Life is Beautiful Festival Day 1

So the last weekend of October, some of my friends and I drove to Las Vegas for one of the best weekends of my life. We drove down that Friday and it took about four hours to get there. Overall, not to bad. Luckily, my friend's boyfriend's family have a house in Las Vegas, so we had a place to stay. We were so lucky they let us stay there. It was a brand new, beautiful house. They saved us hundreds of dollars we would have spent on a hotel room.

We made it!

On Saturday, full of excitement and anticipation, we headed to the festival. The festival was taking place in downtown, so we drove to the parking structure and got on the shuttle bus that drove us to the main entrance. Once we got in, right away they were giving things out. They were passing out cute little music note pins, and giving away t-shirts by way of raffle. The three of us were starving, so we decided the first thing we wanted to do was get food. As you're walking down the street there was a huge sign and volunteers passing out sharpies so you could write your name.

My note on the Life is Beautiful sign.

After signing the banner, we went into the food area. There were so many different options from all kinds of different restaurants in Las Vegas. My friend, Brittany, ended up getting fried pickles and fries, while Jordan and I got fried mac and cheese balls with tater tots. Those mac and cheese balls were absolutely incredible. They were from this place called Park on Fremont (I think).

Once we finished eating we headed to the downtown stage to go watch ZZ Ward. She was so good. I had never heard of her before the festival, but after watching her perform, I'm a fan. When her set was done, we walked around and checked out the booths around the festival. We all ended up signing up to be bone marrow donors in the charity lane area of the festival. We took silly pictures at the Movember booth and photobooth pictures at another stand. Very fun!

We found this bar/restaurant at the far end of the festival. That had an intriguing sign. My friends and I decided to go inside and ended up ordering grapefruit beer. I'm not much of a drinker, but that beer was delicious. This place, which coincidentally is the same place that had the booth where we got the mac and cheese balls, had a beer and a shot for $10. My friends got the beer and patron shots, while I just stuck with a beer. We hung out there for a while taking silly photos and relaxing until the next band we wanted to see started.

Grapefruit beer and our wristbands!

Jordan, weird shading, and I.

So once it hit four o' clock we decided to head back to the downtown stage because the Alabama Shakes were playing. We ended up getting side tracked by some art and the Toyota booth. They were giving out free tote bags that they were making right there and giving away other goodies. The line was pretty long for the bags, and the Alabama Shakes had already started. I waited in line for a while, but I didn't want to miss the band, since I heard they were very good. So I told my friends I'd meet them later and headed over to the stage. I stood there for two songs, but wasn't really into the band, so I decided to go back to my friends who were still in line waiting for the bags. We ended up getting the tote bags as well as some light up sticks. 

Heartagram for Life is Beautiful!

Waiting for Imagine Dragons

We hung around for a while, looking at the art murals, before we went to go see Imagine Dragons. We made it to the stage and actually got a pretty good spot. I met up with my coworker friend, Kim and she  ended up watching Imagine Dragons with me. Let me just say, from all the bands at the festival, Imagine Dragons were definitely in my top two. They were amazing. I had a great time singing and dancing to their music with Kim. We listen to them at work all the time, so it was very fun. They gave an amazing show. Here are some videos I took from their set.

A video my friend Kim took.

After Imagine Dragons, we went to see Childish Gambino. We had a little mishap, where phones were dying and we lost Brittany. Eventually we ended up finding her in the crowd at the Ambassador stage where Childish was performing.

Last but not least, we saw the Kings of Leon. I am a huge fan and have everyone of their albums, so it was incredible to see one of my favorite bands live. Great way to end the night! Day one of the Life is Beautiful Festival was wonderful. Day two was also amazeballs! This post is so crazy long already, I'm just going to make another post for the second day.

Jenny Lewis

Let me just say that Jenny Lewis is a queen. I am completely in love with her. Okay.

So basically I went to see Jenny at Largo in Los Angeles on October 21. This place was so cool. The seats are assigned when you get there and it is a very intimate setting. There was no video or photos allowed, which is why I don't have anything to post other than the experience.

Stole this from someone's instagram.

I went with my friend Leslie from high school. I don't see her very often, so it was so great hanging out with her for a bit. The opening act for this show was none other than, Zach Galifianakis. I was so surprised because its not common to have a comedian as an opening act. Once again, another reason to love Jenny. He was hilarious. I loved it.

So Jenny comes on and sang her songs in different chapters, as she called them. She did some of her solo stuff, some Jenny & Jonny, some Jenny & the Watson Twins, and of course, some Rilo Kiley. Overall, amazing. I can't even think of any other adjectives. She is so cool. I honestly don't know what else to say.

Here's a youtube video of Jenny Lewis singing Acid Tongue a few years ago. This was the last song she did. Just so you could appreciate her talent.

Walk the Moon: Fall 2013 Tour

So I'm posting about a month later. It's been a crazy few weeks. First of all, the day of the Walk the Moon concert I was seriously in the worst pain of my life. I had no idea what was going on. I even had to call in to work because I was in so much pain and had not slept at all. I had these crazy stomach and back pains (which may or may not require surgery, I'll find out in a few weeks). So long story short, I ended up going to the Walk the Moon concert while I was still in pain. I didn't want to miss them, so I did what any other super fan would do, and disregarded my health and went.

Face paint!

I ended up going to this concert with my cousin, Amanda. We painted our faces and were on our way. It was my first time at the Palladium, and I loved it. Such a great venue. I look forward to attending more shows there. The opening bands were Smallpools and The Mowglis. They were both great. I hadn't heard of Smallpools, but I actually knew one of their songs from hearing it all the time on 98.7. When the Mowglis came on I couldn't handle the pain, so my cousin and I went to sit against the wall while we waited for Walk the Moon. From what I could hear the Mowglis were awesome. In any other circumstance, I would have been right up there listening to the opening bands because I love hearing new music. But I just could not handle anything that night.

Concert selfie of course!

Once Walk the Moon came on, I honestly felt a little better. We got up and waited for them out on the floor. They were amazing as always. This was my third time seeing them live. I have nothing but great things to say about them. They sang practically their whole album and EP, as well as some new songs which I can't wait to hear more of. Despite the pain I was in, I danced and sang and had an incredible time. I swear when they sang "Anna Sun" all my pain went away. I truly believe music can heal. That probably sounds super cheesy, but it is the god honest truth. Love love love Walk the Moon.

October Concerts

Okay so I finally caught up on my big summer concerts. Now I'm looking forward to all the shows this upcoming fall. I can't wait to take pictures and videos and post them on here. I know people probably don't read this, so this is basically my online public concert diary that I can look back on and remember the fun concerts I've been too.

This October I have three concerts coming up. I've got:

• Walk the Moon
• Jenny Lewis
• Life is Beautiful Festival (This one is 2 days in Vegas)

I am so stoked, you have no idea! I might be going to The Neighbourhood show in Hollywood, but that's still up in the air. Either way, I am so pumped for this month, that I cannot wait!

Demi Lovato: LA County Fair 2013

My one and only concert in September was Demi Lovato. I got tickets to go with my friend, Kimberly and her daughter, Alyssa. I love Demi Lovato. I've seen her three times before in concert. My friend, Krystal and I would go to all her LA shows whenever we could back in 2008/2009. This concert was at the LA County Fair in Pomona, CA. We were not happy at all with this venue because they made us pay to get into the fair even if we already had tickets to the concert. It was ridiculous. At the OC Fair, the fair admission is included with the concert ticket. Luckily, the fair tickets were sold at Ralphs market for a cheaper price so we got a discount.

Anyways, we get to the venue and see this huge line about a half hour before the show is supposed to start. I was thinking how crazy this was because, let me tell you, the line went on forever. Luckily oce the line started moving they opened up this side entrance and we were able to get in quickly and not have to wait with the long line.

We found our seats and watched the opening band, which was three brothers that the girls were going crazy for. We just sat and relaxed. My friend, Kim went to get a drink and came back with a carafe of Stella Rosa wine, which I thought was awesome. You could buy a whole bottle of wine at this venue, which was a plus. I wasn't drinking, but i still thought it was pretty cool.

What else but a concert selfie!

Once Demi came on, we were so excited. She started of with "Heart Attack." So we all got up and started dancing and singing along. I was happy when she sang some of her songs from her first album because that album was where my love for her started. She sand "Don't Forget" which is mine and my friend Krystal's song.

Then she went on and sang her other hits and she even covered Rihanna's "Stay," Which was amazing, by the way. Another highlight was when she sang mine and Kim's favorite song "Neon Lights"

Made in the USA

She ended the night with another favorite, "Give Your Heart a Break," which me and Kim were really into. Here are the vines I took to prove it:

Overall, we had a fun time. We stayed and hung out a bit at the fair after the show was over. The girls got on some rides and we just walked around. I loved Demi Lovato, but I just didn't really love the venue. But, like I said, we still had a good time.

The Red Tour: Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran

My last concert in August was Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran. I was so stoked because I love them both so much. I think Ed Sheeran is genius! And I basically know every single one of Taylor's songs. I went to this concert with Alyssa, my coworker's daughter. I was so happy and lucky that she asked me to go with her. We always have fun at concerts together.

We grabbed our heart shaped glasses and drove to Staples Center and we still had a while before the concert started so we went and bought some Taylor Swift shirts an light up sticks. Then we went and did all the promo things they had down in the lobby. They had a Keds booth, a Taylor perfume booth, and a Stubhub booth.

The Keds booth

Perfume booth

Stubhub photobooth

We found our seats and waited for Ed Sheeran to come on. I was so stoked to see him because I love love love his album +.

Once again...the concert selfie

Staples Center

Ed Sheeran finally came on, and he brought the house down. I was sitting next to some dad's and I heard them saying how impressed they were with him. He uses a loop pedal, so basically he is his own band. He records the beats and they play on a loop and then he sings. He was awesome. he sang his songs as well as Britney Spears and, if I remember correctly, he even threw in some Tupac "California Love."

Next up was, of course, Taylor Swift. She started the show off with a bang, singing her song "State of Grace." Everyone was up on their feet, singing, and dancing along. I have to say that she sounded great live.

Welcome to the Red Tour

The show went on and she sang practically every song from the "Red" album and also a few of her hits from previous albums. She even brought out Ed Sheeran to sing my favorite song of hers "Everything Has Changed." I am in love with that song.

Love Story

The big surprise of the night was what everyone was waiting for. Everyone knows that Taylor always brings out special guests whenever she does a Los Angeles show (because we're just lucky like that).  So when she announced her special guest and I heard the opening bars of "Jenny from the Block" I went crazy. I love Jennifer Lopez. Especially that song. They came out and sang together and even danced together. Well, JLo was the one who danced, while Taylor tried too. But either way, it was so fun, and I was so happy we got to see Jennifer and Taylor perform together. Here's a blurry picture of the screen.

Taylor closed out the night with her big song, "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together." It was very fun and entertaining and everyone was singing along. I had an awesome time and I have to say Ms. Swift knows how to put on a good show. She likes to talk to the audience and explain meanings behind each of the songs. I find that very interesting, because other artists just play to the crowd, but she actually lets us into her mind, if that makes sense. I would most definitely go to another one of her concerts, without a doubt!

An extra bonus was that when we got out of the concert, outside of Staples Center they were giving out free mini Diet Cokes. Which was awesome because Alyssa and I were both thirsty from all the singing and dancing. I drank one and I still have the other as a souvenir.

Thanks Taylor!

Jonas Brothers 2013 Tour

You have no idea how excited I was for this concert. I've been a Jonas Brothers fan since 2006. I once almost ditched my SAT exams to go to their concert at Six Flags (but my mom didn't let me). I've waited hours in the sun and got sick to see them at the VMAs. My friend, Krystal, and I even once got stranded in LA because we were trying to get into the rehearsal and weren't allowed. So, seeing the Jonas Brothers again after 4 or 5 years was a dream come true. I got the tickets but had no one to go with, until I asked my friend Krystal, and she said she was down.

So Krystal and I leave to the concert at the Gibson Amphitheatre and are so excited to get there. We get our tickets at will call and walk in.

Before concert selfie!

Right away we go to the merch tables and get the most awesome shirts ever. We both got the same one and went to go change into them. Then, as you do, when you have cool shirts, you take pictures of each other.

Hangover quote and a car wrinkled skirt

My JB buddy Krystal

We went and found our seats and watched the opening acts. There were three opening acts for this concert, which was a bit much, but they were actually pretty good. The first two acts were this girl, whose name I'm forgetting, and this youtube guy who does songs using only his mouth. Like he makes the beats with his mouth and sings the songs, and its all him. I don't know his name, but it was pretty cool. Next came Karmin. They were awesome. I knew a few of their songs and after watching them live I became an even bigger fan.

Now...when the Jonas Brothers came out it was complete and utter mayhem. They all walked out through the crowds and the aisles of the venue. So you can imagine all the girls swarmed towards the aisles to get to them. I focused mostly on Joe since he was the one in the middle aisle. All I can say is that it was crazy!! They start the show and its pretty much a blur. I mean, I remember everything, but at the same time all I remember was screaming and singing along to every song. If that even makes sense. Krystal and I had such a good time. Throughout the whole show we kept looking at each other with wide eyes and you could tell how excited we were.

Krystal took this with her awesome camera

We had an amazing time. It felt like we were in high school again. I would go see the Jonas Brothers over and over if I could. That's how much I love them. They are definitely one of those music acts I would scream my butt off for.

After concert selfie!

One Direction: Take Me Home Tour

I like to call this past August my teeny bopper month. This is because the three shows I saw that month were all pop music with a bunch of screaming girls.

My first show of the month was One Direction. I got to go this concert, as well as Taylor Swift, because my coworkers daughter had tickets and she didn't want to take her and have to deal with all the screaming fans. I, of course, love going to concerts, and it doesn't matter whose it is. I even happened to like One Direction a bit. Their songs are so damn catchy.

So the day of the concert, I went to go pick up my concert buddy, Alyssa. She is a huge 1D fan, so seeing her pumped gets me excited to see them with her.

Me and Alyssa before the concert

We made our way to Staples Center and got there in no time. There was hardly any traffic, which was a first. So once we got there we went to the merch tables to get Alyssa her 1D swag and found our seats. I don't have much to say except that the One Direction fans are the loudest fans I've ever heard. I honestly thought it was a little too much. I'm a fan of other artists to the point where I'm obsessed, but I don't understand the reason for all the screaming.

Concert selfie of course!

Well, besides the screaming, I have to say those boys put on a good show. They had me up and singing all the songs I knew and even had me singing along to some I didn't know. I even contemplated downloading some when I got home. They have great energy and I would probably see them again if I happen to come across tickets. I maybe wouldn't buy tickets since I'm not a huge fan, but like I said, if I got the opportunity I would definitely go again. Alyssa and I had a great time. We really danced all night to the best song ever.

P.S. My favorite out of the five boys was probably Harry. He's so cute and hot, and now I feel like a perv since I'm like 3 or 4 years older. But seriously, there is something about him that is just...sexy.