The Best of the Best - My Top 10 Shows

While there's no doubt that each show this summer was memorable and brought a different experience every show, there were some that stood out over the rest. I'm happy that my list turned out quite varied in terms of the type of shows and this only exemplifies the level of diversity of the performances this year. So here it is, my top 10!

#10: Pixar in Concert - the NSO
Of all the shows this summer, this one may have evoked the most emotion for me. Seeing the movies that I grew up with and hearing the music that resonates as much today as it did when these films were made really reminded me of a innocence that I have unfortunately lost. As always, the NSO sounded terrific and they really allowed me to appreciate the fantastic music that accompanied these Pixar films.

#9: Hall and Oates
Statistically the most crowded show we had, no act rolled off the hits better than this group. While many people, including me, labelled Hall and Oates as a semi-decent 80's act, I found myself liking the show from beginning to end and I definitely gained a great respect for this one of a kind duo. They sounded as good as ever and I don't think I sang more during any other show. Because I mean come one, who wouldn't belt "Rich Girl" along with John Oates?

#8: Counting Crows
As an act that I already liked but knew little about, Counting Crows certainly exceeded by expectations. Since the mid 90's, these guys have released tons of great music and their show reflected their ability to capture raw emotion, Adam Durtiz especially was fantastic and while leaving Mr. Jones off the setlist bumped them down one or two places, there's know doubt that they were one of the best bands that performed this summer.

#7: Yo Yo Ma
Perhaps the most well known musician that graced Wolf Trap this summer, there was little doubt in my mind that this wouldn't be a top 10 performance and the best classical concert this year. Seeing the worlds greater cellist play a 40 minute concerto was literally music to my ears and Yo Yo proved to me that classical music can hold its own against any other genre. A remarkable man and an unforgettable night.

#6: The Fray
While they not be the chart toppers they were a few years ago, the Fray sound like a band who are as strong as ever. While their records seem soft and soulful, the Fray can rock as hard as any group and Issac Slade hold his own as one of the great frontmen of today. The band commanded an audience with upmost confidence and I'll never forget when Issac left the stage and ran to the lawn to the delight of both me and the rest of the amazed crowd.

#5: Nickel Creek and Josh Ritter
With popular music seeming to be going in a more electronic direction, artists like Nickel Creek and Matt Nathanson sound as refreshing as ever. With their unbelievable musicianship, Nickel Creek take traditional bluegrass into a new era that keeps the old fashioned sound and infuses it with more contemporary themes. Josh Ritter's simplistic music relied on excellent songwriting and would make some of the great folk singers like Guthrie and Dylan proud. I couldn't picture a better way to be introduced to bluegrass and reintroduced to folk music.

#4: Lionel Ritchie and Cee Lo Green
"All the hits, all night long!" Mr. Ritchie lived up to his promise and delivered all the great songs that make up his storied career. From the funky Commodores to the more mellow sound of his 80's music, Lionel reminded everyone why he has sold more records than any other artist to come to Wolf Trap this summer. Cee Lo's unique sound speaks for itself and while his set was shortened due to Wolf Trap's curfew, he touched all the bases of his eclectic career and brought the house down with "Fuck You". Of course, who wouldn't get a great response from a song like that?

#3: Darius Rucker
From rock n' roll singer to country crooner, Darius Rucker had one of the great style changes in music history. What makes it even more unbelievable is how good he sounded singing songs from both sides of his career. While I only recognized the Hootie songs, his country output was irresistible and he sang with a voice of a man who has already seen it all. One of the great artists of today, I hope Darius continues to stay in his country direction and who knows, maybe he'll be the man I point to when I explain how I finally erased my distaste for the country genre this summer

#2: John Butler Trio
Probably the best live band I have ever seen, JBT gave me hope that there are still groups out there that focus on instrumentation rather than writing the next hit. Whether it was Butler's incredible guitar playing or the overall proficiency of the bands talent, JBT kept me enthralled the entire night and frankly for the next few weeks after the show. A true gem in the music world, this is a band that deserves to be one of the most famous acts in the world and is the best musical group to come out of Australia since, well ever.

#1: Sara Bareilles
My great find of the summer and probably the year, Sara will continue to be one of my favorite artists of all time and one of the few singers who sounds good in any element. A fantastic singer, songwriter, and performer, her show sounded worthy of a stadium but she was able to also sound like she was singing to one person, you. Her personal songs evoke a variety of emotions and while Sara quotes a fan as saying she only writes "depressing songs", try being depressed while listening to "I Choose You." In the end, Sara wasn't the loudest act or the most proficient, but remained the best because she combined everything that I believe describes great music. The best part is she's still in the beginning of what I think will be a magnificent career. Here's to many more years to come, Sara.

Honorable Mentions

Gavin DeGraw and Matt Nathanson - This pair of pop stars put on a great show and complemented each other well with their piano and guitar based music, respectively.

80's Night - While not all performers were perfect, the Go Go's punk style was great to hear and their supporting cast of 80's stars showed that their music could still sound decent in today's world.

The United States Marine Band - Their performance of the 1812 Overture gave me chills and the fireworks display afterwords served as a worthy introduction to what was to be an unforgettable summer.

DC

Soulful Sunset - Boney James and Eric Benet

As shows have tended to do during my time at Wolf Trap, this one was better than I thought it would be. As with previous shows, I came in with expectations about the soft R&B/Soul style that both the artists last night were going to perform. I figured it would sound like a combination of elevator music and slow Lionel Ritchie. Once again however, Wolf Trap showed me that almost every artist is adaptable. Boney James got his start in the 1980's after graduating from UCLA (yikes). He performed in small clubs for a number of years before he released his first record in 1992. Since then, he has become one of the most well known contemporary jazz musicians in the world and was named the number 3 jazz artist of the decade by Billboard magazine. He has sold over 3 million records worldwide and has toured all over the world. His stage presence is remarkable and kept both me and the rest of the audience into the music. While I thought his music would be slow like Kenny G, a lot of his songs were upbeat and his band was rockin' pretty good. His skill is no doubt unquestionable and he may be the best sax player I've ever seen. Eric Benet is a soul singer who got his start in the late 90's as an R&B singer who combined 70's style should music with more contemporary themes. He has since made a name for himself in the R&B world and has done collaborations with a number of popular artist on his albums including Lil Wayne and Faith Evans. While I'm not a fan of his music per say, I can't deny that he has an incredible voice and it was pleasure to hear him sing in the first place. He seemed very on ease on the stage and engaged the audience well. While neither of these artists performed music I would listen to normally, I ended up liking the show a lot more than I thought I would simply for the talent of the musicians and singers.

On the job side, my last show was unremarkable. Other than there being a lot more chairs to deal with than normal, the relatively light crowd was easy to deal with and everything, including the lawn clearing, was pretty easy. It's funny how it took the whole summer to realize this but I believe now that one of the great parts of this job is seeing everyone else happy. I can't help but smile when people were dancing and singing along to the music and I truly thing that's what this job is all about. As my last show post, I'm so glad that I decided to do this blog because it had become a tangible memory of this incredible summer. Looking forward to going back to Wolf Trap sometime in the near future!

My favorite part of this show was when Boney James performed a cover of "Grazing in the Grass" as his encore. I think his version was better than the original and he really took the song to another level with his intense and energetic playing!

DC

Eric Benet

Boney James 

Simple Music Nickel Creek and Josh Ritter

Folk and Bluegrass music has the ability of conveying a message in simplistic terms. While todays music requires synthesizers, complex layering, and intense studio work, folk music only requires a voice and a guitar. It was this simplicity that made last night one of my favorites of the summer. Josh Ritter is a folk singer who got his start in the late 90's with the release of his first album. After its release, he moved to Ireland and began building a steady following in that country that eventually translated to success in America. While his records of late are a little more layered than traditional folk and have some electric guitar and drums, his performance last night was as simple as can be. Backed with his acoustic guitar and a an occasional soft electric guitar accompaniment, Josh gave a fantastic performances that highlights his strong songwriting. His voice is very unique and he seemed very comfortable on the stage, singing both old and new songs. Nickel Creek also relied on a straightforward stage presence but were still over to command an audience of over 6000. The trio of siblings Sarah and Sean Watkins and mandolinist Chris Thile are all expert musicians and singers and their blend of traditional bluegrass with more contemporary country and pop sounded refreshing. Since releasing their first record in 1999, they have become one of the most popular bluegrass groups and have successfully crossed over into a more mainstream audience. While I've always been a fan of the more upbeat bluegrass, their slow songs sounded just as good because it allowed them to solo on top each other. Chris Thile especially is incredibly talented and has released quite a few solo albums of his own. Overall, both artists sounded great and were truly unique among the acts we've had for their simplicity and direct approach to performing.

This show was busy and the lawn was almost sold out. In the end, over 1300 people walked on to the show due to the terrific weather and most of these people went to the lawn. Even then, the audience wasn't troublesome at all. While there was a security breach during the performance, it was dealt with and the rest of the show was uneventful. I honest can't believe that this is my second to last show but I'm glad it was one of the all season and I'll definitely include it in my final top 10 of the year. As always, looking forward to ONE MORE SHOW in the future!

My favorite part of the night was the songs performed by Nickel Creek during their encore. They all blended perfectly and featured everything that makes them such a unique group. I was having a great time and was reminded the variability of bluegrass as a genre. Great night!

DC

Josh Ritter 

Nickel Creek 

Hispanic Heritage - Noche Flamenco

As my time at Wolf Trap is winding down, I keep thinking about the diversity of the shows that have come and gone since the season started. While my favorite shows have been the more mainstream music artists, it would've have been a less fruitful experience if we hadn't received some of the more obscure performances. Last night was as example of a less well known but nonetheless enjoyable act. Noche Flamenca is a Madrid based dance/music group who aim to create authentic Spanish entertainment. Their performance revolved around singers, dancers, and two flamenco guitar players who all worked to establish what it would be like to see an actual dance group in Spain. One thing I think this group did the best out of any act we've had was their ability to take the audience to a different time and place. Since it was a light show, I had a lot of time to look up at the stars and imagine I was in Spain or Mexico 150 years ago when this music was the main form of entertainment. It was a very surreal moment and as someone who would like to be more connected with my hispanic heritage, it was a wonderful experience. While it probably won't be in my top 10 list at the end of the season, it shows like these that make Wolf Trap what it is: a place to experience a plethora of cultures.

This show was one of the quietest we've had this year. Less than 300 people graced the lawn last night and the audience remained quiet and unassuming the entire time. Rain was in the forecast but it never came and instead we were treated to a beautiful starry night with some meteors flying by once in a while. Its nights like last night that I'll miss the most when my time at Wolf Trap is over. As always, looking forward to more shows in the future!

My favorite part of the night wasn't one particular song or act, it was imagining myself back in time when flamenco music and dancing was at its height. This group created one of the most distinct moods of any show we've had and they still left 80% of the stage empty.

DC

the performers of Noche Flamenca 

Pop Tendencies - Gavin Degraw and Matt Nathanson

While Wolf Trap is often tailored to older crowds, we do have shows like last night that are tailored for younger crowds. Both Gavin DeGraw and Matt Nathanson have become popular pop performers and have developed a loyal following. Mat Nathanson's first album was released in 1993 but he didn't have a charting record until 2007. He has since had some good chart success and scored a hit with the song "Come On Get Higher". He has continued to increase his popularity and has recorded and toured with bands such as Sugarland and of course, Gavin DeGraw. His music is based mostly on his acoustic guitar playing but his last couple albums have featured more rock arrangements which are aided with his great vocal talent. Gavin DeGraw released his debut album 2003 and scored a hit with "I Don't Want To Be". Since then, he released four more albums to continued success and his soulful vocals have been a mainstay on the charts. Compared with Matt, Gavin's music revolves more around the piano and he has a little more of a rockier edge to his sound. Both of them were excellent performers and their music sounded a lot better on stage than on their CD's, where they would occasionally come off as bland. They both relied on different stage personas, with Matt taking a more comical approach while Gavin had a more rock star personality and didn't talk as much. I liked both of the performances almost equally and they complemented each other very well. Their opener, Andre McMahon was also great and his driving piano playing and vocal style served as a great way to warm up the crowd. I actually thought his stage act was more energetic than both the headliners at some points. Overall, it was a very good show and it exemplified how pop stars often show off their harder edge while on stage.

This show was pretty busy but overall their weren't that many problems. The show was quite long due to the number of acts but the good news was that people left the lawn pretty quickly and there wasn't much to clear up. The sky looked pretty stormy but in the end it cleared and we were treated to one of the most beautiful moon rises I've ever seen! Like I said, the crowd was younger than normal and it actually made me feel a little old.  As always, looking forward to more shows in the future!

My favorite part of the show was when Gavin DeGraw played his signature song, "I Don't Want To Be". It was definitely a show topper and one of the few songs of his that rocks both on the record and on the stage. One of my favorite songs which really showed off Gavin's talent!

DC

Andrew McMahon 

Matt Nathanson 

Gavin DeGraw

Humor Me - Jim Gaffigan

I don't have to say that comedic acts have to walk a thin line. I believe comedy is actually one of the toughest professions you can have. You never know how the crowd is going be, how they will react to the jokes, and how far you should take certain subjects. I've seen some pretty bad comedians and it really is painful to watch. Luckily, last night featured one of the best comedians around today! After taking a bet to do one night of stand-up right after college, Jim Gaffigan has since made a name for himself for his family friendly but still humorous jokes. He has performed on shows such as Late Night With David Letterman and Comedy Central and has toured all over the world. For me, it was refreshing to have a comedian who didn't rely on dirty humor or insulting stereotypes to be funny. Gaffigan instead talks about things such as food and daily life and often uses self deprecating humor. I thought he was really funny and it was a really enjoyable night. His opening act was also great which was a great relief. He also had a more family friendly approach and talked about his own life for the most part. All in all, I was glad I was able to finally experience a really great comedian who had a good stage presence and was able to engage the audience in a non-awkward way. I have great respect for good comedians and Jim Gaffigan is a great one!

This show was sold out but was also the shortest show we have ever had. Jim Gaffigan said his last joke at 9:25 and although the lawn clearing too a very long time, we were still done by 10:15. The parking lot was a different story and I didn't actually leave Wolf Trap until around 10:45. Nevertheless, it was a pretty easy night and the audience was too busy laughing to cause any problems. There was talk of rain but there was never a drop and the night was cool and dry. As always, looking forward to more shows in the future!

My favorite part of the show was where Jim Gaffigan talked about Hot Pockets. Already a pretty humorous subjects, his jokes were easy to relate too and more importantly, were hilarious!

DC

Not afraid to poke fun at himself. I wish more people were like that 

The Happiest Days of Our Lives - Classic Albums: Dark Side of the Moon

One thing that I've noticed in today's live performances is that the music often becomes lost in the flurry of lights, props, and general visual effects. The best shows for me are the ones where the set is simple and the artist relies on their music to set the mood. Last night may have been the best example of that type of performance. Classic Albums is a group of musicians who tour around the world and play some of the greatest albums in history in their entirety. Albums such as Abbey Road, Nevermind, and Led Zeppelin II have all been played in the concert series. The artists are not a cover band in the sense that they don't try to act like the band their covering. They simply play the music and let their excellent musicianship speak for itself. I honestly thought it was the best "cover" performance I've ever seen. They're interoperation of Dark Side of the Moon was incredible and they performed it with the upmost attention to the way the music sounds on the record. The musicians are all highly talented and for me it felt like being at an actual Pink Floyd concert. After they finished the album, the band continued their performance by playing some of the well known songs of the band. Their versions of "Wish You Were Here" and "Comfortably Numb" were phenomenal and I think everyone in the audience was blown away by just how good these performers were. I wasn't expecting much from this show but it turned out to be one of the most enjoyable nights of the whole summer. They played just about as much Pink Floyd as I would like and they really gave it their all for every song. I will most definitely look for them if they ever come to LA so I can see them play some of my other favorite albums. A truly great evening.

The other great part about this night was that it was about as easy as can be. The crowd was pretty big on the lawn but overall they weren't any problems and there wasn't much for me to do. The hardest part of the night was getting people to leave the lawn after the short show. The beautiful night didn't help matters and it took longer than expected. Even that couldn't ruin my night and I was all smiles for most of the evening. As always, looking forward to more shows in the future!

My favorite part of the night was when they closed their show with "Comfortably Numb" Already one of the greatest guitar songs of all time, the guitarists brought the house down and really epitomized how great the music of Pink Floyd can be.

DC

Waters, Wright, Mason, and Gilmour would've been proud

Eclectic Jazz - Pat Metheny Unity Group and Bruce Hornsby

"In Rock you play 3 chords and have 1000 people listening, but in Jazz you play 1000 chords and have 3 people listening." After getting a decent amount of exposure to Jazz this summer, I heartily agree with this quote by Frank Zappa. Last night was one of the strangest, but nonetheless a very enjoyable performance from two different musicians. Pat Metheny is a jazz guitarist and composer who has led his group since 1977. Over this time, he has racked up 20 grammy awards and is regarded as one of the best jazz guitarists ever. His music is combination of traditional jazz with jazz fusion and sometimes even branches into more rock melodies. I thought the musicality of his performance was incredible and his group is one of most proficient I've ever seen. Bruce Hornsby got his start in the 1980's with his group the The Range. They had a number one hit with "The Way it Is" and they continued recording until 1991. Since then, Bruce has experimented in a number of genres including rock, jazz, classical, and folk. HIs performance last night exemplified his wide tastes and his set varied from folk tunes to experimental jazz pieces. While  I was very impressed with his musical skill, he would often play his piano off key which seemed weird to me. Ultimately, I liked Pat Metheny's set better and it was a treat to see the musicians play off each other song after song. My only complaint was that the concert took a little while to get going and was quite long with no intermission. The performance got better as the night went on, however, and while it certainly wasn't one of the best concerts of the year, it has its own place for its spontaneity and the level of talent exhibited by the musicians. 

True to the quote, this show was much smaller than a lot of the rock concerts we've been getting. There were less than 800 people on the lawn and there were no problems with any patrons. The weather was beautiful which was a good thing since the show was so long. Today marked the return of Legan (Liz and Megan) and also the introduction of two members of the lawn staff! I assume Val and Natalie was needed to fill the void of returning college students including myself so hopefully it will be a smooth transition. It was a good night and as always, looking forward to more shows in the future!

The best part of the night was when the two drummers (Pat Metheny's and Bruce Hornsby's) each traded drum solos for a good minute. I was blown away by their technicality and their feeling for rhythm and it shows I still have a long way to go as a drummer. Regardless, it was quite a sight to see them having a drum battle and really ended the show on a great note!

DC

An explorer of musical genres 

A true virtuoso on the guitar 

A Taste of the Dead - The Dark Star Orchestra

Of all the classic rock bands of the 60's and 70's, very few have had the legacy and following of the Grateful Dead. While the Dead did not perform last night (Jerry Garcia died almost 20 years ago), the Dark Star Orchestra did their best at recreating what it would be like to attend a Grateful Dead concert. The DSO formed in Chicago in 1997 and has since toured the world and performed over 2000 shows. Every one of their shows is a recreation of a concert performed by the Grateful Dead, including the set list and overall length. This means that much of the night was simple jams and instrumental breaks that kept the audience enthralled. I have personally never really got why the Dead were so popular and even after last night, I'm still not completely sold on their sound. While I totally recognize their influence on countless jam bands, I feel like their sound was pretty constrained for the most part and they relied on creating a groove instead of letting each of the musicians prove themselves. To their credit, their jams do sound really good and definitely creates a mood that simply cannot be replicated by any band. The three hour set also contributes to this mood of a long trip and DSO did a great job of recreating what a Dead concert would feel like. I'm really glad that I was finally introduced to the music of the Grateful Dead and while they're still not a band I would listen to very often, it's nice to say that I tried.

This show had a little bit of everything. While the crowd was quite light (only 2500 people), they more than made up for it with their antics. Old and young hippies alike united and enjoyed their time eating, drinking, and smoking. While I was kept busy trying to find the smokers, I was still able to see  just how into the music Dead Heads get and it was quite an eyeopening experience. The downpour at the end of the show did wonders for clearing the lawn but it became next to impossible to enforce much of the rules during that time. Still, it was a good show and as always, looking forward to more performances in the future!

My favorite part of the show was when the DSO did a great cover of "Tangled Up In Blue" by Bob Dylan. In typical Grateful Dead fashion, the song was drawn out to over 10 minutes but in this case, it added something positive to the song and the sound of the band combined with the pouring rain provided another unique moment at Wolf Trap.

DC

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A Living Legend - Yo Yo Ma and the NSO

While I must say I was most looking forward to the rock shows this summer, I can't deny that one of my most anticipated shows was Yo Yo Ma and I was definitely not disappointed! Yo Yo Ma is one of the most renowned and celebrated cellists in history and his popularity extends beyond the classical music scene. After graduating from Harvard University in 1976, he began playing with some of the most famous orchestras in the world as well as playing for a plethora of dignitaries and celebrities. He received his first grammy award in 1986 and his 75 albums albums have racked up 14 more since then. He has received both the National Medal of the Arts and the Presidential Medal of Freedom and is recognized around the world for his dedication to the arts and his promotion of classical music. I obviously knew about him beforehand but I have never heard him play and was eager to hear what he sounded like. I was blown away with his sound and his ability to both mesh with the orchestra and play a beautiful solo when needed. His tone is very expressive and while the cello usually has a mellow and deep sound, Yo Yo relies on a higher pitch and a more aggressive playing style. In the end, it's no wonder that he's so celebrated and I am so glad that I was able to see him play. The NSO also sounded as good as I've heard them play and their opening with Candide (which I played in high school) was beautiful. They also played "In the Hall of the Mountain King", a simple piece but one of my favorite and a song I've always wanted to play myself. Ultimately, it was probably the best classical concert I've ever heard and kept my attention the entire time. What an unforgettable night.

The night was sold out but like most classical shows, there was little to do during the actual concert. there were a lot of lawn chairs out on the lawn so I was kept busy before the show. The light rain before the show added to those chair problems but most people were understanding. After the rain stopped, it became a beautiful night and the cloud cover kept the temperature down. People seemed to be greatly enjoying the show and it allowed me to listen to the beautiful music without much interruption. As always, looking forward to more shows in the future!

My favorite part of the show was when Yo Yo Ma came out for a solo piece as an encore. I wasn't sure if he was going to actually do it so I was on the edge of my seat like everyone else in the venue. Luckily, he graciously came back out and played a wonderful piece that truly showed his remarkable abilities!

DC

a great player and a great man

A Night With a Native - Mary Chapin Carpenter and the NSO

Well I guess you can't like them all right? I figured that there would be some shows that just weren't suited to my taste, but usually what has happened is that I'll gain newfound respect for those particular artists and I might even start to like them a little bit. Unfortunately, that wasn't quite the case with Mary Carpenter. She began her career in Washington DC, playing at local clubs around the area. Her first record came out in 1987 and she soon established herself as one of the big country artists of the late 80's and early 90's. In the early 2000's, she rebranded herself and her music began to reflect more topical and societal issues of the day. She also mellowed out more and her music began to lack that country sound. The music she played last night showed almost no country influences and was more like easy-listening soft music. Not really my style. The orchestra I actually think stole the show and their accompaniments for always on point, sometimes even drowning out the singer. I just thought her show would be more upbeat and instead it was almost like lullaby music. Not a horrible concert, just not my type at all.

On the other hand, the show was one of the easiest we've ever had. Finally, the lawn was pretty empty and less that 1000 patrons were on the grass last night. Additionally, the crowd was very calm and some people even looked like they could fall asleep. There were no problems and the third bro-show was a success! As always, looking forward to more shows in the future!

My favorite part of the show was when she finally sang a song from her older material. While "Down at the Twist and Shout" wasn't the best song I've ever heard, I was glad to her something that was a little more upbeat. The orchestra kept up great and I'm glad the NSO has graced the stage so many times this summer!

DC

From country star to easy listening? 

Guitar Heroes - Rodrigo y Gabriela

Discovering new artists seems to be the theme for this summer, and once again I found another gem. I had heard of Rodrigo y Gabriela before, but I had never listened to their music and wasn't really sure what to expect other than great guitar playing. I was definitely in for a surprise! The guitar duo of Rodrigo Sanchez and Gabriela Sanchez started their career in Ireland, playing in local pubs and bars. They released their first demo in 2002 and starred to gain popularity by playing festivals across Europe. They have since built up a decent following around the world and have played for David Letterman, Jay Leno, and even President Obama. The best part of the music is that even though it's all acoustic, it sounds nothing like typical soft acoustic music. I've never seen two musicians make so many different kinds of noises on one instrument, nor have I seen someone play a guitar quite like they did. Their sound borders between flamenco and straight up rock and their live performances are particularly exhilarating. Their fingerpicking is unbelievable and their barre chord strumming is just incredible. I listened to one of their albums before the show but I think they really shine during their live shows and got the crowd going more than probably any other artist we've had this year. It was a very memorable night and Rodrigo y Gabriela are no doubt a top act.

While this show was pretty busy, it wasn't a complete sell-out and I wasn't thinking it was going to be a hard night. Unfortunately, the crowd was more lively than I've ever seen and it was hard to kind of keep everyone in line. People were dancing all over the place and causing a general ruckus (sorry for sounding like an old person) but I honestly thought it was pretty awesome! No one got hurt or anything and it was really fun seeing everyone so into the music. As always, looking forward to more shows in the future!

The best part of the show for me was when the two players took turns doing their own solo performance. It really showcased their individual skills and I was once again in awe of their masterful work on the guitar. Great show!

DC

Would give Clapton and Page  a run for their money! 

Jazz Hands - Wynton Marslis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra

After a long period of more mainstream music, it was time for a change! Wolf Trap was happily graced with wonderful jazz music from one of the greatest trumpet player in the world, Wynton Marsalis. He has had a long and fruitful career and has racked up 9 grammy awards for his numerous recordings. He was also the first jazz musician to be awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Music for his epic jazz recording of Blood on the Fields. Surrounding him last night were some of the best jazz musicians in the business. I have always been in awe of the improvisational skills of many musicians and the sheer talent of those men last night was unbelievable. Every musician took turns arranging the music and their solos all sounded great. You could tell the style of each musician individually, which shows that they're all comfortable playing with each other and are very proficient at building off what their colleagues are doing. What I also liked was that Marsalis was usually just a another member of the band for most of the pieces. While he did have a long solo at the end of the show, he happily let the other musicians have their share of the spotlight and only took over to explain the next piece. The pieces themselves were often simple but that's the beauty of jazz, even the simplest songs can sound fantastic when played by great musicians! Thats exactly what happened last night and it was no doubt one of the most pleasant evenings we've had.

With the women of the lawn gone on vacation, it was time for the bros to take charge. We lucked out that our first show alone was pretty easy and not sold out like the previous nights have been. Our only problem came up when we had too many wheel chairs and not enough usher to take them. We worked it out though and I think we did a great job overall. The day was nearly perfect weather wise and it was a very enjoyable evening. As always, looking forward to more shows in the future!

My favorite part of the night was when the band played they song called "Cape Verdean Blues". While much of what the band played was mellow and soft, this piece immediately jumps out at you and offers a lot of room for the band to find a tight groove. As a musician, it was wonderful to hear this band play and it definitely encouraged me to keep up with my music!

DC

The best trumpet player I've ever heard

Crazy On You - Heart

For the third consecutive night, Wolf Trap has played host to a sold out show. What made this show unique though is that the people coming were there to ROCK. Heart is an American rock band who formed 1973 in Vancouver, Canada. They released their first album in 1976 to great success and they continued to be one of the premier hard rock groups in the US for the remainder of the 70's. After having a steady decline in popularity in the early 1980's, they rebranded themselves as Album Oriented Rock artists and staged a massive comeback. Their 1985 album, Heart, hit number one in the US and they also charted several singles in the top 10. Since then, they have continued to tour with sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson being the only constant members. Of course, the most distinguishing feature of the band is that it's led by two women. While I've never been a fan of Heart, I can't deny that they put on a great show last night. Ann Wilson still has a fantastic voce and the band sounds just as good as their 70's recordings. Although people complained about their 90 minute performance an the lack of an opener or an intermission, I think they touched all their crucial songs and even did some incredible renditions of Led Zeppelin songs. People seemed to be having a great time so I didn't mind too much. For me as a rock enthusiast, it was a great concert and I am glad that I was able to see these legends of rock n' roll perform.

Despite the short concert time, this show presented a few problems. Like I said before, it was a sold out show and every part of the lawn was full. Additionally, this isn't a Sarah McLachlan crowd we're talking about, this is rock n' roll. Finally, since the concert was short, I knew we were going to have a tough time getting people off the lawn. While the crowd, didn't end as rowdy as I thought, the lawn clearing did take an abysmally long time. Many people just couldn't believe that the band had left after only 90 minutes and continued to eat and drink like they were coming back. Eventually, we did get the grass clear but it turned our early night into a regular night. It'll be nice to have a quieter show today and as always, looking forward to more performances in the future!

My favorite part of the show was when the band served a double whammy by playing Crazy On You and Barracuda to close their show. Even I have to admit that those songs are pretty good and the band really did sound great. It was good to hear some straight up rock music!

DC

The first women rock stars 

Hootie in the Country - Darius Rucker

One thing that really fascinates me is when artists change direction. Bob Dylan, the Rolling Stones, and Eric Clapton are just some of the few acts to have done so an usually it leads to positive results if done right (in my opinion). Similarly, Darius Rucker has experienced a similar change. He first gained fame as the lead singer and guitarist of the band Hootie and the Blowfish. Their first album, Cracked Rear View, has sold over 15 million copies in the US and they quickly became a favorite band of people who were tired of grunge. Their music has often been described as "bar band" music in the best sense and Rucker has a very distinctive soul-like voice that really brings their songs to the next level. While they haven't maintained their huge success since their first album, they're still beloved among their fans and people from USC (South Carolina). In 2008, Darius took a break from Hootie and made his first country album. The album spawned three number one singles on the US country chart and he has since been one of the premier country artists in the states. His voice changed from soulful to country-western but he was able to change effortlessly between the two during the concert. While his setlist was predominantly country, he did sing a few Hootie and Blowfish songs and everyone was left satisfied. While I'm more a Hootie fan than a country one, I enjoyed both sides of his artistry and it was a fantastic show overall. His opener, Joel Crouse, also sounded great and put out some good country music to get everyone warmed out. As my third country concert of the year after going to zero before then, I'm quickly recognizing the merits of the genre and Darius Rucker is one of the best country artists I've heard!

This show was supposed to be tough for a number of reasons. It was a sell out crowd, it was a country crowd, and it was supposed to storm real bad throughout the evening. Luckily, the night was much better than I had envisioned and ended up being one of the best shows of the year. The weather ended being almost perfect with little rain speak of. The crowd, though arriving in droves, were not that rowdy and there were very few problems. My biggest problem was that I misplaced my bag containing all my work stuff and I have no idea where it is. Bye bye ID and my notepad that listed all my shows! Nonetheless, it was one of my favorite shows and I guess you could say I'm well on my way to becoming a country fan (gasp!).

My favorite part of the show was when Darius played Wagon Wheel as his encore. This song is quickly becoming a country anthem an is probably my favorite country song of all time. His versions went on to win a grammy award in 2013 and after hearing it last night, it's no wonder why.

DC

Is that...a skinny country artist?

From frontman to country man 

I Will Remember You - Sarah Mclachlan

This weekend would play host to two sold out shows and they couldn't be further from each other in terms of type of music. Once again, this is a testament to the variety of shows that we have at Wolf Trap and also how many bigs acts we actually get. Sarah McLachlan started her career in 1988 with her first album (and actually performed at Wolf Trap in 1989), but her first taste of national success wouldn't occur until 1997. That year, she released the album Surfacing and the songs "Adia" and "Angel". These songs propelled her to mainstream success and she has continued to sell millions of records.  Her music is very soft and she relies on calm piano ballads that allow her thin but adaptable voice to shine. Having listened to Surfacing in preparation for the show, I can say that I enjoy her music and she does have great songwriting chops. I'm glad that I was able to explore her music because it definitely erased my preconceived notions of her (albeit taken mostly from her cheesy ASPCA commercial) She proved to me that she has some serious talent and can put on a grew show even if her music remains slow and for most of the time. I enjoyed that she engaged the audience by inviting a few patrons to the stage so they could ask her questions about anything. It shows that she really cares and added a more intimate feel than many other shows of that size. It also helped that her guitarist played the bouzouki for one song! I also play that greek instrument and it was so cool that I finally saw it being put to use but a major act. The predominately female patrons in the theater seemed to love her and my experience was very positive as well.

I was hoping that because of the demographics of the crowd, it would be a busy but overall uneventful show. This proved to be the case and it gave me a chance to experience the show. It was a hot but sunny day and once the sun went down it really turned into a perfect evening. After the show, some coworkers and I had a nice little party afterwards. I regretted only getting three hours of sleep but it was still a wonderful night. As always, looking forward to more shows in the future!

My favorite part of the show was when Sarah played her song "Adia". This my favorite song of hers and her band took a back seat and allowed her to basically play it alone with just a piano. A really good show and now a new artist that I like!

Can't believe she's 46. Still looks great!

A Night At The Opera - Carmen with the NSO

Despite the fact that I like theater in general, I have never really been a fan of opera. As with all of the arts, I respect the singers immensely and I understand that opera is one of the chief forms of art in the world today. That being said, it never really clicked for me, particularly if the opera isn't in English. Carmen unfortunately fits into that category. In this case, however, it didn't matter as much because the opera is one of the most famous in world history and the music itself is incredibly captivating. The opera was written by French composer Georges Bizet and premiered in Paris in early 1875. The opera didn't take off immediately and Bizet's early death prevented him from fully understanding how big the opera would become. Since then, the music has been sampled in hundreds of other plays and pieces of work and the opera itself has been redone countless times. I had to have my back to the stage for almost the entire time so honestly I really don't know what the opera is about but just listening to the music was good enough for me! the opera's score has been noted for leading the performance rather than the actors/singers and I couldn't agree more. The opera seems to be built around the music and I found myself recognizing songs that I never knew were from the Carmen. This for me exemplified the reach of this opera's influence in modern culture. Although this wasn't my favorite show, I feel like any person who want to really appreciate the arts has to see some opera and Carmen is definitely the opera to see.

This show was a lighter night than our last few and since it was an NSO show, it was pretty quiet as well. I unfortunately go yelled at twice (for very petty things too) so it wasn't a complete walk in the park but I did get to go to the loge where I saw Ruth Bader Ginsberg! Proof the Wolf Trap is treated with famous people once in a while. Overall, it was a beautiful nights and I was glad I was able to enjoy the music (I had to look for cameras so i couldn't watch the stage). As always, looking forward to more shows in the future!

My favorite part of the show is the overture (I think that's what you call it in opera?) that opens the show. One of the most famous pieces of music, I had no idea that it was from Carmen. Despite my inner embarrassment, I was really happy to hear the memorable parts and the NSO sounded great!

DC

I'm guessing that's Carmen? Jk 

Dancing On The Ceiling - Lionel Ritchie and Cee Lo Green

One of the best parts about this job is that i gain a lot of appreciation for many different artists and even if I don't end up completely liking them by the end of the show, usually I'll have more respect for them as performers. To my pleasant surprise, both acts fit this bill. Cee Lo served as more of an opener for Ritchie although his performance was just as good I thought. He started his career as a member of the hip-hop group Goodie Mob in the early 90's. He gained fame as the singer and songwriter of the duo Gnarls Barkley. They released a few albums to great success and their song "Crazy" sold millions of copies. Since then, Cee Lo has released solo albums to continued success and has also been one of the judges of the Voice. While his sound has changed over the years, it remains rooted in R&B/funk with a more pop sound. His music is a product of a lot of studio tinkering so I wasn't sure if he would be able to replicate it on stage while still employing his distinct voice. While he did use some backing tracks, I was still overall impressed with his show and his band has a lot of energy. More importantly, he's a a great showman and really got the crows going. He was by far the most popular opener we've had and was a great addition to the show. Lionel Ritchie originally started his career as the lead singer of the Commodores. Originally a pure funk band, they branched out to include ballads and by the time Lionel left in 1982, they had become one of the biggest groups in the US. His first three solo albums were massive successes and he charted 13 straight top 10 hits in the 80's. Like Cee Lo, he is a natural performer and had no problem playing all the crowd favorites, including songs from his Commodores years. While he is mostly a ballad singer (a little too much for my taste), he did sing some faster songs and the ballads themselves sounded a lot better for me on stage than on the records. i'll no longer point to Lionel Ritchie as an example of what was wrong with the 80's and I really did have a great time at the show.

Talk about being busy. Both nights had a sold out lawn and we had our hands full dealing with the sheer number of patrons that were coming in. While the crowd itself didn't have that many problems, things like controlling the use of lawn chairs and smoking were becoming issues. The art of walking through a completely full lawn is a learned practice and I definitely had a lot of practice these past couple of days. Luckily, there was no rain either night and it wasn't excruciatingly hot. It could have been worse but we were definitely on our toes for much of the night. Nevertheless, still looking forward to more shows in the future!

My favorite part of the show was when Lionel Ritchie played Brick House. I was actually really surprised he played it (he didn't sing lead on that one) and I've never seen a happier crowd. It made me realize that one of the best parts of this job is that you get to see people having a good time and it makes all the hard work I do worth it!

DC

No one can sing a slow song like this man 

Maybe I did need an excuse to say the F-word at work 

The Heart of Rock and Roll - Huey Lewis and the News

The past week has no doubt been the best in terms of the quality of shows. Last night continued this trend. Huey Lewis and the News formed in 1979 but it wasn't until 1983 that they achieved mainstream success. Their 1983 album, Sport, yielded 5 top 20 singles and their song Power of Love went on to be their first number one after being featured in Back to The Future. Their hit streak continued until the early 90's and they continue to be a popular touring act. One things that struck me is that their music has a more timeless feel than much of the music of the 80's since they rely less on synthesizer and slick production. Instead, the music is a mix of blues-rock with pop licks. This contributed to their popularity and I really enjoyed getting exposed to their music. I hadn't really listened to them before and I ended up really liking liking the performance. Huey Lewis still sounds pretty good and has a good band behind him. Their opener, Marc Broussard was also enjoyable and his rough Van Morrison type vocals blended well with his softer music. My only complain was that Lewis replaced some of his big hits with some cover songs. Luckily, the covers he performed, including a couple a cappella (or almost), were very well done so it wasn't that big of a loss. In the end, the performance may not have been a top 5 performance (as were 2 acts this past week). Nevertheless, it was definitely a memorable night and Huey Lewis and the News remain a classic band of the 80's.

This show was pretty full, especially on the lawn. There were few difficulties, although my boss did have to deal with a fight that was breaking out on the lawn (not by herself luckily). Other than that however, the show went on smoothly and I was able to really listen to the music. The weather looked overcast but ultimately turned out to be a great night. I'm really trying to no take this weather for granted but it's been like this for over a week now. Apparently the next two shows are sold out on the lawn but despite that, still looking forward to more shows in the future!

My favorite song of Huey Lewis is I Need a New Drug. While he had bigger hits, this song really epitomizes his sound and what the band were like at their best. A highlight of the night for sure!

DC

One of best openers we've had!

Business up front, party in the back 

Space Oddity - 2001 A Space Odyssey and the NSO

I have always wondered about space. It seems to be such an immensely vast area that humans can't even begin to understand completely. Because of this, countless print and visual materials have been created to represent the allure and dangers of space. Of all those materials, 2001 A Space Odyssey may be the best. First released in 1968, the film is considered one of the greatest films of all time and certainly one of the most influential science fiction films every made. Its use of special effects, lighting, and minimal dialogue, make it unique among most films. One of the more underrated parts of the film I think is the music. Compose entirely of classical music that had been released previously, the music is incredibly important to the film mostly because of the limited stage acting and dialogue. The NSO did a wonderful job and many of the great moments of the film such as the opener and the use of the "Blue Danube Waltz" were made even better with a use of a live orchestra. I had actually never seen the entire film and I was incredibly impressed with how the music really drove the film in a lot of the parts. Additionally, I thought the film itself was great and really ahead of its time in terms of the production. To top it off, the night was also a celebration of the 45th anniversary of the moon landing and both the head of NASA and Apollo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin were in attendance. Additionally, the performance was being filmed for NASA TV and being broadcast all over the world. A great night to be out and glad I was finally able to see this classic film in its entirety.

As with most classical music shows, this performance had medium attendance and a pretty easy crowd. We were missing two of our lawn staff but luckily we were still able to get two breaks since the show ran until 11:30. Other than the length, the night was simple and the weather, despite brief moments of rain, held out for us once again. After the show, a bunch of the ushers went out for some live music and had a great time. As always, looking forward to more shows in the future!

My favorite part of the night was the opening space sequence accompanied by the "Blue Danube Waltz" One of the many moments in the film where actors take a back seat to simple filming and music, the scene is one of the most iconic of the science fiction genre and it must have been awesome to sees it back in 1968. Such a great film!

DC

HAL wasn't having it that day 

Pianissimo - Jean-Yves Thibaudet and the NSO

One thing that I like the most about classical music is its ability to create so many different moods and feelings, usually in one piece. Another part that I really like is the interplay between the different instruments and parts within each performance. Last night, Wolf Trap was treated with a wonderful orchestral performance that had a little bit of everything, including all those classical music attributes that I adore so much. Jean-Yves Thibaudet is a classical pianist from France who is regarded as one of the top pianists in the world. He has performed with almost every major orchestra in the world, including groups such as the Boston Symphony, the LA Philharmonic, and the Orchestre National de France. In addition to his performances around the world, he has also played in a number of movie scores including Atonement and Pride and Prejudice (Atonement would go on to win an Academy Award for its score). While I myself am not a pianist by any means, I was in awe of this man's ability and what I most liked was that he didn't rely on pure skill to create music. He really meshed with the orchestra well and relied on more melodic playing than fast paced flourishes. Along with his performance, the NSO did a fantastic performance of the William Tell Overture and Tchaikovsky's 4th Symphony. I am so glad that along with all these big rock concerts, I am able to hear beautiful classical music from some of the best musicians in the world.

This really was one of the most relaxing show that we have had. Other than the fact that we ran out of programs pretty early on, there were hardly any problems and I saw many people almost falling asleep due to the quiet music and mellow atmosphere. It was a another beautiful night and while there  were less than 1000 people on the lawn, those people really got a taste of Wolf Trap at its best. As always, looking forward to more shows in the future!

My favorite part of the night was the William Tell Overture. The USC Marching Band plays the song, albeit in a truncated version, during football games and I was really glad that I got to here the rest of the piece!

DC

Puts many of rock's keyboard players to shame

Aca-Awesome - Straight No Chaser

After a weak of pretty much the best shows of the entire season, I was looking for an easier, albeit less anticipated show last night. As stated before, I have never been much of an a cappella fan and while I do respect the singers immensely, I almost alway prefer instruments over voices. With that being said, I can say without a doubt that Straight No Chaser is the best a cappella group I've ever heard. Composed of 10 men who met at the University of Indiana in 1996, the group was signed to Atlantic Records seven years ago and have since toured the world and released a few albums. While all their songs are covers (common among these groups), they really sing a variety of numbers and everything from Motown to Daft Punk were sampled in their performance. While the singing was of course top notch, they also had a very good stage presence for an a cappella group and the audience really got into the show. Overall, while the night didn't quite match the Fray or Sara Bareilles in terms of pure enjoyment, I really did like the group and I was quite surprised by how quickly I took to them.

After three consecutive busy shows, I came to this show prepared for a light audience and a relaxed setting. While there were more people and the lawn than I had envisioned, the show was still very easy and there were no problems. The shows length of 90 minutes was also very welcome (about all the a cappella I can take honestly) and the night went very quickly. The "Polar Vortex" we're having now meant that the temperature was near perfection and the humidity was also down. All of this compounded quite  pleasurable evening. As always, looking forward to more shows in the future!

While the bands version of Happy may have been the best of the FOUR artists to perform the song at Wolf Trap, the highlight of the show for me was their rendition of Let It Go. While the songs by itself and is a stroke of songwriting genius, the group performed it beautifully and honestly it was probably the best a cappella version of any song I've ever heard.

DC

Indiana's Finest 

How to Save a Night - The Fray

While some bands are mainly studio acts and are hard pressed to produce their sound on stage, other groups excel on tour and actually sound better live. After last night, I would have to say the Fray are the latter. Formed in 2002, the Fray is led by singer/pianist/songwriter Issac Slade and guitarist Joe King. After releasing their debut album in 2005, the band achieved solid commercial success in the US with piano driven rockers like "You Found Me" and "How to Save a Life." The bands sound has often been compared to early Coldplay and the piano has remained a fixture on their records. While I thought that many of their songs sound the same, they still all sounded good and I was looking forward to the concert. Incredibly, the bands songs reached a new level live. Issac is a very dynamic frontman and the band drops their muted sound on their records for a performance worthy of stadiums. While the band had less skill instrumentally than John Butler Trio, they ultimately had an equally exciting performance by engaging the audience and just rockin' out. The opening acts, though a little less high quality than our usual openers, had some good songs. Oh Honey, a Williamsburg based outfit, had a sound reminiscent of Of Monsters and Men. The second group, local band Barcelona, relied on a simply guitar-sythesizer combo to create music straight from the 80's. The singing was a little lacking in both acts but they still had good shows. For me, it was the third straight night of fantastic shows and the Fray have no doubt convinced me that they are a great band who really show their full potential on stage.

Finally, after days of rain and clouds, mother nature decided to yield a beautiful night. The sky was clear and the temperature was very comfortable with a slight breeze. The show itself was great in terms of being able to listen and immerse myself into the music. The lawn was completely sold out but there were no problems behavior wise and everyone was having a great time. The crowd was very young for a Wolf Trap show and I even saw some people from High School! Turns out Wolf Trap can be a "cool" venue when it wants to be.

Talk about engaging the audience! My favorite part of the show was when Issac Slade ran all the way from the stage to the bottom of the lawn (yes the lawn!), climbed on a railing, and started singing. I may have casually walked down to see him better and I was able to get within 25 feet or so! A really surprising moment but just one of the many impressive moments given by the Fray last night.

DC

Oh Honey with a rare male-female vocal team 

A power trio with most of the power from the synthesizer

Masters of a live show 

I Choose You - Sara Bareilles

After much deliberation, I've decided that I have a new favorite show of the summer! While John Butler Trio still blew me away, Sara Bareilles put on an amazing show and my introduction to her music couldn't have been better. After graduating from UCLA (such a shame) in 2002, Sara began playing small gigs until her first album release in 2006. Her first single, "Love Song", launched her career in 2007 and she's never looked back since. Her crafty melodies and quirky lyrics make her music very unique in the pop world and she remains one of the great artists of today. I personally think her music is very refreshing with its originality and her personality on stage makes her very approachable as an artist. Along with performing her own songs, she did a couple covers, including a spot-on cover of "Chandelier" by Sia. While I honestly find that song annoying, I give credit to Sara for pulling of the tough vocals effortlessly. The openers were also good although couldn't be more different. Emily King relied on softer music with muted drums and guitar. She had a solid voice and put on a good show. The next artist was Lucius. They used strong dynamic changes and heavy guitar amplification for their sound. I liked them better than Emily simply because they rocked more and seemed more comfortable on the big stage. Sara of course was the highlight and her remarkable performance really made me appreciate being able to see all these wonderful artists this summer.

This show was sold out but turned out to be one of the most laid back performances of the night. People behaved themselves very well and we had almost no problems with patrons. The rain looked like it was going to hit us hard and I got caught in a missive rainstorm on the way to work. Despite this, the rain skipped Wolf Trap once again and everyone was treated to a wonderful night under the full moon. The only difficult part of the show was the length, complete with three acts and two intermissions (one of which was 30 minutes.) Other than that though, the show allowed for most of the ushers to enjoy the night and take in what a full house at the Trap is like.

My favorite part of the show was when she performed "Gravity" with just herself and a piano. At the very end of the song, the rest of the band kicked in and it proved to be the showstopper of the night. A fantastic performance that left me amazed.

DC

Emily King provided soft music with an R&B tinge

Lucius look like a band from the 80s but rock harder than most 

Sara Bareilles has a new fan!

Country With Some Sugar - Jennifer Nettles

Hard to believe that I had never been to a country concert before this summer. So far, I've already been to three! Like I've said before, it's not that I dislike county, its just that its not my go-to genre. That being said, there really are some great country artists out there and Jennifer Nettles is one of them. Known for being part of the country duo Sugarland, Nettles released her first solo album this year to critical and commercial success. Sugarland itself has achieved 5 number one hits on the country charts and their last album hit number one on both the country and hot 200 chart. I describe their sound as country-pop and its slick production combines a traditional western feel with a more pop orientation. The instrumentation doesn't jump out at you but Nettles voice does. Nettles has an amazing voice and I think its highlighted a lot more on her live performances than on the records. She really put on a great show last night and I was really impressed with the whole show. The opening act, Brandy Clark, was also impressive and what I really liked most was that she gave her performance backed only by two acoustic guitars. She's also written a lot of songs for other artists including the Band Perry and Miranda Lambert. While I'm still not a wholehearted country fan, with every show I am realizing that the genre has a lot to offer and while many of the songs are repetitive, there are some excellent records being made.

This show started out easy but then the rain and the heat came together for a tough night. I unfortunately had my first medical incident last night when one of the volunteers at the top of lawn fainted and fell over. An EMT was called over and she woke up almost immediately but it does put a damper on your night and I was worried for a while. Later in the night, the skies opened up and the rain, thunder, and lightning started. My boss made the decision to let everyone on the lawn to move up the balcony seats and it was the lawn ushers job to tell every single person on the lawn. Because I seem to be getting my break last every night, I actually missed this whole ordeal and simply had to tolerate the rain at the end of the show. The rain definitely ruined some peoples nights and I feel bad that it had to happened during the show. Weather aside, it was still a great night and as always, I'm looking forward to more performances in the future!

My favorite part of the show was when Nettles sang Demons by Imagine Dragons and then segued into Something More (a Sugarland song). The transition was effortless and Nettles fantastic voice really took those songs to another level.

DC

Credits to anyone who gives her best songs to other artists

One of the premier voices of country

Pomp And Circumstance - Disney Fantasia Live with the NSO

What could be better than combining some of the greatest classical music of all time with wonderful Disney animation? In 1936, Walt Disney had this revelation and began making plans of incorporation music with popular Disney characters such as Mickey Mouse. The result was Fantasia, which premiered in 1940. Sixty years later, Fantasia 2000 was released and served as a sequel to the first film. Both films have met critical and commercial success and are one of the most high acclaimed Disney films of all time. Montages such as the Sorcerers Apprentice have widely increased the popularity of these pieces of music. I saw Fantasia as a kid and while I never really payed attention to the music itself, i definitely remember watching the different scenes in amazement. Seeing them at Wolf Trap with the National Symphony Orchestra playing the music only makes the film all the more captivating and really highlights the pieces themselves. Songs like the Nutcracker Suite, Beethoven's 5th, and Pomp and Circumstance are brought to new heights. Fantasia remains a classic film and it was a such treat being able to see it at the Trap with live music.

This show ran two nights and both shows were not too difficult. The biggest problem is that the NSO has a strict no photography policy that the ushers are left to enforce. It doesn't help that there's never an announcement to the patrons that photography isn't allowed. It's not that hard to enforce but it does become a hassle and I can't really watch much of the film. On the other hand, it was nice to see all the kids there and I'm glad the films are still reaching younger audiences even today. As always, looking forward to more shows in the future!

My favorite part of the show was the portrayal of Noah's Ark with Donald Duck taking on the role of Noah. The comical scene is supported with Pomp and Circumstance, a fantastic piece of music that I have had the privilege to play twice before at my high school's graduation. Reminded me of my graduation too!

DC

Mickey gets into some trouble in this iconic Disney scene

Hearing Broadway With Glee - Matthew Morrison and the NSO

While music is alway changing along with the rest of popular culture, there is some music that will never get old. While show tunes really isn't my style (give my Led Zeppelin over Sound of Music any day), I enjoy listening to it once in a while and there are some great tunes. Many of those great songs were sung a couple nights ago at the Trap. Matthew Morrison, known worldwide for his role as Will Schuester in Glee, is also a very accomplished Broadway actor. Morrison's interpretation of these classic songs are definitely enjoyable and he combines strong singing with great showmanship. Along with Morrison, Laura Benanti also sang a few songs. Benanti is another highly acclaimed Broadway actor and also appeared in the recent film adaptation of the Sound of Music. Both singers had amazing voices and their duets sounded fantastic. As always, the NSO provided great back-up music and even held there own while doing a cover of Happy by Pharrell.

The show itself was very quiet and there was hardly any problems. It did rain during most of our pre-show work and we even allowed all of the lawn patrons to sit in the Loge since the rain didn't look like it was going to quit. Luckily, however, it did end by the time the show started and it ended up being a beautiful night. Everyone was well behaved and broadway and Glee fans alike seemed to have a good time. As always, looking forward to more shows in the future!

My favorite part of the show was when Matthew and Laura sang a duet of Somewhere Over the Rainbow. Done in the popular ukelele style, they really did a great rendition and was just another one of those magical moments at Wolf Trap this summer.

DC

Glee may have gone downhill but Matthew has retained his popularity. 

Another broadway beauty with a wonderful voice. 

We Got The Beat - The Go Go's and 80's Rewind

I tend to write-off the 80's as having produced comparatively less good music than the decades before. While there was no doubt great music during the period (U2 and REM saved the late 80's), most of it doesn't' appeal to my more straight laced rock tendencies. For this reason, I was quite surprised when last night's show became one of my favorites of the season. The night started off with Naked Eyes. Originally composed of British duo Rob Fisher and David Byrne (Fisher has since past away), the group was part of the influx of British artists that gained popularity in the US during the mid 80's. With songs like Promises Promises and Always Something There To Remind Me, the groups 80's pop, fueled with heavy synthesizer, led them to have a 4 top 40 hits in the states. The next group was The Motels, led by singer Martha Davis. Forming in 1975, This California band had a more rock sound than Naked Eyes and became popular around the same time with songs like Only the Lonely and Suddenly Last Summer. The band broke up but then reformed with Davis using different musicians under the same name. The third band to perform was Scandal, led by another popular female singer, Patty Smyth. Both Scandal and Patty Smyth achieved success in the 80's with songs like The Warrior and Goodbye to You. Smyth was even asked by Eddie Van Halen to replace David Lee Roth as singer for Van Halen. She later did a duet with Don Henley, "Sometimes Love Just Aint Enough", that hit number 2 in the charts. They were also more of a pop group but Smyth's vocals kept the songs from becoming devoid of expression. The final group was the band I knew the best, the Go Go's. Forming in 1978, the band exploded into the music scene with their album Beauty and the Beat and the song We Got the Beat. One of the first girl groups to write, produce, and play all the instrument on their songs, the groups punk/new wave style became wildly popular. Along with other contemporaries like Joan Jett, they paved the way for new female artists to gain credibility in the rock world. All in all, this show painted a different picture of what 80's music was like than i knew. I really did enjoy every artist and was pleasantly surprised by the strength of the songs when performed live. The Go Go's especially impressed me and their bare bones sound really appealed to my rock n' roll sense. Really good show and a great night.

We were due for some rain so I wasn't too upset when it started pouring at 6:30. The rain continued up until the start of the show when the clouds gave way to a beautiful night. The lawn wasn't crowded and most people didn't make a huge fuss about being caught in the rain. My mom came to the show so it was good to see her enjoying herself as well as escaping the rain. As always, looking forward to more shows!

My favorite part of the show was the Go Go's whole set. While most of their songs sounded similar, that was ok because they all sounded great! Proof that good music doesn't need heavy mixing or even the odious dub step. 

DC

The hair could be worse 

Still could be worse 

OK this might be the worst

also bad bu they're kick-ass so doesn't matter