concert

Can I just talk about how amazing he is live in concert? But really.

Here’s my overall review of the show:

The opener, Jorja Smith, was kind of a snooze fest. Her voice sounded just like Nelly Furtado, but her style (fashion) was more Rihanna. Most of her performance consisted of her standing at the mic.
Bruno opened the show with Finesse from his 24K Magic album with some pyrotechnics from the stage.
- I could have done without the pyrotechnics, every time it went off I screamed. My friends got entertainment out of me being startled every single time.
He played most of hits like, 24K Magic, Treasure, Chunky, That’s What I Like, Versace on the Floor, Marry You, Grenade, Just The Way Your Are, Locked Out of Heaven and Uptown Funk.
Bruno’s band was the bomb dot com, they provided so much energy to the show that paralleled perfectly with Bruno’s stage presence.
He didn’t talk a lot. Sometimes performers like to talk between sets (which I’m not a fan of), he didn’t do that… so Mr. Mars, I thank you.
Shout out to the man in front of me who wore a Chance the Rapper shirt and had his ears plugged the entire night. Maybe you should have bought ear plugs or purchased seats that was further from the stage. You blocked a lot of my views. #notblessed

It was a stellar night with friends. If you get the chance to see Bruno Mars in concert, DO IT! The man can sing, dance and play the guitar. And let’s not forget he’s easy on the eyes too.

My Bucket List of Bands

Pack Yourself a Toothbrush Dear

November 13, 2016November 13, 2016 alittlebitsquirrely

Yes, I realize the date is November 4th + The Lumineers show was on September 15th. Better late than never!

I had tickets to their last show three years ago, but due to a family emergency I wasn’t able to go. Each year that went by without another album, so I patiently waited. Thank goodness they FINALLY released their newest album- Cleopatra. All I had to do was wait to announce when their show would be + when they did it was a major Debbie Downer. Their show was the same night as the annual fashion show I usually work. The good news: my boss knew I was a bit of a concert fiend + was cool about it… I GOT A HALL PASS!! This girl celebrated by purchasing PIT TIX!

Being the great height of five feet tall, I had a fantastic view of the show. They opened the show to Sleep on the Floor and I was officially in my happy place. I’m not going to lie, I totally peeked out when they covered Credence Clearwater Revival’s, Have you Ever Seen the Rain- goosebumps. My dad introduced me to CCR + when I heard them cover their song, I was grinning from ear to ear.

Set List:

My Bucket List of Bands

I Got Hot Sauce in My Bag

August 1, 2016August 1, 2016 alittlebitsquirrely

Let’s get in formation.

I was BEYOND stoked to see Queen Bey at Carter Finely on May 3rd… I just wish I had dressed more appropriately for the weather. Note to self: don’t wear a long dress + suede boots even if there’s a chance for rain.

En route to Carter Finley the bottom fell out- rain, thunder, lightning + hail. Fun stuff, y’all. The best part was we didn’t have to pay for parking due to the storm- woot, woot!! After tailgating in the parking lot for awhile we decided to make our way in so we could see DJ Khaled. We got there in time to see the tail end of his performance. It never fails: I will forever laugh every time I hear him say, “DJ KHALED!”

Beyonce opened to Formation, which was lit and the rest of the show followed suit. When she opened to Formation she wore a victorian inspired look by DSquared2. Other notable designers she rocked during her performances included Balmain, Roberto Cavalli, Atsuko Kudo + Gucci. To see her complete looks check out Fashionista. During the middle of the concert the bottom fell out again and we had to evacuate Carter-Finley to either the PNC Arena or the NC State Indoor Practice Field. We chose the indoor football field, because we wanted to see what it looked like. It was nice + still smelled brand new, or maybe that was the fake turf. It wasn’t until close to 11PM that we were allowed back into the stadium. Like I mentioned before, I wore the wrong outfit- my long Pink Stitch dress + Dolce Vita Grayden boots which were covered in mud.

By the time the show started back up again about 25% of the crowd had left. We were bound + determined to stay for the entire show even though I knew my tail would be dragging next day at work.

Beyonce’s show was absolutely PHENOMENAL! My favorite performances of hers was Formation, Run the World, Ring the Alarm + Freedom. She performed Freedom in a pool of water + it was sick! A bittersweet moment is when the screen went purple and they played Purple Rain by Prince. It gave me chills.

Setlist from the show:

Formation
Sorry
Bow Down
Run the World
Mine
Baby Boy
Hold Up
Countdown
Me, Myself + I
Runnin’ (Lose it All)- Naughty Boy Cover
All Night
6 Inch | I Care | Ghost
Don’t Hurt Yourself
Ring the Alarm
Diva
Flawless
Feeling Myself (Nicki Minaj cover)
Yonce
Drunk in Love
Daddy Lessons
1+1
Purple Rain (Prince tribute)
Crazy in Love– Bootylicious
Naughty Girl
Party
Blow
Die With You | Blue
Freedom
Survivor
End of Time
Halo

I didn’t get home until after 1AM, but that didn’t mean I crashed immediately. I had to shower after being covered in rain/ mud and then I spent about a good 30 minutes working on rescuing my boots. The good news is they survived the Formation Tour!

My Bucket List of Bands, Uncategorized

New Years With My Boos

January 10, 2016 alittlebitsquirrely

Another New Years Eve, another Avett Brothers concert. Now that’s the way to ring in 2016. I’ve lost count on how many times I’ve seen them in concert + each show is more amazing than the last.

After all the food + alcohol that was consumed this holiday, we decided to tailgate in style at the Greensboro Coliseum… with a more healthy spread + some champs. Because what’s New Years Eve without champs?!

Thoughts I had at the show…

Scott Avett can play just about any instrument, including a kazoo. When they opened the show, he was playing the kazoo while jamming on the banjo. Be still my heart. The person who caught the kazoo is one lucky SOB.
I ADORE their ever-changing looks. Last year’s NYE show, Scott Avett was clean cut + Seth Avett was the one with long hair + beard. This year it was Seth who was the clean cut one and Scott had the long beard. Both can do no wrong.
The woman behind us had a constant resting bitch face throughout the entire show. I couldn’t tell if she was constipated or if that was just her normal demeanor.
Joe Kwon had major hat game, bravo!
In other Joe Kwon news, I love watching him jam out while he plays on the cello… that’s passion y’all.
Of course I have to give some love to Bob Crawford… he’s the master of the upright base. And I’m not going to lie, I love his casual slightly hipster style.
- Speaking of style, Scott can totally pull off suspenders.
Father Time aka Valient was fantastic. Not only did he ring in 2016, but the man can sing. He sang Time is On My Side + Don’t Do Me Like That with the Avetts as they did the big balloon drop. Major props!
They performed Divorce Separation Blues, a new song for their upcoming album. And duh, it was amazing! I know some of my friends will appreciate it + can relate to the song.

Their setlist for their show…

In conclusion, I’m a total Avett Brothers bandaid. I will continue to go to their NYE shows as long as they continue to have them.

My Bucket List of Bands

My Letter to Brandon Flowers

August 15, 2015August 15, 2015 alittlebitsquirrely

Dear Mr. Flowers,

I’m not going to lie. I was super bummed when you cancelled your show at The Ritz. If you knew me, you would know I live for concerts. It’s my thing. It was also an early birthday present to myself. I’ve always been a fan of The Killers since day one and was lucky to see y’all at Red Hat Amphitheater. When I found you released a solo album, I was all over it like white on rice. Then I found out you were coming to The Ritz the day before my birthday. That was the perfect present. Fast-forward to Wednesday. You cancelled the last leg of your tour with no explanation. Major buzzkill. It better have been for something serious like a busted vocal chord or you got SARS. The only good thing that came out of it was they refunded the tickets. The bad news is I can’t use my ticket for my display I’m going to start working on… it just wouldn’t be right. Another buzzkill.

It’s a good thing I have a forgiving heart. You’re still on probation with me. I’m not saying I forgive you right now, but give me time. And by time I mean a few weeks. I will eventually build a bridge + get it over it, but I just can’t listen to your album for awhile. I hope you understand. Also, if you ever become single again feel free to reach out to me.

Bye Felicia,

Jessica

My Bucket List of Bands

Start Me Up

August 2, 2015 alittlebitsquirrely

One concert I dropped some dough on this year was for The Rolling Stones Zip Code Tour on July 1st. Best decision ever. If you know me at all, you know I love a good concert. Not only did they play at my beloved Carter-Finely Stadium (go Wolfpack), but one of my FAVORITE bands opened for The Stones… The Avett Brothers! I was beyond stoked. Normally I don’t make it to the opening act, but I made sure my tail was in my seat to see The Avett Brothers perform. You also better believe I was jamming out to them as well + getting strange looks from the elder crowd. You could tell who was an Avett Brothers fan when they were performing.

Scott Avett should really be People’s Sexiest Man Alive… just sayin’.

Ok onto the main attraction, The Rolling Stones! What a SHOW! Here’s their setlist from the show:

Jumpin’ Jack Flash
It’s Only Rock’n Roll (But I Like It)
Let’s Spend the Night Together
Tumbling Dice
Out of Control
Bitch
Moonlight Mile
Shine a Light
Honky Tonk Women
Before They Make Me Run
Happy
Midnight Rambler
Miss You
Gimme Shelter
Start Me Up
Sympathy for the Devil
Brown Sugar
You Can’t Always Get What You Want (with the Duke Vespers)- ENCORE
I Can’t Get No Satisfaction– ENCORE

Thoughts I had while at the The Rolling Stones concert:

It provided the BEST people watching, ever.
Keith Richard + Mick Jagger are in a heated competition for the most wrinkles.
Charlie Watts (the drummer) looked like a turtle + didn’t look happy at all during the concert. I loved it!
Best dressed goes to Ronnie Wood + his red high tops.
I hope I can still move like Jagger when I’m in my 70s.
Mick Jagger totally name dropped NC State, UNC + Duke as well as RTP, which was random + hilarious.
The Duke Vespers did a stellar job performing with The Rolling Stones. That’s a once in a lifetime opportunity, I hope they soaked up every second of it.

I was beyond glad I went to see The Rolling Stones perform + I HIGHLY suggest that if you ever have the opportunity to go see them, DO IT! They may be getting up there in age, but they’ve still got it!

My Bucket List of Bands

Somebody Told Me

August 25, 2013 alittlebitsquirrely

It would be hot as Haiti’s for The Killers concert and they weren’t lying. It felt like I was trapped in a sauna with scores of people surrounding me and incredibly stuffy it was hard to breathe, but who cares… I was FINALLY seeing The Killers. Ever since they hit the music scene, I’ve been waiting ever so patiently for them to come to Raleigh or anywhere in the state of North Carolina. My dreams came true on August 12th when they performed at Red Hat Amphitheater.

They really rocked their first show in Raleigh playing several of my favorite songs from their early music like All These Things That I’ve Done, Human, Somebody Told Me, Mr. Brightside, When You Were Young, and Losing Touch. I had a major swoon moment when he sang a tidbit of James Taylor’s Carolina in My Mind. At that moment, Brandon Flowers made me weak in the knees.

Due to the insane heat we had to get some “air” which basically meant we needed to get out of the massive crowd. While we were standing off to the side a man came out of the pit and ripped his wristband off and proceeded to give it to us. For the remained of the show we took turns going in the pit to get an up close + personal view. It was oh-so amazing. I felt like I was on cloud 45,985 watching Brandon Flowers commandeer the stage. The only downside of the night was the heat, it was rather unbearable, but we mustered through it!

Not my best concert photo, but here’s Brandon Flowers of The Killers. Swoon.

My Bucket List of Bands

Somebody Told Me

May 18, 2013 alittlebitsquirrely

The Killers are coming to Raleigh on August 12th (happy early birthday to me)! Y’all don’t know how excited I am about this concert. I’ll probably say this about all the concerts I’m going to this year, but I’ve been waiting for them to come to Raleigh since FOREVER! I pretty much wanted to do the “Carlton dance” once I secured my tickets, but thought it would be best if I didn’t break out in dance in the marketing department. I’ll save that dance for a rainy day or when our department needs a laugh.

Mr. Brandon Flowers, I’ll be seeing you in August!

xoxo

My Bucket List of Bands

Band of Horses

May 9, 2013May 13, 2013 alittlebitsquirrely

Last night was my first concert of 2013 and boy was it amazing!

If you have never been to a Band of Horses show, you must drop what you’re doing immediately (when I say immediately I mean after you read my post) and then find tickets to one of their shows. You’ll thank me. Seriously, you will. This will mark the second time I’ve seen them perform (they’re officially tied with New Kids on the Block). Don’t tell them that, I doubt they would want to be associated with an 80’s boy band. I hope this blog post doesn’t ruin my street cred.

Back to last night’s show.

I’m pretty sure I went a little nuts when they played my FAVORITE song of theirs, The Funeral. When I saw them last year with My Morning Jacket, I’m pretty sure they closed the show with The Funeral (which was the perfect song to close the show with) so you can imagine my excitement when they included it in their set list. This leaves me to rate my top 5 concerts of all time (this could possibly change since I’ve got 6-7 more shows this year)

Mumford + Sons
The Avett Brothers
Band of Horses
Kings of Leon
New Kids on the Block (yeah I know I’m being judged, but those guys can put on a good show AND they’ve still got it)

Like I said earlier in my post, go see Band of Horses. If you like them you can thank me, if you don’t then you need to listen to them again because you’re obviously missing out on something great.

Enjoy some of the pictures I took from last night’s show!

BOH4 — Band of Horses at The Ritz in Raleigh

BOH3 — Band of Horses at The Ritz in Raleigh

BOH2 — He totally posed for me in this picture.

BOH5 — Band of Horses at The Ritz in Raleigh

xoxo

Travels

Dallas… Here I Come!

May 5, 2013 alittlebitsquirrely

I just booked my flight to go see one of my friends from college who recently moved to Dallas. Added bonus: we’re going to see The Avett Brothers at the Gexa Energy Pavilion! Second Added Bonus: Grace Potter +the Nocturnals, Matt + Kim, Milo Greene, Dawes, and Hayes Carll will also be performing at the show as well!

Honestly I can’t wait to explore all of Dallas… well I only have 3 days to cram it all in, but I’ll take it!