It was a gloomy morning as they set up for the B96 Pepsi Summer Bash at Toyota Park in Bridgeview, Illinois. You would think that would stop the crowds from coming early for the pre-bash, but you are wrong. At noon, crowds started pouring in the parking lot grilling food or getting as many free things until the show began.
Four straight hours of random DJs music and nowhere to buy actual food was dreadful, and once four o’clock came, the sun was out to torture us as we waited in line.When they tell a crowd that they save the best for last, they were not kidding. The first three performances were probably picked off the streets, or from a MTV reality show.
Macklemore was probably the only reason people 18 and over showed up, and even though we had all waited the entire day for him it was worth it. To announce Macklemore and Ryan Lewis was the one and only Miley Cyrus. Once she walked on stage, you heard several screams from the Hannah Montana fandom and from guys who have the biggest crush of this pixie.
On the other hand, they could also be screaming because they thought they saw a walking used tampon. Ryan Lewis did his thing without anyone acknowledging his existence, and we thank you for that. Bringing out several guests, also including his alter ego -Sir Raven Bowie-, and crowd surfing helped keep the soaking wet crowd dancing. Macklemore, eventually styling a custom made Bulls jersey that almost every big shot had gotten, had sang his two hits from the radio and his most emotional song that he is attached to, “Same Love.” This song made him emotional and he told the crowd, how years before he had only been in front of 200 people in Chicago, and is now in front of over thousands!
Demi Lovato was another crowd favorite, singing songs off her new album and old favorites. What was probably a huge entertainment of the show is watching Mike Posner and Sammy Adams leave backstage to fan girl, take pictures, and sing along. Lovato kept her set personal as she also had her moment talking about how Illinois was the place that saved her.
You can see tears in almost every one’s eyes as she talked about her struggle. She sung her heart out to Rihanna’s “Stay,” and brought out performer Cher Lloyd to sing their catchy new song “Really Don’t Care.”
Ne-Yo came on stage with everything an artist would need on tour: dancers, drums with his face plastered on the base drum, an entourage, you name it. What was sad about this performance was the only one who really knew who Ne-Yo was, were the bored struck teenagers waiting for Macklemore. Comparing this performance with the rest of the show was a bit too much dancer’s booty popping and winking to the crowd. I was minutes away from finding a priest because of all the flirting Ne-Yo had towards me on stage to elope with him on the spot.
Avril Lavigne had her comeback performance, singing her brand new hit, “Here’s to Never Growing Up”, which sounded a lot like a Miley Cyrus song before the ice cream stripper pole. Again, not many knew who this raccoon eyed Canadian was at first, but once she performed some of her classic songs like “Girlfriend” and “Sk8r Boi” the crowd went crazy.
Avril decided to show her talented side, by playing on one of her hundred guitars she had brought. Honestly, why would you need that many if you are going to play only one song and not crash it on stage? After the show, she went back to her new fiancé lead singer of Nickelback, Chad Kroeger, and was probably planning on buying new pairs of Crocs.
Sammy Adams came on stage to what seemed like a perfect lip syncing performance. The crowd was not entertained until he brought out singer Mike Posner on stage to sing their new song, “LA Story.” After the song, Sammy Adams randomly left the stage, and Mike Posner performed a snippet of his music. What made Sammy Adams leave so quickly?
That we will never know, but Sammy Adams was seen later that day on the VIP balcony watching the show almost the entire time, and interacting with the crowd between the shows. Afrojack was one of the most memorable performer by making it rain once he made it on stage. What was also amazing was the fact that the rain suddenly stopped when he walked off the stage.
To wrap things up, Brit singer and rapper, Cher Lloyd did an amazing job singing her hit songs, keeping the crowd pumped, and being the hottest nineteen year old around- she did not have much competition. The beloved Ariana Grande was a no show, tweeting before the show of being ill. Even though you did great the night before on Jimmy Fallon, we will find the heart to forgive you. Krewella made a surprise visit before their Spring Awakening set.
College group, Timeflies, free styled to random words all based on Chicago, which appeared on a screen. Zedd had an unfortunate time, being one of the opening acts when no one was in the stadium, but did entertain whomever there. Emblem3, the group of kids that was on America’s X-Factor made all the little girls wet by covering them in spit and water. A little inappropriate may I say, having all the fans between the ages of thirteen and sixteen, and viewing them half naked, crotch grabbing, and sweaty teenagers.
All in all, the show was entertaining, and brought everyone to their feet, and out of their seats (thanks rain). If you are entertained by the top 40 pop and hip hop songs that play on the radio, and hearing several mixes from their street crew DJs, then it’s totally worth the inexpensive ticket.
-Melissa Cardella