#KTSH16 the Summer Hello16 was a concert for the next generation. Kiss the Summer Hello is an annual show put on by local radio station Kiss 98.5 (located in the Western New York). While the show is meant for all ages, anyone who wasn’t blowing off studying for the NYS Regents exams to be there was severely out of place. It was the perfect first concert for teenyboppers across Buffalo.
The first of six artists to perform was a season three (3) contestant from NBC’s The Voice, Melanie Martinez. donning the stage in what can only be described as the Hot Topic version of a doll costume, Martinez performed songs from her album Cry Baby. The majority of which left fans feeling a little creeped out by her eerie voice and odd stage presence. However, the mood shifted completely as she rounded out her set with her hit song “Pity Party.”
Next, Toronto based band Magic! shook things up with their fun and summery reggae sound. It must’ve taken a lot of tough Toronto winters to conjure a sound that could make anyone feel like they were on an island. Their short set flew by as they played fan favorites such as “Rude” and “Lay You Down Easy,” in addition to a funky cover of “Hotline Bling” by Drake.
Up next was a concert first for me, DJ Jonas Blue performed a set of house covers and remixes of popular songs. While EDM and DJ’s have become increasingly popular over the years, they have mainly stayed within the clubbing and rave scene until recently. Many remixed songs have become far more popular than originals. However, the live performance takes a serious hit when it comes to this new era in music. Jonas Blue seemingly spent more time on his Snapchat during his set, than interacting with the crowd in front of him. Something that most performers frown upon, however millennials were just as excited to be a part of his Snapstory as he was to be a part of theirs.
After a brief intermission filled with orthodontics commercials and Buffalo Bills appearances, female rapper Iggy Azalea took to the stage with backup. Girl power is the first thing that comes to mind when watching this performance, as Iggy was supported on stage by four backup dancers, and two singers. All the powerful women created an intense atmosphere that softened greatly when Iggy played poppier songs such as her 2014 hit single “Fancy.” Adored by fans, the artist took time to chat with the audience and pay respect to the lovely ladies on stage with her.
Following Iggy’s intense performance, fellow Australian Troye Sivan took the stage for an earnest and simple performance. The 21 year old was supported on stage by only a drummer and keyboardist, as the rest of his sound was rounded out by the fans singing along with him. Sivan was the best of both worlds as his smooth voice contrasted his spunky dance moves as he dropped it low better than some of Iggy’s backup dancers during his more upbeat songs. In addition, the singer took a moment to voice his support for the LGBT community and the victims in Orlando, dedicating his song Heaven to them. Shortly after, the artist received beautiful portraits of himself and other artists performing that night from a fan. Sivan thanked the fans and got the crowd involved in his last song “Youth.”
While she was spotted watching her friend Troye Sivan on the side of the stage, headliner Meghan Trainor made her official appearance about twenty minutes later. Trainor sparkled both physically and figuratively as she rocked a long sleeved blue sequin dress. Everyone both on stage and off couldn’t help but dance and have fun as the pop artist kicked off her set with songs such as “Dear Future Husband” and her newer hit “Me Too.” Trainor took plenty of time to connect with fans making sure they got the attention they deserved, joking with girls she promised to take a picture with “if I was you I’d take a selfie with me too.” Like Sivan, Trainor took time to talk about the events in Orlando and dedicated her song “Like I’m Gonna Lose You” to the victims and her friend and NBC’s The Voice star, Christina Grimmie, asking the audience to “sing loud enough so they can hear us.” Following the moment of tribute, Trainor reminded everyone of how great life is and explained that all of the other little negative things in life weren’t worth the trouble, as she segued into her song “Champagne Problems.”
All good things must come to an end and two songs later, Trainor’s set was over and so was the show. Wrapped up nicely at 8:30PM on the dot, the majority of concert goers were still home at an appropriate time to get to bed before school the next day.
Setlist:
Dear Future Husband
Me Too
Watch Me Do
Lips are Movin
Like I’m Gonna Lose You
Champagne Problems
All About That Bass
Photos by Nick Loverde. We would like to thank Erika Taylor from Entercom for the credentials to review the show.
