Week of Jason Mraz, New Found Glory, and Stevie Wonder.

     Let's jump back a little bit to the month of March. I saw a few cool shows in March 2015, and I would like to tell you about them. First I went back to middle school for Jason Mraz. That streak then continues into freshman year for New Found Glory. Finally on to a tried and true legend, Stevie Wonder. 

Jason Mraz 03/09/15 Stevens Auditorium

      I have been a fan of Jason Mraz since Waiting for my Rocket to Come, but I haven't been a fan of everything he's done. His last album before the new one was Love is a Four Letter Word and I hated it. I even decided not to see him on the tour because all the material on it was from that album. This time he was playing in Ames on a tour from his newest album Yes. So I checked the setlist, and I listened to the new album. After being pleasantly surprised I decided I wanted to go. There was no opener and we got there a little bit late, so right as we walked in his back up band Raining Jane was playing without Jason Mraz. I got there and they gave a speech about how they met him at a festival and needed a change of underwear as he loved their set and wanted to record with them. Apparently it went well that he wanted them as his new band.

Jason Mraz performing The Remedy Live.

     Right after that speech, out came Jason in his hat as typical. He was charming and started the show with a medley Rise/ Love Someone and Song For a Friend before playing a song that was written for a song writing challenge. That song was Dynamo of Volition, a fast and fun song like the old Jason I remember. The only downfall of the show is that it was one of the only fast songs played. Even The Remedy was changed and played in a slower way. The First half was a fun set of music mostly composed of music from We sing We Dance We Steal Things and Yes, with some Four letter word songs thrown in. The arrangements for the live show were set to string quartets with Jason singing and only a few full band songs. I was OK with that because they were beautifully performed and the second half would have the hits, and it did. The second half had them play I'm Yours, The Remedy, and I Won't Give Up. The show was beautiful and a lot of fun, but I have to admit that the lack of material from his first two albums, and a lack of fast paced songs was a disappointment. I loved what I heard and it was worth it, but his focus on new stuff and complete lack of old music was my biggest fear from the beginning. It's a different Jason from when I knew him, so go see him but keep that in mind.

New Found Glory 3/19/15 Wooly's

      Going into this show I hadn't lightened to New Found Glory in a very long time, so for me this was a high school punk rock refresher course. The show had several openers some I loved, some I didn't care for, and New Found Glory. As New Found Glory later explained that was the nature of their fan base. They toured the world with ska bands, punk bands, hardcore bands, and emo bands. Their fan base was a melting pot of all of that put together. The first band was an acoustic duo in the style of Dashboard Confessional, a band I have never been that much of a fan of so I tuned it out and waited. For the next band everyone started to storm the stage to get a better view and I wasn't sure what to expect. What came next was nothing like the first band. A band called Turnstile took the stage and blew everyone away. They were like witnessing a young Black Flag live. I had never seen a band on the rise to what surly would be a long career, but this band is destined for it. They officially converted me. I bought their album and personally think it is the best hardcore album of 2015.

New Found Glory performing My Friends Over You live.

      They took the stage with style at 9:30 on the nose. They played material from all of their albums including their debut. They started the show with Selfless and Resurrection from the new album Resurrection before diving into material from their other albums. The show was an hour and half and 21 songs. They ended the set with My Friends Over You from my favorite album Sticks and Stones. The encore was The Ballad For the Lost Romantics, The Story So Far, Intro, and ending the show with All Downhill From You. During the encore they blasted the crowd with a crap ton of confetti. The show was a blast from the past and a ton of fun.

Stevie Wonder 3/29/15 Target Center

    

     Everyone has one of those shows that is like a pipe dream and a footnote on the bottom of a concert bucketlist. I have a few of them, but Stevie Wonder has always been one of them. I saw that he was playing in Minneapolis on a Sunday. I had been watching that show for a while, knowing full on that it was a terrible idea. However I knew that he doesn't tour very often and he is getting up there in age. I didn't want to miss my chance. This show was even more special because he was playing all of his monumental album Songs in the Key of Life. We got to the show and were very thankful for there being no opener and Stevie not coming on time, because the lines were insane and we didn't get into the show until 8:30

Stevie Wonder performing Superstition live. 

     He came on stage at around 8:40 and he gave his speech about how important tonight was because of how important this music was to many people. His band was the most elaborate thing I have ever seen. He had a horn section, back up singers galore, guitarists, bassists, organ players, piano players, drummers, and a string section local to Minneapolis. He played the entire album all the way through stopping several times to do bits, tell stories, jokes, and just in general be charming as hell. He did a bit where challenged the back up signers to a sing off and of course he won, but they sounded great and he won because they stopped out of respect. After the first half of his set he came back to do his second half and was greeted by the mayor who presented him with a plaque and a key to the city for his movements to equal rights, charities, and for helping create MLK day. They also official named March 29th Stevie Wonder day in Minneapolis. 

     He played all of the hits on the album like he hadn't aged a day; Sir Duke, As, and Isn't She Lovely sounded amazing like his voice hadn't aged a day. I could've listened to him all day, and we practically did. After he finished Songs in the Key of Life, he said that it was past his bed time and if we wanted more music that we would have to except him as his DJ alter ego DJ Tick Tick Boom because Stevie Wonder had left the building. For a while he played around with DJ things, before he launched into parts of songs starting with Part Time Lover and several others before launching into an amazing version of Higher Ground. After that he played Living in the City and ended the show with the obvious closer Superstition. This show was unbelievable on every level, a legend performing as a true legend. The band was awesome and full of experts, the bits and stories were great, and Stevie himself sounded as he always did. He blew the crowd away. The show was a marathon for both him and the audience lasting from 8:30 to midnight and 29 full songs. I am amazed he can do that. If you ever get the chance to see him, go!

Week of Modest Mouse and Sufjan Stevens

     I had jaw surgery recently so you can imagine why recording video reviews might be some what of a problem, but I'm back now. This week I will be reviewing two of the most important bands in the indie rock scene. Two of the biggest releases of the year. One, the first in almost a decade, and the other a shift back in an old style. This week I will be reviewing Modest Mouse's Strangers to Ourselves and Sufjan Stevens' Carrie and Lowell.

 Modest Mouse- Strangers to Ourselves

Here is my Review of Modest Mouse's Strangers to Ourselves.

Recommended Songs: Lampshades on Fire, The Ground Walks With Time in a Box, Sugar Boats, and The Best Room.

4/5 Stars

Sufjan Stevens- Carrie and Lowell

Here is my Review of Sufjan Stevens' Carrie and Lowell.

Recommended Songs: Whole Album, or Forth of July, John My Beloved, The Only Thing, and Drawn to the Blood.

5/5 Stars

Week of Machine Head, Sleater-Kinney, and Motion City Soundtrack

      This is another blog that is a long time coming.  I went to a few cool shows in the month of February and now I would like to tell you about them. I realize this concert recap blog could also double as therapy for my concert addiction. As long as my problems entertain, it's ok. This week I will be reviewing Machinehead, Sleater-Kinney, and Motion City Soundtrack live in concert.

Machinehead 02/11/15 Wooly's

     I got to Wooly's early because tonight there was no opener just an evening with Machinehead. I had never seen a metal band do something like this. Machinehead had more than enough music to host a full two and a half hour show, most bands just don't want to. This was a different sort of show. It was a test of endurance for all the metal heads headbanging and moshing. Because of the one band playing the show didn't start till nine. However they were very punctual and right at nine they started playing. 

Machinehead performing Halo live

     They started the show with Imperium followed by Beautiful Morning off of The Blackening. The next song played was the lead single Now We Die. He told a story about how the last time they played for something called Lazerfest, it was  years ago, and when they announced the show on the radio they didn't even mention Machinehead. So when the band played the fest they went on stage trashed the equipment and then left. Then finally last year they played Lazerfest again and described it as really awkward. The show lasted for two and an half hours playing songs off of every album, including four from the new one, and four from The Blackening. They started the encore with an ode to Slayer by playing Aesthetics of Hate. They followed that with Game Over, Old, and finally the obvious closer Halo. At the end of the show after two and an half hours of head banging, moshing, sweating everyone was exhausted and ready to pass out. It was one of the best metal shows I have ever seen.

Sleater-Kinney 02/13/15 Slowdown

  I must confess that my first dose of Sleater-Kinney didn't come until I heard all the buzz about the band and picked up their reunion album No Cities to Love. I knew Carrie Brownstein from Portlandia and because of that I was expecting a super indie buzz band. That was not what I got. What I heard was a balls to the wall punk band with some of the fieriest female vocals I had ever heard. I loved ever second of it and picked up all their other albums. It was settled I had to go see them live. So I looked at their tour dates and made the horrible realization that the reunion tour was all sold out. I looked on craigslist, and all the other ticket sites and finally the week of the show bit the bullet and bought a ticket. The show itself was mix of two different types of fans your hipsters and your old school grown up riot girls. The opening act was an up and coming female rapper. She was really good, and had an inspired message about feminism.

Sleater-Kinney perform A New Wave Live.

     Around nine Sleater-Kinney came out blasting played for a furious hour and a half. They opened the show with their new lead single Price Tag and sounded fierce and raw. Even though the topics of their songs have changed and they have grown up, they still pack a real riot girl punch. They show dug heavily from No Cities to Love playing eight of the ten songs live, but they played songs from every one of their albums. Their was very little dialogue from the band aside from band introductions and thank you's after almost every song. Aside from one speech, where the lead singer described what is what like to be a band again by playing the song Surface Love. The back drop was a giant white piece of construction with slots cut in it so that when they jammed fans under it would make it look like they were destroying the stage with their rock. It was a really cool effect. The encore started with one of loudest moments of the night, where the lead singer Corin Tucker dropped her guitar for the first time all night and went to the front of the stage with just a mic and let loose. From there they played I Wanna Be Your Joey Ramone, Turn It On, Modern Girl, and ended the show with Dig Me Out. The show was a rocking good time and everyone in attendance left with a smile and a little spark of rebellious spirit.

Motion City Soundtrack 02/24/15 Wooly's

     I have been a fan of Motion City Soundtrack since the first time I heard the album Commit This to Memory, and since have learned to love and appreciate both the band and the album as one of my favorites. Especially Commit this to memory which I know every word to. So when it was announced that Motion City Soundtrack was doing a 10 year anniversary for it, touring and playing it all live, I lost my shit. Even better was that the show was coming to Wooly's in Des Moines. I immediately got out all my Motion City albums and listened to them all in preparation of this momentous occasion. 

Motion City Soundtrack perform Everything is Alright

Come the night of the show another shocking discovery. The show had sold out. My music keeps doing that. I don't like cool things, do I? The one thing annoying about Motion City live is their choice in openers which is always terrible. The highlight being the former singer of emotastic band The Academy Is. Once that was over, Motion City took the stage and blasted right into Attractive Today and the whole room lost it's collective shit. Which pretty much continued in a haze of bouncing, screaming lyrics, and nostalgia all the way from Everything is Alright to Hold Me Down. After that they made a joke bit that bombed and jumped into more music. The next songs were from their whole discography starting with Invisible Monsters, a secret songs from Commit This to Memory, followed by Anything At All our first taste of the upcoming sixth album. This played the best songs form all previous albums except Go with is a very polarizing album for fans. From A Lifeless Ordinary and Her Words Destroyed My Planet from My Dinosaur Life, Last Night, and This is For Real from Even If It Kills me, and the rest from their debut I am the Movie. They Hit up my favorite song Capital H, before going to The Future Freaks Me Out to end the set. They came back and ended the night with My Favorite Accident.

My nostalgia meter was so full that I decided to hang around for a minute after the show to soak it all in when the most incredible thing happened. One by one all of the members of Motion City Soundtrack came out and started talking to the fans. As the most insane music fan that I am, I always bring something for the band to sign just in case, you never know. For once I was right to do so! I went around and got my first copy of Commit This to Memory signed by all the members of Motion City Soundtrack, and even got my photo taken with the singer Justin Pierre. He was extremely grateful to meet the fans, but apparently was getting over being sick and couldn't even talk after the show. It's amazing he was able to play the show at all. It was one of the best nights I have had in a very long time.

Week of Father Imagine Dragons and Father John Misty

     This blog is the blog of expectation and hype. Both artists are dropping their second album after a huge first album. One is a commercial giant and the other is a critical and artistic wonder. So is the sophomore slump apparent here? One artist will succeed and one won't watch and find out. This week I will be reviewing Imagine Dragons' Smoke and Mirrors and Father John Misty's I Love You, Honeybear.

Imagine Dragons- Smoke and Mirrors

Here is my review of Imagine Dragons' Smoke and Mirrors.

Recommended Songs: Shots, Trouble, and Friction

2/5 Stars

Father John Misty- I Love You, Honeybear

Here is my review of Father John Misty's I Love You, Honeybear.

Recommended Songs: The whole album or bust. 

5/5 Stars

Week of Reel Big Fish, The Misfits, Dead Kennedys, and Black Label Society.

    

     A month has past in 2015 and now I will go back and talk about the shows I witnessed in January of 2015. I saw the legendary Dead Kennedy's and The Misfits, along with Reel Big Fish and Zack Wylde's Black Label Society. Let's go back and and discuss. 

Dead Kennedy's and The Misfits 01/10/15 Mid American Center

       When I first heard that Council Bluffs Iowa was going to bring The Dead Kennedy's, The Vandalls, and The Misfits to town I laughed it off as completely impossible. Turns out, some how Council Bluffs Iowa landed one of the best punk rock tours in a long time. It was called 6 rounds of punk, Six legendary punk bands in one night. Total Chaos, Guttermouth, Strung Out, The Vandals, The Dead Kennedy's, and The Misfits. The truth is that most of these bands are far past their glory days, and all missing original members, but it was still cool enough for me to go. 

Dead Kennedy's performing California Uber Alles live.

     The First band of the night was Total Chaos, all leather and spiked hair. They gave a high energy show that served as the perfect warm up band. Next up was Guttermouth a tried and old school punk band. The set was loud, fun, a little sloppy, and all punk. This band missed a few things, but reminded us that real punk shows aren't polished. Strung Out came out next, and would happen to be my favorite band of the night. Strung Out had the tightest, most concise set of. The harmonies were spot on, all the guitar solos were played above their heads, and even the banter was well structured. After that came the Vandals, who have been around for almost as long as The Dead Kennedy's or the Misfits. The Vandals were the most punk rock of the night with the guitarist jumping on stage screaming, "We had a blast here, they offered us a lot of drugs." They played all fast songs, with hilarious lyrics. The guitarist was amazing, he jumped off the guitar amps on the the crowd. For an old guy he went all out. 

The Misfits Helena live.

      Finally Out came The Dead Kennedy's with all the original members Klaus Flouride, East Bay Ray, and D. H. Peligro, except Jello Biafra. Who was replaced Skip Greer. The band sounded great except, Skip Greer who sounded sloppy. He got mad at the crowd for not being punk enough. This show was very disappointing. Skip spent more time talking and complaining than singing. When they were actually playing music they sounded good, especially on Holiday in Cambodia, but they just seemed old and biter overall. 

      Last up was The Misfits, the band was originally singer Danzig, guitarist Doyle, and Bassist Jerry Only. Now the only original band member is Jerry Only who is now the lead singer. I had heard bad things about the new line up, but I was already here and open to trying it. He wasn't messing around firing song after song with only seconds in between to get as many in as possible before the venue kicked us out. Most of the songs were actually played at a faster speed and sounded extra punk. If he was a bad vocalist before, then he must be taking voice lessons. He sounds like he's doing a Danzig impression, but a decent one. He was fun, charismatic, and even broke up a fight telling fans to fight others not themselves. They even played a new song Vampire Girl, dedicating it to his daughter. The show ended with fans selecting the last songs, ending with Helena.

Reel Big Fish 01/18/15 Wooly's

      It was finally time for the annual Reel Big Fish show. This time was different because, this time I got to meet one of my favorite bands of all time. After a short line Reel Big Fish was in front of me and all my witty things to say were gone. I was stuck without words. Arron picked up a sharpie and said he would sign it with a special sharpie. It didn't work and he threw it across the room. I killed the special sharpie. This show was a co-headlining tour with Less than Jake and somehow these two over the hill ska bands did the impossible, sold out Wooly's. Is ska cool again? It might actually be, there were more young people at the front of the show then I have seen since I saw Vampire Weekend. Authority Zero a veteran punk band opened the show. They played an eight song set of new and old school songs from a 20 year career to warm up the crowd.

Reel Big Fish playing SR live.

      After a few minutes of spending way too much on merchandise, much to my surprise Reel Big Fish came out instead of Less Than Jake. I threw my sweat shirt aside and ran into the pit. They opened the show with Trendy as they often do. I was surprised to see how many high school kids were there. Reel Big Fish have lost so many members that I now only know Trumpet Player Johnny Christmas and Singer Aaron Barret. Somehow that said they seem to have found a new groove. Even the setlist is different, more fresh than it has been years. They played songs I haven't heard in a very long time like My Life From Aaron's side project The Forces of Evil, Monkey Man, and 241. They also played SR for the first time since Scotty left the band. The new stuff fits in very well, and the new bits like mixing Sublime's Garden Grove with Thanks For Not Moshing or Beer with The Offspring's Self Esteem work just perfectly. They still to this day are one of the best live bands around. If you watch Reel Big Fish play, and hear Aaron's sarcastic banter, as he lovingly insults the crowd and his band. Along with the best ska has to offer, you will hear a kick ass show. If you don't believe me click the link above and hear SR and it's many versions live.

Less Than Jake Plastic Cup Politics Live.

     Next up was Less Than Jake as weird as that sounds. The crowd was a little timid at first not sure how to react, after what should have been the real headliner finished. They started off with Look What Happened and tried to get the crowd amped. After a while it worked, sort of. Some of the crowd left because they were no Reel Big Fish, but those who stuck around got a high energy show full of props, bits and jokes. Actually for me who's favorite album is the Anthem and favorite songs are Plastic Cup Politics and The Brightest Bulb Has Burnt Out/ Screws Fall Out, it was a great show. They played most of Anthem and ended their main set with my favorite songs. They used toilet paper guns, light shows, emo dancing parties, and the Pac Man cereal song. They ended their show by telling the fans that they were going to write the music for the Pac Man cereal commercial. That's right, Pac Man cereal is coming back and Less Than Jake wrote the commercial song. They played it four times throughout the night. It was a good show but Reel Big Fish should have played last.

Black Label Society 01/22/15 Sokol Auditorium

     Leave it to me to decide two hours before a show starts in Omaha without having tickets that I wanted to go. So at six I called a friend and asked if he wanted to go to see Zack Wilde play at eight, fulling expecting a no because of the time constraints, but he said yes. So we made our way to Omaha getting there just in time for Hatebreed. They seemed like an odd choice for Black Label Society, but they did their usual hardcore show and blasted through a quick and loud set with all their hits including "Destory Everything" and "This Is Now". 

Black Label Society Stillborn Live.

    After a much delayed start Zack Wylde and Co. came on with a vengeance.  Calling Zack a showman is a major understatement. He plays solos above his head from every side of the stage. They may have only played 14 songs, but that didn't count the nearly 20 minute guitar solo that Zack played. No I am not exaggerating, the other band members actually left with cigarettes and beers during the solos. He introduced the band members in the best ways possible one was chicken pichata because of his awesome cooking abilities. He dedicated The Blessed Hellride to Dimebag Darrell, proving he doesn't just own on the guitar, but on the piano as well. They ended the show the only way they can after an hour a half of rocking, with their song Stillborn. There wasn't an encore but there didn't need to be.

Week of The Decemberists and Belle and Sebastian

    Finnaly we have our first album review of 2015. A few of indie rock kings came out swinging in January of 2015. I am going to review a couple of them today. It's been along time since we heard from The Decemberists and Belle and Sebastian. It's good to have them both back. This week I will be reviewing The Decemberists- What a Terrible World, What a Beautiful World, and Belle and Sebastian- Girls in Peacetime Want to Dance. 

The Decemberists-What a Terrible World, What a Beautiful World-

Here is My Review of The Decemberists- What a Terrible World, What a Beautiful World.

Recommended Songs: Make You Better, The Wrong Year, Carolina Low, and 12/17/12

4/5 Stars

Belle and Sebastian- Girls in Peacetime Want to Dance-

Here is My Review of Belle and Sebastian- Girls in Peacetime Want to Dance.

Recommended Songs: Allie, Enter Sylvia Plath, The Everlasting Muse, and Perfect Couples.

3.5/5 Stars

Week of October Conert Recap

     This has been a blog I have wanted to make for a long time, but frankly didn't have time for. So I'm going back to one of my craziest concert months in recent history. The month of October 2014. It was an insane month for me and now I'm going to review all the shows I attended in the month of October.

B.B. King 10/01/14 Arvest Bank Theater

      This was one of the more legendary performers that I have gotten to see, and that's saying a lot coming from me. I have wanted to see him for years and finally got the chance. At the theater the audience was beside itself after the lights dimmed. The band came out and started into an epic jazz jam session. Little did I know it but this would turn out to be the best part of the show. After an epic introduction, out walked B.B. King himself and the crowd went wild. They would start songs and the band would get into it, B.B. King would try to play along and do so for a little bit and then stop the band to tell a story. He would sing the first chorus of most songs and then he would just stop singing. The band would try to carry on for him when he couldn't play, but he stopped them ever 5 minutes. It was a very disheartening moment for many in the crowd who got up and left half way through. The rest of us stayed through all of the disappointment in honor of the legend and even gave a standing ovation after the show. People lined the aisles after the show to get one good picture of the living legend.

Ringo Starr and the All Starr Band 10/04/14 Starlight Theater

I had already seen  Paul McCartney and I really wanted to see both of the living Beatles. Unlike the other living Beatle, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr doesn't play all Beatles songs every night. he has more fun playing with a group of expert musicians from famous bands. Every night they go out and play music from all of their past musical groups. The played music from Santana, Toto, The Beatles, Ringo's solo work, and tons of other all star covers. The band had Ringo sing on only his songs, and Beatle songs. Other singers would come and sings some covers, like a revolving door of lead singers. Ringo spent most of the show in his happy place on the drums. He told great stories about his time with The Beatles and ended the show with a tribute to John Lennon by covering Give Peace a Chance by The Plastic Ono Band.

Of Montreal 10/07/14 Wooly's 

     I had never seen Of Montreal before, and they have one of the most unique live shows I have ever seen. The show started with an announcer in a super hero costume coming out with a video game back drop to announce the arrival of the band upon our city. This show had more props, costumes, and super hero clad announcers than I had ever seen. The stage roadies had almost as much of an important role in show as the band itself. Look at the picture above, one of many large and crazy costume prop combinations. The music itself it one of strangest, coolest, indie rock sounds in the business. The singer was a bit hard to hear, but the band was awesome and more than made up for it. The whole show was more like a musical than a show, full props, costumes, stage hands, lights shows, announcers, back up dancers, and video backdrops. It was a crazy special to behold.

Jimmy Eat World 10/10/14 Wooly's

      It's hard to believe that in 2014 Jimmy Eat Wold's Futures was already 10 years old. I loved Bleed American, but Futures was always my favorite. This event was the emo rock event of the year. It was sold out and everything. The band came out sincerely thanking the crowd and seemingly enjoying the walk down memory lane as much as everyone else. They played the whole futures album from front to back with only a few breaks to tell the audience how confusing the bands opinion about drugs was during writing the album. The ending of the main set with 23 was amazing and sent shivers down my spine. The band came back for it's first encore and played mostly b-sides. On the second encore is when the real hits came. They played my Best Theory, A Praise Chorus, and Sweetness back to back. The crowd went nuts and it capped off a very nostalgic evening.

The Pixies 10/11/14 State Theater

I had the chance to see the Pixies once before at Riot Fest 2013, but it was a very short set. I wanted to see them play a full show, and Royal Blood opening didn't hurt. Royal Blood opened with the best opening set I have ever seen. The Pixies started up with Ed is dead and tore through 31 mores songs without stopping for much more than a thank you at the end of the set. They came back for a quick encore of my favorite song Debaser and Planet of Sound. It was an amazing feat of musical skill. They may hate each other, but when they sound that good and play music off of all of their albums, who cares. The cherry on top was getting to meet the singer Black Francis after the show.

Ryan Adams 10/18/14 Stevens Auditorium

After waiting till the last second to get tickets because of scalpers not being able to sell enough tickets, I ended up getting 5 dollar tickets to see Ryan Adams. I had been a fan since the Cardinals first broke up, but had never seen him play. Mostly because he rarely tours anymore. After Ryan Adams walked out he had some technical difficulties and couldn't play for a few minutes. He took this time to tell some jokes to make the audience feel awkward and then launched into Gimme Something Good. Throughout the show he played material from all of his past albums including the Cardinals. He has some of the funniest banter around, "We used to have back up dancers but they quit after we played role playing games all night." He even did an improv song about being friends with his band and buying a gumball machine to fill with weed. The show was blast of folk, rock, indie, with some jams thrown in. They even ended the show with his heaviest song I See Monsters. An absolute was blasting rock jam that didn't seem to fit at all in the rest of the set, but made me very happy. 

Judas Priest 10/21/14 Arvest Band Theater

     Getting to see the legendary Judas Priest live was something I have wanted as long as I can remember. I missed them on the 2012 farewell tour, so I was ecstatic to get to the chance to see them in 2014. Even better was that Steel Panther was opening for them. After Steel Panther rocked and made the audience laugh their asses off, Judas Priest was up next. Everyone was wondering how Rob Halford would sound at his age. That question was quickly answered as the band opened with Dragonaut. Rob Halford sounded great and dressed in his usual leather jacket fashion, he had at least five others in the show. They Quickly followed that with Metal Gods, Devil's Child, and Victim of Changes before launching into my favorite new song Halls of Valhalla. They played songs from British Steel, Defenders of the Faith, Screaming for Vangence, Killing Machine, Sad Wings of Destiny, Stained Class, and Turbo. They ended the main set with Jawbreaker and Breaking the Law. During the first encore he came back with Hell Bent for Leather, and You've Got Another Thing Comin'. The second encore started with Rob Halford riding on to the stage with a motorcycle and playing Living After Midnight. The show ended with a crowd singalong of Defenders of the Faith. The entire crowd looked like a drunken pub crawl singing the national anthem, or in this case the metal anthem.