It has been a while since I have been a temporary resident of Bubblegum land. This has been partially due to some reasons, but also because they ( Bubble Gum singers) didn't have albums to promote and/ or weren't touring within earshot of me. Fortunately now with a plethora of teen singers touring and/ or imminently slated to release and/ or promoting albums, and circumstances being ideal ( I have to dichotomize which bubblegum artists to see owing to finances as there are an inordinate amount of teen artists today), it was practical for me to venture back to Bubblegum land and avail myself of the next teen artist performing within a just distance- Victoria Justice.
The last bubblegum artist I saw was Miranda Cosgrove, and while I enjoyed her, I wasn't immediately familiar with her the way I am with Victoria Justice. I was definitely looking forward to seeing Victoria Justice perform.
I have seen Victoria Justice on Victorious and heard her sing. Her songs are uplifting, mesmerizing, and most importantly- thought- provoking. " Make It Shine", " Gold" and " Shake" are powerful, ensconcing , and espouse lyrics which are germane to a continuum of issues and happenstances in our lives.
I was cognizant that Victoria was slated to appear at Wantagh, LI on July 18, 2013 ( Jones Beach Theater), and was definitely clamoring to see her. I remembered the adage Victoria espouses in " Make It Shine"' - " You dont have to be afraid to put your dream in action." On June 28, 2013, I purchased my ticket. I had " Put my dream in action." , and said to myself " I'm in."
The day of the moment of truth ( 7/18/2013), I was cognizant of the heat advisory and preponderance and milieu of bugs espoused by our mayor- ( Michael Bloomburg- ( Scorpions, wasps, and hornets)), courtesy of the West Nile Virus, situated in Long Island endeavoring to bite, and potentially poison me. I armed myself with a quart of water, and bug repellant. Later, I enveloped my arms, neck, and legs with bug repellant repeatedly to thwart this, and traversed to the Jones Beach Theater ready for Victoria Justice.
I arrived at 545 PM, and found myself near seven people talking about Victoria, clamoring for her and counting the seconds which was agonizing, for us until the gates opened- ( 6 PM).
I entered, walked around, and decided to have dinner ( Angus cheeseburger and my quart of water). As I walked around, I ate, drank, and then ventured up to my seat. I sat, looked around, enjoying the view- ( Beach to the right, and grassy swamp to the left), and waited.
The opening acts then commenced. After them, we were waiting. I knew it would be a pitch and crescendo incrementing until Victoria appeared. Five minutes antecedent ( 740 PM) Victoria's video " Gold" was played to rev the audience up, only to trail off and give way to a woman announcing the winner of the Meet and Greet with Victoria Justice. She implored him ( The winner) to venture to the security office immediately after her performance culminated to meet her. I am sure he adhered to this stipulation.
At 745 PM, the moment of critical mass ensued. As Victoria would say, " Here I am." Victoria then appeared on stage, commencing with ' Freak the Freak Out." I have heard and seen Victoria ( Victorious) perform this many times, but she was off as she espoused it. Maybe me being situated in the upper deck and/ or her not possessing the aural machinations for this requisite song were the culpable reasons. Victoria continued with " Beggin on Your Knees" which was similarly disappointing. At this point, I was contending with trepidation. Was Victoria sick? Were her songs I heard embellishments of her true aural ability? Sometimes songs sound better on TV, and recorded because they are imbued with instruments and even synthesizers. At these junctures performing them live doesn't do them justice, so to speak. Victoria continued with " Cheer Me Up", which sounded like the Victoria I was acclimated to, only to lapse back again with " Take a Hint" sans Elizabeth Gillies. Victoria vacillated from a facsimile to the Victoria I know and back during the first half of her Setlist. The remainder of her songs ( See Setlist) were imbued with the Victoria I know. I said to myself during her post- " Shake" songs ( Second half Setlist) " Now, that's more like it."
Victoria Justice like some of her songs aren't mere words that espouse , but she also practices what she preaches, as there is substance formidably protruding and emanating from her lyrics.
Before her first myopic hiatus commenced, she introduced her video " Girl Up", saying it is about giving girls better dreams and opportunities. She said she visited Guatemala to promote her fundraiser Girl Up and would ask for donations as her video would show. Victoria then said she would return and left.
As we saw " Girl Up", I was floored and impressed with its powerful, germane and poignant lyrics- " The things we take for granted", " We all need love", " We all need hope", " We all have dreams", " Let your voice be heard", " Together we can help a girl up", and " It doesn't take much to help a girl up." These are powerful jarring lyrics that are not only pertinent, but exemplify what Victoria Justice is about.
Victoria returned, and said she was going to mash two of her songs together. I was already taken aback and not enamored, as I am not a fan of songs I adulate being segued together. Victoria then stated these two songs were sired courtesy of her Grandmother imbuing her with her motivation, confidence, and cautious attitude, and tendered a " Thank You" to her. While this mashing was in progress and after it wasn't as horrific as I thought it would be.
Victoria continued and after " Make It In America", said " Bye". I hoped this was a ruse employed by her like the B52's. The B52's are notorious for performing and abdicating ( Simulating the end of their performances) bidding adieu to their fans, antecedent to " Rock Lobster". After a few minutes they return and finish with their signature song/s, and then exit the stage. My deliberating and speculating were confirmed as Victoria ventured back to sing two more songs . With that, Victoria asked the audience if they liked Oz, ( They unanimously beckoned in unison "Yes"), and then mandated everyone in the theater situate themselves close to each other so she could take their picture. Of course, everyone complied. With that, Victoria then abdicated.
Victoria magnanimously introduced her entourage to the audience, was personable, shared some details about herself, and the blueprint and impetuses for some of her songs. Before " Cheer Me Up", she told us when we are with someone we should cheer them up, and then commended her fans saying " You cheer me up". During " Cheer Me Up", she tossed lollipops into the audience saying she will " Cheer them up". Before " Shake", she said she paired off with Zooma, and will be making appearances on the show, which was her inspiration for " Shake". During " Gold", her seguing into a rap was annoying but its duration was so infinitesimal , it didn't detract from the song. Before " Make It Shine", she said she hopes this song inspires us to follow our dreams, and before " Here's to Us", said watching cars on the freeways Monday mornings served as the impetus for this song.
People think teen music is relegated for tweens and teens. It also is drivy, mesmerizing, and occasionally has powerful and insightful lyrics that render it a province and sounding board for adults also.
Victoria Justice's songs are powerful, insightful, and double as a harbinger of aspirations, motivations, and advice, and sometimes go against convention.
Her mindsets coupled with her lyrics render Victoria vibrant, talented, and in some ways an academic prodigy. If Victoria continues to " Make It Shine", and has us " Beggin on Our Knees", wanting more, she will be remembered, follow in the footsteps of her contemporaries- ( Todays teen idols), and subsequently inducted into the Bubble Gum Hall of Fame.
Who is the next Bubblegum artist I will see and review?
Final Grade : B