Bay Area – Wait…WHAT?

Enrique Iglesias to Bring Euphoria to the Bay Area

Enrique Iglesias kicked off his current Euphoriatour last month, along with Pitbull and Prince Royce, in support of his ninth studio album, Euphoria, which spawned the hits, “I Like It” and “Tonight (I’m Lovin’ You).”

Before the singer-songwriter embarked on his latest journey, he spoke with Enrique Iglesias credit: EnriqueIglesias.com media outlets about how the Euphoria tour differs from his previous tours, the visual elements of the show, and what you might find on his tour rider.

Iglesias has been on the road almost non-stop since last year, most recently visiting the UK and Australia before hitting up the States.

So what’s the difference between this tour and his previous tours overseas?

“Well, the thing is that this one, there’s a much larger combination of songs. That’s due a lot to this album. It’s more eclectic musically than any other tour I’ve ever done,” Iglesias shared.

“At the same time, too, I also get to create a setlist where I can cover songs – even Spanish songs – from 1995 to now. So, when you think of a setlist, being able to do a song like ‘Experiencia Religiosa,’ which a song that I first sang on my first album in Spanish, to songs like ‘I Like It’ or ‘Dirty Dancer’ or ‘Tonight,’ they’re very, very different.”

Even in a large arena, such as the HP Pavilion in downtown San Jose, California, where Iglesias will be playing Friday, October 7, the fans should expect somewhat of an intimate performance from the singer throughout his show.

“The cool thing about the stage, it’s very interactive with the audience. I always like getting as close as possible to a crowd, even to the people that are all the way in the back,” the singer explained. “We like to set up a B stage because I feel that an arena is that perfect size. I know for some people, it might be a little big. But I actually think they’re my favorite venues to play, because they’re big. They can be up to 15,000 people or more, but still you can make it very intimate.”

Continue reading Enrique Iglesias to Bring Euphoria to the Bay Area

RECAP: Alice 97.3’s Now & Zen Fest at Golden Gate Park

Alice 97.3 hosted it’s yearly Now & Zen Fest out in Golden Gate Park earlier today. And when you combine the words “free” and “concert,” I’m there!

This year the concert was headlined by a band I’ve never actually seen perform live before, being the Goo Goo Dolls! Michelle Branch, who played at Summerthing this past June, Thriving Ivory, and Eoin Harrington were also on the afternoon’s line-up.

Let’s jump to some big news that was shared during Thriving Ivory’s set. Their performance today was actually the Bay Area band’s last show together as “Thriving Ivory.”

Since it was the band’s last time playing together, I decided to capture their final performance, “Angels on the Moon.” Enjoy!

Continue reading RECAP: Alice 97.3’s Now & Zen Fest at Golden Gate Park

Jack and White Perform at Hotel Utah in San Francisco

Earlier this week, I went and checked out Jack and White at Hotel Utah in San Francisco.

I have been a huge fan of Brooke White, since she appeared on that lil’ show on FOX. And after listening and reviewing Jack and White’s EP, Gemini, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to see them perform while they were in town.

In short; Jack and White are fantastic live! Take a listen to “Telephone Games” and “Double Trouble” below!

“Telephone Games”

“Double Trouble”

Thanks to Brooke & Jack for a great show last night!

Backstage with ‘American Idol’s’ Stefano Langone

Before the Top 11 contestants from the tenth season of American Idol took the stage at the HP Pavilion in San Jose on July 13, I had the opportunity to sit down for a one-on-one interview with Washington native, Stefano Langone.

Langone and I talked about the current tour, his post-tour plans, and his advice for the American Idol season 11 hopefuls.

How has the tour been going so far?

The tour’s been going great. We’re getting some great reviews. Just trying to establish myself as one of the top-notch performers. Everything’s been working out.

So you tried out for Idol initially in San Francisco, and now you’re performing tonight in the Bay Area, how does it feel to kind of come full circle?

All of my family’s from the Bay Area. I’m really, really pumped to perform tonight. There’s going to be a lot of Langones in the house.

Stefano Langone live in Oakland, CA - credit: Karen Datangel What has been the most fulfilling part of the tour so far for you?

Just getting to see the crowd’s reaction, and getting to see the fans after the show. My goal really is to make a name for myself, and really show people who they voted for and just making more fans, you know? Creating a buzz and making sure I establish what I want to do after the show. Unfortunately I didn’t get to pick the songs that I wanted to do, and I didn’t get to perform in the way I wanted to, but I’m taking what I’ve got and I’m making the best of it. I’m going out there and giving great performances and that’s number one.

Having to perform the same set every night on tour, how do you stay amped for each show?

It’s the crowd. The crowd keeps you hyped up; you can always count on that. You can’t get sucked into the, “Ugh, I’m doing this again.” You can’t get sucked into it; you’ve got to realize what you’re doing it for and why you’re here. It’s about the music and about your performances.

Continue reading Backstage with ‘American Idol’s’ Stefano Langone

Backstage with ‘American Idol’s’ James Durbin

Hours before the Top 11 from American Idol season 10 took the stage at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, I had the opportunity to talk with a certain Idol contestant that was extremely excited and happy to be back in his neck of the woods.

Santa Cruz native, James Durbin and I sat down backstage for a pre-show chat, where he discussed getting the crowd up and on their feet during the tour, writing and recording for his album, and the episode of Idol that neither of us will be forgetting anytime soon.

So how does it feel to be performing in the Bay Area?

It feels great. We did Oakland last night, and that was insane. I’m really excited for tonight.

It has to be a cool feeling to have tried out for the show in San Francisco, and have this full circle kind of moment.

This place, HP Pavilion, I came to my very first sporting event here. It was the Sharks versus the Avalanche. I was five-years-old, packed arena, and out of every single person, my one seat, I won a CD player. And then a hockey puck got hit over [the barrier] and landed right next to me. Unfortunately the Sharks lost, but two out of three things ain’t bad.

I’ve been here so many times. I’ve seen countless wrestling shows here. I once waited for three hours and climbed on top of that cement wall to catch a glimpse of Chris Jericho. Now I have him on speed dial. We were just texting and he’s in Europe with his band touring. We went and saw Rod Stewart, Stevie Nicks, Poison, and Motley Crue, and hang out all the time. It’s so crazy, it’s a full swing.

Very cool. Have you been able to get back to Santa Cruz while you’re here, or does everyone kind of have to come to you?

Everyone’s had to come here. I’m dying to go to Socrates and get a sandwich, but unfortunately not, which really sucks. It’s a twenty minute cab ride. I could grab lunch and come back.

So, how has the tour been going so far with the handful of shows you’ve done so far?

This will only be our sixth show out of forty-seven. It already feels like it’s been awhile, but it’s only been a blink. But, it’s gone really good; every show’s been great. Everyone’s been really receptive, everyone’s there to have a good time. Sometimes they need to be reminded that they’re supposed to have a good time. A lot of people have been sitting down.

You know, I’ve gone to a handful of Idol tours, and sometimes people treat the live show like they’re at home watching y’all on TV, instead of embracing the vibe of being at a concert.

I know some people get agitated if people are standing up, Sit down! We’re trying to watch the show! It’s a concert; you’re supposed to stand up! We enjoy it when you stand. That’s why when I come out for my set, I come out through the crowd. I want people to stand up! Stand up! Try and find me!

Continue reading Backstage with ‘American Idol’s’ James Durbin

Gavin DeGraw Live in San Francisco – Alice 97.3 Acoustic Lounge

I had the opportunity to see Gavin DeGraw perform a private acoustic show early yesterday evening at Harlot in San Francisco. He performed a short set including, “Follow Through,” a medley of The Commodores’ “Easy” and Sam Cooke’s “Cupid,” “Chariot,” his new single, “Not Over You,” and “I Don’t Want To Be.”

Before he performed, he did a quick Q&A with one of the Alice DJs. Check it out below!

Follow the cut for two performances from the show! Continue reading Gavin DeGraw Live in San Francisco – Alice 97.3 Acoustic Lounge

Q & A with Almost Honest’s Drew Orepeza

San Jose native Drew Orepeza, lead singer of Almost Honest, didn’t always know that music would be his chosen path.

“I always liked to sing. I sang in high school (Pioneer). I didn’t do anything formal, but I would sing at parties,” he said. “I sang at a rally once for fun.”

Even though both of his parents are musically inclined, it wasn’t until after Orepeza graduated from San Jose State University, where he received a degree in Business, that he felt like music was perhaps the right direction for him.

“I was at one of those points in my life where I wanted to do something different. I was a personal trainer, and I wasn’t really happy with what I was doing,” he explained. “So, I decided to drop everything and move to LA when I was 20. So, I started music when I was 20-21. I was a late bloomer, a late starter.”

It was also around this time that Orepeza was introduced to his Almost Honest band-mate, Justin Florence.

“[Justin’s] brother was a radio DJ, and I had cut a demo. I gave it to [him] to listen to; I wanted his critique. It wasn’t very good at that point. He thought there was promise, and he said, ‘My brother is a guitarist. He just got out of a project and he’s looking for something different.’ So he introduced us, and we met at his house one night, and we just jammed. It just kind of clicked.”

Flash-forward to the present, Almost Honest is currently gearing up to release their debut record this early this summer.

This past April, in between flying back and forth to LA to put the finishing touches on Almost Honest’s record, Orepeza and I had an opportunity to sit down one night in Downtown San Jose to talk music, the band, and what to expect from their first record, which Orepeza said, “sounds nothing like what you’ve heard that we’ve done before.”

What artists had an influence on your music?

Growing up, I listened to a lot of 70’s rock. James Taylor, Fleetwood Mac, and a lot of classic rock. I think for me, what kind of got me into music was more of the indie scene stuff. An artist named Ernie Halter, Tony Lucca, and some LA guys. I started listening to them around the time I started writing. They kind of inspired me to pick up a guitar and start writing. So, it was more of the indie-folk kind of rock stuff that really got me to where I am with my writing.

How long had you and Justin been playing together before you started playing shows?

After about two months of just trying to throw some songs together, we had a song or two, and we played covers. We had a 6-song set. We played a coffee shop probably like two months after we had met. It was like 12 people. It was like a little coffee shop, but it was fun. I’ll never forget it.

We were really green, but people were like if you guys stick with it, you guys have something special.

Continue reading Q & A with Almost Honest’s Drew Orepeza

Concert Review >> Glee Live! in San Jose, CA 05.25.2011

Last Wednesday, I got my Gleek on with the best of ‘em at the HP Pavillion in San Jose for Glee Live!

Tickets to the show are a bit on the pricey side, especially if you’re making it a family outing. However, as soon as the curtain rises and Cory Monteith (Finn) and Lea Michele (Rachel) kick off Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’” as part of the five original members of Glee’s New Directions, you’ll be happy that that you got to witness this spectacle live.

The stage is set up in such a way that there’s a main stage with a cat walk that leads out to another stage area, which leads into the first few rows of the crowd. Also, about three-fourths the way towards the back of the arena, there’s another small stage set up, which featured a couple of the night’s best performances.

The Glee concert set list highlights fan-favorite group numbers like “Born This Way,” “Loser Like Me,” and “Somebody To Love,” as well as wonderful solo numbers from some the main players.

Mark Salling (Puck), Chord Overstreet (Sam), Kevin McHale (Artie), Harry Shum Jr. (Mike), and Darren Criss (Blaine) come together during the show to perform an acoustic version of the Rebecca Black song “Friday.” With both Salling and Overstreet on acoustic guitar, the guys really carved out quite the moment for themselves.

Continue reading Concert Review >> Glee Live! in San Jose, CA 05.25.2011

Mercury News Reveals “Durbin Day” Plans

Tonight on American Idol, we’ll find out which three contestants will advance to the Top 3, and get to return to their hometowns. If you are not aware of how big a deal an Idol hometown visit is, check out this video of Lee DeWyze’s homecoming from last year below.

If contestant James Durbin makes it through, he’ll be returning to Santa Cruz, CA for “Durbin Day” on May 14.

Here is what “Durbin Day” will entail!

– 11:15 AM – 12:15 PM – AT& T Store at Capitola Mall

James will be there meeting fans and possibly will find out what song the judges have chosen for him to sing the following week.

– 2:00 PM — Downtown Santa Cruz Motorcade

According to the press release the Mercury News cited, “The motorcade will start at Cathcart and Pacific and travel north on Pacific to Water Street at the Clock Tower. The motorcade will continue down Center Street to the Louden Nelson Community Center at 301 Center Street.”

– 2:30 PM Louden Nelson Visit – Blast from James’ Past

James will be visiting with media and local community programs that “developed his legendary vocal and performance skills.” The Santa Cruz Teen Center, Kids on Broadway and All About Theatre will be hosting James to visit the kids in their current programs.

– 4:30 PM — Travel to Beach

“Led by the Santa Cruz High School Marching Band and a police escort, James will travel down Center Street to Santa Cruz’ Main Beach. James will be followed by participants from the Teen Center, All About Broadway and the Kids on Broadway. ”

– 5:00 PM – James on the Beach Bandstand

James will “give a short performance of 2-3 songs” while be backed by The White Album Ensemble. He will also be honored by Santa Cruz City Mayor Ryan Coonerty.

These are the basic details, check out the Mercury News article for more information.

EDIT: James Durbin did not advance to the Top 3 on American Idol this week.