Category Archives: youth media

artists, cast members, music, youth media

The Warped Tour West Palm Beach

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by Ben Pawliger

warped2013

The Vans Warped Tour, an 18 year old concert tour of varying types of music, came to Sunny South Florida on July 27th at the South Florida Fairgrounds in West Palm Beach. Thousands of music fans came out to see their favorite bands, with music from Punk Rock to Hip-Hop, and even some Electronic Dance music. Nearly 80 bands and musicians came to play for their South Florida fans, on 9 different stages, including the Cruzan Amphitheater. Although a few showers came and went, including one which required all fans to seek cover under the Amphitheater with pelting hail and constant lightning, the Warped Tour fans stayed loyal to their quest to hear their favorite music and stuck it through.

What’s unique about the Warped Tour is how, instead of only the fans having a deep love for their favorite artists, the artists show the love back. Many Warped Tour artists, before or after they perform, go out and walk around, talking to their fans, taking pictures, and even signing autographs. Also, because the Warped Tour has such a variety of music, it attracts people of all interests. It is one of the few places where you can have a stage of a Punk Rock band playing with just a few feet away from there is a Hip-Hop artists performing as well, which is why the Warped Tour is so popular among music fans. Rarely can you ever see Punk Rock fans with gauges and nose rings walk alongside rap fans with their shorts hanging low and tattoos on their face, both content with the music that is playing. Whatever you are in to, whether its “moshing” to Hard Rock, or “Fist-raising” to Rap, the Warped Tour has music for everyone.

Along with the music however, the Warped Tour is also infamous for being home to a portable shopping mall. In between the 9 stages, you can find dozens upon dozens of stands selling T-shirts, posters, and of course, the much needed bottled water to deal with the July heat. Overall, from the loud and energy-fueling music, to the bipolar South Florida weather, the Vans Warped Tour is the ultimate music festival for South Florida music fanatics.

artists, cast members, music, youth media

Maroon 5 Review

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by Kelsey Jansermaroon 5

“…But tonight I’m gonna hold you so close.” Yes please, Adam Levine! The Grammy winning band, Maroon 5, started their North American tour with special guests Neon Trees and Owl City in mid February and continued throughout the spring. They visited the BB&T center March 29, and blew the crowd away.

The concert’s events opened with Owl City, an electronica band run by singer/song writer Adam Young. The Minnesota native started in 2007 and eventually signed with a record label in 2008. His playlist of the night included his most popular songs, “Fireflies” and “Good Time.” He was lively and enthusiastic throughout the performance and reinforced how sincerely grateful he was to perform for the audience that night. After he finished his thirty minute set, the curtains closed and did not re-open for another half an hour.

When the curtains finally parted ways however, Neon Trees took the stage by storm. This alternative rock band from Utah first caught the general public with the playing of their single “Animal” on the radio. The single is part of their album, Habits, which was released in 2010. They performed hits from Habits as well as their new album, Picture Show, released in 2012. The February 2012 hit single “Everybody Talks” can still be heard on the radio. The band has been together since 2005 and clearly work well with each other. Lead singer Tyler Glenn is filled with passion and was born to perform. Their thirty minute set was exciting and had a majority of the audience singing along to the catchy music.

Despite the incredible performances by the preceding bands, the crowd was waiting and ready for the main act: Maroon 5. When the curtains closed on Neon Trees, they seemed to remain closed for an eternity. Just when everyone wondered if Maroon 5 was even going to show up, the lights went out and everyone began to scream. Sound effects of coins being dropped into a machine and then a phone ringing got the crowd even more impatient: Maroon 5 would be opening their set with the song “Pay Phone.” Maroon 5 is an extremely well-known pop/rock band from California. Their most recent album release, Overexposed, contains several songs that are playing on the radio.

The band, however, played popular songs from all their albums, including a beautiful acoustic version of “She Will Be Loved.” The crowd was almost louder than Adam; EVERYONE was singing. All three bands were fantastic and made the night one to remember.

artists, music, youth media

Anoop Desai Interview by Laura Saker

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Anoop_Desai

Anoop Desai was a Top Ten finalist during Season 8 of American Idol. After graduating from UNC, where he participated in the school’s a cappella group, he and his friends auditioned for Idol. Anoop (or nicknamed ‘Noop Dog’) gained popularity on the show and finished in 6th place. When the show was over, he felt awkward coming back home, but knew that his musical career was not over yet.

Since Anoop did not remember much of American Idol, he seemed very focused and passionate about his new album, 3 Cheers, coming out. Anoop appeared to be very excited and proud about this album. After a lot of ups and downs he realized he needed to be true to himself and make music that he loved. The hit song on this album is “Love War”. When he performed this song, “girls would jump on stage and start dancing” and he describes the environment like there was “a change in brain chemistry when the song came on”. Desai also got involved in songwriting and has songs in the pipeline at major labels. Overall, Anoop Desai has become very successful and was able to make a name out of himself after leaving the bubble of American Idol.

Anoop stays very active on social media and uploads covers of songs on his
YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/AnoopDesaiMusic . To keep up with Anoop follow him on Twitter: https://twitter.com/anoopdoggdesai Instagram: http://instagram.com/anoopdesai/#
And be sure to check out his Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/IAmAnoopDesai?ref=ts

artists, music, youth media

Mindless Behavior Review by Carli Fogel

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MINDLESS BEHAVIOR
mindless

When asked about their bands name, they reply with confidence “Anybody can be mindless. It doesn’t matter if you’re two-years-old or eighty-two-years-old. Be yourself. Love who you are and love what you do, no matter what it is. That makes you mindless.” Mindless Behavior is an American boy band that appeals to R&B, hip-hop, and pop music fans. The teen quartet includes prodigy, Roc Royal, Ray Ray, and Princeton, all young energetic musicians who all started performing when they were children in the streets of their corresponding city. Their start was in 2008 when they were grouped together at a music audition. They made their way from high school appearances to tour openings and in July 2012 they successfully ventured into their own 25-city tour.
After reviewing their music, it is obvious that the group has exquisite flow and chemistry in their synchronized dance moves. Never forgetting fashion, the group dresses in unique and distinct apparel, while keeping it classy, as a way of expressing themselves. Their music incorporates techno beats with rap and soul to produce melodic songs that won’t escape your head. Today’s generation of young adults can relate to the lyrics and high-spirited tone of their music. Mindless Behavior expresses being mindless and their songs exemplify that type of positive life style. For those people that like to have a good time, jam out to catchy music, and live mindlessly, Mindless Behavior is your type of artists.

-Carli Fogel
mindless