Type of music in the Town Squares
 

I'm looking forward to my move to the Villages in a couple of weeks. When I visited the Villages in the past, I always made it a point to listen to the live music on the squares. I think I've been to all three of them at least twice. I was wondering how varied the music and performers get. For instance, is reggae ever featured? How about prog or "art rock" - you know, music like Yes, Genesis, Emerson Lake & Palmer, etc.?

I've noticed the shows seem to find the lowest common denominator. The performers play the biggest smash hits of the '60s and '70s that can't possibly fail to please the majority of the crowd. Either that or R&B/disco that gets people dancing.

I have nothing against any type of music. I love it all (heck, I'll even admit to liking the Carpenters). But I'm curious to hear from the regular attendees if they ever mix up the music...or is it all Brown Eyed Girl and Stand By Me all the time every night at every square? (Exaggerating of course to make the point. :):):))

I heard a rumor, that coming to the LSL square in the near future...are Jay-Z and Beyoncé.


They're being paid by the new Costco...going up on 44.








:D

You bad.:1rotfl:

Some of the groups are repetitious and need new material. It's nice to hear some of the newer groups venture out of the comfort zone with some Frankie Goes To Hollywood, Duran Duran, and The Human League. The fact that bands are doing 80's renditions is a large time leap forward. And It is also nice that there is a mix of groups and genres to choose from.

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:duck:


:D

Best rock band at the squares, the Hooligans from Orlando. All Brit rock from Clash to the Cure.

https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net...39&oe=5EA8E040

The same guys, but now they're the Spazmatics. 80's rock from Whip It to Rebel Yell.

https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net...26&oe=5E94EC61

That might actually be popular here. :D

The best video of FGTH is their appearance in the Brian DiPalma film "Body Double".

FRANKIE GOES TO HOLLYWOOD - Relax (Body Double Version) - YouTube

What?!? A band that does punk and post-punk like the Clash and the Cure playing to Villagers? Wow. Looking back at the audiences I saw when I visited the squares, I just can't wrap my brain around this one. But I'm not complainin'! When I asked about reggae and prog above, I had punk/new wave in the back of my mind, but never ever would have thought it would go over in the Villages. Not yet anyway. The Cure's Disintegration album is my second favorite album of all time (after the Beatles White Album). I will be checking out the Hooligans for sure! Thanks John!

The Cure - "Disintegration" | Live at Sydney Opera House - YouTube

🤪🤪

They are moving more towards 80’s and 90’s music. There is a great Rockabilly band, Sherry and the Rockefellas, that plays often.

Music on campus
 

Get the paper everyday. Find a group you like. Follow them on FB or website. Google raggae bands near The Villages

Best Reggae Bands in The Villages, FL

Check Katie Belles. Many groups or individuals send out emails and some also play outside of the bubble. Check out Orange Blossom Opry in Lake Weir. You'll be so busy and figure it out when you're here. Welcome home.

Now that is funny!!!!!

I look forward to seeing the music move forward. All types. All good. Mixing the music styles around will not please everybody but will probably please most. Eurythmics, Police, Journey, Duran Duran, INXS, B52's, Randy Travis, Dwight Yoakam, Reba McEntire, Bob Marley, Yellowman, BB King, Stevie Ray Vaughn, etc. I'm 62 so I may still be wet behind the ears... but I like late 70's, 80's and 90's as well as some newer dance like Deadmau5. I think mixing it will bring more people out. I know if a band is playing just 50's/60's I am less likely to come out. My 2cents.

The music is mostly the same with a few exceptions here and there. It's mostly about dancing and especially line dancing. Unfortunately we also have a several DJs and professional karaoke singers. Contrary to what you think, this does satisfy the majority of the people. Most people want to dance and, especially the line dancers, could care less about what is being player as long as there is a bass drum pounding out quarter notes. You also have to remembers that the current demographic of The Villages puts their favorite music smack dab in the middle of the sixties. I actually have no problem with that but people like you that want to hear Duran Duran and other such music are going to be disappointed. I believe that the 70's and 80s music will slowly become more popular here over the next twenty years, but right now it's fifites and sixties.

:MOJE_whot:

I think you will like the Hooligans. I am waiting for a little more alternative but it might come.

So grunge is right around the corner?

Love the Lennon handle, Winston. Like you, my favorite band is also the Beatles. No one else comes close. And I also love music from the middle '60s and am glad it's a "thing" in the Villages. But if there are three shows a day in the squares, every day, I'm just hoping for some variety. (Um, and not Duran Duran covers by the way, but that's just me. I'd prefer Echo and the Bunnymen - also from that Mersey city)

On another note...how do you thank people for their post? Do you just click the thumbs up button? I'm seeing a lot of great posts, here, there and everywhere, as Paul might say. Thanks all.

Hooligans will be at LSL tomorrow (Wednesday the 15th) I've seen them at BW about 5 times and they have huge crowds. It will be different seeing them at LSL, I do have my colorized Hooligans T-shirt, they should be out in full force. The Spazmatics will be at LSL on Saturday the 25th.

https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net...91&oe=5EA5210A

Polka bands
 

Just thought I would bring it up yet again....Whatever happened to the Polka bands that used to play at the Villages entertainment venues? ANYONE know? Do they only play INSIDE now? We would really like to know.

As noted before, the music at the squares is becoming younger and more contemporary. Your best shot would be at Orange Blossom Opry off 42. They've got acts there that are better than we have. Check their website:

Orange Blossom Opry Home

P.S. To Winston: it goes without saying that every time I visited the Villages, I went to your Friday morning Fab 4 celebration and loved it. Villagers are so lucky to have stuff like that. Thanks for putting it together.

Karen Carpenter probably was the best female vocalist in rock/pop history. And she was an accomplished drummer to boot.

:a20:

Did you see the Karen Carpenter tribute Saturday night at SC? I would of gone since she's my wife's favorite, but NFL Football playoffs, playoffs!! I looked her up on youtube, and she is really good.

https://www.thevillagesentertainment...l_1366x500.jpg

I have heard country, recently Caribbean music, oldies and newer songs. More dancers for 60's and 70's music I believe,

Rumor has it that The Happy Wanderers are coming to town.

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At Brownwood I have heard Penta, more of a rock group and there is also Paisley Craze something that is more 80’s and 90’s. The Houligans are good too

We saw the 5 pm show. Excellent!

kathy

Old people......Old music.

My vote goes to Siouxsie Sioux. Second place to Janis Joplin.

YES!!!!!!!! i heard them do some ELP @ one of their last shows. this is the go to band for those of us who grew up with hard rock & Brit bands.

LOL> you may be surprised, we only LOOK old,

Speaking of old music The Who sang this line in 1964's My Generation.... "I hope I die before I get old." So hang in there. Two are still alive and performing. You've got hope.

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You couldn't say it if it wasn't true

No matter who plays, you need to learn how to line dance!

I can't wait to see line dancing to the Clash!!!

The Clash - White Riot (Official Video) - YouTube

You lead, and we’ll follow. ;)

If they will dance to Floyd's "Comfortably Numb" they will dance to anything.
Steve