This summer (2013) was renowned for me seeing some teen singers. As per my trademark, I ascertained what teen artists would be performing in NYC. I initially yielded a triumvirate of teen Bubblegum artists, and was elated as this partially encompassed my summer and fall.
First was Victoria Justice at the Jones Beach Theater in Wantagh, LI. After seeing her, I already had my next bubblegum artist lined up. To reiterate, before I purchase a ticket/s and venture to a concert/s, I ascertain which acts ( Teen Bubblegum and New Wave) are playing. When I discovered Ariana Grande was performing antecedent to Bridgit Mendler, I similarly endeavored to purchase a ticket, but much to my surprise and consternation, they were already sold out. Seeing a triad of teen singers would have to suffice instead of seeing four.
Since I am a connoisseur of secrecy and mystery, I demurred from revealing in my Victoria Justice review who the next teen artist was on my itinerary, even though I knew. You would have had to wait for and read my next review as Adventurer 43 wasn't appraising you yet. Who do you think it is? It would have been Ariana Grande, but in lieu , it was Bridgit Mendler, not that I am complaining. .
I have seen Bridgit on ' Wizards of Waverly Place", " Lemonade Mouth" and ' Good Luck Charlie", and heard her songs, so I was armed and definitely ready for her.
I left my abode at 505 PM to witness the next teen act- Bubblegum artist in her splendor- Bridgit Mendler. Traversing on the train, I arrived in NYC at 540 PM. As I approached the theater and saw the billboard I was envisioning Bridget singing and me in the audience. I made my way on line and waited with the cornucopia of Bridget fans, revved and energized for tonight. I said to myself " Bridgit. Ready or not. here I come." At 6 PM we were ushered in, where I courtesy of my hunger ( 615 PM), purchased an Italian sandwich and medium coffee. After I ate, I entered the theater prepping for Bridgit to grace us with her presence.
As I was anticipating Bridgit, a preponderance of songs playing passed the time, and some of revved me, further putting me in an anticipation and stupor. The first, Michael Jackson's ' Smooth Criminal", made me think of my friend Keith- ( See Keith- even though you weren't there you were still remembered and honored.) The second, Simple Minds " Don't You Forget About Me", also maintained and amplified my revving , and the third was so reveling but enigmatic, it behooved me to inquire of its name and artist. I inquired of the various DJ's if they knew the name of the band and song. The first two of them were bewildered. To my elation, the third confirmed it as " Dog days Are Over", by Florence and The Machine. My curiosity satiated, I could now ensconce my attention to the Opening Act.
The Opening Act appeared, played, finished, and then the moment of pandemonium ensued. A myriad of lights flashing rapidly, repeatedly, and incessantly inundated the audience accompanied by a distorted version of " Hurricane", sans Bridgit. The audience was mesmerized into a frenzy, emphatically cheering " Woooo", and kept chanting " Bridgit. Bridgit. Bridgit." Bridgit then appeared, commencing with " Hurricane",and even mimicked a hurricane during her performance- ( Hurricane). I have heard and seen Bridgit perform " Hurricane" (TV), a few times, and knew it came accompanied with a rap. I was prepared to feel chagrined, but surprisingly, I wasn't taken aback, annoyed, or even perturbed at Bridgit's pop-rap, which is an integral part of " Hurricane".
I deplore rap accompanying part of teen pop songs, or even interspersed with them- ( Recorded). I dont like it when Bridgit does it in ' Hurricane". I deplore it when Mac Miller raps in Ariana Grande's " The Way", and it definitely incenses me when Ashley Tisdale raps in " He Said She Said", " Just Like That", and David Jassy does in her - ( Ashley Tisdale's) " Be Good To Me", but for some reason it didn't perturb me when Bridgit did it. After " Hurricane", Bridgit sang ' Top Of The World", and ' Forgot To Laugh", and others which were predominantly powerful, alluring, exhilarating, and mesmerizing- ( See Setlist). The lights, ambiance, sounds, Bridgit's aural ministrations, and the poignancy of her lyrics not only made me feel inundated and inebriated into a frenzy, but also positively overwhelmed, and I definitely wasn't annoyed at her pop rapping in ' Rocks At My Window", which again, is an integral part of the song. I was with the fans reveling in the ambiance, feeling as if I were in a nightclub.
As Bridgit was performing, I time traveled in my mind back to July 18, 2013 to Wantagh, LI, when I saw Victoria Justice, and while I definitely enjoyed her, she didnt hold a candle to Bridgit. To reiterate, this could be because of being inside, the ambiance, instruments, sounds, and/ or some other reasons. With each song, I was captivated by Bridgit's lyrics, energy, sound, and/ or tempo, jamming and dancing with the fans until the end.
Bridgit was also very personable and magnanimous to her fans. After " Top Of The World", she introduced herself and her entourage and said " We're on Top Of the World." She then said she loves New York. A fan then threw her a bracelet on stage. Bridgit accepted it, and then said we would have a few songs and surprises. After " Forgot To Laugh", the crowd shouted in unison to Bridgit ' We Love You." Bridgit goaded them by saying - " What?". They shouted " Yes", and another fan similarly threw another bracelet to her which she similarly accepted. Bridgit then said her next song ( City Lights) mandates her playing the piano, and while she has a passion for learning it- ( The piano), she isn't great yet, but a novice and will learn. Later she invited her fans to play a word association game with her. She said she would say a word, and her fans would say a word that went along with it. They ( obviously) participated with her-( three times). Bridgit then told her audience it makes her day when fans sing her songs and reiterate them verbatim back to her. Before " Starry Eyed" , Bridgit said this was the acoustic section of songs and if her fans know the words to sing them with her. Surprisingly the acoustic section was compromised of only one song, which I deplored. After her final song " Ready or Not", a fan threw a " Ready or Not "bracelet to her. Bridgit accepted it, and magnanimously thanked her. She then thanked her audience, and with her entourage, bowed saying " Good Night". I then my equilibrium short-circuited, hightailed it at 925 PM, and arrived home at 10 PM, so I could write this review.
Bridgit also described what some of her songs were about. Before performing " 5:15", she described it as melancholic and somber. Before performing " Love Will Tell Us Where To Go", she said it is about" Two people running off into the desert", and before performing " Blonde", she said it plays to the belief that blondes are smart but play dumb, and actually wore a blonde wig specifically for this song. The lyrics were poignant, and while there is no substance behind them, it was interesting to have some of them parlay into the asinine belief- " I like to play up like I'm dumb cause I'm a blonde.", " I'm not a college grad yet, there are some books I haven't read yet, but I could quote a little Shakespeare in my sleep", " There have been times when Ive forgotten how to spell R-E-E-D-I-N-G. I try a really hard to get by with simple little things", " If I cared enough to dye my hair then you'd take me seriously", and " I'm not dumb"
As I was listening to Bridgit sing them, I was laughing, as they are stereotypical, and was reminded of another comedian, actress, singer, and writer I am an aficionado of that espoused similar and stereotypical demeanors in her song " Cause I'm A Blonde"- Miss ( West Coast) Julie Brown of " Earth Girls Are Easy", Shakes The Clown", " The Edge" and " Strip Mall" fame.
A bunch of fans had posters silhouetted in the front section- " You're a role model", " You inspire us", " Bridgit you rock", " I love you Bridgit", and " Money for life". Bridgit commended their generosity and even creativity saying " Wow" as one fan two rows back displayed a Reese's Pieces poster. She even answered a fan saying " I like you Bridgit", retorting " I like you also". She also made four fans feel special and part of the evening as she acknowledged she embarked on a shopping spree that morning with them and pointed them out.
During and after , I was overloaded with elation and jubilation as if I had attended a concert, nightclub, and rave ( sans drugs) rolled into one. The euphoria remained with me for two days before I settled down.
Bridgit Mendler clearly wasn't there only to market her career. She was animated, dynamic, mesmerizing, alluring, vibrant, magnanimous, and personable, commending and lauding her audience. She really cares about her fans, and involved herself with the audience, making them feel important, not just privileged to be there.
This was exactly what a Top of The Line Teen Bubblegum concert should be. If Bridgit continues to sing as alluringly and as powerful as she did, she not only will render her fan base solvent, but will easily be rendered worthy of the status of teen icon and even phenom.
Who is the next Bubblegum artist I am slated to review?
Stay tuned
Final Grade:A