Despite beginning her music career in 2000, Katy Perry struggled to find a clear direction and style for her musical talents. Beginning in gospel, the lack of success her debut album, “Katy Hudson”, attracted found the singer moving over to secular music. Here she began to develop her style and song-writing abilities. Katy was signed and dropped from multiple record deals between 2003 and 2007, with many executives recognizing her talent and potential but failing to provide her with material and collaborators that would allow this talent to shine.
Finally, in 2007 Katy Perry was signed to Capitol Music Group where she began working with producer Dr. Luke, who co-wrote the songs “I Kissed A Girl” and “Hot n Cold”. “I Kissed a Girl” was a massive breakthrough hit for Katy Perry reaching the number one spot in the US, UK, Australian, Austrian, Canadian, German, Irish, Dutch, New Zealand and Swiss music charts. “Hot n Cold” was also a top 5 single in each of these countries, causing Katy Perry’s second album “One Of the Boys” to secure a top 10 placement in the US charts.
After the success of her first pop album, Katy Perry managed to surpass this with her second pop album, “Teenage Dream”. The album won her a Guinness World Record for being the first female artist in the world to achieve five number one hits from the same album on the Billboard Hot 100. In fact, the only other artist to have achieved this feat before her was Michael Jackson with his 1987 album “Bad”.
In addition to this award, Katy Perry has been nominated for an incredible eleven Grammy Awards across her three pop albums, and has won multiple MTV VMA awards and People’s Choice Awards.
Katy Perry cites Queen singer Freddie Mercury as her biggest influence. After hearing the song “Bohemian Rhapsody”, Katy Perry was inspired to make music, and her flamboyant outfits and image suggest that Mercury was an influence both musically and visually.
Katy Perry’s 2014 album “Prism” hit the number one spot in the US and UK album charts and shows a slightly darker edge to her musical ability. The album demonstrates Katy Perry’s musical range and willingness to experiment. Katy Perry’s immense talent and theatrical world tours have won her a legion of loyal fans across the globe. Her hard work is evident in the music she produces and her success speaks for itself.
Featuring Dexter Holland (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Kevin "Noodles" Wasserman (lead guitar), Greg K (bass) and Pete Parada (drums), the beginnings of the band started in 1984, coming together under the moniker, Manic Subsidal. In 1986, they changed their name to The Offspring, A string of independent releases followed, with the band slowly gaining a footing in the West Coast punk scene.
Their self-titled debut appeared in 1989 to moderate success. Yet with their second record, "Ignition," The Offspring became underground favorites, finding fans of their relentless, power chord-driven punk. By 1994, fortunes were abut to change dramatically for The Offspring, with the release of their third album, "Smash." Despite being released on an independent label, "Smash" became a hit of the same name, propelling the band to stardom overnight, selling over four million records. Taking their cues from Nirvana and their quiet/loud dynamics, The Offspring found a string of singles make their way to chart success, with "Self-Esteem" and "Come Out And Play" gaining significant airplay.
Despite major labels knocking at the door, The Offspring decided to stay at the small independent, Epitaph, touring extensively thereafter across the US. After two years, the band caved and decided to join major label Columbia Records, a move that caused controversy amongst punk fans, garnering accusations of selling out. Regardless, their third album, "Ixnay on the Hombre," arrived in February 1997, a record that whilst maintaining positive critical acclaim, it failed to reach the same heights of success as "Smash."
In 1998, "Americana" attempted to regain the band's momentum, finding a hit with the pop-punk single, "Pretty Fly (for a white guy)," returning the quartet to mainstream success. "Conspiracy of One" was to be their next release, a record they threatened to offer as a free download online but their record company denied them this desire, with the record receiving a conventional release in 2000.
Three years later, The Offspring had recorded a new album of material, with "Splinter" offering a return to form. Subsequently, they embarked on international tours during which they found legions of fans across several continents. In 2005, a Greatest Hits was released, featuring new music in the single, "Can't Repeat." Their relentless touring schedule may have set new music releases back, but in 2008, they returned with "Rise and Fall, Rage and Grace," displaying a hotly anticipated return to form. Still hard at work over twenty years into their career, "Days Go By" was released in 2012 displaying a more mature sound for their fans.
Prior to forming Bomba Estéreo, Bogotá-born Simón Mejía had been in the ’90’s Colombian alternative rock band the Charconautas, and the loose collective of musicians and visual artists known as A.M. 770. The latter, inspired by the likes of Sidestepper and Bloque de Busqueda, mixed traditional Colombian salsa and cumbia rhythms with contemporary electronic and dance beats.
Before long A.M. 770 essentially became a solo project, and Mejía changed the name from to Bomba Estéreo, which is a Colombian term which means an awesome party. Under the new moniker the mini-album “Vol. 1” was released in 2006 and featured the vocal and rapping talents of Liliana “Li” Sauemt, who met Mejía at a music concert.
Bomba Estéreo’s subsequent release “Estella” arrived in 2008 and had established the project as a band comprised of Mejía, Saumet, percussionist Cadavid, guitarist Julián Salazar and drummer Enrique “Kike” Egurrola. After the release the band performed at the 2009 South by Southwest and Rockslide festivals and a year later embarked on a world tour of over 32 cities. Also in 2010 “Estella” earned a U.S. release under the name “Blow Up”, which led to the band being voted the Best New Band in the World by MTV Iggy, MTV’s alternative world music outlet.
In 2010 the band recorded a cover of Technotronic’s “Pump Up the Jam” for Levi’s Pioneer Sessions, which later found its way on to the EP “Ponte Bomb” along with remixes of earlier singles “Fuego” and La Boquilla”. Following appearances at Coachella Festival and Austin City Limits, as well as Lollapalooza Chile and Vive Latino, Bomba Estéreo released their third studio album “Elegancia Tropical”. Issued in 2012 on Polen Records in Colombia and Soundway Records elsewhere, the album spawned the singles “El Alma y el Cuerpo” and “Pure Love”.
Molotov embarked on their career in 1995 when two friends, Tito Fuentes, and Micky “Fled” Huidobro, began playing together. Javier de la Cueva and Ivan Jared “La Quesadillera” joined them, which became the first full line up of the band. Their line up changed a couple of times whilst they found their feet but they finalised their line up the following year, which has remained up until the present day. When they opened for Illya Kuraki and The Walderramas, A&R’s from Universal came to the show and offered them a recording contract.
Taking up Universal on their generous offer, in July 1997, they released their debut album entitled, “Dónde Jugarán las Niñas?” which caused controversy because of it’s lyrics and cover. It didn’t stop Molotov from being entrepreneurial in going on out on the streets and selling their discs as a form of protest. They have never held back on their lyrics, which have been described as poisoned darts aimed directly at the heart of the oppressive paternalism of the government.
They have built a name for themselves as a fantastic live band, having toured Europe and North America, and playing at the 2009 Coachella Music Festival, and they even released a live album in 2012 entitled “Desde Rusia con Amor”.
Not only have they won four Latin Grammy Awards, but they have also picked up an MTV Video Music Award for “International Viewer’s Choice” in 1998 and three at the MTV Video Music Awards Latinoamérica 2003 for Best Group or Duet, Best Alternative Artist and Best Artist from Mexico. They have impressively won an award for five of the albums that they have released, which is quite an accolade.
To say right now that watching Katy Perry live is a total MUST is, actually, quite an understatement. Just a look at her current tour sales will tell you that almost no one wants to miss her latest live production. But watching Katy Perry live is more than just a show, it's more of a lovely memory you will share with friends you didn't know you had.
Katy Perry is one of those artists who fully commits herself to bring her fans an experience that displays cutting edge production while keeping a deeply intimate vibe. There's little chance you'll see her outside the local major arena these days, and still she always makes it feel like a tiny place and like every song is been sung directly to you. No, that does not have anything to do with me watching her on the stage fence everytime. It has to do with how she gets involved with every aspect of the show, as opposed to just focusing on performing, making it all even more personal. On every tour, she plays the full new album, while incorporating the fan favorite songs in a nicely balanced set, always full of awesome custome changes and stage surprises. Her long-time live band and dance crew are always a powerhouse by themselves and just add to the whole experience. The songs live always have enhanced arrangements which prove her musicianship while shocking many naysayers.
The first time she took her full tour to Mexico, was with the California Dreams Tour in 2011, with her first stop in Guadalajara. Eager to see her perform that perfect album live more than once I hopped on an overnight bus and made the trip by myself. The joy in the air that night, the perfection of the set, and the overall happiness in everyone's face throughout the show, allowed me to make new friends with whom I'm now making travel arrangements to see the 4 nights in Mexico of her new Prismatic World Tour. Only god knows what this tour has in store for me...
liveshowjunkie, May 2014
The Offspring are a pop-punk band best known for a string of hits in the 90’s that you probably heard in at least one movie soundtrack or TV show, such as “Why Don’t You Get a Job?” and “Pretty Fly for a White Guy”.
They are known for their humorous, sardonic songs and their commercial success, as they are one of the most successful pop-punk bands of all time. They might not have the credibility of more underground punk bands, but their live show is undeniably a fun and energetic experience for even the most jaded punk fan.
They tend to draw a younger crowd, consisting of a good mix of people in their 20’s and 30’s nostalgic for the good old days of the 90’s, as well as younger people who are just discovering the band. The band has been around for quite some time, especially in a genre where bands sometimes only last a year or two, so they demonstrate a streamlined, workman-like approach that can only come with many years of practice and dedication, but they also never lose touch with their somewhat juvenile sense of humor.
There is a large amount of audience interaction, even when the band is playing larger festivals, with lots of stage-diving, singing along, etc. Anyone who grew up in the 90’s or is a fan of 90’s culture should see The Offspring, if only for the nostalgia.
Formed by previous member of Columbian rock band Charconautas in 2001, singer Simon Mejia was part of a loose collective of musicians and visual artists under the name A.M. 770. In the group they experimented with traditional Columbian beats like salsa and infused them with electronic and modern dance music inspired by 90’s groups Sidestepper and Bloque de Busqueda. Slowly as it became more of Mejia’s solo project he took it upon himself to change the name to Bomba Estéreo (translating as “really cool, awesome, bad ass party”) as he focused more on the musical elements. He released the seven track mini album ‘Vol 1’ in 2006. Soon he added fiery singer and rapper Liliana to the group who brought her dub/reggae infused sound and then line up was then completed with drums, guitar, bass and keys. Having solidified the group they released their second album ‘Estalla’ in 2008 and in order to gain international appeal they retitled it ‘Blow Up’ using ‘Fuego’ as their first single. And it worked as the album went to number ten in the US World Music charts and earned them the title of MTV’s ‘Best New Band in the World’. It wasn’t long before the band embarked on a world tour, playing festivals such as: Roskilde, SXSW and Coachella. Performing to as many as 15,000 people, Bomba Estéreo spread their insatiable and infectious party music. Their mesmerising samba electronic sound oozes an electrifying energy which captivates the audience. It’s difficult not to find yourself dancing along as the Columbian beats take over and the band’s enthusiasm spreads like wildfire. One thing is for sure, Bomba Estéreo without a doubt turn every performance into the best party you’ve ever been to!
‘What genre would you say Molotov fall into?’ It really is a struggle to find the correct answer to this question. This is because, unable to fit into any of the typical style groups that we tend to categorize into, this band have succeeded in creating their own style, a fusion of several styles and the result is something special to say the least.
Though they may not look like your typical rap or rock stars, four Latin Grammy Awards are evidence of the impact and quality of the music that this group produce. Hailing from Mexico, one can’t help but notice that their music and lyrics are politically inspired, stemming from times of struggle in their homeland.
These messages do not distract from the skill of the musicianship that is showcased at a Molotov live show however, rather complementing the blend of heavy bass lines and melodic guitar riffs that characterize the Molotov style. As if seeing the music come to life on a stage wasn’t enough, being in the crowd at a Molotov concert is an experience in itself.
Be prepared for plenty of head banging and jumping as the energy from on stage infiltrates the audience and encourages you to lose yourself in the music. If you wish to experience something that you’ve never experienced before, go to a Molotov gig.
Un concierto lleno de chispa, buena onda, sonido increíble y mucho baile.
Desde el opening por Alice True Colors hasta el final, todo el show tuvo algo eléctrico que hizo del ambiente algo refrescante.
Las sorpresas de la noche con Javier Cavacini al saxofón y Adanowsky llevaron todo al siguiente nivel. ❤️
Una experiencia que volvería a vivir mil veces más.
Creo que he de elaborar un poco más la experiencia vivida ayer. Que aprovechaba para celebrar el 4° aniversario drl 15M de paso. ¡Y qué celebración, amiguit@s!!
Así que, mientras me hago a la idea, os haré un favor advirtiéndoos: si pasan cerca, id a verles sin falta. ¡Aunque no sea el tipo de música que más escuchéis, vivireis un grandísimo conciertazo!
¡Marchosos, impresionantes, buenos músicos y honestamente lo dan todo! Y el público se lo reconoce y recompensa. Encima, las entradas son muy, muy asequibles. ¡La próxima vez, espero que el público no quepamos ni en un estadio!
La Pegatina are like a modern day vaudeville act. They bubble with the kind of slapstick, off-the-cuff spontaneity that you might come across in a 1930’s American burlesque saloon. They festoon the stage with a childly presence, taking free rein and playing a rambunctious, turbo-charged sort of Latino-ska shambles. Nattering in multiple languages, the rampaging Catalan seven-piece make it very hard not to join in the shemozzle of horns and maracas and gypsy jives.
The accordion is a criminally undervalued instrument, one that gets given the nurturing it deserves by La Pegatina. Romain Renard was obviously born to play it, heaving over the top of the gambolling tempos provided by Ovidi Díaz "Movidito" (flamenco guitar and percussion) and Sergi López (drums), while Adrià Salas shows off from front stage. There are plenty of cowbells, stupid dancing, and glitter. They seem to be made for the summer festival. This year they played a whole string including the Solar Weekend Festival in the Netherlands, Weekend Beach Festival in Malaga and even touring the XTD World Music Festival In China, stirring up a tropical storm in Shanghai, Beijing and Wuhan.