I was Keane on this

I think it has been about 10+ years since I was last at Midnight Rodeo (http://midnightrodeoaustin.com) in south Austin, Texas. Nothing has changed. Still has the giant dance floor, bars all over the place, pretty attentive wait staff, great drink prices and drink specials...yup...Midnight Rodeo is still there to get you country two step on.

Located just off of IH 35 in South Austin, Midnight Rodeo sports live music on a regular basis. Usually a modest to cheap cover, always good in Austin for live music. Lots of large regional and local acts filter through the doors and perform on the stage, this particular night was no different. With local up and comers the Cody Bryan Band and headliner Brian Keane (with special guest guitarist Wayne Sutton) it was a warm and fun return to the Rodeo!

Cody Bryan Band (http://codybryanmusic.com/main.php) could be called the new kids on the block, but they have been cutting their teeth in the Austin music scene for several years now. In one form or another, the have been rocking it and kicking it in Austin. More recently, on the regional circuit from Colorado, Oklahoma, the Texas panhandle, down to the third coast and out to New Mexico and Arizona. After seeing the Cody Bryan Band several times previously (check my blog history) it seems like they are always doing something fun or revealing something new. This night we were all lucky as Cody and his band dropped a new song on us, 'Small Town Noise'. This is a huge song, with a great story, a fun hook, and...well if you like to dance...go to take a swirl and a turn.

Brian Keane (http://www.briankeane.net) definitely had more of that Country Outlaw feel...and boy it felt good. Willy, Waylon, Hank Jr., and David Allen Coe should be damn proud. This was that fun and rowdy sound that country used to be and should feel like. Brian Keane was just having a grand time on stage with his 3 piece. I will tell you to is still amazing to hear a 3 piece put together so well, you just can't tell. With the special guest, Wayne Sutton, on guitar, this made it for an unbelievable one night only type of performance. With the dance floor filling up, and the songs rolling off his tongue, it was not hard to tell that everyone one at Midnight Rodeo had a great time with Brian Keane.












This is what I preach about in the Austin music scene ALL the time. Go out, see some live music, catch a show. You NEVER know who you are going to see or what surprises you will experience. For me on this night it was the rush of a friends debut song and also seeing a guitar legend and hero of mine onstage as well.


Laters

Mayhem Festival wrap up

The main stage wrap up for the Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival (http://rockstarmayhemfest.com) 2014, Dallas, Texas.

Trivuim, Asking Alexandria, KORN, and Avenged Sevenfold were the featured bands to round out a long day in the Texas sunshine. I have to say sorry to Trivium. As much as I wanted to see this performance, after hearing and seeing them for the first time on a Sony PSP game (Infected - check it out with a killer soundtrack for a video game), I missed out. Sucks to be me.

Asking Alexandria (http://askingalexandria.com) followed up with a very cool set. No question that some of the younger fans (teens) were thrilled for this one. I recognized a few songs from my daughter's music collection, but the performance was energetic. No doubt AA was playing it up for the Dallas crowd. It was a very satisfying set musically and performance wise. Being able to compare this set to a previous set they did at a smaller, indoor venue in Austin, I will say this... The next time Asking Alexandria is in your town playing a club or similar indoor venue GO! Outdoor festival stage, not so much. They can definitely be a band to continue to watch and follow as they continue to kill these live performances.

KoRn (http://www.korn.com). Are you effing kidding me? Celebrating the 20th anniversary of their debut album, it was kick ass. I am very happy to say THIS IS the way a live performance should be! KoRn opened with one of their big hits, and just continued to roll through their set like champs! They made it exciting to watch them onstage with the lights, the different stage levels, and the guys in the band constantly moving around. The mixture was just right for a live music performance. Best of all, the set list didn't leave you asking "what about 'that' song?" Running on all cylinders, KoRn's live performance experience was in its full glory. The new upcoming tour should be pretty amazing, and even more glorious with KoRn doing a full set and being able to pull out all the stops.

Avenged Sevenfold (http://avengedsevenfold.com/news) wrapped up the night with their hot set, like they were on fire. Literally! Flames shooting up from the back of the stage, the fire constantly burning, the fog and smoke engulfing the stage. Images of Hell, death, skeletons, and prisons, what more could any metal fan want. Oh yes, music! A7X rose to the challenge and blew up the night for a performance that was worthy of a headline spot. They played for the crowd and seemed to have fun doing it. This is all so very important as that will always translate into a good time for everyone in attendance. 

Once again, I thank the folks from Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival for the good time, great music, and exhausting day. Another one on the books and I look forward to next year.

For all you reading, look for the announcement of who is going to be on the tour. If there are 3 or 4 bands that you want to see together in one place, the ticket to ride is well worth it. With all of the excitement, energy, and music music that is a festival experience, go!  The hella good thing is you will probably find someone new to listen to, become a fan of, and rock out to!

Laters