before he (and special guest, JP Saxe) head overseas, first to Japan and then to Europe. You can visit his website (below) for future tour dates and I encourage you to do so.

John Mayer – Official Website

Ruoff Music Center 

Noblesville, Indiana

September 23, 2023

by Mary Andrews

The 37^th annual Farm Aid all day concert once again will go down in history as one of the best to date. It has been a year long celebration of Willie Nelson’s 90th birthday and today’s festivities have been an extention of that celebration. The festival had a cavalcade of musical legends. The press conference started the day’s festivities with the Farm Aid board, local farmers, members of the bands, and other Farm Aid officials. The purpose every year is  to deliver vital information on the progress of Farm Aid’s efforts to help family farmers. The local farmers spoke of challenges in the state and educating the local population on eating organic foods and the effects on human health.

Neil Young always has vital comments on concerns of the day regarding family natural farming.  Here’s what he had to day:”How important it is that the family farmers do what they do by sustaining organic food. They bring back the earrh from the ground up. There are all great things, but they all pale in comparison to one thing, the people who go to the stores. People who are out there right now. We are all together in this. The climate change crisis is out there. If we go to our media, we don’t hear about it. We hear about rediculous stuff that doesn’t mean anything. We hear about the pontificating about political views. All of this meaningless in today’s world. We as the people all around this world can do something about it. We can work together and try to do natural things. Things that help you make decisions about what foods to gather, where to go to buy it. Don’t go the the wrong place to buy the right food. Research, read a little bit to find out what they are doing. It would be great if we could stop using fossil fuel but, things could come to a crashing halt anyway. We need to forget about those kind of things and think about natural things we could do.”

Young continued, “What’s the best way to get a mile and a half down the road? Probably the best way to do that is to walk. It’s the natural thing to do. It makes you stronger and it makes you hungry for good food. In the world you make the right decisions, the natural decisions. The natural way of life. Try to do things the way they used to be. Before we got so smart and so greedy. When I first came here with Willie and John, and Dave, we had a lot of these red shirts around that said stop factory farms. This was in the first and second year of Farm Aid. There’s a couple of them out there in the crowd. This is a serious business. This factory farm thing doesn’t work. It doesn’t work for us. It doesn’t work for humanity. It doesn’t work for the planet. It doesn’t work for the animals. It doesn’t work for the humans. It doesn’t work for anything that grows naturally. Everything that we do, we need to think about natural ways. What were the ways that our forefathers used? Because their ways worked. What we’ve done has gotten so greedy. i’m not going to decent to corporated farming gustalt. But I would like to say that we have a choice and its really the people on the street who are going to make the difference. The farmers are doing everything they can do. Without the people behind the farmers, it’s not going to work. The people need to support the farmers. That’s not just a phrase. We need to think about the world and what we are doing, the natural way. Where is this food coming from and what can I do to get to it? How can I get there without hurting the planet? What things can I do today that will help? What things can I leave off my list that are going to hurt something? If we research this, we will find that it’s not b that hard to figure out. So it’s all in our hands. It’s in the hands of the people of the world to support the farmers. Support everyone who is working for a better tomorrow. A better tomorrow is based in natural ways, mother nature. Mother nature will take care of the earth. We know that. We’ll all be gone. . . .Mother earth has mother nature to protect her. We need to follow those rules. We need to follow the natural ways of living. That’s all I know to say about this. It’s so simple. People have to support the world. 

The festival is always headlined by board members Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp, Dave Matthews, and Margo Price. This year’s surprise guest was Bob Dylan. It was one of the most packed lineup of entertainers  seen in recent years. 

Immediately following the press conference, the entertainment started with the Wisdom Indian Dancers, Clayton Anderson, and the Black Opry. The Wisdom Indian Dancers are a permanent act at Farm Aid and their colorful set is very short. 

Clayton Anderson, originally from Bedford, Indiana, is inspired by board-member, John Mellencamp. Local fans seemed to be very familiar with Anderson and gave him a warm welcome during his uplifting set. 

The Black Opry featured Lori Rayne, Tylar Bryant, and Kyshona. The band was concieved to support black artists in country music. All of the members in attendence were superb singers. Their set demonstrated the reason Allison Russell introduced Kyshona as one of the best singers in show business. The set seemed far too short.

Particle Kid is Willie’s son Micah Nelson. The young Nelson is following in his father’s footsteps as a songwriter. The multi-instrumentalist always delivers an innovative set with new music offered. He often performs with The Flaming Lips and Neil Young. Nothing like singing “Everything is Bullsh*t” to a country crowd. His hard driving guitars easily pumped up fans.

The String Cheese Incident has been celebrating 30 years as a band. They are celebrating their forcoming album Lend Me a Hand featuring their blues-inspired new music. Fans were on their feet dancing to their loosely structured jam music.

This is the third year for multi-instrumentalist, Allison Russell, to appear at Farm Aid. Doesn’t matter if she is playing clarenet, banjo or guitar, her performance is stellar. Her vocals are compelling and emotional. It’s a great sight to see her at Farm Aid.

Nathaniel Rateliff and the NightSweats delivered another outstanding folk and Americana set prior to Lukas Nelson and The Promise of the Real. Nelson has come a long way since his appearances opening for BB King in 2009. “Sticks and Stones” and “Finding Yourself” were some of the performer’s offerings. The set was amazing as usual.

Bobby Weir and the Wolf Brothers bandmates included bassist Don Was, drummer Jay Lane, keyboardist Jeff Climenti and pedal steel guitarist Barry Siess. The band was aygmented by Sturgill Simpson on guitar, Margo Price on vocals and Lukas Nelson on guitar. It was a three song set that started with an extended version of “Truckin’”

The Jim Irsey Band featuring Ann Wilson and Kenny Wayne Sheperd were up next with Wilson and Sheperd performing the bulk of the set, thankfully. Both entertainers are the best at what they do. Also session guitarist, Tom Bukovac, thrilled the crowd. Margo Price followed with Sturgill Simpson sitting in during her set as well. They covered Simpson’s “Life of Sin.” “Paper Cowboy” and “Hurtin’ (On the Bottle)” were extra treats performed.

Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds gave another spectacular acoustic set, prior to homeboy, John Mellencamp, gave the fans a run of his hit songs. Once “Jack and Diane” was started, Mellencamp stopped the song to chastise the fans for not singing it properly. It was all in fun and I must say the fans knew the lyrics to all of his songs. It was definitely a Mellencamp crowd.

Neil Young’s set was a solo set with Young playing harmonica and guitar as he walked around the stage and sang. It has been three years since Young has made a live appearance at Farm Aid. He was very apologetic regarding his absence. Young at one point shouted,”What’s your favorite planet?” and everyone roared back: “Earth!” The answer was written on the tee shirt he was wearing. The set seemed to be far too short with only four songs, granted they were long versions of the songs. One has to wonder if the set was cut short because of Bob Dylan being added to the list of performers.

Dylan’s surprise set was also short with only three songs including :Maggie’s Farm,” “Positively 4th Street,” and “Ballad of a Thin Man.” Dylan was accompanied by the Heartbreakers, Tom Petty’s band, making his Farm Aid reunion with that band very special. He took the stage without uttering a word to the crowd. Dylan has been touring and has dates lined up for the fall.

Willie Nelson and Family had the final set of the day and it was one of the best this reviewer has seen in many years. Nelson delivered exceptional guitar solos. He was flanked by sons Lukas and Micah as well as Waylon Payne. Some songs performed were “Always on My Mind,” “Mamas Don’t Let Your Babies Be Cowboys,” and “Texas Flood.” Nelson’s energy level could not have been higher. And Farm Aid could not have had a better day of music.

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Community College

Kirtland Ohio

Michelle Waters

As summer rolled through the campus of Lakeland Community College in Kirtland, Ohio the average festival goer might at first be confused by the music they heard coming from the multi-stage setup at Wonderstruck Festival.

Through a conscious decision, the once more pop and rock-focused fest has begun to morph into a wider variety of performances, including hip-hop and country music. In an effort to reach a wider audience, this is truly set to become the event for people who say they “Love all kinds of music”. After the sheets or rain let up halfway through day 1 of Wonderstruck, music lovers began to peel off their ponchos and trade in those protective layers for sunscreen. Yes, one of the coolest little discoveries I found at Wonderstruck this year was a crew walking around and spraying people with an airbrush gun loaded with sunscreen.

Paris Jackson

No matter your musical interests, you were sure to find something new to enjoy. Local artists were featured-mainly on the smaller Radd Stage, off to the side of festival grounds. Artists like Maybe, Mac Saturn, local favorites Wavrunner and The Vindys, Michael (Jackson)’s daughter, Paris, and true performers like Siena Liggins and Leah Kate all lit up the smallest stage of the three.

Echosmith

Looking for something eclectic? Indie artists, rock artists and hip-hop artists all rotated performances on the middle, White Claw stage. Here’s you could find artists such as Tall Tall Trees, Echosmith, The Struts, and Flo Rida on Saturday of the two-day festival. On day 2, this stage’s performance schedule included The Beaches, Tai Verdes and Nelly.

Walker Hayes

The largest stage, while at first listening seemed to feature mainly country artists, also included crowd favorites Coin, Khalid and Hembree. Folks who stuck around to the end of country star Walker Hayes’ performance on Saturday (night 1) got to see a rare live duo performance of he and Flo Rida performing their famous song, High Heels. How often do you get to attend an event where country and hip hop are so equally represented that this was possible?

Also under question was the possibility of The Struts joining forces with Paris Jackson for a duo of Low Key in Love, but that didn’t pan out. It could have been because the set schedule got a bit jumbled. But you can often only do so much with live performances. I didn’t hear anyone complaining, and really only heard how cool it was to check out such a diverse rotation of music in one place.

Check out a galley of bands Michelle photographed during the weekend.

I’ll definitely be checking out this festival again, next year. The “Wonder Series” also includes several other stops with Wonderbus (Columbus), Wonderroad (Indianapolis) and Wonderworks (Pittsburgh), and all events feature a completely different lineup.

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by Dedan Blackmon

The ninth Beyonce concert tour is upon us. Out of the other eight tours, Beyonce fans are awaiting what Beyonce has next to give. Her first tour, 2003 “Dangerously in Love tour”. She started with The “Dangerously in love album” and then her ex girl group Destiny Child and also featured songs from the featured film” The Fighting Temptations”. 

The Second Tour “ The Beyonce Experience “. From the entrance to the lighting, Her stage Presence, vocals, outfits and dances especially the ballet segment, the Ring the Alarm Performance. One of the most parts of the show was when Jay Z made his appearance on let me upgrade you.

The I Am tour, I love Beyonce’s Intros the crowds reactions even her backgrounds are popping, but the segment of Ave Maria with the Beyonce in the white wedding dress Beautiful. Watching Beyonce in concert it like you can’t move or take your eyes off her because the show is so hypnotizing, the costumes are phenomenal  but doing the flying trapeze flips in the air a part of the show , Beyonce comes different every time.

Lets fast forward. Now who uses a whole marching band GENIUS. Creativity is in her blood. Routines are as they are one, so in sync. The creativity is crazy, the steppers just fire, Le twins always bring it. I say all this to say Beyonce has become the new female Michael Jackson. The creativity, arrangements, storytelling and so much more. What’s next coming up in Beyonce’s storytelling tour “The Renaissance Tour “ can’t wait to see and I know you can’t hope to see you there.

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