Kings of Leon featuring Band of Horses

Epic night last night. Kings of Leon unusually had only one opening band, but they made sure it was a band who could hold their own, and many fans came to see Band of Horses just as much as KOL. Band of Horses performed the 3 favorites, "The General Specific," "No One's Gonna Love You," and "Funeral." Their echoing vocals and stellar performance primed the audience for KOL, knowing more good music was in store. Even though some of the band hails from the land of the Cocks (South Carolina for those who don't follow college football), Ben Bridwell is a big UGA fan, which I can appreciate being a Dawg myself. Having the Red Coats (UGA's marching band) come on stage for the band's cover of Cee Lo Green's "Georgia" would have been the icing on the cake of a great show. When you have such a pop giant covering your song like Cee Lo did with "No One's Gonna Love You," you know you're making it. The band has so much talent with many members playing multiple instruments, and immersing myself into the Indie world this year, I can't wait to see what the future holds for Band of Horses.

Kings of Leon took the stage with "Radioactive," and speckled the set list with other songs like "The Immortals" and "Mi Amigo" from Come Around Sundown. Considering Atlanta was KOL's first performance and the boys being from Nashville, "Back Down South" was a fitting song to include. The crowd shirtless and sweaty danced to the popular "Sex on Fire" before KOL led into the crazy rock and roll encore of phenomenal guitar playing, drum banging, and Caleb Followill's raspy screams to "Crawl" and "Black Thumbnail" with "Use Somebody" in between. What I love about Atlanta is that the audience did the Braves tomahawk chant, a big week for the team with a 19 inning record breaker and win last night, to coax KOL back on stage for encore, reminding them that the south is the only place to be. In general KOL's lyrics are lacking in complete thoughts and sometimes hard to follow when Caleb sings, but they make up for it in their unique interpreation of southern bluesy rock and roll. For example, "Closer" is supposedly about a vampire, but the warborly notes at the beginning sends chills through my body. Just like last year, I wished I would have paid extra money for the pit, but on a writer's salary and other shows to attend...maybe next year.

Ticket Bought

Just bought my Music Midtown ticket and I cannot be more excited! Well, unless they added a day and included more bands like The Avett Brothers and Mumford and Sons or something, which would be epic. I feel like tickets in Atlanta have gone up in price since I lived here though. Big giants Livenation and Ticketmaster who intermingle have really caused live shows to leave me with a slight bad taste in my mouth. $55 for one day seems like a great deal, but it is a teaser to the $71 you're going to end up paying with processing fees (even if you go to a Publix). I know costs are getting higher with the economy, but I'm having to limit my concert going so I can pay bills and miss out on some great shows. Plus, if I happen to get excited about a music concert only to see the "Sold Out" listed, tickets become nearly impossible to afford with other online ticketers like Stubhub jacking up prices. Considering Livenation is sponsoring Music Midtown I won't complain too much, but give a girl a break in hard times!

Songs I'm Loving Right Now

Bon Iver's "Skinny Love" on For Emma, Forever Ago:

Bon Iver delivers a beautiful acoustic of emotion to describe letting a lover go because she did not live up to your expectations.

Awolnation's "Sail" on Back From Earth

Not a fan of Awolnation in general, but I love to turn this song up and scream with the singer. The band creates a futuristic sound while adding in da-dee-da piano through the middle.

Wild Sweet Orange's "Land of No Return" on We Have Cause To Be Uneasy

Singer Preston Lovinggood has an effortless voice in this song, singing slow and soft to keep someone grounded with him.

Unplugged In The Park (July 17, 2011)

99X's Unplugged In The Park hasn't disappointed yet in introducing promising artists. New Yorker Rachel Platten and one man band counterpart Craig, a second time guest for Unplugged this year, primed the audience with her strong vocals and rap skills. In the same category as Sara Bareilles, Platten can play a damn good piano while charming the room with her good looks and personable performance. Her latest and catchy "1,000 Ships" speaks of hopeful re-newed love, but don't be fooled by her innocent face. Platten coerced the audience to help her sing lyrics about "going all the way" on a date. She even likes to give back to the community, a featured artist at the White House's Girl Up event, Platten's candied voice helped promote American girls to get involved in helping other women in third-world countries.

Boasting notoriety with soccer moms who like good deals with their songs circling TJ Maxx and Lowes stores, Ingram Hill serenaded the crowd with "love beats all" songs. Forgoing a traditional drum set, the trio added a fourth man to keep beats on a box-like instrument. You can tell lead singer and guitarist, Justin Moore enjoys what he does and believes in his music. Hailed from Memphis, Tennessee Ingram Hill went to the grind to produce solid lyrics after leaving Hollywood Records and create album "Look Your Best." I feel like Ingram Hill could have really found their way in the early 2000s with artists like Lifehouse and Gavin DeGraw, but perhaps they have the potential to bring back the sensitive rocker genre and turn into more than a cult following. Ingram Hill's popular "Hey Girl" once again won over female admirers, tapping into those teenage insecurities of unsureness while an attractive singer tells you how beautiful you are. "Why Don't You" followed and continued to spread warm fuzzies through the crowd of a pining boy in love. Bass player Zach Kirk recently joined the band, but Moore and guitarist/song writer Phil Bogard grew up together, and their bond creates an easy chemistry of sounds that can only really be fully appreciated live. Light a candle and play "On My Way" while throwing away those old pictures of your asshole of an ex, though I personally prefer the more relateable "Burn Out Your Flame."

Music Midtown

It is official! Music Midtown is returning to Atlanta. I am glad that I moved back to the music metropolis, as this event is the next huge thing to come! Memories are flooding of missing prom to go to the 3-day festival, being front row for No Doubt, and braving the heat for other big liners such as Stone Temple Pilots, Everclear, and Sheryl Crow. Music Midtown had a good 11 year run from 1994-2005 until the announcement to not return in 2006 because of costs. Past festivals grouped together to bring the top Atlanta radio stages in each genre and gave them a stage. Loving 90s alternative, I mostly stuck around the 99X stage and to my glee they are following an alternative line up with bands that have recently exploded into mainstream like The Black Keys and upcomings Cage the Elephant and Young The Giant. I am most excited to see Coldplay...a must-see on my list of bands to see before I die. Forgoing Bonaroo this year due to funds I now can see them in my own backyard for cheaper! Having seen Manchester Orchestra and Cage The Elephant rock out at Tabernacle a month ago, I'm hoping to see another collaborative encore. Some other bands bringing feel good music to the festival are Joy The Formidable and The Postelles. Joy The Formidable with Rhydian's girlish vocals is known for their new hit "Whirring" and has been bouncing around the country playing at music festivals this summer. On a high from releasing their new album "123 Stop" and touring the country as well, I'll be bopping along to The Postelle's 60s pop inspired "White Night" and "Sleep On The Dance Floor." Only 10 bands have been confirmed for Music Midtown (explains the cheap ticket price), but perhaps more will be added and the smaller scale will help determine if Music Midtown is back for good. Usually held in May on the asphalt, it will be held on September 24 (1 day only)at Piedmont Park with the beautiful Atlanta skyline view.