A Music Lover's Guide to Good Gig Experiences

Anyone who loves music also needs to experience the joys of live music, so you should definitely start doing this if it’s something you haven’t really embraced in life thus far. But when you're new to attending gigs, it can be a bit daunting and you probably don’t know what to expect.

You want every gig experience to be a positive one, but that takes planning and a good strategy. Don’t just dive into live music without planning things out first of all. This music lover’s guide to good gigging experiences will help you to get it right when you start tasting live music for the first time.

Stay Up to Date With Tours and Announcements

Social media is definitely your friend when it comes to staying up to date with tours and announcements. They get thrown out there all the time so you need to make a concerted effort to stay up to date with them if you want to attend certain shows by certain artists. Follow them on the main social media platforms so that you never miss a beat. It’s a good idea to also follow the accounts of local venues so you don’t miss their latest announcements either.

Make Lists of When Tickets Go on Sale

These days, many of the big performing artists in the world of music will have their tours and shows sell out in a matter of seconds. That’s why you should be careful to know when tickets go on sale and when you can first buy them. Failing to do that will most likely lead to disappointment when the shows sell out and you’re left without a ticket.

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Know Where to Buy Tickets From When They’re Released

These days, you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to buying gig tickets. There are dozens of sites that sell tickets, and you can usually buy them directly from venues or artist websites as well. Even if you can’t, you will find links that take you to the right places where you can purchase tickets. Then there are sites like TicketOffices that resell tickets. These are ideal for people looking for tickets they missed out on when they were first released.

Get Your Position Early if You’re Standing

Gigs can be busy and if you want to get best the stage and see the act up close, you’re going to need to get your position as early as possible. Of course, that’s not a big problem if you’re going to be seating but if this is a standing gig, you want to get a good spot. It might even be worth getting to the gig early and queuing up outside the venue if you want to be right at the front.

Charge Your Phone Before Leaving the House

You should never attend a gig without a properly charged phone. It’s one of those rookie mistakes that can really come back to bite you if you’re not careful. What if you need to contact someone or want to find a friend who you got separated from during the gig? Dealing with those kinds of situations is easy if you have your phone with you. But it’s harder when the battery is dead!

Prioritise Your Comfort

You definitely need to give some thought to how you’re going to dress for the gigs you attend. Nothing is more important than your own comfort so this should be what you prioritise when you get ready. You need to be able to move freely, and take particular care when choosing footwear because the wrong shoes can rub your feet and make the entire evening very uncomfortable. On top of that, be sure to pack light because you don’t want to be weighed down.

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Don’t be Afraid to Go Alone

Many people hate the idea of attending gigs alone but it’s one of those things that’s never as bad as you imagine it to be before you try it for yourself. There will be plenty of other like minded people at the even and there’s nothing stopping you from socialising with them. You might even make some new friends along the way, so embrace your status as a solo gig-goer if you don’t know anyone with similar music tastes.

If you love music, you simply must take advantage of the local live music scene in your local area. Nothing is better than seeing your favourite artists performing live in front of you as you feel the floor shake. It’s one of the most exhilarating things you’ll experience, so enjoy it!

Gifts for the Kitchen They will Love

The Ninja® Intelli-Sense™ Kitchen System with Auto-Spiralizer™ features a smart and powerful base that transforms into four high-performance appliances. Intelli-Sense Technology delivers optimal results every time—all at the tap of a touchscreen. Features include:

• 12 Smart Programs: Chef-designed automatic recipe creations deliver optimal results every time. Precisely calibrated patterns of pulsing, pausing, and speed create everything from fresh salsa and pizza dough to margaritas and decadent ice creams—all it takes is a simple touch.
• Smart Vessel Recognition: Automatically adjusts speed, power, and torque for each attachment, and the touchscreen changes to display a unique menu of Smart Programs, enabling one Smart Base to become four high-performance appliances.
• Intuitive touchscreen: A sleek, flat screen responds to your touch and lets you select between vessel-specific Smart Programs and manual options.
• 1200-watt base with four interchangeable vessels, including a 72 oz. Total Crushing® Pitcher; a 24 oz. Single-Serve Blender Cup; a 64 oz. Precision Processor™ Bowl; and an Auto-Spiralizer

All attachments are BPA free and dishwasher safe

Ninja® Coffee Brewer with Auto-iQ® One-Touch Intelligence and Thermal Flavor Extraction® Technology unlocks your coffee’s full flavor potential. Features include:

• Choose a Size: Cup, Travel Mug, Half Carafe, or Full Carafe
• Choose a Brew: Classic, Rich, Over Ice, or Specialty
• Pod-Free Single Serve
• Auto-iQ One-Touch Intelligence adjusts the brew cycle based on the brew size and brew type you select
• 43 oz. Glass Carafe and Intelligent Warming Plate
• Removable water reservoir

Both products are available at major retailers everywhere. Get that Ninja gift for your loved one.

The Top Gifts For 2017

Christmas is a time of giving, and that means we need to spend a little time and effort on making sure we get the perfect gifts for the people we love. Yet, it doesn’t always work out that way. Often it’s because we have no ideas and no time to dedicate to these prospects, and we feel so bad when we have to rush to a garage on Christmas Eve. (Of course this is the worst case scenario!)

So it turns out that Christmas is right around the corner, so if you haven't picked up anything yet, let a few of these tips be your saving grace. Their popularity in 2017 means they’ll work for anyone if you’re at short notice, so look out for them in your daily shopping habits. Good luck with your pursuits!

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If You’re Buying ‘For Her’

When we think about it, anything from the sections for him and her can be given to anyone. But seeing as they’re separated out by every store around, let’s consider some alternatives to that. When we head to the ‘for her’ aisle to find something for special lady in our life, we can feel a little bit like a failure. All the products in this area seem somewhat generic and have no use beyond looking pretty or cute. So we should get a little more creative with our choices, and head to the other aisles to find something a little more personalized.

So it can be incredibly hard to buy makeup for someone, considering it all depends on personal tastes and you may not know what they really like or prefer things that they don’t, which can bias your purchases. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t buy accessories to do with this, such as a makeup bag, brush cleaner, or utensils that can make the beauty process go a lot easier. 

There’s also a trip down the books aisle to be had, as plenty of funny informational handbooks are on offer these days. When you have plenty of books on dating, for the husband and wife, and how to handle cats, there’s a laugh to be had for everyone. 

If You’re Buying ‘For Him’

Once again this can feel like a bit of a cop out, but if you want to grab some stocking stuffers, this is a good place to start. Maybe you’ve got a kid in your life that expects more than a satsuma to hang from the mantelpiece in a fluffy sock that has their name embroidered on it, so don’t let them be let down by these expectations. 

Novelty socks, underwears, and ties are always funny, especially when there’s a good pun to be read off of them. You can also pick up some entirely practical yet fun products from the internet if you’re buying for a particularly hard guy to please who seems to own everything in existence. For example, if they’re a pet owner or love dogs, you can wrap up a pet snack launcher. It’s time to hit the park!

In Technology and Media

Technology is always a popular market for gifts as they have a universal accessibility and interest for everyone on the planet. We’ve all used some kind of technology in our life, so follow along in this vein and keep an eye out for deals and price cut backs on phone models, phone skins, tablet accessories, and the consoles themselves. (If you buy something big, you won’t have to spend anything more!

For example, things such as selfie stands that take the perfect photo from any angle are the kinds of gifts everyone will appreciate. Making technology easier to get to grips with for both the young and old are the best products on the market in general. 

Upcoming apps like that of Final Fantasy 15 are big on the market for the end of year and beyond, considering the amount of usability there is in them. Being able to build your own virtual community with games like these is what makes them so fun. Buying a phone model that can handle the amount of storage something like this could take up never goes unappreciated when you think about the amount of use you could otherwise get out of it! 

Gifts are subjective and everyone appreciates something different, but you can use the general trends to your advantage. It makes it a lot easier if you have somewhere to start in your present plans to make Christmas extra special.

Stocking Filler Ideas for the Whole Family

The easiest gifts to buy over the Christmas holidays is arguably stocking fillers. They’re cheap, cheerful and a lot of fun to play around with (most of the time, anyway). To help you fill up the stockings this year, we’ve put together a gift guide with some fantastic stocking fillers for everyone in your family.

The Top Gifts For 2017 https://t.co/xOldoYdZ0n

— Reviewz & Newz (@ReviewzBlog) December 10, 2017

For Him

Stocking fillers for guys are easy if you know their interests. From little bits of DIY to electronics and gag chocolates and sweets, there’s so much to pick from that you might find it hard to pick from all the choice! If he’s quite the tech enthusiast, then there are plenty of handy technology gifts that can be bought for $50 or less. The Amazon Echo Dot is a superb piece of home technology that’s only $29.99 right now and transforms your home into a smart one.

If he’s quite the gamer, then there are plenty of retro consoles that you can buy so they can indulge in their gaming joys of the past. If they’re more of a modern gamer, then there are plenty of games and digital download codes that you can purchase in most electronic stores that easily fit into a stocking. If you’re not entirely sure of his interests, then why not some snacks? Gag snacks such as spicy chocolates or foreign snacks are usually great hits with the guys as well.

For Her

Girly gifts are fun to pick. From flavoured lip balms to novelty makeup sets, there are plenty of cheap gifts to help you fill up those stockings. If your recipient is expecting a child soon, then check out these brilliant festive maternity shirts. Personalised gifts are always a hit and they show your recipient that you’ve been thinking about them and their situation.

Spa gifts are also great for someone that you know’s been having a rough year. Treat her to some bath bombs, a therapy pack or even a gift card to a local spa. There are endless opportunities to be had when it comes to rest and relaxation, and they’re usually all fantastic value gifts that can be had at low prices. Of course, if you’re running out of ideas then luxury chocolates are always a great option that will never fail to please!

For Kids

Kids love to play, so get them something small and fun. Mini gadgets like ball mazes and small drones will be a great hit this holiday season, and virtual pets are coming back in style. While this older technology isn’t as exciting as smartphone apps and games, they’re definitely fun and interesting enough to amuse your kids while being cheap enough to buy several of them.

And of course, kids love their sweets. Getting larger versions of their favourite sweets or treating them to something they’ve not tried before will both be an exciting time. Just remember to watch their teeth–you don’t want them to head to the dentist first thing after Christmas!

The Bellesoma Method

As an aging female, I think the thing that bothers me most is...sagging breasts.  We all want to remain youthful looking and one clear sign of aging is the dreaded sagging boobs. Thankfully, there is a remedy for that, a breast lift  using the Bellesoma Method.

The Bellesoma Method is a surgical procedure based on engineering and mathematical principles to lift or reduce the breast.  It is unlike traditional methods that primarily use skin tightening to create lift.  This technique reshapes and re-positions the breast higher on the chest wall resulting in a youthful and full appearance without many of the disadvantages found with the traditional techniques.


I am happy that plastic surgery has evolved to give women better choices when it comes to these matters.  We all feel great when we look great, so when we have perky and youthful looking boobs, we feel better about ourselves.  Our self esteem is improved.

I am curious to know how many of my readers have had a breast life using the Bellesoma Method.  Feel free to leave a comment or use the contact me tab.  

The Top Gifts For 2017

Christmas is a time of giving, and that means we need to spend a little time and effort on making sure we get the perfect gifts for the people we love. Yet, it doesn’t always work out that way. Often it’s because we have no ideas and no time to dedicate to these prospects, and we feel so bad when we have to rush to a garage on Christmas Eve. (Of course this is the worst case scenario!)

So it turns out that Christmas is right around the corner, so if you haven't picked up anything yet, let a few of these tips be your saving grace. Their popularity in 2017 means they’ll work for anyone if you’re at short notice, so look out for them in your daily shopping habits. Good luck with your pursuits!

Pexels

If You’re Buying ‘For Her’

When we think about it, anything from the sections for him and her can be given to anyone. But seeing as they’re separated out by every store around, let’s consider some alternatives to that. When we head to the ‘for her’ aisle to find something for special lady in our life, we can feel a little bit like a failure. All the products in this area seem somewhat generic and have no use beyond looking pretty or cute. So we should get a little more creative with our choices, and head to the other aisles to find something a little more personalized.

So it can be incredibly hard to buy makeup for someone, considering it all depends on personal tastes and you may not know what they really like or prefer things that they don’t, which can bias your purchases. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t buy accessories to do with this, such as a makeup bag, brush cleaner, or utensils that can make the beauty process go a lot easier.

There’s also a trip down the books aisle to be had, as plenty of funny informational handbooks are on offer these days. When you have plenty of books on dating, for the husband and wife, and how to handle cats, there’s a laugh to be had for everyone.

If You’re Buying ‘For Him’

Once again this can feel like a bit of a cop out, but if you want to grab some stocking stuffers, this is a good place to start. Maybe you’ve got a kid in your life that expects more than a satsuma to hang from the mantelpiece in a fluffy sock that has their name embroidered on it, so don’t let them be let down by these expectations.

Novelty socks, underwears, and ties are always funny, especially when there’s a good pun to be read off of them. You can also pick up some entirely practical yet fun products from the internet if you’re buying for a particularly hard guy to please who seems to own everything in existence. For example, if they’re a pet owner or love dogs, you can wrap up a pet snack launcher. It’s time to hit the park!

In Technology and Media

Technology is always a popular market for gifts as they have a universal accessibility and interest for everyone on the planet. We’ve all used some kind of technology in our life, so follow along in this vein and keep an eye out for deals and price cut backs on phone models, phone skins, tablet accessories, and the consoles themselves. (If you buy something big, you won’t have to spend anything more!)

For example, things such as selfie stands that take the perfect photo from any angle are the kinds of gifts everyone will appreciate. Making technology easier to get to grips with for both the young and old are the best products on the market in general.

Upcoming apps like that of Final Fantasy 15 are big on the market for the end of year and beyond, considering the amount of usability there is in them. Being able to build your own virtual community with games like these is what makes them so fun. Buying a phone model that can handle the amount of storage something like this could take up never goes unappreciated when you think about the amount of use you could otherwise get out of it!

Gifts are subjective and everyone appreciates something different, but you can use the general trends to your advantage. It makes it a lot easier if you have somewhere to start in your present plans to make Christmas extra special.

Thomas Claxton: Savannah's Superlative Vocalist

In my recent travels to Savannah, Georgia I had the privilege of listening to the music of Thomas Claxton, a performer who is garnering attention in major cities across the United States.  Thomas is a vocalist, songwriter, and guitarist based in Savannah.  I attended a concert featuring Funk-Rock pioneers, Mother's Finest, and Thomas Claxton and his band, The Myth, kicked off the show.

Talk about blown away by some great talent! Check out this rock classic , "Come Sail Away", that Thomas and The Myth performed at the show in November 2017 at The Stage On Bay.

Now you can hear why I was so impressed.  As a student, Thomas studied classical music throughout his school years and was classically trained as a tenor by Mr. Jack Mullis and Dr. Lauren Ringwall. He played his first live performance at a coffee shop called, “Savannah Joe’s”, in the Savannah Mall when he was 17 years old and was  performing at various live music venues and clubs throughout his high school years. Since that time, he has performed at every style of venue ranging from coffee shops and clubs, to theaters and multi-thousand seat arenas including, The Amway in Orlando and the Amalie Arena, (St. Pete Times Forum), in Tampa and others. He is a multi award-winning artist, including 7 nominations and 3 wins (Best Alternative Artist, Best Rock Artist, and Best Rock Recording) in the 2017 international, Indie Music Channel Awards that took place in Hollywood, CA at the world-famous venue, “The Troubadour”.

He has played in numerous major cities including: New York City, Los Angeles, Miami, Atlanta, Nashville, San Francisco, Philadelphia, and many more.  He has performed with numerous world-renowned  performers including: Chuck Negron (lead vocalist for Three Dog Night), Mario Cipollina (Grammy Award-winning bassist and founding member of Huey Lewis and The News), Michael Hampton (Rock & Roll Hall of Famer and member of Parliament-Funkadelic), Nicko McBrain (drummer for Iron Maiden), and others.  Thomas Claxton  has opened shows for well-known performers including: Mother’s Finest, Stephen Pearcy (lead vocalist for RATT), Mili Matijevic (lead vocalist for Steelheart), and Jasin Todd (member of Shinedown and Fuel).  

Now, that's a rock and roll resume'! Having released two albums already, this talented vocalist is currently eyeing the release of his THIRD, which hits the market in January of 2018.  You can get your hands on his newest album, "Age of Propaganda",  by pre-ordering here!   Listen to his single from the album, Maybe I'm Crazy, and you will hear what could soon be a recognized name in rock and roll.  I highly suggest you buy this new album, as I am sure this will rocket his career and you can say, I told you so!

Aside from Thomas, “Age Of Propaganda” album features many world-class performers including: Paul Cooper (drums), Craig Johansen (guitar), Rodney Smith (bass), Mark Vaquer (drums), Michael Amico (bass), Tony Sarno (guitar), Phil Hilborne (guitar), Wayne Livingston (guitar),  Mario Cipollina (bass), Michael Hampton ( ambient acoustic guitar), and Eric Frampton (keyboards).

Thomas currently performs solo, as part of the Acoustic-Rock Duo “Thomas & April” with award-winning vocalist / songwriter April Henry, and with his 5 piece band “Thomas Claxton and The Myth”.  

If you get the opportunity to see him perform live, do it.  He does not disappoint and puts everything he is into his performances.  Here is a video of Thomas Claxton and April Henry, “Closer To Fine”:

He is endorsed by an impressive list of music brands:

• Lewitt Audio
• Klotz Cables
• Gator Cases
• Taylor Guitars
• 64 Audio
• Triad-Orbit Advanced Stands
• G7th The Capo Company

His tour sponsors are:

• Tate Law Group (Savannah, GA)
• Bass Central (Orlando, FL)
• The Antebellum of Savannah (novel by Greg Bonner)

Seeing Thomas Claxton perform, you will see a talent like no other.  Buy tickets to see him perform live, buy his album, or check out any of the venues he regularly performs for around the country.  Check out the website, “LIKE" and follow him on social media:  Facebook, Instagram  and  Twitter for the latest updates.  

Please feel free to leave any questions or comments for Thomas and he will respond.  

All photographs and videos are property of Thomas Claxton and are used with permission.