Adelitas Way with Hurt and Sick Puppies
One chance in a lifetime to tour around Florida to see three amazing concerts by three amazing bands. Two of which happen to be in my list of top favorites, Adelitas Way and Hurt.
Shows started in Orlando at the HOB, then we traveled to St Pete's State Theater, West Palm Beach and Fort Walton Beach. Unfortunately we had a canceled show in West Palm, but no matter, the tour was amazing.
Paul, J, Rek and Louis ---HURT
Orlando HOB
Adelitas Way opened the show with a tight set and seemed right at home in the large venue of the HOB. Since this venue had the best acoustics of the Fla shows, I daresay the guitars sounded the best at this show. As always the guys were on, Chris, Keith and Derek put on a great show out front. Keith pulled off superior backing vocals which I hadn't seen before. Rick expertly worked the crowd as he always does. He was even kind enough to mention the chessecake we had dropped off before the show.
Sick Puppies rocked the house and Mark and Steve were in awe of Emma the amazing SP bass player. Although she doesn't really interact with the crowd while on stage, she has an amazing presence, cool outfit and fan blown black hair that just made here cooler than cool. This band is going to go far. The HOB crowd obviously came out for this band.
Hurt was up last, as co-headliner I hear they switch around. I was most looking forward to this set since I have never seen them live and already loved all of their catalog. I was not disappointed. The moment J. Loren opened his mouth the action kept coming. Then when he pulled out the violin for Pandora I had tears b.c it was so good. J continued to rock the audience with favorites War and Rapture which sounded positively indescribable live. As the finale, J pulled out the violin and mesmerized us all with an extended version of Dance Russe which he never duplicated at any of the other venues. (although did close with a shorter version at the other shows)
St Pete State Theater
Was a really fun show. Carie brought Dave to this show, and we had much more of a party atmosphere. Pam worked the merch table and had the opportunity to get to know J from Hurt.
Each of the bands played wonderfully even given the smaller stage and lesser quality acoustics. For the Adelitas Way set, we spent some time with Rick's little 9 year old cousin who was right up front with us. The guys delivered another terrific show and I just continue to be in awe how they continue to get better and better every time we see them.
Hurt played second at this venue, and I really think the crowd was much more into them here. For those of you that may not know, Hurt writes songs about drug addition and other controversial topics. Their music, while I consider to be the most beautiful of any band out there at present, is considered dark and angsty. At least that is what I'm told. Because of the darker qualities, it would appear that there are a different set of fans for Hurt than for Sick Puppies. (probably why I am not a huge SP fan). I'm told that some fan went up to J at the signing table and asked if he was really that angry and he commented that he was even angrier. J was and still is to me the most interesting member of all of the bands on this tour. He has that intense look in his eye almost like a cat and when he is on stage, he is incomparable. I am a Hurt fan forever!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I only caught part of the Sick Puppies set at this show. As always they rocked the house and the crowd loved them. They clearly have it going on and know how to connect to their fans. Although I took no time to meet them at the merch table, I do follow them on Twitter, and they are careful to keep tweeting all through the night to connect with their worldwide audience. they are doing something very right.
Fort Walton Beach, The Swamp
Probably our funnest day was the day on the beach in Fort Walton. We ran into several band members on the beach that day. I even ran into Paul while getting Gelato, had a brief chat and then chatted with him later at the show about his new tat. My biggest regret was that I didn't get a photo with Paul. Oh well, next tour.
That day, Pam, Dave and I spent much of the day up at the restaurant drinking delicious bloody marys. The bartender Doug had asked me how spicy 1-10, and I told him a 9, but apparently I needed a 15 b.c Fort Walton doesn't know spicy. I had to add about half a bottle of Tabasco to each one. Our hotel was right next door to the venue so very convenient not having to drive. It was also nice to finally meet Hollee b.c we had only chatted online. The show was amazing that night too but so sad that it was our last.
Sick Puppies were up first. But I was dismayed with their sound quality at this show. Their volume was too high, even from the back of the venue where we were standing, the vocals were inaudible and the guitars jumbled. The venue was inside, but open to the beach side, so overall acoustics were not great, but AW and Hurt sounded amazing so I don't know what happened. Very unlike what we had seen of SP at the other shows.
I was sad to watch the last Adelitas Way set until they make it back in October with Shinedown. Despite some unnoticed technical difficulties, the guys pounded out an amazing show and I think the best of all three Fl shows. Collectively they sounded the best and were very much in the zone.
Hurt closed again, this time to a packed and very appreciative audience. Fort Walton obviously connected with their music. Their set was once again, sonically mezmerizing and J worked the stage like a seasoned veteran. When he sings, he manages to connect directly with each and every audience member and then tears out their souls with his violin. At the end of the show, the line was incredibly long at the signing table. Good thing I was there first!!
I don't know if Pam, Carie and I will have a chance to catch this many shows the next time Adelitas Way comes to town, but we sure will try. We had one hell of a great time, there is nothing like watching your favorite bands live. I HIGHLY recommend getting out to a concert and supporting the many terrific musicians out there providing you with great music every day. There is no experience like it in the world.
Shows started in Orlando at the HOB, then we traveled to St Pete's State Theater, West Palm Beach and Fort Walton Beach. Unfortunately we had a canceled show in West Palm, but no matter, the tour was amazing.
Paul, J, Rek and Louis ---HURT
Orlando HOB
Adelitas Way opened the show with a tight set and seemed right at home in the large venue of the HOB. Since this venue had the best acoustics of the Fla shows, I daresay the guitars sounded the best at this show. As always the guys were on, Chris, Keith and Derek put on a great show out front. Keith pulled off superior backing vocals which I hadn't seen before. Rick expertly worked the crowd as he always does. He was even kind enough to mention the chessecake we had dropped off before the show.
Sick Puppies rocked the house and Mark and Steve were in awe of Emma the amazing SP bass player. Although she doesn't really interact with the crowd while on stage, she has an amazing presence, cool outfit and fan blown black hair that just made here cooler than cool. This band is going to go far. The HOB crowd obviously came out for this band.
Hurt was up last, as co-headliner I hear they switch around. I was most looking forward to this set since I have never seen them live and already loved all of their catalog. I was not disappointed. The moment J. Loren opened his mouth the action kept coming. Then when he pulled out the violin for Pandora I had tears b.c it was so good. J continued to rock the audience with favorites War and Rapture which sounded positively indescribable live. As the finale, J pulled out the violin and mesmerized us all with an extended version of Dance Russe which he never duplicated at any of the other venues. (although did close with a shorter version at the other shows)
St Pete State Theater
Was a really fun show. Carie brought Dave to this show, and we had much more of a party atmosphere. Pam worked the merch table and had the opportunity to get to know J from Hurt.
Each of the bands played wonderfully even given the smaller stage and lesser quality acoustics. For the Adelitas Way set, we spent some time with Rick's little 9 year old cousin who was right up front with us. The guys delivered another terrific show and I just continue to be in awe how they continue to get better and better every time we see them.
Hurt played second at this venue, and I really think the crowd was much more into them here. For those of you that may not know, Hurt writes songs about drug addition and other controversial topics. Their music, while I consider to be the most beautiful of any band out there at present, is considered dark and angsty. At least that is what I'm told. Because of the darker qualities, it would appear that there are a different set of fans for Hurt than for Sick Puppies. (probably why I am not a huge SP fan). I'm told that some fan went up to J at the signing table and asked if he was really that angry and he commented that he was even angrier. J was and still is to me the most interesting member of all of the bands on this tour. He has that intense look in his eye almost like a cat and when he is on stage, he is incomparable. I am a Hurt fan forever!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I only caught part of the Sick Puppies set at this show. As always they rocked the house and the crowd loved them. They clearly have it going on and know how to connect to their fans. Although I took no time to meet them at the merch table, I do follow them on Twitter, and they are careful to keep tweeting all through the night to connect with their worldwide audience. they are doing something very right.
Fort Walton Beach, The Swamp
Probably our funnest day was the day on the beach in Fort Walton. We ran into several band members on the beach that day. I even ran into Paul while getting Gelato, had a brief chat and then chatted with him later at the show about his new tat. My biggest regret was that I didn't get a photo with Paul. Oh well, next tour.
That day, Pam, Dave and I spent much of the day up at the restaurant drinking delicious bloody marys. The bartender Doug had asked me how spicy 1-10, and I told him a 9, but apparently I needed a 15 b.c Fort Walton doesn't know spicy. I had to add about half a bottle of Tabasco to each one. Our hotel was right next door to the venue so very convenient not having to drive. It was also nice to finally meet Hollee b.c we had only chatted online. The show was amazing that night too but so sad that it was our last.
Sick Puppies were up first. But I was dismayed with their sound quality at this show. Their volume was too high, even from the back of the venue where we were standing, the vocals were inaudible and the guitars jumbled. The venue was inside, but open to the beach side, so overall acoustics were not great, but AW and Hurt sounded amazing so I don't know what happened. Very unlike what we had seen of SP at the other shows.
I was sad to watch the last Adelitas Way set until they make it back in October with Shinedown. Despite some unnoticed technical difficulties, the guys pounded out an amazing show and I think the best of all three Fl shows. Collectively they sounded the best and were very much in the zone.
Hurt closed again, this time to a packed and very appreciative audience. Fort Walton obviously connected with their music. Their set was once again, sonically mezmerizing and J worked the stage like a seasoned veteran. When he sings, he manages to connect directly with each and every audience member and then tears out their souls with his violin. At the end of the show, the line was incredibly long at the signing table. Good thing I was there first!!
I don't know if Pam, Carie and I will have a chance to catch this many shows the next time Adelitas Way comes to town, but we sure will try. We had one hell of a great time, there is nothing like watching your favorite bands live. I HIGHLY recommend getting out to a concert and supporting the many terrific musicians out there providing you with great music every day. There is no experience like it in the world.
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