Showing posts with label Monumentour. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Monumentour. Show all posts

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Monumentour 2014

C and I enjoy going to concerts -- in our several years together we have attended many many concerts. We went to Vans Warped Tour many years ago in San Antonio, Texas and we were on our way to go see Paramore (one of my very favorite bands) -- This is way back before they had any songs on the radio, but it started to POUR rain, and my sunburn started to blister, so C made the smart decision that we should depart. Paramore was the only band left that we wanted to see (I think), and we figured we would get our chance later.

Cue, 6 years later and it finally happened. Not going to lie, I thought we had lost our chance there for awhile when things were shaky with the band. But, with the Monumentour, our wait was over. I was ecstatic to find out that they were even touring with my all time favorite band Fall out Boy, whom I have seen at least 6 times. It seemed like destiny. -- even after we got our tickets for a great deal on Groupon, it just all was aligning so perfectly.

The morning of the show it was POURING rain, and I was nervous but determined. I told C that no matter what I was going to the show, and he assured me that he had a poncho so we were prepared. By the time we got to the venue, which was DTE Energy Music Theatre in Clarkston, Michigan (read my review of the venue here), the weather was gorgeous. It was kind of windy, but super sunny and big fluffy clouds.

The show was excellent, read The Oakland Press' review of the show for more specifics, if you desire. After the openers, New Politics, from Denmark -- Paramore came out!


This is the only picture I grabbed, lead singer Hayley Williams had bright blue hair and she was so energetic! At first, I wasn't really impressed by her live singing but once she stopped jumping around kicking the air, her voice could really shine through. She gave lots of love to "Detroit" (even though we were Clarkston) and of course, the crowd loved it. They played their major radio hits, and at least one song from their first album. I could listen to the first album all day, so I wished they had sang some more, but I realize I was in the minority there.

After Paramore, out came Fall out Boy! I got zero good pictures, and it looks the stage is on fire.

They played some old songs that I never heard them play before, in the 6 times previously. But of course they played all their radio hits, which the crowd loved. At one point, bassist Pete Wentz asked for them to turn down the house lights and asked the crowd to light up the theatre with their cell phones. This is my obligatory crappy photo of it.


It was actually really cool, and I had to reminisce about how people used to have to actually use the screens on their cell phones because they didn't have flashlights on their cell phones. If I'm going to go real old school, remember when they had to actually use lighters? Oh the days.

I am so glad we were finally able to see Paramore and I am glad I got to spend a beautiful summer night at a concert. What group have you been wanting to see and it never seems to work out? Or does this only happen to me?



Thursday, July 10, 2014

Pure Michigan Travel | DTE Energy Music Theatre

 So, many months ago my fiancĂ©  bought tickets off of Groupon for the Monumentour, with Fall Out Boy and Paramore. I have seen Fall Out Boy at least 6 times, and have not seen Paramore so I was stoked when he told me he purchased them. 

I asked the basic questions- when, where, etc. When he told me that they were playing at DTE Energy Music Theatre in July, I was even more excited! DTE is an outdoor amphitheater in Clarkston, Mi.


 
The theater is a decent size, the pavilion seats about 7200 and the lawn seats about 8000. We had lawn tickets, and we just brought a blanket and laid back to enjoy a beautiful night of live music.


DTE launches each concert season over Memorial Day weekend with Eddie Money (who I have actually seen in concert!) and ends the season in late September/October. They have recently done a bunch of upgrades -- including new signage, new audio system and more food and drink selections.


We were there on a gorgeous and cool July night. It had rained super hard in the morning, but by concert time it was clear skies.


The lawn was packed, it was amazing. I enjoy sitting on the lawn cause you have more room to spread out, move around, etc. I am so thankful it was not a hot night, I actually had to put on a sweatshirt once the sun went down--which is the perfect summer night, in my opinion. It was an absolutely fantastic experience! Plus, I went to the bathroom twice and never had to wait more than 5 minutes - priorities, am I right?


I plan on writing a post about the concert itself - it should be live next week! How do you guys feel about outdoor concerts?