Tag Archives: Taylor Swift

A&E, Lexi Burch

KFC Yum! Center offers popular concert lineup

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By Lexi Burch

As the year 2013 kicks off with a bang, so do the sounds from inside the KFC Yum! Center. Even though it is only March,  the Yum! Center has brought in and will bring in music’s top names for their concert lineup.

The KFC Yum! Center, the home basketball court of the Louisville Cardinals, also hosts some of the largest concerts in Kentucky and Indiana. With seating for up to 22,000 people it is a key place for music stars to come and share their music. Junior Courtney Crombie said it is an awesome place to hold concerts.

“It’s so huge, the large space allows artists to do awesome things,” said Crombie.

Less than a week ago the Yum! Center hosted punk rock singer P!nk.

“My favorite part of the concert was when she was flying around the arena doing her acrobatic stuff,” said Crombie.

The concert line ups doesn’t stop at P!nk, artists like Luke Bryan, Kid Rock, Zac Brown Band, and The Who have all paid a visit to the Yum! Center.

“I’ve been to a couple concerts there,” said sophomore Natalie Graham. “The Yum! Center never fails to book awesome artists.”

In less than a month, country star Jason Aldean will take the stage and senior Alex Beyer said he is very excited.

“I am most excited to go see him live,” said Beyer. “It’s so much different to see an artist live.”

In addition to country stars like Jason Aldean, the Yum! Center will welcome one of country music’s biggest star. 21-year-old Taylor Swift will make her appearance May 10. This will be Swift’s third time in Louisville and second time at the Yum! Center.

“I was so excited [to get Swift tickets] because I have been to all of her concerts in Louisville and I know she always puts on an amazing show,” said junior Alex Kennedy.

It seems as if the Yum! Center’s line-up would slow down after Swift but if anything it gets better. Later in the year they will host Bruno Mars, One Direction, Bon Jovi, and Fleetwood Mac. This year’s line up will be every concert-goers dream, full of ultimate concert experiences.

“My favorite thing about concerts is because of how loud it is and how many people are there,” said Kennedy. “It’s like a giant party.”

A&E, Danielle Rehor

Rock this Country: 2012 Country Grammy Predictions

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By Danielle Rehor

For starters, let’s just say, Taylor Swift is overrated. The chances of her winning every award are likely, and that embarrasses me. So she shall not be included in this Grammy preview.  With that said, let’s get down to the nitty gritty of the country grammy nominations.

Taylor Swift, Jason Aldean, and Blake Shelton are all tied with three nominations, including Best Country Album. Kenny Chesney with Grace Potter, and newcomers Thompson Square are tied with two.

Best Country Album

Will Win: Own The Night Lady Antebellum

Lady Antebellum’s transition from hearty country to pop country crossovers have won them a whole new fanbase, and in turn caused their music to be played on every station from here to Japan. Currently ranked number fourteen on itunes, this twelve song album, Own the Night, continues in a way that pop-country fans adore.

Should Win: My Kinda Party Jason Aldean

Jason Aldean has been in the music business since 2005, has been known since 2009, and playing guitar since age 15. Up until this album he has won, one major award. He wont Top New Male Vocalist by Academy of Country Music. But his current album has won him eight major awards. His collaboration with season one American Idol winner Kelly Clarkson, “Don’t You Wanna Stay” qualifies as one of his best songs to date and “Dirt Road Anthem” brings the first rap country song. This transition brings a whole new side of country music and it was done with much finesse. this album as a whole embodies his rock infused sound and country music as a whole, hell-raising and everyday blessings included.

Dark Horse: Red River Blue  Blake Shelton

This album should be a shoe-in for the best country album award. Blake Shelton has had a year like no other and this album shows it.  Every song brings something that represents Shelton, as well as chart topping country music.  But the fandom of Lady A over shines this six album, three EP musical masterpiece.

Best Country Song

Will Win: “God Gave Me You“ Blake Shelton

I don’t know if it’s Blake Shelton or Miranda Lambert, but one of them is a good luck charm. Both artists won top entertainer of the year at the Country Music Awards, and their most recent albums continue to blow the compeitition out of the park. Blake Shelton’s ballad to his new wife shows his love and dedication to her in a truly heartfelt, if cheesy way.

Should Win: “You and Tequila” Kenny Chesney  with Grace Potter

This song is perfection…not quite.   Kenny Chesney’s songs tend to revolve around beaches and hot women, and I tend to believe they all sound remarkably similar, but this one is different.  Maybe it’s because he is singing about alcohol or, the more likely of the two, because he has folk rocker, Grace Potter singing with him. Her soft vocals add more to the performance than any amount of beach lyrics.

Dark Horse: “Threaten me with Heaven” Vince Gill

Having won this exact award both in 1992, and in 1995, Vince Gill may seem like a washed-up artist, but with eighteen albums ranging from bluegrass to country pop, to christian music, Gill is incredible. He has 27 Grammies as well, so maybe he isn’t such a dark horse…

Best Country Duo/Group Performance

Will Win: “You and Tequila” Kenny Chesney with Grace Potter

Kenny Chesney’s decision to bring rocker Grace Potter on to this song was a life changer. When asked, Potter didn’t even know who Chesney was, but this collaboration brings a new side to Chesney and his music.

Should Win: “Don’t You Wanna Stay” Jason Aldean with Kelly Clarkson

The passionate chemistry that “Don’t You Wanna Stay” brings, is unlike any other song of Jason Aldean’s. This song brings a sort of revival for Kelly Clarkson as well. She has done well for herself, but this hit pairs their vocals amazingly well and shows chops I didn’t even know the hard rocker Aldean posessed.

Dark Horse: “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not” Thompson Square

The lyrics do leave a bit to be desired, but this first song for Thompson Square shows the true chemistry between real life couple Keifer and Shawna Thompson.

Best Country Solo Performance

Will Win: “I’m Gonna Love You Through It” By Martina McBride

Having been nominated for 13 Grammys up to this point, the chances of Marina McBride winning this award are high. More than just experience, McBride’s song talks of strength and courage even through the toughest times, exemplified through developing breast cancer.

Should Win: “Honey Bee” Blake Shelton

Further showing great affection to his wife, Miranda Lambert, this song is a classic country song and is found relatable to most country fans.

Dark Horse: “Mama’s Song” Carrie Underwood

This song possesses some great lyrics and shows the importance Carrie Underwood places on family, but because this song wasn’t a single, or played on the radio, so the chances of it winning are slim.

A&E, Alyssa Book

Taylor Swift tour enchants audience

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Photo by Alyssa Book

By Alyssa Book

Since the cancellation in July, Kentuckiana has been anxiously awaiting country superstar Taylor Swift to come back to a rescheduled performance at the KFC Yum! Center on Oct. 10.

Miss Swift had to reschedule her Speak Now concert in Louisville because she was feeling ill the morning of the performance. Tears and cow girl boots exited the Yum! Center that night, but it only created two more months of excitement to fester inside the prized ticket holders.

The moment the red curtain pulled back, the sold out crowd was up on their feet clapping and awing in the presence of a Grammy award-winning artist.

Wearing a flashy gold dress and her signature cow girl boots, Taylor opened with the track Sparks Fly, and as the chorus set in, fireworks erupted out from stage and that set the bar for the rest of the show.

Swift’s concert stage was set up with a balcony and a winding staircase, which was covered at every point in the show by her and her back up dancers. Her band being dressed in black made her multiple dresses, which all included sparkles and red lips, stick out and exude the look of a true superstar.

Songs had fans screaming in excitement, and dancing was inevitable as songs like Better Than Revenge and Mean had every girl in the house feeling like Taylor’s songs were written specifically for their lives.

My favorite part of the concert was when Enchanted played and Swift sang along with violins and glitter poured out  into the mesmerized audience. Her voice was flawless and the ballerinas swaying across the stage made it feel like a complete fairytale.

The concert ended with an encore performance of her hit ; Love Story.  As she flew over the crowd in a hanging balcony piece, you realized this was way more than a concert. It was a country musical. The set, dancers, and wardrobe brought you inside the imagination of Taylor Swift.

The Speak Now tour was everything I imagined it to be and more. It left me wishing  every night could be filled with fireworks and girl empowering anthems. Taylor Swift  left her crowd “Enchanted” and the standing ovation at the end confirmed why she is the leading lady of country music.