So the other day I got to thinking, and I realized that I have been a total slacker when it comes to this blog, and for that I am sorry! I can't believe it's been since September! Well I guess I will fill you in on what I have been up to the last couple of months. In October I went to Las Vegas for the Avenged Sevenfold, Deftones, Ghost concert at Mandalay Bay. The concert was simply amazing! I had splerged this time (let's be honest, I usually do) and bought tickets 7 rows up right next to the stage. Not long after we had taken our seats, I started to notice some familiar famous faces next to me. Apparently I bought tickets in the friends and family section! We were like 10 feet away from Da Kurlzz from Hollywood Undead, the members of the band 'Of Mice and Men', and Machine Gun Kelly among others. We were also a stones throw away from the members of 'Slayer'. It was actually really cool! It took all my self control to not maul Matt from HU (Da Kurlzz). The stage was set for a pretty great night!
I had heard of Ghost and had seen bits and pieces of their act at some festivals this year, but had never actually sat through their set. It was actually kind of cool. A bit over the top and theatrical, but it was different in a refreshing way! They are a band from Sweden that keep their identities a secret, which is kind of cool. I completely understand why they do it, they have a very dark message that is not for the faint hearted. I'm not sure that I would go so far as to recommend that anyone listen to them, but if you decide to try them out, do so at your own risk. As for the show factor, it was actually really entertaining. The crazy costumes, the creepy band members and their different sound made for a great opening act. The middle act was the Deftones. Honestly, I don't understand why so many people love them, and how they kind of have a cult following. This was my second time seeing them and I still didn't get into it. In a nutshell, it was actually kind of painful. They are just so spastic and frankly their music just sounds like noise to me. Oh well, to each his own, right? Finally the moment we had all been waiting for! A7X was simply amazing. It was honestly one of their very best performances. This coming from someone who has seen them going on 10 times. Haters say what they will about their new material, but I absolutely love it. The night was over far too quickly. If I could go to every one of their shows, I would do it.
The next day, we joined my dad at the NHRA drag races at the speedway. That was actually really fun, but I don't recommend going to a very loud race for hours after spending the night before at a very loud rock concert. I didn't think the ringing in my ears would ever go away! We had a great time in Vegas and I was terribly sad that it was over just about as quickly as it began.
Earlier this month, I went to the Korn/Rob Zombie Night of the Living Dreads tour here in Salt Lake. It had actually been a while since I had been to a concert here at home, so that was an interesting change of pace. The concert was lots of fun. Korn was awesome as always. I did some counting, and I have seen Korn every other month since May! 4 times in 7 months! They were spectacular every time! I haven't ever really been a huge fan of Rob Zombie, but I wasn't going to miss the one and only rock concert at home for who knows how long. He did a good job for having blown out his voice earlier in the week. I've seen his show 3 times now, and he does a good job. I was just glad there were no screens or anything for him to show all his dirty porno crap that usually floods his shows. Once again, to each his own.
I'm still having a hard time wrapping my head around the fact that 2014 is going to be a much slower concert year for me than 2013 was. 2013 has been truly exceptional. I did some counting one day when I was bored, and I have seen over 100 band performances this year! That is just insane! It's been so much fun, and I wouldn't trade it for the world. I honestly don't know what next year is going to hold. Tickets go on sale on the 5th for Rock on the Range in May, and I'm really struggling with the fact that I won't be buying tickets the second they go on sale. Sadly, I have to be a responsible adult some of the time. The only way to solve this issue is to start working in the rock music industry, and get paid to go to all of these events. frankly that would be a dream come true! None the less, I've seen and done more than most people do in a lifetime, and I'm under 25! For that I will always be grateful.
Best,
Nicole
