Originally Posted By davewasbaloo I remember when Disney used to have really big names play their parks and it was included in admission. But that seems forever ago accept for some semi celeb narrators for Candlelight and a few names for eat to the beat. Universal Studios have just announced their slate of performers for Mardi Gras: The B52's Frankie Valley and the Four Seasons KC and the Sunshine Band 30 Seconds to Mars (AWESOME - would so want to go) Foreigner Lynard Skynyrd (well sort of) Ne Yo The Beach Boys and many more <a href="http://www.universalorlando.com/Events/Mardi_Gras/live_concerts.aspx?ComponentId=19587&SourcePageId=19920#23" target="_blank">http://www.universalorlando.co...19920#23</a> Take that TDO
Originally Posted By sjhym333 I think the Flower and Garden concerts have been pretty good. Especially if your a fan of more oldies type of music. A friend who works in Universal Creative told me the other day that their summer music concert series is going to blow the socks off the Mardi Gras series. He was giddy about it but wouldnt part with any more information.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Oh wow. I am already impressed with this line up - some of the older ones are not a huge surprise, but 30 Seconds to Mars and Ne Yo are very contemporary!
Originally Posted By -em I want to hit the Lifehouse concert in April.. I have heard the Summer one will be great- can't wait to see -em
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo remember when WDW used to hold this much excitement? I think it spoke volumes that one of my DVC owning friends decided to spend NYE at Universal this year (the previous 8 were spent at WDW), and upon his return to the UK, he pronounced USO was much better than Disney for NYE and he looks forward to returning next year, and he will stay at the Hard Rock. Talk about turn around.
Originally Posted By hopemax We saw Kool & the Gang during Food & Wine. It was a really good show. On my May trip, looks like Davy Jones will be performing.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 Dave how does that lineup of bands differ from Flower Power concert -- these are all 'festival acts' bands 2-30 years past their hey days that play around the country now.. and Disney has been doing that for what- 15 years ? to me this is UNI catching up- but I know God forbid that would be the case now if they really have big name acts in summer I will tip my hat - if and when that happens..but this isn't exactly the lineup I would want to try and run TDO's nose in
Originally Posted By vbdad55 Ne yo closest to any star power here... have you seen KC lately ? some bands age better than others
Originally Posted By WilliamK99 You do realize most of those performers have done Disney at one time or another, right?
Originally Posted By vbdad55 it can't be William- WDW sucks you know ? Did you not get the memo ? as someone who works on a committee that secures bands for local festivals in my town- these are all festival proced bands... they draw the approx same remuneration for a show.. heck late in the year year after Flower Power there's that series ( eat to the beat ?) where they have bands like Starship etc-- ( same level also) - if anything DIsney does this more than Uni.... when I see a 'national touring level or international touring level band playing there I will absolutely give credit...but eating hundreds of thousands of dollars will have to have a pretty good reason to get it past accountants- be it Uni - WDW- SW or anywhere else. As far as any of these bands- they all have their followings and all have their detractors- they are just a matter of taste. I love music from the 60's for instance- but not ALL music from the 60's- and some bands age way better than others. To call that band the Beach Boys any more is a travesty. Saw them at the state fair here last year or year before- it's a sad show for anyone who remembers the originals- they are as close to a cover band as you can get. Whereas the B52's are still fun - and I like them although their prime is way past and kids today no more know them than they know the 60's bands.. I will be watching for the summer series at Uni though-- I hope it is as good as the employee there is hinting it will be-- it only raises the bar for everyone then.. but this series certainly raised no bars from what is already at WDW
Originally Posted By vbdad55 We just secured Styx as one of the bands for the 4th of July 4 day festival here - eventually all but the elite bands end up in this category.. but also don't hold any tag days for them-- they're making a very good living doing what they like.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo 30 Seconds to Mars is a pretty huge deal, they were headlining a number of festivals in Europe last year.
Originally Posted By danyoung Here's this year's Flower Power lineup - March 4 to 6 - Jose Feliciano March 11 to 13 - The Guess Who March 18 to 20 - Chubby Checker and the Wildcats March 25 to 27 - New - Melissa Manchester April 1 to 3 - Starship starring Mickey Thomas April 8 to 10 - New - Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis Jr. April 15 to 17 - New - Juice Newton April 22 to 24 - Ricky Nelson Remembered featuring The Nelsons April 29 to May 1 - Paul Revere & The Raiders May 6 to 8 - Davy Jones May 13 to 15 - Herman's Hermits starring Peter Noone
Originally Posted By Jim in Merced CA In many ways, KC and the Sunshine Band has come full circle. The band played at my Disneyland Grad Night -- that was June of 1980, they were one of the 'headline' bands, and it was considered to be quite impressive that they were there. Kool and the Gang were there too! Along with Papa-Doo-Run-Run, Teri DeSerio and Shalamar. I remember seeing Daz Band (Let it Whip), playing at the Tomorrowland stage (back when it was still an open-air theater). It's funny -- Disney's California Adventure had a concert series a few years back. We saw 'America' play ('Horse with No Name' 'Sister Golden Hair'), but I recall many here sort of bagging on the whole idea of these old bands getting trotted out for these concert series. I'm not much of a concert guy anyway, just curious why it's exciting now, and duddy three years ago.
Originally Posted By WilliamK99 I'm not much of a concert guy anyway, just curious why it's exciting now, and duddy three years ago. << Old washed up singers need loving too...
Originally Posted By Mickeymouseclub They offer a lot of Fun Nostalgia and they still have more charisma than most of us will ever have. Have you heard Jimmy Buffet sing lately? Sounds painful to me but he is still popular...maybe alcohol is his secret. I think live music is great no matter what the venue.
Originally Posted By danyoung >...just curious why it's exciting now, and duddy three years ago.< Depends on who you're listening to. Some bands need to hang it up, while some still got it. I've seen Paul Revere & the Raiders several times over the years, and they can still totally bring it, both musically and with a great, funny show. Davy Jones is still entertaining, as is Peter Noone. I saw Three Dog Night at Epcot a couple years ago, and was amazed that the 2 remaining original guys still have incredible voices. So it's lots of fun seeing these music icons still doing a few shows a year and having a great time doing it.
Originally Posted By sjhym333 We have seen Davy Jones several times at EPCOT and Peter Noone is the one concert we hit every year at EPCOT. We saw Paul Revere last year...terrible. We like the EPCOT concerts because they are very much catering to our age group and older. I have seen a couple of the concerts and Universal. Very enjoyable also. It has a different feel to them than Disney's. More of an actual concert feel than a show. Not sure why...may be the venue. A friend told me dont be surprised if Donna Summers is the TBA person on the last week at Universal. I am waiting to see what their summer concert series will be since my friend was so excited.
Originally Posted By Mickeymouseclub I will hopefully be there for Chubby Checker( I have already posted about how much fun he is at Epcot stage) and definitely be there for Herman's Hermit since those plans to celebrate grandchild's 3rd birthday were made a long time ago. I need to be there Easter Weekend(4/24) to see Mr&Mrs Easter Bunny. So much for being upset about the closure of Snow White. I guess they know they still have our money and it is more important to cultivate future generations with Pixar,etc. Maybe WDW knows what they are doing afterall.
