Concert Review: Big Time Rush/One Direction - Better With U tour

After attending Big Time Rush's Better With Boston concert at the Agganis Arena on their Better With U tour, all I have to say is... music sounds better with you!

BTR puts on an extravagant show full of trampolines, fireworks, confetti and even a Big Time Rush blimp flying around the crowd! Not to mention the guys' performance, their singing and dancing has gotten even better since the last time I saw them. Kendall, James, Carlos and Logan performed a mix of songs from their new album Elevate, as well as songs from their debut album, often heard on their show.

During their sweet pop ballad "Cover Girl," the guys dedicated it to all of the girls in the audience, and even headed into the crowd to sing to some girls, making the performance even more intimate. But if that wasn't enough, the guys continued their tradition of bringing up a girl from the audience to serenade her with their ballad "Worldwide," in which the lucky girl was seated between Logan and James, got a hug from Carlos and even a kiss on the cheek from Kendall as the guys performed the song.

Though the entire show was full of great music, the highlight for me would have to be their encore of "City Is Ours." The guys came back out on stage wearing Boston sports jerseys as they performed the song, the whole audience standing and getting into it. Throughout the performance, the guys ripped off their jerseys and threw them into the crowd as confetti fell throughout the arena.

On a final note, opening for Big Time Rush is UK boy band One Direction. This is the boys' first tour in the US, and they perform a great set to get the crowd pumped before BTR comes out. They perform their singles "One Thing" and "What Makes You Beautiful," among other songs from their new album, out this month.

If you have the chance to see BTR and 1D on the Better With U tour, don't miss out! And if you can't catch BTR this time around, don't worry, because the guys are heading out on a summer tour with Cody Simpson starting in July!

Concert Review: David Archuleta - My Kind of Christmas

There is nothing like David Archuleta's kind of Christmas! After experiencing David's Christmas show Friday night at the Irving Plaza in NYC, all I can say is WOW. Pops songs, Christmas songs, old songs, new songs and even some poetry, performing in English, Spanish, Latin and French... what a show!!

David started the show with a fun, upbeat "Sleigh Ride" that got the crowd pumped and in the holiday spirit. David's first set held a mix of pop and Christmas songs, both classic and original works. His take on holiday tunes like "This Christmas" and "The Christmas Song" were marvelous, one person even saying he sang it better than Nat King Cole himself. As for the pop songs, not only did David sing his new single "Wait," but he also sang a stunning version of the song "Climb Every Mountain," singing it in honor of children and the charity ChildFund he's sponsoring while on tour. David performed the song better than ever, hitting some unbelievable notes and showing his passion for the lyrics.

When David came back out for his second set, he was dressed in a festive, black jacket and scarf, and was strictly in Christmas mode, singing songs like "Pat-a-pan" in French and "Riu Riu Chiu" in Spanish. But that wasn't the only Spanish song of the night when David called kids onto the stage to read them his adorable "My Kind of Christmas" poem and then have a "party" on stage as he sang his new, original song "Fa La La La La." David explained that he was going to introduce everyone to some of his holiday tradition, singing this half English/half Spanish holiday tune as he played maracas and danced some Bachata! That song definitely showcased David's kind of Christmas and was one of the highlights of the night. Toward the end of his set, David took it down with slower ballads like a cover of Amy Grant's "I Need A Silent Night," as well "O Holy Night" and "Silent Night," two songs that David has perfected in the past and didn't cease to amaze once again.

Ending with "Silent Night," it didn't take long after he left the stage for the crowd to start chanting his name, and finally David came back out for one more song, "Little Drummer Boy." This last performance would have gotten a standing ovation if it wasn't already a standing room! Between David's smooth voice and the rock tempo added into the song, this performance was already great, but that was before the ending. David turned around toward the drums, picked up some sticks, then ran back to the mic, raising his sticks in the air and hitting another amazing note before running back to the bass drum and banging on it. This drummer boy left the crowd cheering and me speechless as I couldn't help but think of how far he has come and how much confidence he's gained with his performances.

With a variety of music for everyone, lots of surprises and Christmas spirit throughout the concert, that was by far one of the best shows I've ever seen.

One final thing, the opening act Jeff LeBlanc was awesome! Really laid back, enjoyable songs, and Jeff really knows how to connect with his audience and give them a unique show. You can read my interview with Jeff HERE.

Concert Review: Big Time Rush with Hot Chelle Rae at Hampton Beach

The city was definitely theirs last night at the sold out Big Time Rush show in Hampton, NH! BTR had fans wrapped around the Casino Ballroom at Hampton Beach, waiting outside for hours to get good standing-room-only spots! Ranging from little kids and their parents to teenagers, the place was packed! Everywhere you looked you saw BTR shirts, some official and some homemade saying things like "Mrs James Maslow" and one plastered with Logan!  

After a lot of standing and waiting all day, the guys finally came out on stage and the crowd was ecstatic! The entire time the guys were energetic and very connected with the audience, waving and touching hands, and James even threw his shirt to the crowd! The guys danced even more than they do on their show and James and Logan did their famous back flips! Kendall also engaged the crowd by standing up on the tables set up, getting even closer to the audience and Carlos said numerous times how great the crowd was. The guys also made a point to let everyone know about their new album that'll be out soon, the Big Time Rush Movie their filming this fall and Season 3 of their show coming soon!

After performing some of their popular, upbeat songs from their album, the guys took it down a bit and performed an acoustic version of "Stuck" with Kendall on guitar. After they performed a cover of the Beatles' "I Wanna Hold Your Hand" and then chose a young girl to serenade "Worldwide" to! They sat her in between Logan and James and after being serenaded by each one and even getting a kiss from Kendall, you could tell the guys had definitely made her night a big night!

After a short break, the guys came back out and performed more of their hits like "Nothing Even Matters" and "Boyfriend" then ended with "The City is Ours" as confetti fell into the audience. Moments after leaving the stage, the crowd cheered and the guys came back out for one final song, their encore of "Halfway There". After the show, fans gathered around their tour bus in hopes to see the guys walk out, and they did not disappoint as each of them walked out, waving and touching some hands.

These guys put on a big time awesome show and it was a great way to end the summer!

One last thing, I must make note of how awesome the opening act Hot Chelle Rae was! I had never heard their music before last night, and I was pleasantly surprised. The lead singer, RK Follese, has a great voice and was also very connected to the crowd, throwing guitar picks and even jumping into the audience! They performed a cover of Katy Perry's "Teenage Dream" and ended with their popular song "Tonight Tonight", among others, and I must say that after last night I am now a fan!

Concert Review: Port Chuck - End of Summer Tour

Being a General Hospital fan for over three years and a newly Port Chuck fan, when I heard the guys were coming to Boston during their end of summer tour I had to go! And they did not disappoint last night at their show in Boston, and neither did the crowd! Steve Burton, Brandon Barash, Bradford Anderson (who wore a Boston Red Sox shirt!) and Scott Reeves of General Hospital put on a great concert with lots of surprises, singing some new rock covers including classics from Journey and Michael Jackson, along with songs from their album.

Each with their own distinct voices and hilarious personalities, it made for one awesome show! Towards the middle of their set, the guys took it down a bit as Scott got out his guitar and sang "Hallelujah" and sweetly serenaded a young girl for her 14th birthday. They played songs from different decades and classics anyone would know, and they put on a show that everyone would enjoy. Eventually the guys sang one last song and then left the stage, but I noticed no one in the audience was leaving and neither was the band, and that's when I knew it wasn't quite over yet. After the crowd cheered louder than ever, suddenly the intro to "Jessie's Girl" started playing and the guys came out to perform their encore of the Rick Springfield (who was on GH as Dr. Noah Drake/Eli Love) hit.

The concert was fast-paced and nonstop music, and those four guys are very energetic and playful on stage together, even introducing each other as their General Hospital character names! You can tell they love what they're doing and really enjoy each other's company. As for the audience, they were super energetic and enthusiastic, and you could really see how much everyone in the crowd loves these guys!

Reviewing a Port Chuck concert is hard as each show they put on is unpredictable, but I can guarantee you'll enjoy it whether you're a General Hospital fan or just a fan of great music!

Concert Review: David Cook - This Loud Morning radio tour

Just weeks before This Loud Morning was released, I was able to go see David Cook in action at a radio stop he did to promote the new album. It'd been years since I had seen him live and though I wasn't sure what to expect, I wasn't too surprised to find out that he hasn't changed a bit. Still the same sweet rocker he was during his Idol days, except now with a lot more experience and obviously excited for the release of his sophomore album.

Cook walked out cooler than ever as he sat in front of the small group of fans who were lucky enough to get tickets to this event at The Grill on the Hill golf course in Massachusetts. Intimate, yet fun as Cook performed an acoustic set against a beautiful river and the sun setting in the background. Cook sang some old favorites like "Come Back To Me" and "Light On", as well as his new single "The Last Goodbye", which has become one of my favorite songs by him, and a cover of The cars' song "Drive."




In between songs Cook would go into his famous banters, apologizing to golfers for being loud and talking about his new album. As cute as he is in between songs, once he starts hitting those notes, it's mesmerizing. Cook has a uniqueness and endearing tone to his voice like no other rocker I've heard. He can go from rough to emotional to both all in one song, and that's the greatest part about watching him live.

Concert Review: David Archuleta - Summer Tour 2009

Throughout the summer of 2009, David Archuleta embarked on a nationwide tour with pop star Demi Lovato, and his opening song was "Touch My Hand". I had only seen him sing this song live once before, and when I went to the concert in Boston, and it changed the song for me.

The whole arena was overcome by darkness, the only thing visible being the flickering lights from cameras. There was a loud heartbeat blasting through the speakers, and you could feel the excitement of the crowd as the energy emphasized with every thump of the heart. Suddenly, David's large silhouette appeared through the curtain, the only thing separating him and the audience. As the music began, the curtain dropped, revealing a smiling David as he started singing "Touch My Hand".

Everyone's excitement was obvious in the atmosphere as David's passion for music came shining through the song. Each time he would touch someone's hand while he sang, you could really see his connection to the music and the audience. That moment, I realized how truly special that song and performance was.

Can't let the music stop, Can't let this feeling end, Cause if I do it'll all be over, I'll never get the chance again

Seeing David perform live is something everyone should experience. The feeling and deep emotion he brings out through his music and to the audience is indescribable. The way I'm describing it is only an understatement compared to the actual thing, and I can't wait to see David perform live again.