After an amazing experience last year, I was motivated to go to Youth Alive 2013. Youth Alive in Melbourne City is the final event of several smaller youth alive concerts hosted in several regional churches across Victoria. The concert has two other performers apart from the Youth Alive band; this year it was New Empire and Young Chozen (who also attended last year). New Empire is a Christian pop-rock band from Sydney. They have performed with other Christian artists in the past, such as Hillsong and Owl City. It happened to be the lead singer's (Jeremy Fowler) birthday and the audience sang 'Happy Birthday' to him before they performed. "Thanks, you made my 42nd birthday great", he joked afterwards.
Lately, I have noticed that many older songs have been sampled to make new songs. It's not exactly coping or plagiarising but it's more like taking inspiration from a song of an older generation and turning it into something that suits the musical taste of the younger generation. Here's a couple of songs that have been sampled from Etta James's 'Something's got a hold on me'. Original: 'Something's got a hold on me', 1962 (live)
As this year comes to an end, reflect on the year by listening to 10 iconic songs of 2012. 10. Pumped Up Kicks - Foster the People
Every time I hear this song I think of the beach, maybe because I heard in February. 9. Wild Ones - Flo Rida ft. Sia
I'm pretty sure Dubai sponsored the video... and Sia doesn't even appear in the video. She must feel ripped off. 8. We Are Young - Fun. ft Janelle Monáe
Because we are...
7. Call Me Maybe - Carly Rae Jepsen
The first song meme of the year... sung by a Canadian.
6. You Won't Let Me - Karise Eden
If you're not from Australia, you probably didn't know that Karise Eden was the winner of Voice 2012 with the help of Seal (the singer, not the animal). 5. Anywhere in the World - Mark Ronson, Katy B
I included this song because it was the promo for the Olympics. 4. One More Night - Maroon 5
She even took the fish! 3. Boom Boom - Justice Crew
Finally a dance song that's not American but by an Australian and New Zealand boy band. 2. Battle Scars - Guy Sebastian ft. Lupe Fiasco
This song was number 1 in Australia, number 2 in New Zealand and Norway and... number 73 in US Billboard Hot 100. 1. Gangnam Style (강남스타일) - PSY
This was the first K-Pop song to become popular internationally, Psy has been to many countries for interviews and performances. With more than 1 billion views, this is without a doubt, the biggest song of 2012. I wish I could include more but I had to stick to 10 songs. What's your opinion? What songs would you change?
Yesterday, 22nd September, I travelled with my XFactor Youth mates to Youth Alive in the city. Youth Alive is an annual Christian concert targeted at young adults. I was able to go for free because I did the 40 hour famine - lucky me. The main acts were No Limits, Young Chozen and Evermore (from New Zealand).
At Greensborough Station
Hayley and Ben, two of my fantastic leaders from XFactor Youth
Southern Cross Station
What is that you are holding - Hayley?
Jeff's Shed
The weather was beautiful and some youth mates were comparing it to California's weather.
