America's Premiere Withholding Agent
Electric Wizard live was a positively overwhelming, yet euphoric experience. The nature of the heavy, droning “doom” metal with the dozens of flashing lights and imagery of satanic, horror and colored effects playing across the background, added up to an evening that I cannot say I’ve ever seen before. I certainly look forward to experiencing it again though.
~ Kevin Schoeppler
When I heard Brazilian star Adriana Calcanhotto would be performing at I-Drive NASCAR, I thought I had misread the email. So I reread it – three times.
My eyes did not deceive me and in fact, there was to be an entire event for Focus Brasil at I-Drive NASCAR. In addition to an indoor track, an arcade and an all-around atmosphere of a Chuck-E-Cheese for adults, the venue had space they rented out to conferences like Focus Brasil. This isn’t an advertisement for NASCAR though so I digress.
The room the show took place in was relatively small and laid out in a cabaret arrangement with maybe a dozen tables for attendees and a stage for Adriana in front. This created a very intimate environment compared to the 1,000+ seat theaters she played before and after this special show. Pair this with a room full of Brazilians that seemed to know every word and weren’t afraid to get up and dance (and even join her on stage at one point), and you’ve got a performance that somehow felt like a home show 4,000 miles from Rio de Janeiro.
I’m grateful to Adriana for the incredible performance as well as for taking the time to meet with us.
~ Kevin Schoeppler
Julie and Cecile after the concert
I’m no choir boy but walking past intense face/body paint, clothes made of bone and black leather, and sidelong glances from the folks in all this armor just to enter the venue was more than I bargained for. And at the center of it all, like a mad, gothic ring-leader was Raymond Watts.
Don’t let the aesthetics fool you.
Raymond Watts’ second best-kept secret is how nice he actually is. After the show, amidst a horde of undead fans, he took the time to have a lovely chat with me ranging from how the tour was going, to our shared experiences at this venue.
I definitely had a thoroughly good time and can’t wait until the next time Raymond brings PIG to the sunshine state. Perhaps I’ll get working on an outfit to blend in a little more next time.
~ Kevin Schoeppler
The most exciting punk band I’ve had the pleasure of seeing live.
These may seem like your ordinary, friendly, Letterkenny-loving Canadian lads, but the guys in PUP don’t hold back their punk rock ways. Combining modern elements of emotional acuity along with classic punk, nihilistic philosophies they are a thoroughly good time in the car or live on stage. They’re touring the globe (again) so don’t miss them tearing up your local venue.
Definitely looking forward to my screech-in.
~ Kevin Schoeppler
Ten Years After is the kind of band that your parents think of when they tell you “Music isn’t as good as it used to be.”
Taking the best parts of blues, rock and roll, and jazz, they create a timeless sound that makes you want to listen and sing along because it’s just that good.
A particularly big thank you to Ric Lee, a fellow stick-man, for not only being the incredible drummer for Ten Years After but also a great guy.
~ Kevin Schoeppler
I’ve been working on Amon Amarth’s CWA applications since 2016 and jumped at the chance of meeting them in Tampa. The show was amazing! – Delia
I’ve seen many shows at the Plaza Live in Orlando, most of which usually end with being herded against extremely sweaty, exhausted, fans that you’d probably rather not breathe on you. Described as a synth-pop and contemporary R&B duo, Honne makes incredibly full-bodied music that is extremely pleasant to listen to.
That said, I did not see how this excellent studying/late night car ride soundtrack was going to mix with something like a live performance. I’m pleased to say Honne’s live performance was probably the most enjoyable, intimate show I’ve ever seen live. The show had an overarching theme of having fun that felt less self-destructive as many other artists and more self-fulfilling and introspective. This culture came to a head when the guys actually got every individual (and I do mean every single one) in the audience to form lines of hugs and friendly embraces. It was definitely the first time I was genuinely happy to be connected, shoulder to shoulder, with all those sweaty, exhausted fans and I would gladly see them again.
~ Kevin Schoeppler
If you’re like me and never saw Queen live because you weren’t alive yet, there is no question that this is the next best thing. I hesitate to even call One Night of Queen a “show” because it was so much more than that. The experience was exactly that: an experience. It’s impossible not to be swept away by the live renditions of some of the greatest music ever written, not because they are identical to how they were recorded, but because the experience feels as if it is an actual Queen concert; With improvisation and nuance, audience interaction, and a few musical/stylistic choices that feel as if Queen was actually performing in front of you. The Sunrise Theatre itself was beautiful and has hosted One Night of Queen every year for over a decade so I would implore anyone that loves Queen to not miss this experience when it returns.
~ Kevin Schoeppler
This trio from Australia proved that pop punk isn’t dead, it’s just moved down under. How they managed to maintain that energy and emotion across the world is beyond me, but they did. Passing through middle and high school when My Chemical Romance and Mayday Parade were shaking the youth, I felt like I was back in 2007, and I loved it.
~ Kevin Schoeppler
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