The Future Now Tour: Nick Jonas and Demi Lovato

Future Now (2016)

This past weekend has been one of the best weekends of my life. I went to the last two shows of the Honda Civic Future Now Tour and got to witness a wonderful spectacle of pure talent from Nick Jonas and Demi Lovato. The Honda Civic Future Now Tour played 66 shows and ended on Saturday Sept. 17th at the Forum in Los Angeles. I attended the Future Now shows in Phoenix, AZ, and Los Angeles, California

Levels (2016)

Nick Jonas started the show with an exhilarating performance of Levels. He had high notes and falsetto runs. Then went on to perform many songs including fan favorites Chains, Good Thing, Jealous, Close, and Who I Am. He was assertive and constantly looked around all spots in the arenas. He had fun listening to the crowd's screams and flashed his smile throughout the night. One of my favorites was Bacon. He looked exited and was full of such positive energy. His band also provided great beats that forced everyone to get up and dance.

He showed some vulnerability and got deep with his performances of Chainsaw and Santa Barbara. You felt his heart ache and his longing for love. It was neat to see all of the cell phone lights go up during Santa Barbara echoing the calming electric guitar picking. It looked like a sea of stars.

Confident (2016)

Then the lights faded and a curtain covered the stage. Within minutes, the curtain dropped again and a raised lift with Demi Lovato appeared. Electric screams filled the arenas and Demi unleashed tremendous vocals with her song Confident. Through her set, you were transported through an emotional journey of being a badass to heart break to pure adventure. She performed hits such as Neon Lights, Warrior, Stone Cold, Skyscraper, Cool For the Summer, and Give Your Heart a Break. Demi was bold and completely confident in her vocals and body.  She strutted across the stage with a gracefully and powerful body language. When she performed Cool For the Summer and Body Say, things got steamy with her and her dancers, as she was seductive and alluring. The crowd went nuts.

Demi did a wonderful job connecting with the entire area as well. While some artists simply glance over to various people in the audience during a few lyrics, Demi would look directly at many people and sing full verses right to them. She looked over at me during Neon Lights in Phoenix and it felt so awesome. She also did a great job covering all sides of the arena and her entire stage.  

Nick (2016)

Demi also showcased her emotional vunlerability with soaring performances of Stone Cold, Skyscraper, and Warrior. She had such poise and control. She can belt like no one else in the business and make an audience hold their breath onto every note. She showed a lot of passion and really stood out in the show. These incredibly difficult and technical high notes and runs appeared so natural and easy to her. At the LA show, she did a captivating cover of Natural Woman and made a comment on how it was so hard for her to sing when she was younger. That seemed like it was impossible to be true because of how powerful her voice is. Singing seems so natural to her.      

In the middle of the show in LA, Nick and Demi did wonderful blending of vocals with duets of Close and Stone Cold. They complemented each other well and neither tried to out do or out sing each other. It was elegant and showed how much of a great friendship these two have together. Both are rooting for each other and have the kind of friendship most of us strive for.  They smiled at each other and hugged after each duet.

Also in LA, the new band, DNCE, made a surprise visit and performed their wildly successful song Cake By the Ocean with Nick. The arena erupted and the whole arena danced with hands jumping into the air.

Body Say (2016)

As an avid concert goer, this tour really stood out as one of my favorites. The staging was so beautifully crafted with an innovated massive screen that wrapped around the entire stage. It was reminisce of experiencing  IMAX for the very first time and how you can't help but to stare in amazement. The visuals were top notch with stunning artwork and videography that elevated the show from performing greatest hits with pretty lights to creating an unforgettable experience. The show was dynamic and the transitions were seamless. There was no lag time or waiting for the stage to be changed. Future Now tour is a great example of how to create a continuous and entertaining co-headlining tour. They accomplished what a lot of other co-headlining tours struggle to do and put together a tour that will not be forgotten.

I wanted to post some of my favorite photos from both shows. Enjoy!


    

Demi (2016)

Bacon (2016)

Letting it out (2016)

Vulnerable (2016)

  

Falsetto (2016)

Demi Smiling (2016)

  

Best of Friends (2016)

Hunter Hayes Devilpalooza

ASU Hunter Hayes (2016)

Hunter Strumming (2016)

Hunter Hayes (2016)

Let's Go (2016)

On a warm friday night on the Arizona State University Tempe campus, thousands of students are chanting Hunter. The crowd's energy builds and builds as each minute passes. What started as shouting Hunter from one group turns into a loud exhilarating thunderous cheer. A collective feeling of holding your breath spreads over the audience. Then the sound of an electric guitar swells followed by a danceable drum beats and the show begins. Fueled by crowds cheers and a pure passion for music, Hunter Hayes delivers an electric, thrilling, enjoyable show. As apart of ASU's annual Devilpalooza, Hunter Hayes performed fan favorites "Wanted," "Storm Warning," "21," "Invisible," and "I Want Crazy," and newer hits such as "Suitcase" and "Saint Or Sinner," as well as other songs. He finished the show coming out in an ASU shirt and delivered a twangy "Counting Stars" cover. He spend a good amount of time, interacting with fans wishing one happy birthday and taking some selfies as well as talking about his music. He was proud to call himself a "music nerd" which was followed with cheers and even mentioned he was sick. It was not noticeable that he was sick at all. Hunter is a true professional and it was clear to the audience how much he loved music. He played multiple instruments and had good jam sessions with his band. He brought a strong passion and cheerful energy that was hard to resist. He has an infectious charm and lovable personality that really elevates his music to a pure fun time. He described the crowd as a party and it sure was! Hayes even referred to the crowd as his new best friends and had a genuineness that showed how appreciative he is of others allowing him to live out his dream everyday. I fully enjoyed the show and am quite bummed it is over. I have to see him next time for sure! Hunter Hayes is a 5 time Grammy nominee Louisiana-born, country artist with 3 albums. He first released his self-titled album in 2011 then Storyline in 2014, and The 21 Project in 2015. He is a great performer and has a diverse sound. Make sure to check out The 21 Project, if you haven't already, and get ready for his 3rd studio album coming soon! Thank you ASU's PAB for setting up this event and Hunter Hayes for the great night!      

Hunter Into It (2016)

Hunter's Passion (2016)

All In It (2016)

Having a Blast (2016)

Nothing But Fun (2016)

Counting Stars (2016)

 

The Band Perry

The Band Perry (2016)

Kimberly (2016)

Neil (2016)

Reid (2016)

In January of 2016 the national college football championship took over Phoenix, Arizona. Downtown Phoenix was transformed to a college football “disneyland” with exciting attractions. Crowds gathered with a fever of anticipation to meet players, take selfies with football themed buildings and statues, and to watch the free three-day concert series, Playoff Playlist by AT & T. To mark the first day of Playoff Playlist, platinum selling and Grammy winning country band, The Band Perry, gave a confident and infectious performance. The Band Perry, consisting of the Perry siblings Kimberly, Reid, and Neil, have released two albums and such songs as “If I Die Young,” “Better Dig Two,” “Done,” “Chainsaw,” and most recently “Live Forever.” The Band Perry gave a sassy and bold show. They were ready to bring the party and make you wash away any worries. The show consisted of The Band Perry fan favorites like “Hip To My Heart,” “Better Dig Two,” and “If I Die Young” to name a few as well as covers including Charles Barkely’s “Crazy” and Justin Timberlake’s “Sexyback.” This show also gave fans a glimpse into their up and coming third album that is planned to be released some time in 2016. The new songs, which has not been performed before, had catchy lyrics and feel good vibes. Kimberly brought a sassiness and boldness to their performance that elevated the show from hearing music to feeling the music. It was empowering to watch. My favorite moment was when they sang “Done.” It’s a I don’t care what anyone else thinks and I am doing what is best for me song. The show showcased The Band Perry’s amazing genre versatility with slower jams like “If I Die Young” to rock out jams that make you feel strong like “Done.” The Band Perry is in the sweet spot between country, pop, and rock music incorporating the best qualities of all three. The Band Perry are also great musicians and supported with a lovely band. They sounded smooth and well oiled together, in the best possible way. All three siblings also did a nice job connecting with the audience. They pointed, smiled, danced, laughed and waved to audience members. They also changed spots around the stage allowing all audience members the chance to seem them near them. This made the show feel more natural and not static on this massive manufactured stage. You never really knew what was coming next or what you would see. All you knew is that it was going to be one heck of an amusing time. There was not one single slow moment throughout. It was heart pumping, arm swaying, guitar and violin slashing fun. The lights were colorful, the band was happy, and the music was beautiful, what more could you ask for.     

Sass
(2016)

Into it (2016)

Connected (2016)

Bass it out (2016)

Having Fun (2016)

Singin (2016)

United (2016)

Playing (2016)