On February 1st, 2010 in Lexington, KY there was only one place to be; Rupp Arena. Those lucky to be in attendance witnessed an event that fits in perfectly with the great history of Rupp. People from all over the Bluegrass and the surrounding states came ready to rock out to the three groups performing; Flyleaf, Breaking Benjamin, and Three Days Grace.

Flyleaf kicked off the three hour show with a bang, starting with their second single “Fully Alive” from their debut album. If you haven’t seen them live, then figure out where they’re going to be playing and drive yourself to see them. As an opening band, and in charge of getting the crowed pumped and ready for the next two groups (Breaking Benjamin and Three Days Grace), Flyleaf did an amazing job. Throughout their entire set they showed just what makes them a great live band. They bring an amount of energy seldom seen, which transfers to the crowd very easily.

The surprising thing with Flyleaf are the members of the band which tend to be the center of attention. Traditionally, the lead vocals in the band is usually the performer with the most energy and stage presence. With Flyleaf however, that is not the case. Their bassist, Pat Seals, seemed to be the life of the band. He was running around, jumping off speakers, head banging, and everything that a vocalist normally does. Lacey Mosley, the lead vocalist, still did move around and have good stage presence, but the energy of the other members adds so much to the overall experience of Flyleaf live. While really enjoying watching and listening to Flyleaf play their hits and songs from their new album, “Memento Mori”, there was one thing that was hindering their entire performance from being even better. Sameer Bhattacharya, one of Flyleaf’s very talented guitarists, has no rhythm in him, at least when it comes dancing to the music. His moving was almost a distraction. While you try to avoid looking at him to watch the overall performace, you couldn’t help it – your eyes were drawn to him.

Flyleaf played a great show which included all of their biggest songs. I’ve never listened to them before except for when they get played on the radio station I listen to. I always heard that they’re good, but have never given them the chance to wow me. Flyleaf is great live, and I really enjoyed all their songs they played in their set. If you get a chance, go see them and pick up their albums as well.

Breaking Benjamin took the stage after a brief pause following Flyleaf. Before the stage lights came on, you could see four people walking out onto stage, and the crowd started to erupt. Right as they started playing their opening song “I Will Not Bow,” the lights came on and the crowd grew even louder. Watching the crowd on the floor was like watching a field of tall grass sway in the wind; heads, arms and bodies all moving in one rhythmic motion to the beat of Breaking Benjamin’s songs. As a little surprise for people who had not seen the set list from other shows, Breaking Benjamin at the mid point of their set did their own rendition of “Dream On” with images of different musical legends that had died before their time flashing on the screen behind them. I started getting very excited when Burnley (lead singer) started talking about their first CD, Saturate, and hoped they would be playing a song from my favorite CD of theirs. They answered my prayers by playing “Polyamorous.”

Breaking Benjamin finished their set with their two huge singles, “Breath” and “Diary of Jane,” both from their third CD. I knew both of these songs were big hits for them, but I didn’t realize that people in their 50s knew the songs as well. I can understand that there were parents at the concert with their kids, but to see couples there that are old enough to be my parents enjoying the music and singing along was really strange to see. What makes it strange for me is that my whole life my parents have never liked the music I listen to, so seeing people the same age as my parents enjoying hard rock is a real treat for me, but still a little out of the ordinary.

With the completion of this concert, I’ll have seen Breaking Benjamin a total of ten times. All of the chances I have had to see them have taken places in small venues, where the crowd only goes to about 300 people. I saw them at the first Rock on the Range in Columbus, OH and now Rupp Arena. Being a huge Breaking Benjamin fan, I have never been disappointed with their performances. They always put on a great show. I do prefer seeing Breaking Benjamin in a small concert venue though. Their talents shine even more at smaller venues, not quite the size of Rupp Arena. That said, they put on a great show at regardless the size of venue; big or small.

With the roar of a siren, Three Days Grace took the stage and started their set with “Break,” the first single off their new album. After finishing one of my favorite drumming songs of all time, “Bitter Taste,” the band left the stage except for their drummer, Neil Sanderson, and he jumped right into an intense drum solo. He started out with something no one was expecting; techno music. He was standing up playing a techno beat on a keyboard. I’ve never been a techno fan, because quite frankly, that music really annoys me for some reason. So as this techno beat continued I was a little confused and disappointed. I didn’t want to hear this at a rock concert. Just as I was starting to get upset, the drummer started banging on a bongo. As the bongo drumming continued over the techno beat, I found myself bobbing my head to the beat and really enjoying it. Then with both of those beat continuing on without him playing, he turned and grabbed his drum sticks and started a great drum solo. While at first I was a bit confused, I really like how it all panned out.

As I’m sure any Three Days Grace fan knows, Adam Gontier performed with Apocalyptica in the song, “I Don’t Care.” The band had cleared the stage after finishing up “Home” and the arena was thrown into darkness. After a few minutes, a lone spot light illuminated Gontier, standing in the middle of the pit by the mix boards on top of a box. With that they began playing “I Don’t Care” and as they played the song, Gontier slowly walked up to the stage through the crowed till the big ending of the song. Just as Breaking Benjamin did with “Dream On”, Three Days Grace covered a song that wasn’t theirs, doing their own version of “In The Air Tonight,” but seamlessly transforming it into “Just Like You.” 3DG finished their set, and the concert, with “Animal I Have Become.” The first rock concert of 2010 for Rupp was a great show, and if it is any indicator of what to expect for the year, then get ready for a year of some great rock.

Guest Blogged by: Kyle Jessee
Photography by: Paul Hooper

I was long over due for a country get-a-way from all the chaotic stresses of the home. I was lucky enough to attend the “American Saturday Night Tour” with Brad Paisley on January 21st with my mother-in-law. Finally, I was able to let go of all that built up financial grief that the holiday’s, along with a new marriage, can come with, and enjoy a great show.

After anxiously waiting in the crowded line, we shuffled in, and sat down in our little blue seats, prepared for a nice concert evening. After scanning the arena we started to fear, since it was 7:30pm and half the place was empty. We were hoping that more people would show, since the crowd is an important ingredient to a great concert. As time slowly ticked on and seats began filling in, minute by the minute, and before we knew it the whole arena was packed. First up on stage was Justin Moore. I had only heard a few of his songs, but learned to really appreciate him as he sang more and more through out his performance. Not too shabby for someone I had not heard much about. He was energetic, and also had a great down to earth personality!

The real crowd warmer was special guest Miranda Lambert, who’s true home is definitely the south. There’s no better way to feel right at home, then when you admit your a whiskey drinking, deer hunting gal. Following her proclaimation, the crowd showed their support with applause and screams. To top off the cake, her closing song blew away the crowd when she introduced surprise guest Blake Shelton to the stage to sing a duet with her. Everyone I could see (and myself) were overwhelmed with excitement! I had never seen so many flashes of cameras in my life! What a total surprise and great way to get the crowd on their feet for Mr. Brad Paisley.

Ah, Brad Paisley, a man of many great songs! Bravo, and hats off for an outstanding performance, if I do say so myself. We were lucky to get the whole package: fancy lights, great videos, a humorous and welcoming Brad, and an awesome show performance! There was never a dull moment with his amazing show. A video stream in the background made for an awesome visual performance, not to mention his own personal touch of coming into the crowd! It was nice to see him right in front of me strumming his guitar. It was definitely one of my favorite moments of the night. When it was time to slow things down, he really knew how to contribute, and hit a soft spot in everyone’s heart. He dedicating a whole song to those who we’ve lost over the past years, which brought tears to my eyes. There’s nothing more beautiful than a tribute, a great artist, and those everlasting memories. I can honestly say attending the Brad Paisley concert was an amazing way to kick off this new year.

Guest Blogged by: Mitzi Bledsoe
Photography by: Matt Goins (unless stated otherwise)

I have always wanted to go to New York City for Christmas.  I have always envisioned every building in the city with Christmas decorations, central park beautifully glowing with christmas lights and everyone in good spirits throughout the city.  What I loved most about the Rockettes Christmas Spectacular was just that.  It brought the most festive city to the Rupp Arena stage. They had a giant, and I am talking giant, LED screen that was towards the back of the stage and all of the Rockettes climbed aboard a life-size New York City tour bus, which was on stage.  The bus gave the illusion that it was moving and the LED screen had a virtual tour of New York City during the holidays.  I thought it was awesome to look over towards Central Park and see all of the lights on the thousands of trees there and to pass by Rockefeller center with the tree all lit up.  They even had people pretending to be street vendors and passer-bys on stage to help in the illusion, which in part is the reason it seemed like a real New York City bus tour.  This part of the show definitely was my favorite and it was the single thing that would entice me to go to the show again next year!

Santa also had a really big part in the show, helping bring christmas spirit back into children who didn’t believe.  After a chance meeting on the street, two brothers are whisked away to the north pole to help them believe in Santa’s magic again.  As Santa is explaining how he can be all of the world at once, all of these Santas starting coming from everywhere, even from underneath the stage.  They started dancing to a routine and then with the use of the LED screen again, it seemed like millions of Santas started dancing on the screen too.  I think what was so amazing was that they all danced in sync, the Santas on stage and Santas on screen.  It was such a cool illusion, i thought it was really clever and entertaining.

And of course the Rockettes provided their mile high kick routine; which was just awesome to watch.  I am not sure if everyone saw the local television special about the making of the Rockettes, but it showed a behind the scenes tour of how the show is all pulled together.  Between each set, and I believe there were about 5, they had about a minute and half sometimes to change clothing, which one of them even included a makeup change.  I remember one funny tidbit from the special; the show host said that the toy soldier pants will actually stand up on their own because they have so much starch in them.  I can only imagine how hard it must be to walk around stage during that routine in those pants!  Also, when I was talking to the Marketing Director of Rupp Arena, she told me that the buses and trucks that are used to transport all of the people and equipment for this show was definitely one of the biggest and grandest caravans that she had ever seen.  Can you imagine how many shows she has seen to say that this was one of the biggest?

I definitely hope that this show has a chance to come back next year; I think that anyone who has trouble getting into the Christmas spirit would love all of the magic and excitement this show has to offer.  I am sure you won’t be disappointed; how could the most festive and energetic city not provide an uplifting holiday show sure to impress everyone in your family and bring a little of New York City to the Bluegrass!  Happy Holidays!

Guest Blogged by: Julie Johnson

My family and I attended the 7pm performance of Sesame Street Live at Rupp Arena on Friday night, and I’m most pleased to report that my son (who just turned five) really enjoyed the program, as did my wife, along with our 5 month old baby in tow (who was mesmerized by the colorful production and never let out a squeal). After yet another week lost to the stresses of the workplace and rushing from points A to B, how refreshing it was to watch the pure delight on our child’s face as his favorite characters came to life on stage! Tonight was true quality time together and a memory we will hold onto for years to come.

This live stage show of the iconic TV program has an amazing 30 year run, and what really connected me was remembering that 35 years ago in 1974, I was a five year old watching these same characters and singing many of the same songs! The messages are timeless; love and support your friends and family, work together to achieve a common goal, believing in the power of your dreams and wondering what you might like to be when you “grow up” (great question that I actually started to ponder while sitting in the audience at age 40!) ……I’m glad a new generation of kids are hearing this, and that my son was one of them in the audience!

The show was about an hour and a half, with a 15 minute intermission, so it was just right for little attention spans (both young and old!) Hardcore Elmo fans will not be disappointed, as he has a breakout in the program of the essential “Elmo’s World” styled exactly as the TV program. Newer characters like Abby Cadabby, Telly Monster and Baby Bear mix in seamlessly with veterans Big Bird, Cookie Monster, Ernie and Bert and Oscar the Grouch, who shows up like a crusty old friend from the past to steal the show.

Here’s hoping that “Sesame Street Live” tours for another 30 years and thanks to Rupp Arena for bringing them to the children of Lexington and the Bluegrass! If you are looking for a great family activity this weekend for the Kindergarten and under crowd, you really can’t go wrong with Sesame Street Live! The best part of all is that today I’m a hero with my 5 year old for taking him to the show…typically, I have to do something really cool (like catching fireflies on a summer night) to warrant such a title. What a great start to the weekend!

Guest Blogged by: Doug High
Photos by: Doug High

We hope everyone enjoyed Big Blue Madness this past Friday. If you weren’t able to get tickets, hopefully you got to watch it on TV. It was a wild night with some great guests and a lot of awesome talent. We have uploaded photos to our Facebook page. You can click here to check them out.

Sesame Street Live “When Elmo Grows Up” is this Friday – Sunday (5 Shows) and the Rupp Arena Blog has a family four-pack of tickets to give away! All you have to do to enter is leave a comment on this post with what your kid [or kids] wants to be when they grow up. Be sure to leave the email address you would like for us to contact you at, should you win. Tomorrow, October 22nd at 3:00pm EST we will choose one random winner out of all those who commented and they will win a family four-pack to the show of their choice. For details about show times, check out the event page on the Rupp Arena website. Good luck!

The first annual Kentucky Proud Incredible Food Show took place a couple weeks ago, and we have already scheduled next year’s show for October 23rd & 24th, 2010! This year we had approximately 5,000 people come through the doors and sample anything from beer cheese to ice cream. We hope everyone enjoyed the show, and wanted to give you another chance to get a signed copy of Bobby Flay’s Mesa Grill Cookbook.

The planning process has already begun for next year’s show and we are trying to decide who the next Celebrity Chef should be, and want to get your input. In order to be in the drawing to win the signed cookbook, all you have to do is comment on this post with the chef you would like to see at next year’s show. Be sure to use the email address we should contact you at, should you win. On October 28th at noon, we will randomly select a winner out of all those who commented, and mail them a signed copy of Bobby Flay’s Mesa Grill Cookbook. Thanks again for a great show this year, good luck in the giveaway, and we hope to see you at The Incredible Food Show again next October!

Rupp Arena was host to Casting Crowns and Matt Redman last night. It was the first of 3 events in five days here at the arena (with Kings of Leon on Saturday, and WWE on Tuesday). Stacy Hicks attended the concert and guest blogged the show for us. Hit the jump to read his thoughts about the concert.

The crowd was treated to a real church service in Rupp Arena Thursday night. Not the plastic kind as Casting Crowns lead singer Mark Hall put it but a true “smacking people in Jesus’ name” worship service.

British transplant Matt Redman gave the crowd a verse of foreshadowing Psalms 95 “ Come let us sing to the Lord” because before the two hour plus worship ended, we , the audience, would join the choir. Matt lead the choir in versions of “You are the everlasting God” and the 2005 Dove award winning “Blessed Be the Name “. He proclaimed the night to be “All about the worship of our Lord” and it was.

Casting Crowns entered the service without the glitz and glamour of today’s major touring groups. The group continued the night’s theme with rousing approval of such hits from the past albums as “What if God’s people prayed “and “American Dream”. Lead singer Mark Hall showed the “choir” that the emphasis was on “Lord it’s you”. With the help of his band mates and the return of Matt Redman, Crowns showed that an old hymn favorite “One Day” could be turned into something fresh and exciting to the ear. When the band pointed the way to the new title cut of the forthcoming album “Until the Whole World Hears”, it became apparent that WorldVision’s sponsorship was more than financial it was God’s charge for our lives. The line “Ready Yourselves” was a word from God as many took the charge to sponsor a child of WorldVision. After a short intermission the stage was transformed into a version of “Unplugged”. The band took their stools and played the five song set of fan favorites “If We Are the Body” and “Voice of Truth” along with the new take on the classic hymn “Blessed Redeemer”. The group put the icing on the cake with “Praise You in This Storm”, “East to West” and “Lifesong”. As the evening came to an end, Mark and the band charged the crowd to “Lay it at the feet of Jesus” and “Take Him with you”. With a renewed spiritual spark and the charge of reaching the lost we will work “Until the Whole World Hears”.

Dierks Bently is coming to Rupp Arena on November 14th, and will be joined by Gloriana. More details will be available soon and can be found on the event page on the Rupp Arena website. Tickets go on sale this Friday at 10:00am.