Muskegon Summer Celebration

Concert ReviewJuly 8, 2011Unknown source

Another awesome night down at Heritage Landing! If you didn't arrive early enough to see Parachute, you truly missed out! They hit the stage full of energy and connecting with audience immediately, and even literally. Lead singer, Will Anderson, ran out on stage singing and gave everyone in the front row that he could touch high-fives. It set the tone for the entire performance - high energy and memorable. Some of the songs performed were "White Dress," "What I Know," "She Is Love," "Ghost," and "Something To Believe In (Jeremiah)". They also performed a cover of Tom Petty's "Won't Back Down." In another couple years I am sure they will be the headliners. I look forward to seeing them again someday.


After a short break, Michelle Branch came out singing "Everywhere." I don't know if I have seen a more likable person perform. She just seemed so sweet and so sincere. She spoke of the last time she was at Summer Celebration which was Fourth of July 2003, it was the beginning of her relationship with her now husband, bass player, Teddy. They found a good spot to watch the fireworks, and she asked him "so... are you... like my boyfriend... or what?" And from that moment on they were completely together. It all began in Muskegon. Very cool story and neat that we set that backdrop for that to happen. Sorry, I love gushy love stories, back to the music! She also performed, "Breathe," her new single "Loud Music," "Goodbye to You," "Game of Love," "Leave the Pieces" which was a song she had with her band The Wreckers, "Are You Happy Now," and finished with her hit "All You Wanted." I enjoyed her set and was happy to have a woman performer this year (only all-girl act in the last two years). My only criticism would be that in addition to the two guitar players she sang along to a track for her back up vocals, drums, and keyboard. Sometimes it seemed that the track and the live music wasn't quite synced up correctly. She did introduce her band as her "recession band," so maybe she could sense it was a little off. Otherwise, I had a great time and loved it!


Lastly, Goo Goo Dolls came rocking on stage! Their set was roughly an hour and a half of nothing but pure Goo Goo Dolls music. Basically, it was the complete opposite of the Sugar Ray concert. - no fillers, no covers, no awkward audience karoake, only music. I mostly say this as a good thing. I do like a little story to go with a song about what the song is about or what inspired the song or maybe a little banter with the bandmates, but at least I felt like we all got our money's worth of Goo Goo Doll music tonight! There wasn't a hit they didn't sing: "Slide," "Black Balloon," "Better Days," "Name," "Let Love In," and "Broadway," along with songs from their earliest albums which featured then lead singer and now bass player, Robby Takac. With literally no break in between songs, it seemed the songs just flowed one to the other without ever stopping. I had seen Goo Goo Dolls last time they were at Summer Celebration and I remember it being that same way then, but it didn't feel as thrilling. I commented to my friend with me that lead singer John Rzeznik seemed far less "emo" (as the kids call it) this time and much happier and smiling more. It really came through in his performance that he was having a good time. Great time tonight and wonderful turnout! (Pictures are horrible of Goo Goo Dolls, I apologize!!)

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