94.1 WJJO – New Year’s Eve Show
By Ashley Jamez
By Ashley Jamez
Show started at 9:15 pm and ended 12:30 am
There is no better way to start off a new year than with Madison’s solid rock station WJJO; who never disappoints when they bring a show into town. The New Year’s Eve show was a first for WJJO and their listeners, but hopefully tonight’s show has started a new tradition. For all those fortunate to make it out to the Madison Marriott West, we were treated with quite the New Year’s Eve concert lineup; Edisun, Aranda and Nonpoint.
The three bands are not unknown to Madison, they were just recently performing here in September over the Labor Day weekend at WJJO’s Taste of Madison.
The night started out with Edisun, a band from New York City, New York. Edisun consists of Ethan Isaac (lead vocals), Jonathan Svec (guitar), Joel Kelley (guitar), James Cruz (Bass) and Todd Budich (drums). Edisun’s lead singer is surprisingly a Wisconsin native, who had been raised in Madison, WI.
Edisun started the acoustic evening with their first track called “Wide Awake” from their self-titled CD. One would be quick to assume that an acoustic show would not have the feel or essence of a regular rock show, but tonight I beg to differ. Despite the more “intimate” set up for a show; with the crowd and the band both sitting, Edisun delivered nothing less than a rock show. Edisun’s energy poured out on the stage drawing in the crowd and presenting their music they sang with a dynamic force.
The 3rd song of the night for Edisun was a Beatles cover of “Helter Skelter”, which the band told a story about how they played that song for some servicemen overseas. It was a rocking cover that impressed me. I do enjoy most covers especially when a band brings in their own feel for the song. I was ultimately blown away with the lyrics for their 4th song “Ready to Believe”. I think the words “You can’t change me” were touching to me with the looming & infamous new year’s eve coming up in the next few hours. With New Years, it brings a change something that not everyone is comfortable with, this song’s lyrics definitely resonated with me.
Edisun ended their set with their current radio single “Medicate”. It was amusing to see Edisun having as much fun with the crowd as they could. By the end of the song the crowd was singing along to the words “give it up now!”. If you ever get to see these guys you will enjoy the high energy and what they bring to the stage.
Edisun’s set list:
Wide Awake
To Die For
Helter Skelter (Beatles cover)
Ready to Believe
Secrets
Medicate
Wide Awake
To Die For
Helter Skelter (Beatles cover)
Ready to Believe
Secrets
Medicate
1.
Aranda was next on JJO’s acoustic stage. The Aranda brothers Gabe & Dameon from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma brought forth the intimate feeling for the night. Their travels to Madison, WI were not easy this trip around, the weather was a bit of a challenge with the foggy end of the year but the boys made it just in time! And the brothers who were all smiles on stage said were happy to be back playing for Madison listeners.
Aranda started off the night with “Superficial Girl”, a song they say that they seldom play on stage. The night took a surprising turn by Aranda incorporating some classic remakes. The crowd was singing along with the 1st remake of the night “Talkin’ about Love” and the sing along continued right thru to the 2nd remake of Eagle Eye Cherry’s song “Save Tonight”, which the band commented on the crowds capabilities to sing along to this song making a Glee reference. And let’s not forget the most charismatic remake of the night; the Michael Jackson rendition. With the crowd singing along, I’ll admit I saw some foot action on stage during this remake and there was a mention to the upcoming rose bowl too.
Throughout the night I was mesmerized by the harmony of the Aranda brothers vocal capabilities. It is unexpected to hear a pair of vocals (despite being related or not) mesh so well together. Dameon and Gabe were having fun on stage and including the crowd with that fun. Between the brothers joking back and forth with each other or just smiling and laughing on stage.
Aranda’s Set List:
Aranda’s Set List:
1. Superficial Girl
2. Punish Me
3. New Song
4. New Song
5. Talkin’ about Love (Van Halen remake)
6. Save Tonight (Eagle Eye Cherry remake)
7. Brown Eyed Girl
8. Still in the Dark (1st released single)
9. Michael Jackson rendition: Black or White, Billy Jean & Man in the Mirror
10. Whyyawannabringmedown (Current radio single)
Nonpoint
http://www.nonpoint.com/
The headliners of JJO’s Acoustic New Year’s Eve were none other than Nonpoint. A band whom isn’t shy with playing in Madison, WI and is very welcomed by JJO’s listeners.
Nonpoint who is from Fort Lauderdale, FL consists of Elias Soriano (vocals), Robb Rivera (drums), Ken MacMillan (bass guitar/vocals) and Zach Broderick (guitars). Nonpoint has been around 10 plus years, and remarkably has three original members, which I find quite amazing. It’s invigorating to see a band that has such a solid foundation and a passion in what they bring forth.
My ultimate favorite song of the night was “Frontlines”. This song in the acoustic setting was breathtaking; the crowd was almost brought to a silence as the first lyrics were being sung. It’s shocking to hear and see a crowd quiet down and I could feel the anticipation of each word and chord played. By the time the chorus came around the crowd was singing along, the intensity and the emotion of the song brought chills to me. Maybe it is because of the meaning behind the song and just thinking of all of the servicemen and women serving for our country, it hits home for quite a few of us.
As midnight rolled around Nonpoint’s lead singer Elias Soriano kept a close eye on the clock. They ended the 2010 year with their Phil Colins remake “In the Air Tonight”. Elias Soriano counted down the new year for WJJO. As the listeners & as the bands raised their beer, champagne, water or mixed drink in the air, we said good bye to 2010 and said Happy New Year 2011. Now that midnight rolled around, the crowd was finally off their feet & this is how a Nonpoint show should be, acoustic or not! Chairs got pushed aside and we were out of our seats rocking out in front of the stage. The night ended with a Madison, WI favorite “Rabia”.
Nonpoint’s Set List:
1. What a day
2. Victim
3. Your sign
4. Miracle
5. March of War
6. Frontlines
7. In the Air Tonight
Midnight!!! (break)
8. Billy Jean
9. The Truth
10. Alive & Kicking
11. Bullet with A Name
12. Rabia
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