In Tune

By Cameron Kober

As in years past, summer 2012 is expected to play host to several large-scale music festivals presenting the best in modern pop music. In recent years, the number of music fests has grown steadily throughout the country, and this year is no exception.

Students mentioned various shows they have attended in the past and gave advice for future excursions. James Clay, a freshman business marketing major from Chicago, said last year he enjoyed attending the Pitchfork Music Festival in his hometown.

He hopes to either return again to the festival this summer, or to go to the Bonnaroo Music Festival, a gathering of more than 100,000 music enthusiasts in Tennessee. He said in order to survive music festivals, “Wear proper attire and be prepared to stand a long time. Make sure you drink lots of water.”

Devin Willie, a sophomore in English secondary education from Utah, gave some unusual advice for attending festivals. “I would say one thing that you probably wouldn’t think of if you haven’t gone before is to bring a bandana. Sometimes the fields where people are playing are so dusty that is will almost choke you. You should probably bring one to cover your face just so you don’t die.”

Alex Lang, who has gone to Coachella and Warped Tour, offered some insight based on his experience. “I’m not planning on going this year, but I might. I really enjoyed Warped Tour because of the free Monster drinks. I drank seven of them and a hot dog at the show in 2005,” he said.

Here’s a small list of some of the best music festivals to be anticipated this summer:

• The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio, California begins the last day of finals this year. If you can’t manage to get home in time, never fear. This year, for the first time ever, the festival takes place between two weekends, with the same bands performing during both weekends. Headliners this year include Radiohead, Dr. Dre and Snoop Dog, Bon Iver and The Black Keys.

• Every year, Salt Lake City presents the Twilight Music Festival. The festival takes place every Thursday throughout July and August. Admission in the past has always been free. Currently no lineups have been announced, but last year’s festival featured artists such as The Decemberists, Lupe Fiasco and Bright Eyes.

• Washington state’s Sasquatch Festival is taking place this year over Memorial Day weekend. Sasquatch promises to be an enjoyable weekend for students from the Pacific Northwest. This year’s lineup includes favorites like Beck, Tenacious D and Jack White (formerly of the band the White Stripes).

• Those students from the Southeast need not fret that everything is taking place on the West Coast. This year’s Bonnaroo is expected to bring in huge crowds to Manchester, Tennessee. Headliners this year include Red Hot Chili Peppers, Foster the People, Skrillix and the Beach Boys, fully reunited for the first time in forty years. The festival is scheduled to take place from June 7-10.

• The Vans Warped Tour returns again this year, starting their run across America at the Utah State Fairpark. Since 1995, the tour has gone across the country, presenting some of the most popular punk and emo bands of the last two decades. This year the festival plans on maintaining its tradition with bands like Yellowcard, Taking Back Sunday and New Found Glory included in the more than 100 bands planning to make appearances throughout the summer.

It can often be difficult to find out which bands are playing in Hawaii. One of the best sites for finding bands in Hawaii is http://www.bampproject.com/. You can go there by clicking HERE.

On their site they have what bands will be playing and you can buy tickets from their site.

Some artists playing soon include REO Speedwagon, Cake, adn Dub Trio.

Justin Bieber | “Under The Mistletoe”
Date: Nov. 1

She & Him | “A Very She & Him Christmas”
Date: Oct. 25

“Glee: The Music, The Christmas Album, Vol. 2”
Date: Nov. 15

Scott Weiland | “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year”
Date: Oct. 24

Michael Bublé | “Christmas”
Date: Oct. 24

Ginuwine | “A Ginuwine Christmas”
Date: Oct. 11

Carole King | “A Holiday Carole”
Date: Nov. 1

Jackie Evancho | “Heavenly Christmas”
Date: Nov. 1

“A Skaggs Family Christmas, Vol. 2”
Date: Sept. 27

“This Warm December: A Brushfire Christmas, Vol. 2
Date: Nov. 15

To get more information click HERE.

Iconic Rock and Roll Hall of Fame legends Elton John and Neil Diamond have both announced shows from their respective tours that will be taking place at Honolulu’s Neal S. Blaisdell Arena this upcoming Winter season.

John will be performing on January 6^th and 7^th   beginning at 8 p.m. He was originally only scheduled to play the 7^th, but demand was so high that an additional date was added. Diamond will be performing on February 16^th.Tickets range between $39 and $139 for Elton John, and between $59-$159 for Neil Diamond, and are currently available online.

Molly Harris, a freshman from Logan, Utah, majoring in marine biology, said,  “I think I would rather see Neil Diamond over Elton John because I think it would be interesting to see the audience there and it would be cool to see Neil Diamond on stage.”

Elton John is known as a rock and roll superstar, who has been performing for nearly five decades. Since 1969, John has played almost 3000 concerts worldwide. John has also recorded 25 platinum records, released 29 consecutive Top 40 hit singles, has sold more than 250 million records worldwide, and holds the record for best selling single, “Candle In The Wind ‘97”, which sold over 35 million copies. John was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 1994. He is well known for hits like “Bennie and The Jets” as well as the music featured in various Disney movies including “The Lion King”.

Diamond last played in Hawaii almost 35 years ago, in November of 1976. He will be returning to perform on February 16^th. Diamond has led a very successful career so far having sold over 128 million records worldwide and producing 37 songs that reached the Top 10, including the famous “Sweet Caroline.” He has recorded a total of 18 albums that went platinum. Diamond was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in March of this year.

If faced with choosing, Casey Rindlisbach, an undeclared freshman from Cincinnati, Ohio, said “Definitely Elton John because I loved his music in ‘The Lion King’ and ‘Gnomeo and Juliet’.”

Paige Pierson, a freshman from Denver, Colorado, undecided major, said “I’d like to see both of them because they’re awesome. I think it would be really fun and they have revolutionary music that I really like, and everybody would really get into the music.”

Tickets are available for purchase at Ticketmaster.com, as well as at the Neal S. Blaisdell Center boxoffice.

 -Camron Stockford

Every Tuesday night, the music club uses the Little Theater for an “open mic night.” On these nights, students can come, whether they are in the club or not, and sign up to perform a song or two. Performances are made on a “first some first serve” basis, and each are given as much as 10 to 15 minutes to perform their selection of music. “I like it because it’s an open environment where everybody enjoys music,” said Evan Glenn, a junior from Tacoma, Washington, majoring in computer sciences.

Each night begins around 7:30pm and goes until either the all students have performed, or until 11pm.. Practice sessions are also available for club members on Thursdays and Saturdays.

“Only members of the music club receive the weekly invitation,” said Cristiano Gonzales, music club president and a senior from Spain majoring in business and finance, “but any student can get inside and participate. We do not restrict access to anyone.”

Equipment available at open mic night includes an electric guitar, electric bass, a full drum set, amps for guitars and bass, a piano, 4 microphones with 4 microphones stands, PA, and a mix table. Stu

dents are welcome to use the provided equipment, or bring their own equipment.

“I would do it, it’s a display of people’s hidden talents. They get up and rock out, and they’re like superstars for a minute,” said Makeli Christopherson, freshman from Bountiful, Utah, majoring in music.

“It’s a good opportunity to share music and hear other people’s music,” Glenn said, “there’s a lot of talented musicians on campus and it’s a good place to go and showcase that. You don’t feel judged going up in front of people there. It’s a good time.”

-Camron Sotckford

It came down to seconds and one instinctive decision that may have saved the lives of country duo Sugarland and others at the Indiana State Fair where five people died when a stage collapsed.

Tour manager Hellen Rollens looked at the sky and decided to hold the band backstage. A minute later, 60 to 70 mph wind gusts toppled the roof and the metal scaffolding holding lights and other equipment on Saturday night in Indianapolis. It crashed into the audience, killing four instantly and fifth later at a hospital. Dozens were injured, some critically.

When they heard the deafening boom of the stage crashing, Sugarland and crew hit the ground and took cover against a wall, thinking it was going to collapse on top of them. At some point, they made it out of the dust and debris and converged on their tour bus.

To read the full story click HERE.

 Steve Urkel, the nerdy neighbor from Family Matters, is almost unrecognizable in the new music video ‘Cry Baby’.

To read the full article click HERE.

Many popular musicians have died at the age of 27. Here is a list of some of the most well known artists to have died at such a young age.

Brian Jones

The Rolling Stones founder and guitarist drowned in a swimming pool on July 3, 1969. The coroner’s report ruled it as “death by misadventure.”

Jimi Hendrix

On September 18, 1970, the guitar legend asphyxiated on his own vomit after combining sleeping pills with wine.

Janis Joplin

At the height of her career, Joplin was known as The Queen of Rock and Roll. The “Piece of My Heart” singer died on October 4, 1970 from a heroin overdose.

Jim Morrison

Though no autopsy was performed after he died on July 3, 1971, The Doors’ lead singer’s death was listed as “heart failure.”

Kurt Cobain

The Nirvana singer and guitarist committed suicide on April 5, 1994. His body was found three days later at his Lake Washington home by an electrician who came to install a security system.

Amy Winehouse

The “Rehab” singer was found dead in her Camden Square apartment on July 23, 2011. The cause of her death is not yet known. “We are deeply saddened at the sudden loss of such a gifted musician, artist and performer,” her label, Universal Music Group, tells Us.

To see the slide show click HERE.

In this dream, Cowell is a nice judge. He then awakens only to reveal that he is the same Simon that we all know from American Idol.

To watch the video click HERE.

Some of these figures are surprising.  You can have an American Idol, but it will cost you. Big time.

We Are The Fallen featuring Carly Smithson — $5-10K
Blake Lewis — $10K
Lee DeWyze — $15-25K
Crystal Bowersox — $15-25K
Danny Gokey — $30K
David Archuleta — $30-40K
David Cook — $30-50K
Adam Lambert — $40-50K
Kellie Pickler — $50-60K
Fantasia — $50-75K
Clay Aiken — $85-100K
Jennifer Hudson — $100K
Daughtry — $200-300K+
Kelly Clarkson — $350-500K
Carrie Underwood — $350-500K

To see the full article click HERE.