Workout Music: Should You Wear Headphones When Cycling?

The jury is still out on this decades-long debate: is it safe to wear headphones while riding a bicycle? Ask anyone on the street and you’ll get one of two answers, but which one is it, really? It’s true that the popularity of cycling is on the rise; more and more young professionals have abandoned the suburban lifestyle and moved into apartments in the big cities, eliminating the need for a car altogether. Subsequently, bicycles are becoming ever more popular. With the increased foot and cycle traffic, being present and aware of your surroundings is more necessary than ever.

While it’s no surprise that bicycling fatalities are on the rise, is that because of headphone use, or simply the rise in cyclists? There’s no way to know for certain, though it is true that many accidents are caused by cyclists’ inattention. With music blaring or even at a low volume, there’s no guarantee that a cyclist will hear a warning shout or car horn. In particular, the newer sets of headphones often provide “noise-cancelling” technology, which blocks out much of the listener’s external stimuli. While this is a great development in regards to music clarity, it could be considered a detriment to cyclists. The fact of the matter is that if you’re wearing headphones while bicycling down a busy street or trail, you won’t be able to hear possible danger signs, such as sirens, horns, traffic, etc. While this might not be a big deal if you’re on a trail with your mountain bike, it could be a hazard if you’ve gotten a cheap road bike for workouts by cycling in the afternoons on a busy road.

Still, if you just can’t ride without your tunes, there are methods to lower your risks as much as possible. While listening to any music on the roads or bike paths can’t be considered safe in any sense, there are precautions that you can take to help prevent injury. New technologies are constantly rising to make riding safer, as well as compromises that can be made to increase safety.

Listening to music at a much lower volume might allow you to maintain a better awareness of your surroundings. Another, exponentially safer option is to limit your listening by riding with just one earbud, or a speaker that rests on your neck and shoulder. This way, the entirety of your attention won’t be spent on the music, and you’ll be able to hear what’s going on around you.

Another potential solution to the headphone-bicycling paradox lies in technological advancement. For example, Sony is experimenting with a new type of earbuds that don’t block the ambient noise around the listener. You’ll be able to listen to music and catch the voices around you. This could potentially solve the problem of enjoying music while you bike.

There’s no guarantee that cycling without headphones will keep you safe, but it’s true that going without your tunes will much increase your chances of avoiding accident or injury. Hearing external stimuli is a part of safety that shouldn’t be ignored, especially in today’s world of crowded marketplaces and busy streets. It’s important to put safety first and foremost on the agenda, both for you and for the other cyclists, pedestrians, and even motorists out on the roads. Until new technology, such as Sony’s ambient headphones, reaches the mass markets, it’s best to avoid wearing headphones while biking around the city and surrounding areas.

5 Best Places for Live Music in Las Vegas

1. Planet Hollywood
Planter Hollywood can be found at the center of the well known Las Vegas Strip. The establishment itself is a well decorated casino filled with a wide variety of entertainment, dining and shopping. This casino also has a relaxing spa for you to go and just soothe your body. This fine establishment provides you with a plethora of celebrity guest that will gladly sing you their top finest hits, Britney spears for example is one of the many celebrities available at his fine establishment for all tome come by and enjoy.

2.Caesars Palace
Caesars Palace is another great establishment for all to come by and enjoy. It has a wide number of lavish rooms, great dining and incredible shopping centers for all to come and explore. It was first opened in 1966 and has been a great place to come and visit ever since. This is also a great establishment for your favorite singers to come by and entertain you, singing you and the rest of the audience their best musical works. This people include Celine Dion, Elton John and Rob Stewart. Be prepared to come by and enjoy over an hour of the works of the most famed singers through out the nation.

3.Flamingo
Another great establishment to enjoy live music would be the Flamingo that is also located in the treat of Las Vegas. This exotic resort promises great water attractions and animal entertainment. It’s a fine place to come and enjoy the food as well as to just relax with your family and friends. This fine resort also offers a good deal of musicians that many will come to enjoy such as Donny and Marie Osmond. Like other establishments on this list, children up to 10 are allowed to come and enjoy their hits, it’s a family friendly environment both the parents and children can enjoy.

4. Harrah’s
Another well known resort that is found in the heart of Las vegas is Harrah’s. This fine resort has a wide variety of entertainment and an upbeat atmosphere, this fine resort offers comedy clubs, pubs, karaoke and much more for the audience to enjoy. The types of live music that this resort offers includes The Righteous Brothers, Tenors of Rock and X Country. All of their schedules and performances can be looked up, even if you miss one show you always have an opportunity to see another while enjoying all the unique entertainment the resort has to offer. The singers give out their greatest hits to the audience and will not disappoint you.

5.Venetian
The last but not least resort on this list, that is also found within the strip of Las Vegas would be Venetian. It is described to be a place where the spirit of Italy is alive. It offers lovely pasta, strolling performers and an eco friendly environment. It known for is great gourmet dining but also offers great entertainment, including live music just like the other resorts of this list. These entertainment options include but are not limited to the Human Nature Jukebox, The Essential Diana Ross: Some Memories Never Fade and more in the near future. Ages as young as five are welcomed within these establishments, it offers a great experience for you and your family to come and enjoy some of the greatest hits by some of the most greatest singers.

5 Best Places for Live Music in Dallas-Fort Worth Area

Are you a live music lover? Will you be in the Dallas-Fort Worth area any time soon? If you answered “yes” to these two questions, you will be interested in finding the five best places for live music. Texas has good music and plenty of good people just waiting to show you a good time. There are five top places to experience in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. You will not be disappointed when you stop in one of these top five. Be prepared to have the time of your life and get ready for some great entertainment with the live music and the fixings. Some of the best places can be found in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

1. The Rail Club; Enjoy a great live-music venue and plan on joining in on some bar games, foosball, darts and even billiards. All ages are welcome and admitted at the establishment. There are concerts to enjoy along with much added fun right in Fort Worth. The live performances will captivate you and offer spectacular entertainment.

2. The Ranch at Las Colinas; You’re welcome to come in and enjoy plenty of lively fun as you listen to the live music and dine on plenty of good food. You’ll love the Texas accent in this ranch environment. The professional staff is just waiting to show you a memorable time in Fort Worth. The Ranch is ready to rock you and yours. You can get a big taste of Texas and all the unique flavors right here as you embark on this live music journey. This will be a superior experience right from the start. This is a gathering spot for anyone.

3. The House of Blues Dallas; Be prepared to feast on tasty New Orleans-style food and more. You’ll get moving with some excellent rock music in an atmosphere filled with glitter and lights. You will want to check out the performance and sports venue and find out why so many people are talking about this hot spot in Dallas. Experience peace, love and great rock & roll right here.

4. Panther Island Pavilion; The waterfront stage has two bandshells, paddleboard rentals and live music that just can’t be topped. This is waiting for you right in Fort Worth. Fill up on festivals, shows, events and some fun
watersports right in Fort Worth. The outdoor concerts will mesmerize you as you fall into the live music and more.

5. The Rustic; If down-home and locally sourced American food sounds tempting you will feel right at home at the Rustic. This is located in Dallas and is always ready to serve up your happy hour drinks with a big helping of live music. The fun keeps rolling and the good cheer will be found on the outdoor patio too.

Here are the five best places for live music in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Be prepared to enjoy yourself when you stop in. A good time will be had by all.

The Absolute 5 Best Concert Venues in Philadelphia

Philadelphia is a city rich in history, and when it comes to musical roots, the city is no exception. Whether you prefer to be serenaded with the sounds of the 18th century in a modern concert hall, or crowded into a dimly-lit dive, Philadelphia boasts a healthy stock of music venues that offers an exciting lineup every night of the week.

Be sure to check out these 5 awesome concert and live music venues:

1. Electric Factory
421 N 7th St, Philadelphia, PA 19123

Situated in an industrial sector north of downtown stands one of the bastions of contemporary music. An actual electric factory turned music venue, the Electric Factory has been manufacturing good times since 1994. On a quiet night, it looks like a derelict industrial structure, though when the circuity comes alive you can find up to 2,500 concert-goers within its walls. The Factory features a wide array of genres, including electronic, heavy metal and rap. The bar is cash only so don’t forget to hit the ATM on the way.

2. The Fillmore Philadelphia
29 E Allen St, Philadelphia, PA 19123

Head over to the trendy neighborhood of Fishtown to discover one of Philadelphia’s newest venues, The Fillmore Philadelphia. A throwback to the historic San Francisco theatre, the venue opened in 2015, and features a wide variety of national acts. With standing room for 2,500, the space features six chandeliers and a Betsy Ross-style American flag comprised of concert posters. Be sure to check out the authentic Volkswagen bus, which houses the Fillmore’s merchandise. The drinks are a little pricey, but seeing your favorite band is worth the extra bucks.

3. Chris’ Jazz Café
1421 Sansom St, Philadelphia, PA 19102

If you are looking for something a bit more intimate, look no further than Chris’ Jazz Café, which has been serving up local, regional and national jazz acts for over 25 years. Upon arrival, a host greets you at the door and escorts you to a table with unbeatable sight lines. It’s the kind of joint where you’d expect to look over and find a member of the Rat Pack in the corner nursing a glass of whiskey. The food and drinks are superb, but get there early because seats fill up quick.

4. Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts
300 S Broad St, Philadelphia, PA 19102

The Kimmel Center for Performing Arts is a sleek and comfortable performing arts venue sure to impress any visitor. Opened in 2001, the Kimmel Center houses both Perelman Theatre, which seats 650, and Verizon Hall, with seats for 2,500. Verizon Hall, home to the Philadelphia Orchestra, features an impressive mix of over 100 fine arts performances annually. Oh, and don’t forget to silence your phone before the show starts.

5. Trocadero Theatre
1003 Arch St, Philadelphia, PA 19107

Catching a show at the Trocadero Theatre is the quintessential Philadelphia experience. This historic Victorian theatre, which has hosted acts since the 1870’s, offers great sight lines and standing room for 1,200. Once home to vaudeville and burlesque, the venue regularly features hard rock and metal bands, so if you are in the mood for something a little heavier, this place is for you. The balcony offers seating, and both floors offer reasonably priced bars.

5 Best Places for Live Music in London

Since the 1960s, London has gained a reputation for producing some of the world’s greatest rock bands. Legendary bands like The Kinks, Led Zeppelin, and the Rolling Stones all had their start here. But you don’t have to be a rocker to enjoy live music in this electrifying city. Whether you’re into rock, jazz, folk, or classical, you’re sure to find at least one theatre to satisfy your eardrums. In this brief article, we’ll go through five of the highest quality live music venues you should check out on your visit to the British capital.

1. Royal Albert Hall

Any list of London’s greatest live music arenas wouldn’t be complete without Royal Albert Hall. This 5,272-seat arena in South Kensington was officially opened in 1871. It’s named after Queen Victoria’s husband, Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, and the famous Albert Memorial located nearby is also dedicated in his honor. In addition to hosting the annual Proms classical music concerts, Royal Albert Hall puts on numerous rock/pop concerts, film screenings, Cirque du Soleil acrobatics, charity shows, and even cooking events. Even if you aren’t going to see a show here, it’s well worth your time to visit this cultural icon to admire Albert Hall’s stunning architecture.

2. The Half Moon

Are you into indie music? If so, you must head on over to Putney to check out The Half Moon. This relatively small music venue opened its doors in the 1960s with a bang, hosting bands such as The Who, The Yardbirds, and The Rolling Stones. In addition to hosting new rock acts, the Half Moon built up a reputation in the 60s for supporting the latest and greatest on the folk scene. Today, The Half Moon hosts numerous indie music and comedy shows throughout the year. Just so you know, The Rolling Stones have been known to pop in at The Half Moon every now and again. The latest Rolling Stones performance here was in 2002. The Half Moon has a seating capacity of 250.

3. Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club

Located in Frith Street in Soho, this celebrated basement club has hosted some of the world’s finest jazz and rock musicians ever since it opened in 1959. Just a few legends that have played here include Ella Fitzgerald, Jimi Hendrix, and Prince. Of course, this club focuses on the best in jazz music, but many talented musicians who play other genres have played on Ronnie Scott’s legendary stage. You should be aware, however, that seating is limited here, and tickets tend to sell out quickly.

4. The O2 Arena

For big shows from big artists in a big auditorium, check out The O2 Arena. The O2 Arena opened in 2007 and can seat up to 20,000 people. Believe it or not, but The O2 Arena is currently busier than Madison Square Garden in NYC. All kinds of popular music events are held here year-round, including big name artists like Rod Stewart, Neil Diamond, and Drake.

5. St. Martin-in-the-Fields

Classical music buffs must take in one show at St. Martin-in-the-Fields Church in Trafalgar Square. This Anglican Church was built way back in the 1720s, which makes it one of the oldest churches still standing in the capital city. In addition to classical music concerts, St. Martin-in-the-Fields has “jazz nights,” sacred music events, and choirs. There’s also a café located here where people can relax, have a bite to eat, and admire the ancient architecture in this marvelous building.

5 Best Places for Live Music in Chicago

With so many options for great music in Chicago, it can be a hard choice to make. Another reason it could be a tough choice is because most, if not all, are all packed every day of the week. With most cities being happy with just a couple of hopping music clubs, Chicago can seem spoiled. To give you an idea of some of the great clubs to visit for some great music, take a look at our five best we have listed here.

1. Metro
The Metro offers some of the best live band venues in Chicago. Located near Wrigley Field, There have been a numerous amount of legends that have made an appearance including James Brown and Bob Dylan. The Metro also played host to the Smashing Pumpkins in 1988, where their first concert took place. Not too shabby for a club when you add the fact that in 1982, the band REM made an awesome performance.

2. Double Door
The Double Door is a great place if you love great sounding music. Whether it’s the layout of the room or the sound system, the music’s sound is one of the best. The sound is so good that even the worst bands will sound like top performers.

But like all clubs, Double Door has some issues. Pillars obstruct the view in some places, and the location of the soundboard is oddly placed in the center of the club. So if you want a great view, your spot will have to be picked carefully. That’s not saying there is a bad spot. If you are unsure how to get there, you can choose between three buses that’ll drop you off right at their door step.

3. The Empty Bottle
In the Ukranian Village you’ll find the Empty Bottle. It is a very comfortable and cost-effective club where underground music comes to the surface. The Empty Bottle allows free cover for those that RSVP via their social media page. With a varied sound, you can listen to any and all music genre’s during their free live show held every Monday. The clubs crowd size is not too big and when the venues capacity is at 400, you still have plenty of elbow room. Although they have an endorsement from Rolling Stone, they continue to be a great spot to be at.

4. Buddy Guy’s Legends
Back in 1989, Buddy Guy opened his Buddy Guy’s Legends blues club. This popular blues club holds a residency for 16 nights straight. Buddy Guy’s Legends have hosted some of the best blues players to ever grace us with music. These included Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughn, BB King and Lou Rawls. Because of these true legends playing here, you’ll have no problem checking out the many pieces of memorabilia. Some of which are Grammys.

5. Schubas
The Schubas club is considered upscale as compared to the other clubs listed here. Mike and Chris Schuba opened Schubas in 1989 where they host new talent daily. This new talent includes both mainstream and indie bands. Schubas is also well known for booking the Dave Matthews Band’s very first show. But make sure to catch them there first, that way you won’t have to visit Lincoln Hall which is Schubas sister club.

Your Daily Dose Of The Unknown – 5 Facts About Ed Sheeran You Likely Don’t Have A Clue About!

A self-made artist who manages to captivate audiences with little more than a guitar, an incredible voice and an ability to write soulful lyrics, we have many reason to love Ed Sheeran!

Just like any other artist however, there are plenty of quirky facts about this guy that you likely don’t have a clue about! Fancy reading about a few of them? We thought so! Here they come – 5 facts about Ed Sheeran. If you didn’t already know them, then we hope you’ll enjoy them! If you did already know them – then it looks like you should be the one writing this!

5 Facts About Ed Sheeran You Likely Don’t Have A Clue About!

At Number 5 ….

Ed’s passion for music kicked in very early. At the age of 4 he was a singer in the church choir!

At Number 4 ….

It’s clear to see that Ed Sheeran has a passion for his guitars. He does however take the love one step further – each of his guitars has a name! Here they are: Lloyd, Nigel, Felix and Cyril.

At Number 3 ….

One of Ed’s top TV show features a very young Will Smith and a theme tune that starts with, ‘Now this is the story all about how …’, you got it, Fresh Prince of Bel-Air! One of Ed’s tattoos actually has the word, ‘Prince’, in honor of the show!

At Number 2 ….

His songs are not seen as just words, but as a color. That’s right, this artist feels each and every word of his lyrics and sees the song in the light of a certain color.

At Number 1 ….

He’s a deep thinker and happy to impart his wisdom to others. In fact here come a few of his wise words that certainly reveal a young artist, with an old soul, ‘There’s no key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everyone’.

There’s no doubt that Ed Sheeran has gained much popularity since his career launched, for one solid and clear reason; this guy is not just likable and down-to-earth, he is a musical genius!

His songs are not just generic pop tracks to tap our feet to, instead they are deep wells of soul, feeling, emotion and vulnerability. Truth be known, surely there are a whole lot more facts about Ed Sheeran that we are never likely to have a clue about!

The Story of Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift was born in 1989 in reading Pennsylvania, in a normal family as her father was a financial adviser and her mom a former mutual fund executive, turn housewife. She grew up in Wyomissing Pennsylvania and attended junior and senior high school there.

Swift became interested in musical theater and perform in local productions in the reading area and soon began to shift their focus to country songs as her inspiration was Shania Twain the country singing star.

After watching a faith hill documentary, Swift knew she should go to Nashville, Tennessee main order to pursue a career in music. She will of their mom and age 11 to national and cemented a demo tape of Dolly Parton and Dixie Chicks covers. Of course she was rejected and figured that she was just a part of the crowd, as everyone got rejected on the first try.

Taylor began to model for local department stores and a computer compare man taught her how to place records on the guitar which led to our first musical score entitled “Lucky You.” In 2003 Taylor and her parents began to work with a New York based music manager who helped her get into and Abercrombie and Fitch contest for young stars this help of a break in the country music and her father transferred to National Office of his firm.

When Taylor was 14 years old but she signed an artist development contract with RCA records and her father moved to his firm’s Nashville office. This arrangement in for the opportunity to work with several experienced songwriters an issue began to make contacts in the industry she began to make a name for herself and should perform around the city.

Over the next few years to promote and several singles And produced her first hit, “Teardrops on my Guitar” which became a minor pop hit which reached number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100.

But the end as she continued with more songs and this seasonal album in October of 2007 she was one of the recipients of the Nashville songwriters associations artist of the year in 2007.

From that point on with your second studio album,Fearless, swift was on her way with four more singles which all hit the top charts. Fearless sold over 8.6 million copies all over the world, and it grows to over $63,000,000.

To date swift is a Bona fide superstar who’s worth roughly $250,000,000 and continues for winning ways of both fans and critics alike. She was dame billboards will one of the year 2014 becoming the first woman to be named to that award twice she is love and adore by her fans and there’s no limit to her future in the music industry.

How Pop Music Has Changed Over The Years

These days, people still love pop music as much as they did when I was younger, yet I do not share their enthusiasm. The main problem I have is the fact that people are trying way too hard to look different and their musical ability is not the focal point.

In case you have no idea what they mean, look at Madonna and Michael Jackson. They were some of the hottest things happening at the time and they actually had skills. If you deleted his leather jackets and her corsets, you will still have music that everyone would have loved. Their talent was the foundation of their careers and the clothing just added a little something extra.

When I hear a lot of the pop music these days, I have trouble trying to determine what it is that makes it so appealing. While there are a few songs I like, most of them are forgettable. This is sad considering the fact that music is supposed to have such a huge impact on lives. Now it is all about who has on the tightest outfit, who is the wildest out there and who is able to sing the same repetitive line for a few minutes while managing to appeal to others.

When I was young, pop stars often created songs that brought awareness to social issues. Examples of this kind of soong include, “Heal the World,” “Man in the Mirror.” and “We Are the World.” I have not come across a song like that in quite some time. Everything is all about having fun now, like all of the serios issues have been swept underneath the rug.

I understand that pop singers have to do what they can to appeal to the masses, but that is ridiculous. With all that is going on in the world, they can use their fame to make a difference. I guess money is more important than sending a useful message. It is not like they will make a huge dent in their millions if they actually wrote songs that had a serious impact on others.

While I am not about to toss out all my pop albums and only listen to other genres, my love for the music is not what it used to be. I wish that today’s artists did a little work and tried to be as awesome as the singers of yesteryear.

Katy Perry: What You Should Know About the Singer

Katy Perry is one of the most popular music artists in the country. She is known for her fun songs, quirkiness and unique voice. At 31 years of age, she has managed to have a lot of success in her career, even though she struggled when first attempting to get people to listen to her music.

Her love for music started when she was younger. As the daughter of religious parents, Katy would often sing songs at church. Most people do not know that she released a gospel album back in 2001. Unfortunately, it was not the success she had hoped for, but she would reach stardom only a few years later after making a few changes to her music.

Instead of sticking with the Gospel approach, Katy Perry decided to change her style of music and express herself a bit more. She signed with a new label and came out with the extremely controversial yet successful song, I Kissed a Girl. The song was catchy and fun, but definitely had some people criticizing the lyrics. Even so, it was the start of success for this talented and beautiful singer.

Ever since the release of that song back in 2008, Katy has since released tons of hits. Some of her best songs include California Gurls, Teenage Dream, Roar and Dark Horse. She has released songs with several other great musicians, including Snoop Dogg, Kanye West and Timbaland.

While Katy has been very successful in the music industry, she has had quite the struggle with her personal relationships. Although she married Russell Brand in 2010, her relationship with the actor and comedian did not last. Unfortunately, he filed for divorce in 2012 while Katy was on tour. It was a heartbreaking experience for her, but she has since dated several other celebrities, including John Mayer and Orlando Bloom.

Katy is known to have a rivalry with another popular musician, Taylor Swift. It is believed one of the reasons for the bad blood between the two is the fact that they both dated John Mayer. Some people even believe that Bad Blood by Taylor Swift was written specifically with Katy in mind.

Regardless of any personal problems Katy may have had in the past with significant others and friends who are now considered enemies, she is still an extremely talented musician who adores her fans and puts on quite the show at each concert.