I wanted to split the day up between the Hingetown Hoedown and WRUW’s Studio-A-Rama. The rain had already set in, but we headed over to University Circle to an unfortunately thin crowd at Studio-A-Rama. We took some refuge at the Barking Spider for a bit and caught some songwriters in the round. We then headed back to Studio-A-Rama for a bit longer before calling it a day (and a long one it was).
The Hingetown Hoedown was so much fun last year that I knew I wanted to go back. This year the weather was much warmer, though we did have to contest with some rain later. I was still able to bring Bergen, and you can see he enjoyed himself too.
Not satisfied with only Honcho’s Campout weekend, I decided to trek to Pittsburgh to catch on of the Memorial Day parties hosted by Hot Mass. I wasn’t necessarily planning on covering this show for the blog, hence not having many photos or videos, but it was so great that I wanted to include it anyway.
The roof...
I’ve been hearing so much about Cleveland’s own Archie & the Bunkers, that I was glad to finally catch them at the Grog Shop. Some quirky pop punk sounds, and pretty impressive for their young age. Will keep an eye on these guys...
This had to be the weekend I was looking forward to the most this Summer. Honcho is the dance party out of Pittsburgh that I’ve been raving about - and this year I was able to go to their Campout party they host at the Roseland campground in WV. Camping, music and dancing… I was sold. Such a great experience. There’s a clip from a DJ Times article reviewing the weekend below.
"The brainchild of Pittsburgh, PA-based promoter and queer party series Honcho, the multi-day celebration of all things gay, techno, and outdoors has grown into an entity all its own for its sophomore installment. Taking its cues from other alt-queer party series like London’s Horse Meat Disco, San Francisco’s Honey Soundsystem, and New York City’s wreckedNYC, the Honcho boys offer the diverse crowd of the city’s Hot Mass bar a queer, inhibition-releasing playground with DJs soundtracking the proceedings with selections outside the Top 40 spectrum."
Another family concert night! This time with the sister, niece & nephew - though I can’t say I minded catching some Nick Jonas on stage (Demi who?). Walking in, I was totally caught off guard to see Mike Posner opening the show! If you listen to pop radio at all, you should recognize his songs immediately.
The energy and fanfare for both Nick Jonas and Demi Lovato was palpable. They obviously know how to whip these kids into a frenzy… It was a mega pop show with all the lights and screens, though a simpler stage setup that many this size. Still - the kids had a great time, which is all that mattered.
After a little folk music, we took a 180 and went down to the Ballroom to catch Sleigh Bells, who’s finally back with a new album. Their “wall of noise” sound couldn’t have been any more different, but there’s an infectious energy with their live shows.
This was the first of a double-header show up on Waterloo Rd. The Stray Birds were the primary draw on this night, though they got moved from the Beachland down to the Millard Fillmore Presidential Library, assumedly because the Sleigh Bells show at the Beachland needed the entire building. It was a little tight, and the sound could have been a little better - but I’d see a show there again.
Matthew Ryals is this excellent electronic musical, who also happens to be local! I’d been spending quite a bit of time with his album, and was thrilled too see he was opening a show at Mahalls! I’m already ready for his next show…
Another year, another Josh Groban show with Mom. :-) This year had the added benefit being at Blossom Music Center, and with Sarah McLachlan accompanying him. She sounded (and looked!) at the top of her game. Of course, that’s where Josh always seems to be situated as well. Nothing like seeing a concert performed by two of the nicest people on the planet - that is, next to my Mom of course. You can see us dodging the rain below.
