Vision bar, Sands Casino / bethlehem, pa
This is my first time reviewing M80. I have seen them a few times. M80 is one of the straight up / rock / party bands you will encounter. This cover band has a few surprises. Right into the review...
Important Note: Due to not being 100% about Vision Bar policy on photos, I did not risk it.
Important Note: Due to not being 100% about Vision Bar policy on photos, I did not risk it.
I arrived shortly after 10. The start time being delayed until 11. M80 did two sets with DJ doing one in between. Crowd size fluctuated. Even though the band has high energy from start to finish, it took the crowd a while to pick up on it and the dance floor to get busy. Like I said, this band has a few surprises. Read on to find out what they are and how the band did vs. my criteria.
Stage Show: Average. Even though there was not much room to move around a lot. The lead vocals switched between Jane Train and Bryan Harmony. Even if the technical of mic reach got in the way, the vocals did switch on songs. If the mic reach was the case, drop off stage and stand right in front. Another suggestion: While one was singing, the other could have been in front of the stage dancing with the crowd. This would have raised the rating considerably. Also goes towards crowd interaction.
Crowd Interaction: Have Attention! The band did the usual: talk to the crowd and get the energy up. They were available in between sets. Towards the end of the show, the band asked for requests. Asking for requests is what raised this rating one above average.
Music / Dance Floor: Surprised Me / Excellent!! Like most cover bands, M80 was hit and miss on the songs. The variety was good and they knew how to read the crowd. What earned the band these ratings was 2 things. Both are part of the bands surprises. The had a very good mix and variety. 2 Bon Jovi covers packed the dance floor. From that they went into "Every Little Thing She Does is Magic". This one, almost cleared the dance floor. Rotating the dance floor gives people a chance to take a break and others to get some exercise! Back to the music part. I have seen some bands do slides and mixes. At the end, M80 took this to a new level. Literally combining "I Love Rock and Roll" and "Pour Some Sugar on Me". Starting with one and switching between. Example: going from one verse to the next in the other song. They pulled it off without any, noticeable, screw ups! Oh, before I forget, the dance floor went from a few people to completely packed! People did not stop dancing until the last note. I was out there for two songs. Even people farther back were moving and dancing depending on the song.
Band Energy: Have Attention! M80 is a high energy band. They hit the stage hard and do not back off until the last note. Combining a mix of hard breaks and slides with the hard breaks only lasting 20 seconds tops.
Crowd Energy: Surprised Me! Honestly, I expected the usual: a few people paying attention and dancing. Well, I was wrong. At times, they had over half the crowd moving / dancing. During their 2 sets, over half the crowd was paying as much attention to band as they were to talking and their drinks.
Crowd Response: Surprised Me! This is a combination of the dance floor / crowd energy plus one more factor. When the band wanted a response, they got it! Including a dance floor moving until the last beat. Requests for "One More Song" at 2 a.m.
Technical: Average. I did not notice any technical problems during the show.
Time for the overall rating, before you get bored!
Overall Rating / Recommendation:
Rating: Surprised Me! The deciding factors that nudged this one up: Dance Floor and Music. I was seriously surprised at how people crowded onto the dance floor and with the crowd very small at the end, were still moving and dancing. The mix / variety / rotating dance floor / mix at the end were major factors here.
Would I recommend going to see M80? Yes, without a doubt! Just be in the mood to dance and get some exercise. Hey, if a band can get me out there and moving on several songs when I was not. They are definitely worth seeing at least one time. I usually hang back due to observing everything.
Special Note: The staff of Vision Bar deserves credit. Any time a drink was spilled or a wet spot on the floor, they were on top of it. I know, insurance reasons. That does not detract from staff being right on top it. Excellent Job and a lot of credit here!
Have your attention yet????
The band:https://www.facebook.com/pages/M80/295789119563
http://www.reverbnation.com/M80band
Live Music Review Criteria:
http://avalleyandbeyond.weebly.com/live-music-reviews---criteria.html
Stage Show: Average. Even though there was not much room to move around a lot. The lead vocals switched between Jane Train and Bryan Harmony. Even if the technical of mic reach got in the way, the vocals did switch on songs. If the mic reach was the case, drop off stage and stand right in front. Another suggestion: While one was singing, the other could have been in front of the stage dancing with the crowd. This would have raised the rating considerably. Also goes towards crowd interaction.
Crowd Interaction: Have Attention! The band did the usual: talk to the crowd and get the energy up. They were available in between sets. Towards the end of the show, the band asked for requests. Asking for requests is what raised this rating one above average.
Music / Dance Floor: Surprised Me / Excellent!! Like most cover bands, M80 was hit and miss on the songs. The variety was good and they knew how to read the crowd. What earned the band these ratings was 2 things. Both are part of the bands surprises. The had a very good mix and variety. 2 Bon Jovi covers packed the dance floor. From that they went into "Every Little Thing She Does is Magic". This one, almost cleared the dance floor. Rotating the dance floor gives people a chance to take a break and others to get some exercise! Back to the music part. I have seen some bands do slides and mixes. At the end, M80 took this to a new level. Literally combining "I Love Rock and Roll" and "Pour Some Sugar on Me". Starting with one and switching between. Example: going from one verse to the next in the other song. They pulled it off without any, noticeable, screw ups! Oh, before I forget, the dance floor went from a few people to completely packed! People did not stop dancing until the last note. I was out there for two songs. Even people farther back were moving and dancing depending on the song.
Band Energy: Have Attention! M80 is a high energy band. They hit the stage hard and do not back off until the last note. Combining a mix of hard breaks and slides with the hard breaks only lasting 20 seconds tops.
Crowd Energy: Surprised Me! Honestly, I expected the usual: a few people paying attention and dancing. Well, I was wrong. At times, they had over half the crowd moving / dancing. During their 2 sets, over half the crowd was paying as much attention to band as they were to talking and their drinks.
Crowd Response: Surprised Me! This is a combination of the dance floor / crowd energy plus one more factor. When the band wanted a response, they got it! Including a dance floor moving until the last beat. Requests for "One More Song" at 2 a.m.
Technical: Average. I did not notice any technical problems during the show.
Time for the overall rating, before you get bored!
Overall Rating / Recommendation:
Rating: Surprised Me! The deciding factors that nudged this one up: Dance Floor and Music. I was seriously surprised at how people crowded onto the dance floor and with the crowd very small at the end, were still moving and dancing. The mix / variety / rotating dance floor / mix at the end were major factors here.
Would I recommend going to see M80? Yes, without a doubt! Just be in the mood to dance and get some exercise. Hey, if a band can get me out there and moving on several songs when I was not. They are definitely worth seeing at least one time. I usually hang back due to observing everything.
Special Note: The staff of Vision Bar deserves credit. Any time a drink was spilled or a wet spot on the floor, they were on top of it. I know, insurance reasons. That does not detract from staff being right on top it. Excellent Job and a lot of credit here!
Have your attention yet????
The band:https://www.facebook.com/pages/M80/295789119563
http://www.reverbnation.com/M80band
Live Music Review Criteria:
http://avalleyandbeyond.weebly.com/live-music-reviews---criteria.html
