It's been a year since Olivia Rodrigo's debut album "Sour" was released. I knew of her thanks to the Disney+ show "High School Musical: The Musical: The Series'” and her song "All I Want '' that had subsequently blown up on TikTok. When her single "driver's license" dropped in January of 2021, the anticipation for the song was incredibly high. Olivia did not disappoint. Her songwriting portrayed the intense heartbreak she had gone through as a result of this breakup, and the pain resonated with listeners. Olivia connected with her audience emotionally, and we were all hooked. By the time her album dropped, in May of 2021, after having heard a few singles since "drivers license," like "deja vu" and "good 4 u," she was a household name. When she finally announced a tour for the spring of 2022, there wasn't a single person I knew that didn't want to attend. I was one of the lucky ones that got the chance to see her live at Radio City Music Hall on her first-ever tour.
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On August 27th, 2021, English singer-songwriter Maisie Peters released her debut record, “You Signed Up For This.” Though her debut album was only released last year, Peters isn’t technically the new kid on the block. She started uploading videos of her music to Youtube in 2017 at fifteen. Then accumulated half a billion streams worldwide and sold out iconic venues in London, all before she released an album. She released two EPs with Atlantic Records, “Dressed Too Nice for a Jacket” and “It’s Your Bed Babe, It’s Your Funeral,” and, before the pandemic, was lined up to open for Niall Horan on tour. But, with the worldwide shutdown, she had the opportunity to work on her album. “You Signed Up For This” charted at number 2 in the UK, and on March 1, 2022, Peters began her month-long North American tour.
If you know me, you know I am usually down for an adventure. So, back in April, when a friend of mine reached out about planning a trip to Nashville for a long weekend, I couldn't resist. After a year and a half of quarantine, masks, and then the light at the end of the tunnel with the vaccine, it felt good to spend a weekend away with a longtime pal. I've been to Nashville a few times, always for quick weekend trips. It was usually for Taylor Swift concerts or Taylor Swift-related events, so it was exciting to be going just to explore. Based on flight prices and our work schedules, September ended up being the best time for us both.
The original plan was Thursday to Sunday, but I remembered I had a rescheduled concert Thursday night. So, Thursday night, I went to see Dan + Shay as they headlined their first show at Madison Square Garden with my sister. And then got on a flight the next day to meet my friend Andrea for a girl's weekend in our favorite place, Nashville, TN. Last Wednesday, I had the pleasure of attending Julia Michaels Inner Monologue tour. It was everything I imagined it would be and more. It was full of magic, love, acceptance and vulnerability wrapped in a warm hug of camaraderie and balloons.
On May 29th I had the pleasure of seeing Ed Sheeran live for the second time at Forest Hills Stadium in Queens, NY. The first time I ever saw him was on the Red Tour in 2013 as an opener for Taylor Swift. She's the reason I looked into his music in the first place. I had heard his infamous single The A Team played on the radio incessantly. I had nothing against the song or him but the hype around all of it didn't make him anymore interesting either. When Swift announced he was going to be her opener for tour I decided it was time I became familiar with his music. I would be seeing him perform after all, I might as well know some songs. I began delving into his album + and slowly started to understand. Sheeran, like Swift, is a songwriter. He writes from life experience and is no stranger to the subject of love. It didn't take long before I found myself replaying songs like Drunk and Kiss Me, two of my favorites off his first album.
On Tuesday night I had the pleasure of attending Demi Lovato's Neon Lights Tour at Nassau Colesium. I've been a fan of hers myself since Camp Rock premiered and it was a thrill to finally get the chance to experience her perform live.
I remember it was my sophomore year of high school, the week of my birthday, when she released her first album. My friend had mentioned it at one point and I hinted that my birthday was coming up with hopes she'd get the hint. She did. The entire week after, I listened to that album on the bus ride on the way to school every single day. Now every time I listen to it I hear the tune of the next song in my head before it starts playing. |
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