The Lollapalooza 2010 Experience
August 13th, 2010 by Aaron Neuwirth
So two things: I enjoy a good concert, and I have never been to Chicago. In an effort to satisfy both of these things, on the weekend of August 6th – 8th, I embarked on a trip to Lollapalooza 2010, located in Grant Park, Chicago, IL. For those unfamiliar, Lollapalooza is an annual music festival, consisting of a diverse range of bands (though mostly alternative rock), performing on about 8 different stages throughout the day. Continue reading ‘The Lollapalooza 2010 Experience’
I am no longer a Gaga concert virgin. The controversial pop superstar recently arrived in Cleveland, Ohio for her July 14th performance along with a talented and sizable ensemble woven into the Monster Ball Tour. First things first; this was not a concert. Lady Gaga’s performance is an experience to the Nth degree on so many levels. If anyone out there is having any thoughts on attending one of the dates on her tour, let me say this…if in-your-face sexuality bothers you, stay away. 
It was only a couple weeks ago when WhySoBlu covered the June 26th mixed martial arts event that featured special guest and MMA star, Anderson Silva. The fighting spectacular featured four bands that day with the headliner being a hard rock band simply known as MUSH. The band played relentlessly, donned in black under the blistering summer sun. Belting out tunes like Frostbite and Remembrance, the five-member band unleashed a torrent of original works along with covers from bands like Korn. 
When Gregg Senko suggested that we write about three albums that changed our lives at first I thought that it would be pretty easy to do, until I really started to think about it. Should I cover only movie soundtracks or should it be non-movie related like my co-workers picks? Even now, as I am writing this, I have no idea what I will end up with as my picks. If you’ve read my bio section on the staff page of the website, you know that I have eclectic taste in music. 
Every once in a great while we’ll get one of those projects that we just can’t wait to devour. This be that kind of project. Three albums that changed us? It was kind of hard at first, but I feel that I was able to come through with my picks loud and clear. Funny enough, all three of my choices were discovered on or around the same time. Same decade, for sure. 
When fellow Why So Blu staff writer Gregg Senko asked me to come up with three albums that changed the world of music for me I jumped at the opportunity. I said to myself, “This will be a piece of cake.” Well, little did I know how hard it would be narrowing down my selections to just three. I mean, anyone that really associates with me knows that I have a very wide range of musical preferences and tastes in life. And then there are some people who know me as just that guy who only listens to Rob Zombie. 
All this week, Why So Blu will be featuring some of its writers albums that, while not necessarily their favorites, were recordings that changed our lives in some way, shape, or form. Each day, Monday through Friday of this week, will highlight a different writer. When the crew sat down and discussed this, we figured everyone likes music and this will give our readers a little insight into what makes us musically tick. 
Alexx Calise spent her childhood, like most great artists, buried alone in the pages of a notebook and finding comfort in her parents’ diverse and influential record collection. Around age 11, she showed her first sign of musical brilliance as she picked up a guitar and instantly began formulating melodies with the poetry she had already written in her head. Here’s where we usually say “..and the rest is history.” But wait! Not so fast! 
I found this story/video first posted on Facebook. Being huge Rob Zombie fans around here, it only feels natural to share the following video with all our readers who we hope are also big Rob Zombie fans (come on…you know you are…you’re never too old). Anyway, Rob returns to the 2010 scene more sinister than ever. Is that even possible? Hell yeah! I’m a believer. Check out his new video from the first day of the “Gruesome Twosome” Tour that he is currently on with none other than music’s legendary madman Alice Cooper. 
My girl is back! That’s right! The sexy hip-shakin’ Colombian superstar Shakira is back this May with a brand new track and this #1 fan here in Cleveland (please come here Shaki…please come to C-town on your tour) could not be happier about the news. Much like she did years ago with her World Cup remix of “Hips Don’t Lie,” Shakira is back again in support of FIFA’s 2010 World Cup. The song “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)” will be released to digital retailers the week of May 11th with a music video to follow shortly. 
Our love and admiration for Captain Clegg and the Night Creatures is no secret here on Why So Blu (see our other stories 
Every once in a blue moon you come across some unlikely artistic pairing that just makes you wonder how the two ended up together. The funny thing is, these odd combinations can somehow come together and pull it off. Call it fate, call it the planets being in alignment, or just call it two different forms of talent gelling with one another. There was Nelly and Tim McGraw, Def Leppard and Taylor Swift, but how about the 1960’s flavor of go-go dancing and the smooth sound of rockabilly? 
This past April 1st was no fool’s day, as rocker Chris Daughtry and company were in Cleveland performing in front of a capacity crowd. I’m still utterly dumbfounded when I mention Daughtry’s name (referring to either the man himself or his band’s namesake) and I still get retorts of “I don’t know” or “I don’t watch American Idol.” I wasn’t alive during the late 1700’s but I still know who George Washington is. My point is, I don’t watch the show either, but somehow through the magic of reading or some other kind of awareness, I know who the guy is. 
In 2005, a new Irish-themed show entered the touring scene. Debuting in Cleveland, Ohio at that time, the show started appearing on public television and was soon amassing fans across the country. It wouldn’t take long before the hit show made itself known overseas as well. So what exactly made this entity such a hit with fans? 
Four years is not that long when you think about and in that amount of time from now, Riverdance will become 20 years old. Where has the time gone? The year was 1994 and a little something known as the Eurovision Song Contest, a competition that is a fixture in Europe, was being hosted by Ireland. As host, it was their duty to provide a piece of entertainment with hopes of impressing audience members and television viewers alike. 
September 19, 1997 is a date I will always remember. I have been fortunate enough in my life that I got to interview (and later meet) someone who inspired more than anyone else. This may sound cliché, but Irish dance changed me, my life, the way I approach things, etc. This interview, while it didn’t really fall into my lap, well, I’m just going to say it fell into my lap. I had been chatting online one day with a fellow Lord of the Dance fan named ‘Mitzi.’ 
Here at Why So Blu, we always like to point out great talent. In late 2009, we featured an 
My love/hate relationship with the beautiful Shakira continues. Why do I use love/hate to describe my relationship with Shakira? Well, it’s quite simple really. In my opinion, Shakira is one of the most talented musical artists out there, but whatever agent or person is responsible for picking out her singles really sucks. I really hope I am not talking about you Shaki. If so, then please forgive me. 
If any of you readers frequent Las Vegas often, you know that at any given moment you’re bound to see something that puts you in a state of “ah.” Whether this is an intoxicated patron conducting a free sidewalk show or even a 1950’s young Elvis taking tips for a memorable, yet cherishing photo, there’s always a good show in Vegas! In any case, that’s similar to what happened to me last week in Sin City. February 22nd through the 28th was a tribute to the late musician Johnny Cash! 
