Once we got inside we quickly warmed up and dried off. We got all situated just in time for LIGHTS. Words cannot describe how great this show was. It’s amazing to see what a big stage and killer lighting can do to turn a good performance into an amazing one. I was definitely impressed with her. I thought her last show was great but this one was even greater.

LIGHTS – The Last Thing On Your Mind

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGX3TH70Rs8]

Last time I saw Owl City was when they toured with Relient K last summer. It consisted of two guys standing behind MacBook Pros nodding their heads up and down while the drummer tried to follow a minus track. I didn’t care for them or their music at that point. It took me buying their CD to actually hear that it was something worth listening to. This concert proved to me one thing, that they are awesome live. The new arrangements for their songs were perfect. I especially liked the violin and cello that were added. I really didn’t think they would be able to pull off a big show like this, but they most certainly did.

Owl City – Meteor Shower

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUGlodw3H30]

As you can see, I was finally able to record my own video at this show. The sound goes in and out because I kept putting my fingers over the microphone. I’ll remember next time to position them more appropriately for your optimal listening pleasure.

I enjoyed meeting LIGHTS after the show, she’s the nicest person. We got our picture with her and she signed my CD. The video below is from that night, but unfortunately not filmed by me.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Nj5VcvePTQ]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GwDlaN7yW90]

Meese was semi-enjoyable. They have decent music but are extremely lacking in many areas. They sound like just another local band. Meese said that this was their second tour with The Fray. If they haven’t gained in popularity after one national tour, I doubt there is little the second tour will do for them. I enjoyed Owl City far more from the Relient K concert a couple months ago. I highly recommend giving them a listen instead.

Jack’s Mannequin put on an awesome show. Andrew’s piano skills are impressive and his dexterity rivals that of most drummers. Although an odd choice of band to tour with The Fray, their piano inclusion must have been what brought them together. Jack’s Mannequin sounded just as good live as they do on their cd’s. I definitely enjoyed watching them the most. What I’d like to see next time: Andrew should do a flip off of his piano rather than prance off like an injured deer. Honorable mentions: beautiful guitars and the guitarist did a scissor kick. Nice.

The Fray are excellent musicians. I really enjoyed their set and was in awe with the incredible light display. Before the show started, I told my sister that the lighting would be the best part. I think most would agree that it was. I loved everyone holding up their cellphones at the end. There was such a cool vibe seeing the glowing lights wave around. Constructive criticism: stage presence. Do something more than standing in place. Praises: the Kanye West encore was awesome. And I love it when bands have an intro/outro for their tour. It makes it especially special and unique.

I was able to record most of “How to Save a Life”. The crowd singing along at the end will forever be a favorite memory of mine.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BdMmw6TTGCk]

This was another very worthwhile concert. I’m glad I was able to attend and appreciated the accompaniment of my sister. I love watching musicians enjoy what they do. It’s truly inspiring to see the stage come alive and hear the live music that has been ingrained in my head since the first time I heard it.

We got there in time to hear a couple Gaslight songs and I was not a fan. Their music was okay at best. After them was Thrice. I haven’t seen them for at least four or five years. They played a good set. My favorite was their cover of Helter Skelter. Third was Alkaline Trio. I saw them a few years ago and loved them live. This time around they didn’t rock out too much and the sound levels were all over the place. I still enjoyed them but was a little let down.

To finish the night Rise Against headlined. Last year they put on a great show and this year was the same. They played for almost an hour and a half highlighting mainly their new CD, Appeal to Reason. Again the sound levels were way off but by the end of their set the sound guy finally figured it out.

I loved the encore when they played their new acoustic, Hero Of War, along with their well-known, Swing Life Away. Rise against is a very good example of how a band should put on a show. They have incredible energy, they move around and get into the music, they are very dynamic and know how to entertain the crowd. I very much appreciated that they didn’t try to shove their own agenda down our throats as many bands do. They simply made reference to how nice it will be to have a new president and that was it. Thank you.

I really wish Saltair would get its act together and stop putting on shows with such craptastic sound. It seems like every other show I see there is the same with muted and mediocre levels. And sadly Saltair is bigger thus resulting in bigger bands and more expensive tickets. I’d rather see a show at the smaller Avalon or In the Venue any day.

The Market will be playing at Saltair with Anberlin, Hoobastank and The Brobecks next month on December 12. Tickets are only $9.60! I hope everyone can come.

John Allred opened the show playing mainly songs from his new Covers CD. I like John and I generally like his music but I’m sick of hearing him play covers. It lost its appeal after the 100th time. Soon after Allred was Ferras of whom I was very surprised by. He played solo on the piano and rocked so hard. I didn’t know that could be done on a baby grand. I loved his music and will be purchasing his CD soon. Immediately following Ferras was Secondhand Serenade. They played a good show and rocked as well. I wasn’t fond of his jacket, but luckily he took it off only to reveal the ever so popular rockstar v-neck t-shirt. For a 2 band tour their set seemed awfully short at under one hour. Regardless, it was fun to be there with my friends and younger sister.

We showed up in the middle of Between the Trees. I had never heard of them but was very impressed; so much so that I bought their CD. Very good music. They remind me of Gratitude (now with new singer called Attention). After them was The Honorary Title of whom I’d seen before with Straylight Run a few years ago at Club Sound. Their set was incredible. They totally put off the mellow low-key vibe that makes you want to sit and enjoy rather than rock out vilolently. I bought their new CD as well.

Last was MAE. This was my 5th time seeing them live and it was nothing short of amazing. They played for over an hour non-stop of mainly their old stuff. A few months ago when I saw them with Motion City Soundtrack they played mostly their new stuff so it was a good change up for their set. Spencer and I moshed our way to the front and center of the floor once they started playing. The crowd was primarily high school kids so it wasn’t hard for us to push them aside and regulate.

At the end of MAE’s set Spencer jumped to the ground when a pick went flying down. He single handedly beat 5 kids away as he rolled on the concrete floor grabbing it. I noticed one sitting in a crack, so I bent over and picked (no pun intended) it up. As I stood up this guy was like, “Hey, I’ll give you $15 for that… that’s Zach’s pick. Come on dude…” I ignored him because I wanted to show Spencer that I got one too.

April 14 was Jimmy Eat World and Paramore at the McKay Events Center. I went with Brandon and met my friend Mashila there. I had VIP tickets thanks to Austin, so Shila and I were able to sit in the balcony and have free Costa Vida for dinner. We went back and forth from the balcony to the floor throughout the show.

Paramore played 2nd and it was my 2nd time seeing them; the last time was at Warped Tour ’07. They were so awesome. They had so much energy and worked the crowd really well. It was a shorter set than I expected but still very enjoyable. Jimmy was so good; my 3rd time seeing them. The last time I saw them was at X96′s Big Ass Show in October at the Salt Palace. Jimmy’s set overlapped with The Market’s set so I only saw them for a few mintues until I had to play on the Live and Local Stage. For this show Jimmy played for over an hour and a half. My favorite songs were Hear You Me and Futures. They played songs from all of their CD’s which was even more enjoyable; it gave everyone the full Jimmy experience.

Excellent shows last month. Next show: Secondhand Serenade at Thanksgiving Point‘s Electric Park on June 11.