John Vesely - Secondhand Serenade

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Secondhand Serenade

with Go Radio, Runner Runner and White Tie Affair

July 27th, 2010
Culture Room, Fort Lauderdale, FL

Review and Photos by Ashleigh Ahern

Despite Florida's disgusting weather, Culture Room had a line stretching to the street on July 27th. Fans of pop rock group Secondhand Serenade were ready to get inside and sing along to the sad and sweet lyrics of John Vesely.

Opening the show was Tallahassee's own Go Radio. The crowd was quite large, even early on. Singer, guitarist and ex-Mayday Parade vocalist Jason Lancaster had me comparing the band to Mayday Parade the whole night. Luckily, the boys were able to hold their own and gave the show a fun kick with their pop-tinged rock songs. While half the crowd sang along with the band, I couldn't help but think how I wanted them to keep playing.

Peter - Runner Runner

As disappointed as I was to see Go Radio leave, I was interested in hearing Runner Runner, another band I knew nothing about. My first thought upon their entrance? "Another pretty boy band with pretty boy looks, perfectly coiffed hair and little talent." Fortunately, their pretty looks translated into pretty good music. Each band member proved themselves to be adept musicians. Halfway through the set, vocalist Ryan Ogren brought out a birthday cake, complete with candles, as the band and audience sang “Happy Birthday” to bassist Jon Berry.

White Tie Affair took to the stage following the brief birthday celebration. From the beginning of their set, girls in the audience, including myself, sang along. Lead singer Chris Wallace put on a show—he jumped and bopped around the stage. Climbing to the second floor and jumping into the crowd, Wallace had every girl in the room screaming and pushing forward in hopes of getting to touch him. Finally back on stage, the show's energy continued to grow. The band blasted through popular songs "If I Fall," "Candle (Sick And Tired)," and "You Look Better When I'm Drunk," – girls in the crowd hanging on every note and lyric.

Whether you were single or not, it was hard not to feel something emotionally when Vesely opened his mouth and let his soothing voice sing deep, powerful and beautiful ballads.

Chris Wallace - the White Tie Affair

Taking a look around, I finally realized how many couples filled the Culture Room. All around me, guys were kissing, cuddling or holding hands with their girlfriends. At this point in the show, if you weren't paired off, you were the odd man out. Following this abrupt realization, I remembered who the headliner was: Secondhand Serenade. With an acoustic guitar in hand, front man John Vesely led the band onto the stage and opened with "Something More." Immediately, couples all around were melting into one another. Whether you were single or not, it was hard not to feel something emotionally when Vesely opened his mouth and let his soothing voice sing deep, powerful and beautiful ballads. The more he played, the more couples seemed to become intertwined with their significant other and the louder the songs seemed to grow.

Playing the songs "Stay Away," "Your Call" and "Something More," everyone felt the heartbreak, the pain, the growth and the love that Vesely had once experienced. Vesely's performance was one to be remembered simply for the feelings and the emotions evoked through his lyrics when played live.

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Send Ashleigh your feedback: writers@outloud.com