Millennium Music Conference Weekend Wrap Up.

When John Harris approached me about doing MMC this year it was quickly established that 717 Entertainment would be handling the Capital Room at HMAC both nights. Bands were presented and we chose the lineups that we felt would be the best show possible. Upon this process I got the idea of potentially stretching the weekend from Thursday to Sunday, 4 nights of music all in one building. I secured the national act Crazy Town for Thursday and The Axe is Family tour featuring Alla Xul Elu for Sunday, thereby putting together a four day weekend featuring over 30 acts. How did it go? Well…..

Thursday night kicked us off w/ shows upstairs (Crazy Town) and a show downstairs (Meka Nism, Destruct Principle). The main question (other than “how cool was it to see “Butterfly” live”) was “how was shifty Shellshock”? The answer to that is, a total badass gentlemen. He was shown the green room but spent the whole time down on the floor w/ the fans watching all the acts and hanging out w/ the crowd. The whole band was a joy to work with. The show kicked off w/ The Sqaulors from Scranton who brought their blend of pop punk to the Harrisburg Area for the first time. Snow Villain and Coal followed them up w/ some straight forward rock. Coal just released their newest cd and played many numbers off that including “The Art of Dying” which is a clever song matching lyrics from established songs to form one full song w/ original music. This was their answer to people telling them to do a cover song. The night took a hip hop turn when Harrisburg’s own Windchiill took the stage w/ special guests Cadence (a young girl who absolutely won the crowd over instantly) and Ladii J. He ripped through a set which included old classics along w/ some newer numbers.

Downstairs Space Cult kicked the night off, playing only their 3rd or 4th gig as a band. Meka Nism was the out of town attraction. The band needed a gig as they’d be on main stage the next night so they are now (to the best of my knowledge) the first band to play stage on herr & Capital room on consecutive nights. They ripped through their set w/ lead vocalist Ms. Meka using her incredible vocal range of screaming, singing and even rapping for a song. Its a stage show and live show that I highly encourage you to see. The band hails from Florida so they won’t be around the Harrisburg area often, but I will be bringing them back. The Destruct Principle headlined Stage on Herr w/ their one of a kind stage show. When you think of work being put into a stage show this is the band you think of. I can’t think of anyone who puts more effort into their merch stand, stage show, presence than Addam (lead vocalist). The band plays black, gothic metal and whats interesting is even if you don’t enjoy the style you find yourself mesmorized by the stage show. Kudo’s to them for always bringing their A game.

Upstairs The main attraction of the night Crazy Town kicked off their set with “Battle Cry”. The band known for their hit song “Butterfly” as well as lead vocalist Shifty’s appearances on numerous VH1 reality shows proved that after 20 years they still have every bit of the energy and love of the music to put on an amazing live show. Playing selections from each album but relying on the bands biggest hit “The Gift of Game” with songs like “Toxic” the band not only pleased the crowd but satisfied them from start to finish. Shifty still sounds amazing live and once again came off stage right to the fans to talk and hang out.

Crazy Town Perform at Harrisburg Midtown Arts Center: Capital Room on Thursday February 21st for a 717 Entertainment presents evening.

Friday Night was the first evening of The Millennium Music Conference w/ artists selected through Reverbnation. The conference is in its 23rd year. 717 Entertainment was sponsoring for the 2nd year. Last year we had bands in the basement room at Blarney’s in Mechanicsburg. Haela & Voidhidden were two of those acts who we selected again this year. Friday night was the “Metal” night of the conference at HMAC. Featuring 6 Metal / Hard Rock acts from around the region and Meka Nism all the way from Florida. Pa Musician, Penn Live and other notable area publications were out to see what 717 Entertainment had put together. Almost Honest kicked off the night w/ their Sasquatch rock. They ripped through a half hour set getting the night started. Following them was Forgotten Oath who was another first timer on a 717E show. Both acts were very impressive and you can expect to see both of them on another 717 Entertainment Showcase in the not to distant future. The third act of the night really got the crowd moving and brought a presence w/ them that many lack. Traverse the Abyss from Scranton put on an absolutely incredible set of heavy screaming metal. They are not for the weak at heart. The band had not hit the Harrisburg area as of yet and are eager to come back. Defiant followed them and I believe they are the “Buzz” band at the conference this night, along w/ Traverse. Defiant was recently the cover band for PA Musician and has been snatching up some great gigs like opening for Kix, La Guns and even traveling down to West Virginia. They played a great set including an acoustic ballad where lead vocalist Albert took a seat on a chair to serenade the crowd. This might have been their coming out party as they say. Meka Nism followed them w/ their incredible stage props, presence and most importantly music. The band grabs you from the start and does not let go until the final notes of “The War Inside” the current single. Batting clean up for the night is a band who in April will be tied for the Most bookings by 717 Entertainment. Thats right 12 times we’ve booked Decipher Life. The band put on an even better set then a few weeks prior. They are really comfortable and at home on that main stage. They played songs from their self titled EP as well as some new ones. Friday night was a success . Every band put their all in to their performance. Keep an eye out for all these bands to be on shows with 717 Entertainment in the future. Decipher Life will be playing Thursday April 25th w/ HEDPE at HMAC on the same stage upstairs.

Florida based Meka Nism play Opening night of Millennium Music Conference at Harrisburg Midtown Arts Center: Capital Room as presented by 717 Entertainment.