Who: The Sing Off Live! The Filharmonic, VoicePlay, & Home Free
When: March 15, 2014
Where: UB Center for the Arts/ Buffalo, NY
With: Steph
Of Note: Steph has set a dangerous precedent for my visits to Buffalo.
So, the last time I was in Buffalo, my friend's Steph & Gary did magic things and procured some free, VIP tickets to see the Goo Goo Dolls. It was glorious. As a result, I possibly shouldn't have been surprised when I was in Buffalo for work in March and Steph called to say, "I know we were supposed to hang out for a TV date tonight but I forgot I had free tickets to The Sing Off tour. Would it be okay if we did that instead?" I'm pretty sure I've made my feelings on a capella pretty clear, and my feelings on The Sing Off even clearer. Yes, absolutely that would be wonderful, yes. (Bonus points for the fact that I had bought a ticket to see the show in SF but subsequently had to StubHub it because I ended up being out of town for work.)
Before I get into the actual show, I have some thoughts on the concept. First, I hope that these concerts made ninety bajillion dollars so that increases the financial viability of the TV show that so that the TV show can go on forever. Because it is amazing. Second, I thought it was a little strange that there was only one female on the entire tour. Third, I wonder how they picked these three groups (and why three?) - I assume it has something to do with who was available/ could tour/ etc. but it just made me think.
The opening of the show was a big, old group number and it was pretty spectacular - the absolute wall of sound of that many voices at the opening on 'Some Nights' was impressive...and then it turned into a full on fun. medley! I love fun.! I liked that there each group got a chance to do their thing in addition to doing the big group segments. I was less in love with the varsity jackets and slightly awkward choreography. But, overall, a super impressive start.
Next up: The Filharmonic. They were absolutely as adorable in person as they were on the TV show. Their set had a good mix of their best performances from the show and some new tunes. 'It's Gonna Be Me' and This is How We Do It' were stand-outs. I was confused why the group was wearing different lettermen jackets than the opening number. I liked that more of the group got to be featured, instead of just a primary soloist like on the show. I also really liked the Bruno Mars 'Treasure' cover. I did not love all the "sexy" dancing because they are children (but I get it). I really hope they get boy band success someday. Musically sound, personable with the crowd, and generally adorable. An excellent start.
Then: VoicePlay. So, the interesting thing about VoicePlay was they were about 900 times more likable on the tour than they were on the show. I attribute this to two things: first, on the tour, they were allowed to perform like the professional touring group they are, not forced to perform with a female soloist to try to be the next iteration of Pentatonix (which, obviously, wasn't going to happen). And, for the songs they did bring in a female vocalist, they used the far more talented lady with the enormous hair from Ten (Emoni, the internet tells me) than the woman they worked with on the show (who was not a great fit for the group?... something always seemed off). Anyway, my favorite bit that they did was this whole skit/song thing where the guys pantomimed being in a car/ on a roadtrip: fighting over the radio and whatnot. It featured it a ton of inventive sounds & funny visuals as well as seamless transitions between a variety of genres during the "radio station battle portion." They also crushed 'Love on Top' with Emoni.
Outside of the groups doing their individual sets, they also recreated the "battles" that were present on the live show. Everyone got into the Home Free/ Filharmonic CaddyShack number from the show but my favorite part of the battles was the bass from Home Free doing a pretty kick ass Nick Lachey impression. It was hilarious (if only because I am such a big fan of Nick Lachey!). There was also an intensely epic beatbox battle between the three groups' percussionists that, I mean, you'd have to love the art of a capella to get really into, but it was awesome. Those guys are so, intensely talented at making percussion noises with their mouths!
Home Free's solo set was so very good musically and maybe just one shade too gimmicky with the recurring jokes/comedy bits. For example, they interrupted the delightful version of Josh Turner's 'Your Man' with some schtick about how it wasn't fair that the bass guy could also sing in a tenor range. I get it; the guy's got vocal range - just let him sing the song! There was also some joke about the lead-ish guy's pants (which were orange corduroy, oddly) that I can't quite put my finger on. Their version of the Zac Brown Band's 'Colder Weather' brought an actual tear to my eye. They did a whole bunch of "guilty pleasure" pop covers with a big joke aobut the orange pants guy's rapping...which, yes, funny. Maybe a little too long? I feel like I'm being nit-picky though - overall, it was absolutely clear why this is the group that won. Their vocals were so strong, the harmonies so clear, the brand message clearly articulated. And their "big" numbers from the show - 'Life is a Highway', 'Ring of Fire' were pretty much stunning.
Then, as a special bonus treat, everyone from the whole concert came back on stage to close out the night with an un-microphoned version of 'Hallelujah' that was chill-inducing.
As we left, I remarked to Steph that it was "a little something for everyone" - boy bands & country music for her, a capella for me. I also told her she set a dangerous precedent; I'm going to expect surprise free concert tickets every time I go to Buffalo!
When: March 15, 2014
Where: UB Center for the Arts/ Buffalo, NY
With: Steph
Of Note: Steph has set a dangerous precedent for my visits to Buffalo.
So, the last time I was in Buffalo, my friend's Steph & Gary did magic things and procured some free, VIP tickets to see the Goo Goo Dolls. It was glorious. As a result, I possibly shouldn't have been surprised when I was in Buffalo for work in March and Steph called to say, "I know we were supposed to hang out for a TV date tonight but I forgot I had free tickets to The Sing Off tour. Would it be okay if we did that instead?" I'm pretty sure I've made my feelings on a capella pretty clear, and my feelings on The Sing Off even clearer. Yes, absolutely that would be wonderful, yes. (Bonus points for the fact that I had bought a ticket to see the show in SF but subsequently had to StubHub it because I ended up being out of town for work.)
Before I get into the actual show, I have some thoughts on the concept. First, I hope that these concerts made ninety bajillion dollars so that increases the financial viability of the TV show that so that the TV show can go on forever. Because it is amazing. Second, I thought it was a little strange that there was only one female on the entire tour. Third, I wonder how they picked these three groups (and why three?) - I assume it has something to do with who was available/ could tour/ etc. but it just made me think.
The opening of the show was a big, old group number and it was pretty spectacular - the absolute wall of sound of that many voices at the opening on 'Some Nights' was impressive...and then it turned into a full on fun. medley! I love fun.! I liked that there each group got a chance to do their thing in addition to doing the big group segments. I was less in love with the varsity jackets and slightly awkward choreography. But, overall, a super impressive start.
Next up: The Filharmonic. They were absolutely as adorable in person as they were on the TV show. Their set had a good mix of their best performances from the show and some new tunes. 'It's Gonna Be Me' and This is How We Do It' were stand-outs. I was confused why the group was wearing different lettermen jackets than the opening number. I liked that more of the group got to be featured, instead of just a primary soloist like on the show. I also really liked the Bruno Mars 'Treasure' cover. I did not love all the "sexy" dancing because they are children (but I get it). I really hope they get boy band success someday. Musically sound, personable with the crowd, and generally adorable. An excellent start.
Then: VoicePlay. So, the interesting thing about VoicePlay was they were about 900 times more likable on the tour than they were on the show. I attribute this to two things: first, on the tour, they were allowed to perform like the professional touring group they are, not forced to perform with a female soloist to try to be the next iteration of Pentatonix (which, obviously, wasn't going to happen). And, for the songs they did bring in a female vocalist, they used the far more talented lady with the enormous hair from Ten (Emoni, the internet tells me) than the woman they worked with on the show (who was not a great fit for the group?... something always seemed off). Anyway, my favorite bit that they did was this whole skit/song thing where the guys pantomimed being in a car/ on a roadtrip: fighting over the radio and whatnot. It featured it a ton of inventive sounds & funny visuals as well as seamless transitions between a variety of genres during the "radio station battle portion." They also crushed 'Love on Top' with Emoni.
Outside of the groups doing their individual sets, they also recreated the "battles" that were present on the live show. Everyone got into the Home Free/ Filharmonic CaddyShack number from the show but my favorite part of the battles was the bass from Home Free doing a pretty kick ass Nick Lachey impression. It was hilarious (if only because I am such a big fan of Nick Lachey!). There was also an intensely epic beatbox battle between the three groups' percussionists that, I mean, you'd have to love the art of a capella to get really into, but it was awesome. Those guys are so, intensely talented at making percussion noises with their mouths!
Home Free's solo set was so very good musically and maybe just one shade too gimmicky with the recurring jokes/comedy bits. For example, they interrupted the delightful version of Josh Turner's 'Your Man' with some schtick about how it wasn't fair that the bass guy could also sing in a tenor range. I get it; the guy's got vocal range - just let him sing the song! There was also some joke about the lead-ish guy's pants (which were orange corduroy, oddly) that I can't quite put my finger on. Their version of the Zac Brown Band's 'Colder Weather' brought an actual tear to my eye. They did a whole bunch of "guilty pleasure" pop covers with a big joke aobut the orange pants guy's rapping...which, yes, funny. Maybe a little too long? I feel like I'm being nit-picky though - overall, it was absolutely clear why this is the group that won. Their vocals were so strong, the harmonies so clear, the brand message clearly articulated. And their "big" numbers from the show - 'Life is a Highway', 'Ring of Fire' were pretty much stunning.
Then, as a special bonus treat, everyone from the whole concert came back on stage to close out the night with an un-microphoned version of 'Hallelujah' that was chill-inducing.
As we left, I remarked to Steph that it was "a little something for everyone" - boy bands & country music for her, a capella for me. I also told her she set a dangerous precedent; I'm going to expect surprise free concert tickets every time I go to Buffalo!
The Filharmonic!
VoicePlay!
Home Free!
Everyone!!
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