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The Situation: Ardis wins tickets from Star 101.3 FM and has brought teen daughter along.
The Concert: Pentatonix (Amazing A Capella Group).
What went down:
Well, I love going to concerts, especially with my teen daughter, Jenny. She is the only one in the family to appreciate live performances (Typical response from Hubby when I ask him to go: "Why pay money and go someplace to hear what I can listen to on the radio for free?")
We won tickets on the Marcus & Sandy Morning Show on Star 101.3FM a few months ago. After going in to San Francisco during spring break to pick up the tickets, we were eager to see this group live.
As we went to enter the theater, we asked where our seats were and found out they were on the infamous Lawn... Of course, we did win these tickets, so I cannot complain, but I wish we understood sooner what was needed if you get the lawn seats. This is on a very steep hill. You need blankets, sturdy shoes, and nerves of steel to sit up there. Here's the thing: everyone is slipping and sliding down the hill as the evening goes on. The people you thought you gave room to are suddenly right up against you and you need to gently remind them (again and again) to please scoot back (all the while trying hard not to do the same to the people below you). Meanwhile the wind is howling, and people are spilling their beers as they try to find their blanket in the dark. Fun times! As much as I loved the music, I will try to make sure we sit on actual seats the next time we go to that venue.
Anyways...
The concert itself was wonderful.
This is an A Capella group so I was curious how they would keep everyone interested for an entire concert. But I found the whole concert compelling. These are five World Class musicians. The artistry and talent on display was dazzling. One of the highlights was watching Kevin "K.O." Olusola perform on his nifty electric cello while simultaneously doing his beat box rhythms. It was simply amazing!
Here's an example of what he did. What was even more incredible in the performance I saw was that he was playing classical music and beatboxing all together. So it was two different genres as well as two different types of performing.
There were lots of video screens throughout the show to create a fun atmosphere on stage. I was really impressed by the musical arrangements and to complex harmonies.
Another highlight was when the group ask for (and got) complete silence as they went off-mike to perform one of their encore songs. Over 8,000 people were dead quiet as they sang by candlelight. It was beautiful, and again showed what accomplished musicians they are that you could hear them perfectly well from our nose-bleed section seats.
As the show finished, we went to our car and waited patiently for the traffic to die down enough for us to leave. It took about 35 minutes, but it was fine because several people were blasting Pentatonix music and everyone was singing, and bopping, to the tunes.
I love concert crowds. These fun, spontaneous outbursts of joy are what make me want to attend concerts. The people are what make a concert special. Together, Pentatonix and the audience created a magical evening I will never forget.
What special concert memories do you have? Let me know in the comments.
I saw Pentatonix at a concert last summer and they did put on a nice show. I was in the lawn but it wasn't as steep as what you describe. I don't think I would like feeling like I was sliding down the hill.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on winning the tickets! It sounds like you had a nice time with your daughter.
Carole @ Carole's Random Life