Coldplay Concert

As many of you may have read, my band that has been my favorite for a long time is Coldplay. However, I had not been to one of their concerts, due to them being prohibitively expensive or in the wrong place or at the wrong time.

BUT my girlfriend bought us tickets to a Coldplay concert for my 21st Birthday!

Pictures! All of these were taken with my little 6 yer old Fujifilm f100fd point and shoot, so they obviously aren't of the quality that my DSLR possesses. Anyways, onwards!

 We got there are almost exactly 7pm, which is when the tickets told us to get there, and this is what it looked like, so it obviously wasn't then.

 This was the second of the opening bands, the first one being mediocre so I don't remember their name, but this one was Marina and the Diamonds, and they were pretty good.

 But of course they were nothing compared to the main act. Coldplay! The whole show was absolutely mind-bogglingly amazing. I obviously know all of their songs by heart, so it was interesting to see what songs they chose to put into the concert. They didn't just do the Mylo Xyloto songs, they did all of their old good ones, plus some of their less-well known songs as well.

 As you went into the stadium each person was given a wrist band, and they all lit up at strategic times during the show, so the entire stadium was awash with lights and music.

 This was during one of the songs, I can't quite remember which one, though.

There is just something about their music that evokes an emotional response in me, and really relaxes me. I have a tendency to quell any emotions that try to come out from me, as a defense mechanism or some such nonsense.

Each song just sort of... works, if that makes sense. There is just something sublime about them that comes together into a masterpiece.

 This was taken by holding my camera way up and shooting down the row that I was sitting at.

And the final bow.

Whatever you may say about them, Coldplay knows how to put on one hell of a show, and I would gladly go to another concert.

That's all for now. School is coming back and I've got lots of engineering and swimming, and I've got a job as a photographer for the Torch (my universities newspaper).

So preow.

Kevin

The Festival of Summer...

Or rather...

Summerfest!

So that is where I went this last weekend with a few people. We drove up there on Saturday morning (left here at about 9am or so) to get there by about 3:30 after dropping off stuff at the place where we were going to stay Saturday night.

We found a great parking spot that only cost us $10 (as opposed to like $30 for any parking in Chicago), and I got these shots on our way to the gate.
(note, all of these pictures were either taken with my point-and-shoot or my phone)

These are both of the Milwaukee Art Museum, which I went to last year before I went to Summerfest. If you are ever in Milwaukee, I would definitely recommend it, its awesome.

Walked to the gate, went in, paid the exorbitantly awesome price of $16, and just wandered around for a while. Got some food. etc. Watched some random bands which I shall detail herein:

Band 1: Machines are people Too.

 I actually thought that they did pretty well, considering that the main singer looked like he was about 40 with the creeper mustache. It was actually a pretty nice band, all in all. It had a very alternative style without being too hipster.

Band 2: I don't remember the name of this one. Oh well.

Band 3: Abigail Grey
The main singer was from Scotland, which is always awesome. As well, the band used a violin and a trumpet, instead of just drums and guitars and keyboards.

Band 3: Mars Argo
Basically trying to be Evanescence. Didn't work. 'Nuff said.

 Band 4: Fresh Cut Collective.
These guys were ALL OVER THE PLACE. They had singers and rappers and dancers and keyboard players and even an Indian/Arab guy rapping. Though some of their songs got really annoying after a little bit, they were genuine entertainers, and that is a good thing.

I figure that I should include a few pictures I took while we were wandering.

Lets see, am I leaving anything out....








Oh yeah!









ZZ TOP!

Tickets for $16.00. Pretty damn good, if I do say so myself. Unfortunately, like a fool, I only brought one battery for my point and shoot, so my battery died like right as they started, so I had to resort to trying to get anything with my phone...

But I won't subject you to that because they turned out... just awful... Ok, I might do another quick post with a few from that once I hook my phone up to my computer, but just not now.

Now It is almost the 4th of July! I'll be taking some pictures during the fireworks show tomorrow, and probably posting those the day after.

So that's all for now.

Preow

Kevin

TV: Chopped
Movie: Ted
Music: well, you can probably guess...
Game: Castle Crashers
Food: Not nearly enough.

Pictures!

Hello all.

Like seems to be normal, I haven't really had too much motivation to do a blog post lately. Mainly because I have had a ton of homework and exams and work and such, now that the end of the semester is getting near.

Work is going well, I actually did something useful today for the whole time I was there! I am finally getting to know some of the people there, and how my job works, and what to do. Plus the $13/hour isn't bad either.

I have been learning how to use my new D7000 lately, and I must say it is fantastic! So much better than the little D3100 (though the D3100 is a great beginners camera). Having two command dials and a top LCD screen completely change the operation of the camera. Instead of having to look into the viewfinder to change the aperture and shutter speed, you just look at the top of the camera. It's just great.

Here are a couple sample shots that I took with it:

 Ice cream van... An interesting thing to see on a college campus, and I thought it was hilarious that it said "caution children" on the front.

 There were some bands playing outside the union last week, so I got a couple good shots from that. I love taking pictures of bands.

 Just a couple more random shots, my bike gear system and the moon.

I also took some pictures at a Valpo softball game last Sunday. That was quite fun, shooting sports with good lighting (instead of in a dark pool building).

Finals are coming up, lots going on.

That's all for today.

Later,

Kevin

TV: Top Gear
Music: All. I. Can. Soundtrack
Movie: All. I. Can.
Game: Mass Effect 3
Food: Chicken

Music!

Hello to the few people who actually read my blog!


Sorry I haven't posted in a while, as my free time has been inundated with homework and... well... Skyrim. 


But I'm not going to be cliche and talk about how awesome of a game it is. I'm going to talk about my favorite bands! So let's get this train a rolling!


(in reverse favorite order)

Thirteen Senses
I was just clued onto this band recently. I have actually had their discography that I got from a friend for a while now, but I never listened to it. I think that there was a minecraft video that I watched with one of their songs as the music, and I was all "huh, I should really listen to them." I was pleasantly surprised. Some of their songs can get kind of old pretty fast, but then there's a few that are absolutely beautiful. And example of this being "Into the Fire" (as seen below).

(Video from Youtube and ThirteenSensesVEVO)

Like with The National (next), their style is very relaxed without too many harsh notes or beats. They have some more ethereal songs, as well.

Their website:
Thirteen Senses

 (picture from thirteenenses.com)

I haven't really listened to them enough to pass too much more judgment on them.
Favorites in no specific order:
Into the Fire, Animal, Do No Wrong


The National
 This band has a more mellow feel than a lot of bands that I have listened to. Their style is very relaxing, even though a lot of the time its a bit hard to figure out what they are saying. I first started listening to them two summers ago.
I like that they are based in Brooklyn, and they have a distinctly American Style.
Here's a link to their website:
The National

(image from GigPosters.com)

This is one of their signature songs, which was released in their newest album "High Violet"

(from youtube and TheNationalVEVO)

Its relaxing and gives me a good feeling inside. Their use of drums and other, alternative instruments puts them in a good place in my mind, as most of the time I don't like bands that just use drums, guitar, and vocals. 
They are also a pretty damn Hipster band, I'll have to admit.
Personal Favorites (in no specific order):
Runaway, Bloodbuzz Ohio, Fake Empire, Ada

The Script
These guys are a bit different than my previous two choices. While they still are a smaller band, they have enjoyed much more public exposure in the past because of their hit song "Breakeven." There was a point probably 2 years ago where I couldn't go a day without hearing this song. Unfortunately, none of their other songs were ever played, with the exception of "Man Who can't be Moved" every once in a while. They have some great songs that no one knows about because they were overshadowed by the success of one.
 That being said, I actually like the namesake song from their second album the best. It has an interesting message, and the music is phenomenal. So I give you "Science and Faith"

 (From Youtube)
Unfortunately I can't link to the official video in the US...

The thing that I like the most about them is that usually their songs tell some sort of story, as well as their great use of music. Yes, they are mostly Guitar and Drums, but they do it in such a way as to make it nice. As seems to be the trend with me, nothing too hard or obnoxious.
 The Script

Favorites:
Before the Worst, Breakeven, The End Where I Begin, For the First Time, Science and Faith, Walk Away

Evanescence 
Where do I start with this band. It is completely different from most things I have listened to in the past. They are a bit harder band, but their music, while being dark, just has a spark of life in it. Also I love Amy Lee's voice. The other members of the band have changed a couple times, but if she ever left, it could never be the same. Their music just has a full, rich feeling.
They didn't have a new album for almost 5 years, and in that time basically the whole band was changed, and they released a self-titled album "Evanescence" that was a slightly different style that their older ones such as "Fallen"
I'll let you compare one of their older songs to their newer ones:
First off: "My Immortal" from "Fallen"

And next: ""My Heart Is Broken" from "Evanescence"

 Evanescence
All of their music is basically just a ride into madness. And I like that.
Favorites:
Imaginary, BringMe to Life, Lacrymosa, My Heart is Broken, What You Want, Made of Stone, Lost in Paradise


Sigur Ros
 An Icelandic band, one of my friends introduced them to me in the end of High School. They basically sing in Icelandic, so I have no idea what they are saying, but it sounds ethereal and nice and relaxing and ambient. It is some of the only music that I can actually study to. 
Sigur Ros 

Sigur Ros is one of the most popular bands in Iceland, but they haven't really seen anything  here in the US at all.

 (From Youtube and sigurros)

I haven't actually gotten any of their latest music.

Not much else to say. Ambient Icelandic music.

 Coldplay
My favorite band for a very long time, Coldplay is one of the most successful bands in history. I was a fan before the whole huge release of "Viva la Vida," and have remained an avid fan now through their interestingly titled newest album "Mylo Xyloto."

Coldplay has been a part of many many days for me, on bad days and good days. They helped me through a couple tough patches in my life where I didn't have much direction. It is they that got me into the more alternative styles of music as has been illustrated here, styles that aren't exclusive to the guitar and drums. Their use of unconventional sounds in their music just adds an interest that few others can match. 
Coldplay 
Being one of the biggest bands out there has its perks, as their newest album is absolutely phenomenal, after spending 4 years on it after Viva la Vida.  
I present to you one of my favorites:

 Their sound is basically unique, and that draws me to them. Its so vibrant and full of life that it energizes me every day. 

But their new albums aren't just the good ones. I think that "Clocks" was their best song, from way back.

(Both videos from Coldplay's Youtube Channel, ColdplayVEVO)

 (Picture from Coldplay.com)

Too many favorites to list, sorry.

They bring to me memories of High School, and new memories in College. Many of the important things in my life have happened while I was listening to Coldplay. So they hold a special place in my heart.

And now, though I'm very excited about music, I'm tired of writing. so Cheers!

 Kevin

 TV: Archer
Movie: Beauty and the Beast
Music: guess...
Game: Skyrim
Food: Breakfast for Dinner!