Ballyhoo! Awakens Jannus Live During Sleeping on the Couch Tour Finale
Video by Brian “Porkchop” Nicholson and Zack Kearney
After about a month on the road, Ballyhoo! came to zap Jannus Live awake this past Sunday. Joey Harkum Band and Cloud9Vibes joined the Maryland rockers at St. Petersburg’s famed venue to produce an exhilarating night of music. Those lucky enough to join in on a truly unique Ballyhoo! VIP session got to join the band on a boat prior for an intimate acoustic set out on Tampa Bay.
A VIP experience like this can’t get much better. Pier Dolphin Cruises offers something truly unique with their boat dubbed the Dolphin Queen, that features a spacious catamaran and roof coverage to keep you shielded by the vicious Florida sun. The cruise involved some drinks, some jams, and overall good company. Anytime you’re in St. Pete make it a priority to visit the St. Petersburg Pier and stop by Pier Dolphin Cruises and talk with Captain Christian to catch a sunset cruise.
Photos by Phil DeSimone
Back at Jannus Live, fans eagerly awaited in a line stretching down the avenue to guarantee their spot within the courtyard. The spring sun began to set and the stage lights began to glow as fans huddled together, eagerly awaiting the start of the music.
Cloud9Vibes hit the stage, and the crowd erupted into a wild roar and released a relentless force of energy into the air. The addition of Daryell ‘Scooby’ Royer on saxophone and Zach Mcconnell on bass created a whole new layer to the sound of the band. The slapping of Mcconnell’s Warwick strings blasted through the venue, providing a heady rhythm to the music as guitarist Scott Lonker shredded his guitar, melting faces in the process.
Photos by Brian “Porkchop” Nicholson
The quick 30 minute set jammed packed an intense amount of energy, gearing everyone up for an unforgettable Sunday night of music. While Joey Harkum Band was setting up, the already bustling courtyard hummed with a raw energy that reverberated through the body. Once Joey Harkum Band started up their set, many stood aghast at the incredible performance. The inclusion of a cello wasn’t only visually striking, but it also added an incredible warming glow to the music, and further deepened the beautiful lyrics coming from the amplifiers.
Photos by Brian “Porkchop” Nicholson
The anticipation for Ballyhoo! grew strong throughout the final intermission, the idea of it being a Sunday night almost seemed comical since everyone could be seen having a great time. Ballyhoo! popped their set off with almost an immediate explosion of sound with the 2013 hit “She Wants to Destroy Me” off the album Pineapple Grenade. The unique fusion of Ballyhoo!’s use of punk riffs mixed with reggae skanks always creates a wild groove that tickles every bit of the body.
Photos by Phil DeSimone
The end of the night undoubtedly felt as though it came too soon, but yet it was an incredible way to cap off the week (or start it up, depending on who you ask). The anthems provided by all three bands echoed throughout the buildings as the buzzing crowd left the courtyard, with many sticking around to get a few last words with the bands. From the powerful vocals, to the intricate instrumentations, every bit of the show had been perfect and executed with fierce precision and finesse, creating a night to be remembered.
Review by Brendan Mcginley