Fresh Beat Band Concert: The Super-Official Review

Feb 23, 2012 | Filed Under: Television | Tags: Concert Review, Fresh Beat Band

There is one important part of becoming a parent for which no book prepared me: just how invested I would become in my children’s television shows. It makes sense, I suppose, given how rarely Mr. Candy and I have the opportunity to enjoy entertainment aimed at people above the age of five. We sing the shows’ theme songs waiting in line at the grocery store. We are obsessed with uncovering the secret to Maria and Gordon’s age-defying skin on Sesame Street. (A trip or two to Botox-Me Elmo, perhaps?) We make Skye watch the Imagination Movers help Warehouse Mouse find his cheese, even when she’d prefer to do something else, like read an educational book. (Poor, misguided child.)

But nothing comes close to our “strong interest” in Fresh Beat Band on Nick Jr., an interest that continues long after our children are in bed. After a couple glasses of wine, we spiritedly debate the ages of the hyper-actively peppy music and dance group’s cast members; a vigorous googling session confirms our suspicions: most of the actors are closer to 30 than 20 — especially Twist, the tall and gangly rapper who could very well have been the inspiration for Malibu’s Most Wanted. And, apparently, for Early Bird Specials.

And don’t even get us started on New Marina. (Seriously. Don’t. Unless you REALLY want us to show you the not-at-all-creepy vigil we keep for Old Marina, in which case… by all means, get us started!)

Ahem.

So when we heard Kiki, Twist, Shout and New Marina were bringing their concert to L.A., Mr. Candy and I immediately put down our wine and jumped on the computer — only to learn the concert was sold out. All four days, with two performances each day. Seems we are not the only parents with an unhealthy interest in this show. At that point, I did what any reasonable parent who knows her toddler can certainly live without seeing a Fresh Beat Band concert would do: forked over an obscene amount of money for tickets from an on-line scalper. Tickets in The Pit, just feet away from the stage, no less.

Hey, I said the kid could live without seeing them. Not me. I would just DIE if I didn’t get to this concert.

FRESH! BEAT! BAND! FRESH! BEAT! BAND!

Mr. Candy kindly offered to stay behind and watch the baby — if Old Marina were still around, I’m guessing a nail-biting game of Rock, Paper, Scissors would have ensued — while Miss Skye and I hit the Nickelodeon concert scene. You may question the sanity of a parent who takes a two-year-old to a concert — well, to anywhere in public, really. However, Skye already sat through her first movie in the theater, Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked, without making so much as a squeak (ha, haaaa!), so I was confident she was ready to take things to the next level. I mean, if the Chipmunks could hold her attention, Shout’s smooth moves surely would mesmerize her, I rationalized.

For once, I was right.

Oh yes, we had a great daaaay. It was a supeeeerrrr waaaay… to speeeeeend… some time together. (Good luck getting THAT out of your head, my fellow Fresh Beat Band-watching parents!)

"MORE? ...AGAIN?"

After being ten minutes late — never a wise idea with a stadium full of restless kids — the Fresh Beats finally took to the stage. Skye was indeed mesmerized from start to finish, dancing and clapping and asking “MORE?” and “AGAIN?” after every song — yes, even after the bananas one. It was awesome. I, on the other hand, experienced the show with a more critical eye, raising an eyebrow when Kiki conveniently skipped her famous high note (I expect more from her, I really do), acting indignant when they suggested that us parents have outdated dance moves (as if you’re in ANY position to make fun of the Running Man, Twist…hmpf) and grudgingly deciding New Marina isn’t the WORST thing in the world after observing her energetic on-stage performance. Not that I’m taking our vigil down or anything, but… maybe I’ll refrain from throwing Drew’s pacifier at the TV screen every time she appears on it from now on.

Maybe.

And as the audience chanted FRESH! BEAT! BAND! in hopes of an encore, as if we were at a U2 concert, I couldn’t help but think: Bono only wishes he had Twist’s mad beat-boxing skills.

CANDY’S REVIEW: (4/5 Smoothies)

SKYE’S REVIEW: (5/5 Smoothies)

9 Comments

9 Responses to “Fresh Beat Band Concert: The Super-Official Review”

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Bethany says:

So, they really do the singing? I stare at the TV show debating if they are lipsynching to other peoples voices. Especially the hispanic chick. By the way – I love the Imagination Movers more than my kids too!
February 24th, 2012 at 8:16 am - Reply
- Candy says:
  
  They really do, surprisingly. And they all sound the same as they do on TV (sans Kiki’s high note).
  
  I see the Imagination Movers are performing in LA in October. I’m totally dragging the kids to that concert, too!
  February 24th, 2012 at 11:21 am - Reply
  - Bethany says:
    
    I now have a greater respect for their “artistic abilities”. I think I’ll hold out for a “Backyardigans” show though.
    February 24th, 2012 at 12:15 pm - Reply
lainey says:

I was wondering if you put your “Rock Star Jacket on” I think I like this show way more than my 2 yr old. His new fav is “Super Why” on PBS.
February 24th, 2012 at 10:47 am - Reply
- Candy says:
  
  Those vinyl silver jackets ARE pretty sweet.
  
  “Super Why” is rather educational, isn’t it? What’s up with that?
  February 24th, 2012 at 11:22 am - Reply
Gretchen says:

How long did the concert last? We are going in a couple weeks and my husband wants to know if he can make it to a hockey game afterwards.

P.S. I am also a little obsessed with the FBB and am sad that more of their songs aren’t available on iTunes! Also, a co-worker told me she read that Shout has an Ivy League degree!
February 26th, 2012 at 5:56 am - Reply
- Candy says:
  
  An hour-and-a-half, I believe. Although I’m sure your husband will be more interested in trying out his new Fresh Beat moves than going to a hockey game once he takes in the magic of the show.
  
  After seeing the concert, I told Mr. Candy I thought Shout was the most well-rounded performer of the group. He’s a smartypants, too, huh? Impressive.
  February 26th, 2012 at 10:36 pm - Reply
Tim says:

What I’m trying to find out is a set list of the songs they sang in the concert. We are going in April (more for me..30 yr male) than my son (3 yrs old)..and yes Shayna Rose will ALWAYS be MY Marina.

Don’t care of the order, just the songs that were sung in the concert.

I know the opening theme, closing theme “We had a great day”, bananas, the Rockstar jacket one (not sure of the titles of most of there songs) will mroe than likely be sung, but what others?

That’s only 4 songs at 3-4 mins average each that’s only 12-16 mins of the show.

If it just singing, or is there a story behind the show like other nick jr live stage show and like how the TV show is?

Thanks
February 28th, 2012 at 3:00 pm - Reply
- RockStar's Mom says:
  
  We are going this month too! In Jacksonville (Orlando site said it wasn’t when I was looking, of course tickets for a Hard Rock performance went on sale after).
  It’s definitely a concert and in the hour and half, I’m sure there are more songs they sing. They have a new one in each episode in addition to the opening, closing, and a rotated regular song.
  My daughter is dumbfounded and counting the days down on her calendar, only three and never anticipated something so much. Good marketing Nick. Jr. You got Disnet beat with the Fresh Beat Band!!!!!
  April 4th, 2012 at 6:19 pm - Reply