|
Review by Janel Spiegel
Bumpin Uglies – Lyrics Over Everything Tour 2024
Joey Harkum
Tunnel Vision
Thursday, November 21, 2024 at 7:30PM
Musikfest Café
101 Founders Way
Bethlehem, PA 18015
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania… You look beautiful as always. I arrived at ArtQuest tonight, and walked from the parking lot as I have done so many times over the years. I looked at all the Christmas decorations. Thought about the video Actor/Director Daniel Roebuck just posted as Santa inside the beautiful present that sits outside of Christkindlmarkt Bethlehem. Daniel was promoting his film, Saint Nick of Bethlehem (2024). The movie filmed throughout the Lehigh Valley. He talked about Bethlehem, and the importance of keeping people together.
I hear ya, some of you are thinking, what does this have to do with Bumpin Uglies, and a concert. Well, Bumpin Uglies, Tunnel Vision, and Joey Harkum felt that energy tonight. That beautiful intense energy that brings people together.
Joey Harkum opened the show with his beautiful acoustic guitar. The crowd was STOKED, so happy, and just genuinely fused together. Like a chef creating a beautiful meal, Joey brought several musicians out from Bumpin Uglies, and Tunnel Vision. Brandon Hardestry joked about Joey’s band collection, and how he has made an amazing band over the years. Listening to “Without You In My Way,” “Hold On,” which Brandon came out, and sang with Joey. It was BEYOND BEAUTIFUL. My heart just smiled. Musikfest Café served as more than just a venue tonight… There was a birthday, Happy Birthday to Liz. Several families, and people who were able to visit Musikfest Café for the first time, and genuine happy fans who were just completely thrilled to see the bands they love.
Joey Harkum could sing anything. He could sit and sing recipes, or whatever he would pick to sing. It would be an experience.
Tunnel Vision came out next, and just brought an equally exuberant vibe. Tunnel Vision is: Hayden Hanson, Jacob Hernandez, Tanner Payan, Matt Risley, and Doug Alani. The crowd was involved, and it was just a beautiful night. Tunnel Vision performed everything from: “Hop in the Van,” “Citrus Skies,” “Mess,” and “Stacy’s Song.” (Because doesn’t anyone wonder where Stacy went? They wrote the song because of the song, “Stacy’s Mom.”)
Go and see Tunnel Vision, and Joey Harkum, and Bumpin Uglies.
Bumpin Uglies came out, and performed everything from, “No Love,” “Underdog,” “Stop the Fall,” “Too Stoned,” “Crazy,” “Food Chain,” they covered Radiohead’s “Creep,” my soul floated away. The immaculate feeling of just joy and how healing music is. Brandon is so right about that, music is healing. It felt good to hear, “Bad Decisions,” and “Too Stoned.” They interreacted with the crowd, and had so much fun. Brandon asked Tunnel Vision to come back up, and Joey Harkum. Bumpin Uglies is: Brandon Hardestry, Dave Wolf, T.J. Haslett, Will Lopez, and Ethan Lee Litchenberger.
I love Musifest Café, and the volunteers, the staff. Every single person works so hard, and is so helpful. It is a grateful feeling to talk to everyone, and I am glad my friend Jeanne came along. She has such an appreciation for music.
Thank you for these lyrics… I will be standing on that mountain with Brandon because, music is healing. Music is beyond universal. It makes you think, gives you hope, delivers memories, and heart. Go see Bumpin Uglies, Tunnel Vision, and Joey Harkum.
So, thank you for this, “I won’t ever be the sure thing
But I’m content being the pure thing
With my heart on my sleeve, while I sing like I breath
fighting for what I deserve” “Underdog”
https://www.steelstacks.org/about/venues-at-steelstacks/musikfest-cafe/
https://www.bumpinugliesmusic.com/
https://www.tunnelvisionsc.com/