Heffron Drive Perform at the New Jersey State Fair

Our favorite summer activity is outdoor concerts, so we were extra thrilled when Heffron Drive announced they would be having a concert at the State Fair!   What better way to spend a summer night than riding a ferris wheel, having a major fat party (funnel cake and fried pickles anyone?), and seeing one of your favorite bands?   It really doesn’t get much better than that.

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Heffron Drive is made up of bandmates and best friends Kendall Schmidt and Dustin Belt, who formed the group back in 2008 before Kendall joined one of our favorite boy bands, Big Time Rush.  Not wanting to breakup the group, Kendall recruited Dustin to play guitar for BTR on tour while they worked on both projects.   Heffron Drive has a completely different sound, and we love seeing both boy band Kendall and guitar wielding Kendall.

Their set included more recent material like “Art of Moving On,” the funky “Feels So Good” and the rocking “One Track Mind,” as well as pre-Big Time Rush tracks like “Quiet Please.”

While we miss Big Time Rush, we love seeing how passionate Kendall is on stage.  But don’t worry, BTR isn’t over!  Kendall said during the show that Big Time Rush is very much still a band, and he misses them, too.

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Heffron Drive also performed solid covers of “Wake Me Up” and “Ain’t It Fun,” which Kendall said he wished he had written.  But our favorite moment was when Kendall asked if there were any *NSYNC fans in the house (us, obviously), as he intro’d his cover of Justin Timberlake’s “Not a Bad Thing,” which he said reminded him of a song *NSYNC would have written.  We couldn’t agree more!  Watch our video below.

Setlist: (not in order)
Art of Moving On
Wake Me Up (Avicii cover)
Better Get To Movin’
One Track Mind
Time Wasting
Ain’t It Fun (Paramore cover)
Feels So Good
Not A Bad Thing (Justin Timberlake cover)
Memories & Melodies
Quiet Please
Parallel

Visit our Tumblr & Youtube pages for more photos & videos from the show!

Heffron Drive have a couple of upcoming dates on the East Coast this summer, check them out if they’ll be near you!  Pickup a copy of their single “Parallel” on iTunes now so you can sing along!

Heffron Drive Summer 2014 Shows
July 4th – A Capitol Fourth – More Info
July 13th – KRZ Summer Mingle – Scranton, PA – Buy Tickets *includes meet & greet!

Be sure to follow Heffron Drive, Dustin Belt, Tolbooth Records & Secret Fangirls on Twitter for more updates!

The Friday Five: Best DCOM Musical Moments

Tonight marks the premiere of yet another soon to be classic DCOM (that’s Disney Channel Original Movie), “Zapped!”  In the movie, Zendaya gets a new smartphone app that lets her control boys with the touch of a button.  It sounds amazing, and also reminds us of one of our favorite DCOMs of all time, “Stuck in the Suburbs,” where in a pre-iPhone/app world, stars Brenda Song and Danielle Panabaker accidentally end up with a pop star’s cell phone, and manage to run his entire life, eventually changing it for the better.  (And proving that fans know artists better than managers.)   It’s totally fine to cancel all your plans for tonight to watch “Zapped,” especially since it’s followed by the long-awaited premiere of “Girl Meets World!”    We’re hoping there will be at least one iconic musical sequence in the movie.  Here are our favorite DCOM songs and musical moments!

1. “Make a Wish” by Jordan Cahill – “Stuck in the Suburbs”
This is actually Taran Killam singing….Yes, Taran Killam from SNL.  Not enough people remember that he was in this fangirl fantasy movie!   Taran played Jordan Cahill, a spoiled popstar who kind of hated his life but didn’t know how to say “no” to his manager.   He did gather himself enough to spit out this witty quip in response to his manager telling him he was famous because of his perfectly highlighted hair – “Then dress it up, and make it sing your lousy songs!”

2.  “Strut” by Cheetah Girls – “Cheetah Girls 2”
Any movie that takes place in Europe is more than likely one of our favorites.   The Cheetah Girls get the chance of a lifetime to go to Spain and it involves a half baked plan, some gorgeous scenery (we’re not talking about the mansion here) and a happy ending for our Amigas Cheetahs!   We find ourselves singing this on our way to work in the mornings – it’s got the perfect beat to STRUT to!

3. “Zoom” by Microbe – “Zenon Girl of the 21st Century”
If you say you don’t know all the words to this song, then you’re either too old(or young) to remember this movie or you’re lying.  This movie is still a fashion disaster MAJOR!   But zetus lupetus, we wish Microbe (esp. Proto Zoa) was a real band because we would totally go to a space themed concert and wear neon spandex leggings under a ridiculous looking  mini skirt (holographic vest and all).

4. “Slam Dunk the Funk” by 5ive – “Smart House”
Cheesy outfits? Check.  House party hosted by a 14 year old boy? Check.   Choreographed dance moves in the cheesy outfits at a house party hosted by a 14 year old boy?  You got it!   “Smart House” was one of those movies where it was so bad it’s good (usually our favorite kind of movies).   Ryan Merriman (AKA that creep Ian Thomas  on PLL) is the genius behind the “let’s put on some tunes and do choreographed dance moves” scene here.  Thank god time was good to him.  Do yourself a favor, after you watch this clip…go Google “Ryan Merriman” and thank us later.

5. “Bet on It” by Zac Efron – “High School Musical 2”
I don’t know if we need to even say anything about this clip.  It’s been parodied so many times that it keeps getting funnier as time goes on.  Zac Efron totally nailed this song and performance.  The running, the skipping, the twirling while skip-running…there’s a reason this clip made our Friday Five list! Also, if you’ve have never reenacted the Bet On It scene….you’re lying.

PSA:  You can find most of these classic films on Youtube, or check your TV listings and get your DVR ready because Disney Channel airs old DCOMs in the middle of the night!   (And High School Musical 2 and Cheetah Girls 2 are on Netflix).

Shawn Mendes Drops First Single “Life Of The Party”

Youtube sensation Shawn Mendes, who was just signed to Island Records, released his first single “Life Of The Party!”  Shawn snagged a coveted opening spot for Austin Mahone and The Vamps on tour this summer.  He’s known for his unique covers of artists like Justin Bieber and Lana del Ray, which he posts to his Youtube channel as well as his Vine account.  “Life Of The Party” is Shawn’s first original song to be released, after teasing fans with (what else) Vine and Instagram videos in recent weeks.

Watch the official lyric video below and download it now on iTunes so you can sing along on tour!

Check out all of Shawn’s upcoming dates on the Austin Mahone tour here!

Be sure to follow Shawn Mendes and Secret Fangirls on Twitter for more updates.

Artist to Watch: Tiffany Houghton

We love the pop-country sound of rising singer-songwriter Tiffany Houghton, who was just added to MKTO’s American Dream Tour lineup!  Tiffany has that fresh “early Taylor Swift” sound that we’ve been searching for.  Armed with an acoustic guitar and girl-next-door charm, Tiffany’s catchy, well-crafted songs will have you singing along before the first chorus.  Tiffany moved to Nashville at the age of 17, and has spent time songwriting and honing her craft.  We’re sure you’ll be hearing a lot more from this girl in the future!

Watch the video for her new single, “17 Again,” below, which was inspired by one of our favorite movies,”Breakfast at Tiffany’s.”

Tiffany teamed up with ConcertBlogger.com for a performance of “Band Boy,” which she wrote about her weakness for boys in bands after getting home from a concert one night.  This song is pretty much every fangirl’s anthem.  We especially love the line “fangirls love band boys and band boys love fan girls!”

Be sure to follow Tiffany Houghton & Secret Fangirls on Twitter for more updates!

“Girl Meets World” Star Sabrina Carpenter to Perform on FOX & Friends All American Summer Concert Series

Sabrina Carpenter, one of the stars of Disney Channel’s new show “Girl Meets World” is set to perform on FOX& Friends “All-American Summer Concert Series” this Friday, June 27th!  She will be singing her hit songs “Can’t Blame A Girl For Trying” and “Catch My Breath” as well as talking about her summer tour and debut album.  We can’t wait to see Sabrina on “Girl Meets World” this summer!!   She’s playing Riley’s (Cory and Topanga’s daughter) BFF, Maya.  Will Maya be the Shawn to her Cory?    Find out when the series premieres on Disney Channel June 27th at 9:45pm!

Be sure to tune in to FOX & Friends on Friday morning,  or if you’re in NYC, head over to the FOX News Channel Plaza before 6am to get a great spot in the crowd!

Follow FOX&Friends, Sabrina Carpenter, and Secret Fangirls on Twitter for more updates!

Action Item Release “We’ll Be Fine”

New Jersey pop rock band Action Item released a brand new single today and yes, we are hooked on it already!  The upbeat track has an American Authors/Imagine Dragons feel to it.  We will definitely be adding “We’ll Be Fine” to our summer playlist and blasting it poolside this summer!

Listen to “We’ll Be Fine” on Soundcloud now and pickup a copy on iTunes!

You can catch Action Item on tour with MKTO and Tiffany Houghton on the American Dream Tour which kicks off on Friday!

Follow Action Item & Secret Fangirls on Twitter for the latest on your favorite artists.

Aaron Carter’s Wonderful World Tour Is Coming to London!

Earlier this month, Aaron Carter announced that he would be heading out on a World Tour later starting this fall!   Since the first leg of the tour is in the US, there were some complaints that there weren’t any international dates on the list.  (Come on guys…it’s called a World Tour for a reason!)  Well get ready because AC just announced his first international stop on the tour:  Aaron’s Party is coming to London in January!

https://twitter.com/aaroncarter/status/481491061588516864

Aaron Carter Wonderful World Tour
January 17th 2015 – Borderline – London, UK – Buy Tickets
Tickets and VIP packages go on sale June 25th at 9am!

Be sure to follow Aaron Carter & Secret Fangirls on Twitter for more updates!

Secret Fangirls Debut: “GIRL” by Giselle Mynx

Secret Fangirls are pleased to debut “GIRL” by Giselle Mynx.  The first single from the California native is hauntingly beautiful yet inspiring.  The instrumentation on this track is unique and sets “GIRL” apart from the crowd.  A steady drum, the steel string guitar, and Giselle’s lovely voice will stay with you long after the song is finished.

Stream the song on Soundcloud now!

Be sure to follow Giselle Mynx & Secret Fangirls on Twitter!

Backstreet Boys Wrap Up In A World Like This Tour at Jones Beach: What’s Next?

Last night marked the last date on the North American leg of Backstreet Boys’ In A World Like Tour.  The tour, which started last summer in celebration of the band’s 20th anniversary, has ended up being the longest in BSB history.  As they said to the packed crowd at Jones Beach, this tour surprised their agents, critics and even them:  it’s amazing to see how much love and support they still have after all these years!  They played all of their hits, as well as tracks off of their new album, “In A World Like This,” as the audience partied like it was 1999.  A Backstreet Boys concert is like one giant singalong/dance party, with 15,000 of your closest friends.

About halfway through the concert, it sunk in that we wouldn’t be seeing the BSB on tour for a while.  But then we realized us Backstreet fan girls have a lot of other things to look forward to this year!

Backstreet Boys:  The Movie
A documentary on the BSB, filmed mostly last year during their 20th anniversary “reunion,” was announced last year, and we are still impatiently waiting for a release date!  The trailer for the movie has been shown during the IAWLT tour since last summer.  Now that this leg of the tour is over, we are hoping we will finally get a release date!   And an excuse to sing and dance in the movie theater.

Nick and Knight Album and Tour!
Nick Carter is so much fun to watch on stage, because he just brings his A-game each and every night.  He tends to do his own choreography, and is moving non-stop on stage.  You can see the pure joy he has in performing.  He’s teaming up with NKOTB’s Jordan Knight for an album and tour this fall, titled Nick & Knight!  Jordan also BRINGS IT each night on stage, so we cannot WAIT to see what these two will be up to on tour.  It’s going to be amazing.

“I Heart Nick Carter”
This isn’t Nick’s first foray into the world of reality TV (House of Carters anyone?), but this time around the show focus on Nick’s life with his new bride, Lauren Kitt, rather than Carter family drama.  We will only watch reality shows that star current or former boy band members, so obviously we have already been counting down to the show’s premiere!  Watch the first look below!   “I Heart Nick Carter” premieres on September 10th at 10pm on Vh1!

Stay tuned for updates on the rest of Backstreet’s  upcoming projects!  Be sure to follow Backstreet Boys & Secret Fangirls on Twitter for more updates!

Before You Exit Named iHeartRadio and Macy’s Rising Star Winner

Congratulations to Orlando, Florida natives, Before You Exit, who were just announced the iHeartRadio & Macy’s Rising Star Contest winners!  It was a close competition between the other finalists, Olivia Somerlyn, Cassio Monroe, Wild Party and Paradise Fears.  We’re sure this isn’t the last we’ll be hearing of these rising stars!

As the 2014 champions, Before You Exit will get to perform at the iHeartRadio Music Festival in September!  Watch their official video for “Dangerous” below!

Before You Exit are also on tour all summer long so don’t miss your chance to see these guys! Check out the dates below.

Before You Exit Summer 2014 Tour Dates
June 25th – Jacob’s Pavilion – Cleveland, OH – Buy Tickets
June 26th – Stranahan Theater – Toledo, OH – Buy Tickets
June 27th – PNC Pavilion – Cincinnati, OH – Buy Tickets
June 28th – Farm Bureau Insurance Lawn – Indianapolis, IN – Buy Tickets
June 29th – Lifestyle Communities Pavilion – Columbus, OH- Buy Tickets
July 12th – Six Flags Maryland – Upper Marlboro, MD – Buy Tickets
July 26th – Wildwood Convention Center – Wildwood, NJ – Buy Tickets
July 27th – Playland – Rye, NY – Buy Tickets
August 9th – Six Flags Over Georgia – Austell, GA – Buy Tickets
August 23rd – Six Flags Great Adventure – Jackson, NJ – Buy Tickets
August 24th – Six Flags News England – Agawam, MA – Buy Tickets 

Be sure to pick up a copy of Before You Exit’s single “Dangerous” on iTunes and Amazon now!

Follow Before You Exit & Secret Fangirls on Twitter for the latest updates on all your favorite artists!