ACL Setup vs Fun Fun Fun Fest Setup

Today in History of Rock and Roll we discussed whether the setup of ACL or Fun Fun Fun was better.   Often times during ACL two popular musicians play on opposite sides of the concert area in order to reduce crowding. This tactic works well in dispersing large numbers of people but it also angers many others. If two of your favorite groups play at the same time then you have to choose between one of them. On the other hand, the Fun Fun Fun Fest is organized so that each genre has its own stage, which I think is really convenient and helpful. Their is a stage area for hip hop, for indie rock, for metal and for country and other genres. If you are a huge indie rock fan it would mean that you wouldn't have to undergo the hassle of running from place to place trying to find the act you want to. I think that this is so much better than what happens at ACL because it reduces crowd sizes, since people have many different musical tastes, and it lets you see almost every one of the shows that you want to see. Although ACL is planned pretty well, I like the approach and selection options of the Fun Fun Fun Fest.

Jerry Lee Lewis

In class this week we talked about the many great singers of the 1950's. I think that the most interesting one was Jerry Lee Lewis. Not only did we learn that he had eight wives but we also saw a video of him playing the piano, and he was so full of energy and excitement. He was crazy and seemed deranged but I thought it was really cool how excited he was when he played and I wish that there was more of that in today's music. Nowadays all you see is artists in stupid and flamboyant costumes singing mediocre songs on stage. I wish that they could bring as much passion and flair as Jerry Lee Lewis did. I loved the way that he kicked the piano away from his feet and stood up and played. It is just so different from today's musical artists. The class learned that the reason that piano has died out as a rock and roll instrument is the fact that it is stationary but with Jerry Lee Lewis playing it, it is one of the most exciting and captivating instruments in rock and roll.

The Role of Music in My Life

I would consider music a pretty important part of my life. I think that that is true for most people. I use it to calm down, or to raise my energy level, or just when I am sitting around and want to be in my own little world. I primarily listen to rock but sometimes pop songs and indie bands. Some of my favorite artists are the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, AC/DC, and Foster the People. I like the Red Hot Chili Peppers because of their versatility and the different beats and sounds they manage to produce. I love their songs "Under the Bridge," "Can't Stop," "Otherside," and "Dani California" although they all have different rhythms and flows. I like Foster the People and Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros because of the cheery mood I get when listening to them. Songs like "Janglin" and "Helena Beat" just pick me up when I am in a bad mood or drowsy. When I really want to get pumped up I will listen to AC/DC because their songs emanate energy and I feel really excited when hearing a song like "Highway to Hell" or "Thunderstruck." Occasionally I will listen to pop, but it is usually overplayed and repeated so often that I get sick of it. For instance, the Adele songs got annoying after a while. Normally, I choose the music I am listening  to depending on the mood that I am in. If I am tired and need to wake up I might listen to AC/DC, and when I am just sitting around at home wanting to relax I usually listen to something milder and less heavy.  Music puts me into a different state of mind that I enjoy and cherish, and that is why it is an integral part of my life. I try to listen to music as much as possible because it just makes me feel so much better.