X Fest recap!

So last Saturday, the 12th, X Fest rocked Verizon Wireless Music Center. It was an absolutely fantastic show! Cavo, Framing Hanley, Sick Puppies, Cage the Elephant, Red, Hurt, Hollywood Undead, and Alice in Chains was the order. Here's a recap:

Cavo: Cavo opened the show. You may know their song "Champagne". It's a very promising song, and let me say that these guys are pretty good. They seem to me like a band who isn't jaded and corrupt yet. Like a band still trying to make it, they just seemed like themselves. Which is a breath of fresh air. I didn't know many of their songs, but I'll be listening for more from them.

Framing Hanley: I'm sure most people know these guys buy their remix of Lil Wayne's "Lollipop". If you don't know that song, listen to it, it's pretty awesome. Again, didn't know much from them but I did reall enjoy their set. Sounded more polished than Cavo and good. One thing that took me by total surprise was that they screamed and have breakdowns in their songs. Anyone who doesn't listen to hardcore music doesn't know what a breakdown is, but anyone who does, they had them.

Sick Puppies: Arguably the best band all night. Sick Puppies are a band I could watch over and over and over and over... you get the point. They are a 3 piece band from Australia. As mentioned in the X Fest preview, youmay know their song "All the Same" from the Free Hugs video on YouTube. These guys are a force to be reckoned with. They sound fantastic, but on an amazing show, and can grip a crowd like no one else. The fact that they played third was a disgrace. They had more of a crowd than most bands and certainly sounded better than all but 1 or 2. I've seen them live 3 times, they are amazing every time and I'll see them as many times as they come close. Listen to the song "You're Going Down".

Cage the Elephant: One word for these guys: weird. Their hit song is called "Ain't No Rest for the Wicked" a song I highly recommend. These guys have a very 70's sound. I feel like they could've been at Woodstock. Their lead singer would've certainly fit in, he was strung out on something. Bouncing around, running around, getting into the crowd, going into the pit, and in between all of this, he would stand their with a blank stare. Too bad, such a young kid with a good voice.

Red: These guys have 3 popular songs, "Breathe Into Me", "Already Over", and "Death of Me", all very good songs. These guys were probably the hardest band there but they deserved to be there, they are good. They played every song you'd expect and sounded very good while doing it.

Hurt: Another one of my favorite bands there. These guys are the most underrated band around. They can be the hardest band, yet the softest. Their lead singer, J. Loren, has the most unique voice in modern rock. An absolutely amazing voice. He even busts out a violin solo in the middle of a hrd rock song! These guys are simply fantastic and will be around for a long time. Listen to the songs "Rapture", "Falls Apart", "Ten Ton Brick", "Thank you for Listening", *takes a breath* "Wars", and "Fighting Tao". If you like softer stuff listen to "Danse Russe".

Hollywood Undead: Sucked. Shouldn't have been there. Clowns thinking they're hardcore, awful. I've wasted too much time talking about them.

ALice in Chains: Amazing. Anyone who knows about these guys knows their lead singer, Layne Staley, died in 2002 and they recently got a new lead singer. He is awesome! Even the old stuff sound great! These guys are one of the greatest bands in rock history and have found a singer that will further their legacy. They played everything old and lots new. Absolutely fantastic!

Overall (minus Hollywood Undead) the show was awesome. Huge crowd, nice weather, fantastic music! This is why I go to concerts! YOU SHOULD TOO!!