Tag: LA

Video: Sirk and The Dirty Minds Live at The Viper Room

This past weekend I was in LA with a group of friends, and Sunday night we checked out this ~new band, Sirk and The Dirty Minds. Okay, not that new of a band.

If you’ve been keeping tabs on Kris Allen this past weekend, you know that he and his awesome band played a not-so-secret midnight show at The Viper Room on Sunday night.

Can we say kick awesome?

I’ve never been to The Viper Room before, and it was just amazing! I just love small venues like that, because the show is more intimate and personal.

I have to say that Kris and the guys were just on fire. The show was such a blast. My friends and I had the best time. Seriously, good times all around!

I did bring back presents to share with everyone! Check out videos below of Kris’s new untitled track that we’re calling, “Shut That Door & Keep That Devil Out” and “Leave You Alone.” Enjoy!

I love the bluesy feel of “Shut That Door & Keep That Devil Out.” I really hope that Kris really embraces that sound on his next album, because he sounds great!

What do y’all think of the new songs?

‘The X Factor’ To Award Winner $5 Million Recording Contract

Earlier this week it was announced that the winner of the first U.S. edition of The X Factor will win a $5 million recording contract with Sony Music/Syco. This will be the largest sum of money to be won on television.

Tryouts for The X Factor will kick off Sunday, March 27 in Los Angeles at the L.A. Sports Arena. There will also be tryouts held in Chicago, Dallas, Miami, New York/New Jersey, and Seattle.

Singers and groups must be at least 12-years-old to audition. There is not a cap on the upper age limit.

“I like the idea that a 12-year-old on this show can compete with an older singer and a singing group,” Simon Cowell said in a press release. “I’ve never believed that there should be a cut-off age for talent, and we are going to put our money where our mouths are with the $5 million recording contract. I’m doing this show in America, because I genuinely believe we can find a superstar.”

The X Factor debuted in the U.K. in 2004, and has been the #1 show for the past seven years. The show has been #1 in 15 territories, and has a worldwide audience of over 100 million.

For more information on The X Factor and for more details about auditioning, check out the show’s official website.

Originally posted on BlogCritics.

Idol Wired >> Is The Torture Over, Yet?

When I first sat down to talk American Idol, I had just the worst migraine, which was caused by the auditions in Los Angeles that aired last night.

No, I’m not kidding. The L.A. auditions were by far the worst auditions that I have ever taken the time to sit and watch. I seriously want that hour of my life back.

This is season 10 of American Idol. I expected better than Thursday night’s episode. I guess I should have known better.

Before I get ahead of myself, let’s talk about Wednesday night’s auditions in Austin, TX. Even though the episode was so much better than the L.A. auditions, there were only a couple singers that I would consider being actual contenders in this season’s competition. Those singers are 21-year-old Jaqueline Dunford from Scottsdale, AZ and 19-year-old Casey Abrams from Idlywild, CA.

Jaqueline Dunford auditioned for the show with her boyfriend, 19-year-old Nick Flint. Dunford, who sang Duffy’s “Mercy” was in my opinion the best of the female singers in the Austin. She took that Duffy song and really in the ridiculous words of Randy Jackson, “blew it out the box.” I really like the tone of her voice, and appreciated her demonstration of vocal control.

My other favorite from Austin, Casey Abrams sang “I Don’t Need No Docter” by Ray Charles. This dude can sing. And scat. I love it! I am sensing a trend with the male singers with the soulful, raspy voices this season, but Abrams infused his audition with so much personality, that he set a nice tone for himself going into “Hollywood Week.”

The L.A. auditions episode that aired Thursday night was hands down the worst episode of Idol I’ve ever watched, and I’m saying this as someone who watched the train wreck known as season three in its entirety.
Continue reading Idol Wired >> Is The Torture Over, Yet?

Darren Criss Performs “Teenage Dream” at The Mint

Over the weekend, my new crush Darren Criss performed a couple shows live at The Mint in LA.

Towards the end of his set, he played an acoustic version Glee’s new best selling single, “Teenage Dream.”

Check it out!

As much as I love his version of “Teenage Dream” on Glee (which may or may not be my new ringtone), I am loving this acoustic version of the Katy Perry song.

I am so happy that Glee has signed Darren on as a series regular, I can’t wait to hear more of his voice!

Video source: 1