AP’s Fall Ball 2009

More music to report on!

Last night 11/7/09, I went to my first AP Fall Ball concert! I saw the bands at Starland Ballroom in Sayreville, NJ. Before I divulge exactly what happened, I’ll give you the list of bands that played. YouMeAtSix, The Secret Handshake, Set Your Goals, THE ACADEMY IS, and Mayday Parade.

First YouMeAtSix from the UK went on, they were so-so, kind of cute but didn’t really stand out to me as a band – they did do a good cover of ‘Pokerface’ by Lady Gaga – I bet if I listened to them more, they’d make a better impression.

Next was The Secret Handshake – Luis Dubuc, he was ADORABLE. Oh, this guy really has a lot of talent he’s a one man electronic pop band, and on stage he had a real presence. He encouraged the crowd to dance and of course we all did, he played his most popular songs from all three albums, some songs were inspired by unrequited crushes, Full House and dance parties – he even covered Miley Cyrus’ Party In The USA and he made it fun and bearable to listen to. I’ll definitely check out more of his music when I can!

Set Your Goals was the third band to play, to be perfectly honest I wasn’t that interested and didn’t bother to stand up and watch them (my friends and I only went into the pit when The Academy Is went on). I’m sure they’re talented guys, but they’re not my cup of tea!

The Academy Is… was basically out of this world amazing. They closed the show the night before so they were fourth on the bill that night. I can’t even BEGIN to explain how fantastic they were! I’ll just post their setlist below I go into specifics (these aren’t in exact order)

• Almost Here
• Neighbors
• Classifieds
• Checkmarks
• The Phrase That Pays
• About a Girl
• Summer Hair = Forever Young
• We’ve Got a Big Mess on Our Hands
• 40 Steps (Voted on by Santi’s Little Helpers (I voted for Seed))
• I’m Yours Tonight
• Slow Down

Now, the set was perfect, the band was in full swing and there wasn’t a single thing I would change – I just wish they would have played Seed or Rumored Nights. William was quite animated, throwing the mic stand up and catching it, then slamming it on the ground when their drummer The Butcher would end the song, William also enjoyed jumping off of The Butcher’s drum riser. Basically, I’m ready to see them again, the next time would mark my fifth time seeing them and I’m a huge fan girl. They had the crowd going crazy and William was really nice to the fans during the set too, having a sense of humor as he addressed us. The songs were spot on too, sounding just like the album versions – I really hope The Academy Is… go on tour again!!

Finally to end the Fall Ball, Mayday Parade took the stage. They put on a great set playing a few of my favorite songs by them including Black Cat, When I Get Home You’re So Dead, Jamie All Over…and another song that I actually liked but have no idea what it was called. I’d like to listen to more of them! I know they just had an album come out and this tour was to promote it. I’m kind of brief on this because I’m wicked excited to talk about the best part of the Fall Ball.

I GOT TO FORMALLY MEET WILLIAM BECKETT (frontman of The Academy Is…). See, this is a huge deal for me, seeing as I am a PROUD, second year member, Santi’s Little Helper (the TAI fanclub). Last year’s meet & greet was a table signing (BOOOO) and I only got to briefly talk to the guys, but they realized that the NJ Santi’s were clearly stiffed last year so they organized two sets of us to go meet the band. Oh my god. See I made William a journal and he really loved it! We spoke for a bit about writing and that I thought his guest column for Matt Devine’s advise column was so honest and I admired him. He was so nice and he hugged me, of course I got a picture with him because besides Ryland Blackinton he’s my most IMPORTANT band husband!!! You guys have NO idea how excited I was to meet William, I thought I was going to pass out – plus he said he’d use the journal – I left it blank so he could actually, oh you know, write in it and put a personal note on a sticky note so he could take it out and use the journal! 😀 Regardless the rest of the band, Mike, Sisky (Adam Siska), The Butcher (Andy Mrotek) and MGC (Michael Guy Chislet, see also Chizzy), were super nice! MGC remembered me from last year 😀 yay! But really, meeting William was one of the highlights of my YEAR (I know it’s sad, no comments from the peanut gallery on this one 😉 ). NOW here’s the picture of me and William Eugene Beckett Jr.Happiest day EVER. Oh my god William Beckett.

Basically, there are a few tour dates left, and I think…they may be sold out. But in essence, if you haven’t seen The Academy Is… you should really check them out next time they’re on tour (it might be awhile cause they’re taking a break afterwards).

So to give the Fall Ball ’09 a star rating? 4.5/5 (simply because the opening bands weren’t all that fantastic!) TAI = ❤

Happy Monday tomorrow!

XOXO,

Harlequinn

November 8, 2009. Tags: 2009, Alternative Press, amazingly ridiculous, AP FALL BALL, concert, Mayday Parade, Santi's Little Helpers, Saturday night, Sayreville, Set Your Goals, show, Starland Ballroom, The Academy Is..., The Secret Handshake, William Beckett, YouMeAtSix. bandom, fueled by ramen, Music. 1 comment.