Sounds Like Summer Concert Series – Review

Well, the 2010 Sounds Like Summer Concert Series has ended. I wanted to take a few minutes and reflect on what, in my humble opinion, was good and bad about these concerts.

Sounds Like Summer sign

Overall, the performers in this year’s lineup were very good. I realize that everyone’s taste in music differs greatly and that it’s hard to please everyone. I’m no different. I admit that I tend to like the music from older groups better than more recent performers. Maybe that’s because I’m old. 🙂 However, I do appreciate music in general and can appreciate most music styles when performed well.

In case you missed it, here’s a list of the groups that performed, and a link to my blog of those performances, in order of appearance:

Stayin’ Alive – A Tribute to The Bee Gees
Hotel California – A Salute to the Eagles
Karin Lawson – A Tribute to Janet Jackson
Satisfaction – A Tribute to The Rolling Stones
Slippery When Wet – The Ultimate Bon Jovi Tribute
2U – A Tribute to U2
Beginnings – A Tribute to Chicago

My wife and I were frequent visitors to the America Gardens Theater to see these bands perform; and saw all the bands except Hotel California. However, we have seen them perform at Epcot in previous years.

By far, we enjoyed Beginnings and Stayin’ Alive the best; with Hotel California not very far behind those two bands. What set these bands apart from the others is the fact that they came the closest to sounding like the original bands. They did an outstanding job singing and performing the songs of Chicago, the Bee Gees and the Eagles. Their sound was very true to the original bands; the vocals, harmonies, guitars, keyboards, drums and horns were outstanding. They put little or no energy into looking like the original band and everything into replicating the original bands’ sound. I certainly hope that Disney will bring back these three groups next year.

I felt that Karen Lawson, Satisfaction, Slippery When Wet, and 2U were very good in their own right. Disney would not have signed them up for this series if they weren’t very good. However, I thought a couple of them tried too hard to look like and mimic the original artist. In some cases that came across as amateurish and took away from the overall performance. And I do admit that, except for the music of the Rolling Stones, I wasn’t as familiar with the music of these performers. I’m sure that had some bearing on my opinion.

If you haven’t already done so, I encourage you to read my blogs of these concerts, check out the pictures and watch the videos of the bands performing. If you weren’t able to see these concerts in person, it will give you an opportunity to form your own opinion.

The band Beginnings took it upon themselves to hold a meet and greet between their second and third shows each night. What a great idea! It gave folks the opportunity to meet the band members and have a picture or two taken with them. This band was extremely warm and friendly, very generous with their time and you could tell they were having a great time at Disney performing in this concert series. As I said before it has been hot, mid-90s every day with high humidity, and you can imagine how much hotter it is for the band under those lights and with them exerting all that energy. So, I applauded them for giving up the time between sets to recover from the heat to come out and meet with fans. Just wonderful; and I wish more bands would follower their lead!

Here’s a few of my thoughts regarding the concerts in general:

First of all, I was very disappointed that the concerts weren’t better attended. This concert series is well known among local Florida Annual Passholders. Most of the people I talk to in the queue waiting for the concerts fall into that category. (Bravo to Florida Annual Passholders for supporting these concerts!) However, it seems that most park guests don’t even realize that these concerts are going on. I see a lot of people walk into the theater, as the groups perform, only because they just happened to be walking by at the time of one of the concerts.

Along those lines, it would be great if Disney offered some sort of promotion to Florida Annual Passholders tied into these concerts to boost attendance. Something like a “discounted dinner package with reserved seating at the concert”. Unlike the Flower Power and Eat To The Beat concerts there’s nothing to draw locals into Epcot on these very hot summer days. Just my two cents.

I really did like the idea that each group performed for one whole week. That gave me and others plenty of options when planning visits to Epcot to see the concerts. The concert times of 5:45, 7:00 and 8:15 PM worked really nice as well. As you all know, it’s been a very hot summer and having the later concert times helped a little.

On the other hand, the queue area where you line up to see the concerts is not covered. So, it can get very hot standing in the sun waiting to get into the America Gardens Theater. Which leads to my next point. I do understand that Disney doesn’t want guests in the theater while the band is setting up, however, I believe that guests should be allowed in, and able to get out of the hot sun, much sooner than the usual half-hour before the concert begins. And, I would like to see guests allowed to stay in the theater after each show rather than being forced to leave. It would be one thing if the concerts were better attended than they are; but they are not. And only a handful of guest stay for more than one concert. So, letting them stay wouldn’t make any difference.

So, here’s a photo and video recap of these concerts:

Stayin’ Alive – A Tribute to The Bee Gees

Stayin' Alive performing

Hotel California – A Salute to the Eagles (Note: Since I didn’t see them perform this year they are the only band that I don’t have a video for.)

Hotel California in concert

Karin Lawson – A Tribute to Janet Jackson

Karin Lawson performing

Satisfaction – A Tribute to The Rolling Stones

Satisfaction performs

Slippery When Wet – The Ultimate Bon Jovi Tribute

Slippery When Wet performing

2U – A Tribute to U2

2U performs

Beginnings – A Tribute to Chicago

Beginnings performing

Finally, as some of you may know, my favorite band from previous years is Bj̦rn Again РAn ABBA Tribute band. This is the second year in a row that they have not performed at Epcot as part of this series. I am still hoping that whatever the issues are between Disney and Bj̦rn Again can be worked out; for the sake of the many WDW guests who flocked to the America Gardens Theater to see them. I sure would love to see that in the lineup next year!

Björn Again in concert

If you are a fan of any of the tribute bands that performed this year please leave me a comment and let me know your thoughts.

Well, I hope you enjoyed the blog, photos and videos. I know it’s a tough job (me having to attend all these concerts) but someone has got to do it. 🙂

Finally, be one of the first people to hear when my newest blogs go live on AllEars.net by joining “DisneyMike’s World” Facebook group.

Well, that’s all for now. As my good friend says “see ya real soon”…DizneyMike

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4 Replies to “Sounds Like Summer Concert Series – Review”

  1. Hi Mike!

    As always, I enjoyed your blog. We attended performances by Slippery When Wet for the past several years, and we absolutely love them! They also held fan gatherings between their second and third acts, in which you could take pictures and receive a signed autograph.

    You noted that they may have been a little “too much” like the original artist – I think that is why this Bon Jovi fan likes them so much. I consider them the next best thing to the real thing! 🙂

    Keep up the great work on the blogs, and maybe we’ll see you again in the World soon!

    Carolyn

    DizneyMike replies: Carolyn, great to hear from you! You know reviewing these concerts is a tricky thing. I try to be fair, honest, polite and respectful regardless of who the performers are. Because even though I may not be a fan or familiar with a bands music I know other are and I know that all these bands are extremely good. Disney would not have brought them in if they weren’t. However, since I am reviewing these concert I do have to give my opinion. Everyone’s taste in music is so different and because of that I know that not everyone is going to agree with my opinions.

    Yes, hopefully we’ll meet up in the World one of these days. So, when are you and Jill coming down again?

  2. Mike-

    I also miss Bjorn Again, but they won’t be returning. Disney requires permission from the original band and they will no longer sign off on the paperwork. Seems they don’t like the “outdoor” stage and theme park setting. They probably saw some wacky youtube videos. The good news is that they have been playing Florida dates over the past few years. I saw and spoke with them on June 24th at the Plaza Theater in Orlando. Unfortunately, this will be the last year for Summer Brockwell as “Frida”. The original “Agnetha”, Stephanie Thomson has already been replaced.

    DizneyMike replies: Dave, thanks for the info. Much appreciated…Mike

  3. Björn Again was definitly one of the best musical groups at Epcot. I wish they would bring them back also. They usually drew a nice crowd. Them and Off Kilter are my two favorites.

    DizneyMike replies: Jim, with the success of Mama Mia and all the ABBA fans coming out of the closet (like me) Björn Again had quite a following. Hopefully one of these days Disney will bright them back. Like you I’m a fan of Off Kilter. They are one of a number of terrific performers in the World Showcase. Nothing beats Epcot for entertainment! Thanks for the comment…Mike

  4. Mike –

    I can’t thank you enough for all the great things you’ve said about the band. It was our pleasure to play for you and the other Disney guests (and hang out with you during our breaks!). We truly love what we do, and we’re so glad you enjoyed our show. Hope to see you again real soon!

    Ed Leone
    Trombone
    Beginnings – The Chicago Tribute Band

    DizneyMike replies: Ed, thank you for the kind words! My wife and I really enjoyed listening to you guys perform. Truly amazing! And we loved how warm and friendly everyone was; including your families that traveled with you. Can’t wait to see you all next year….Mike