Tyler Mayforth

Official Website of Tyler Mayforth | Delaware Born | NOLA Living

Tag: Smoothie King Center

The Weeknd And The Greatest Concert Of My Life

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On May 17, 2017

In New Orleans

For an hour and a half, nothing else mattered.

I didn’t want to be anywhere else.

I was lost in the music and I couldn’t have been happier.

Ever since I listened to The Weeknd the first time back in 2012, I wanted to see him perform live. There was just something about his voice that called out to me. Maybe it was how he sounded like Michael Jackson on “Dirty Diana” or the gritty nature of “Wicked Games,” but I couldn’t stop listening to Trilogy when it first came out.

Last week I finally had the opportunity as his “Starboy: Legend of The Fall 2017 World Tour” stopped in New Orleans at the Smoothie King Center. I bought tickets 6 hours before the show was to start and put on my party pants.

My friend saw him perform last year at Hangout Fest in Gulf Shores, Alabama, and came away disappointed but I wasn’t going to let that color my expectations. After all, he wasn’t as big of a fan of his as I am and seeing him at a festival after a long day of drinking is probably a lot different than seeing him in an arena show.

Not even three songs went by before I proclaimed “This is the greatest concert I’ve ever been to in my life.” I truly meant it. There was no exaggeration in my voice.

The Weeknd took all of us on a roller coaster of emotions and we hinged on his every word. From “Starboy” to ” Reminder” to “Often” to the closing refrains of “The Hills,” everything was perfect.

This won’t be the last time I see The Weeknd perform. He has a fan for life.

That Was RAW-esome!

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On January 12, 2016

In New Orleans, Wrestling

Nearly two hours into our excursion to Monday Night RAW last night, WWE ring announcer Lillian Garcia proclaimed that it was time for the fans to pull out all of the signs they brought to the Smoothie King Center and to show them off.

Needless to say, it was my time to shine. Yes, I created signs.

Before I go any further, I’ll freely admit that professional wrestling is my guilty pleasure. Go ahead and watch the following video and see if you’re appreciation for the physical performance art doesn’t grow a few times (like the Grinch’s heart).

I bought some double-sided foam board and on one side, it read “The Beast Is Back” in homage to Brock Lesnar’s return to the WWE after a three-month haitus. On the other side — after much deliberation — I wrote “I Love #Booty,” which refers to the stable The New Day and one of their catchphrases, which is simply “That’s booty.”

I looked at my friend Jon — who also plays on the kickball team — nodded and stood up to display our signs. His read “I’m Missing The Bachelor” on one side and “Bring Back Mizdow” on the other. We gave it a few minutes of thought on Sunday night.

Sure enough, the camera pans over to me and I go nuts. Garcia reads my sign, I cheer even louder, smile and give a thumbs up. Jon gets in the shot, too, and we just soak in the moment. The camera had to be on us for 10-15 seconds. People around us were laughing and I’m pretty sure I heard a “Booty” chant start. Unfortunately the third person we were with (Karlie) went to the concession stand at the time and when she came back, she bemoaned that as soon as she heard that it was time for “Sign of the Night,” she knew we’d be on. We could have had pictorial or video proof that we were on the big screen, but you’ll just have to take my word for it.

See those folks in that picture? Those are the people who make nights like these.

If I had to really break it down, I would say that 51 percent of my adoration for professional wrestling comes from the performance art aspect of it all. That other 49 percent has EVERYTHING to do with the company I keep at these events (whether I know them or not). Just like every other sport or art, you’re pulled together by a common bond. You get a completely different feel for it when you’re there LIVE as compared to watching on TV in the comfort of your own home.

I knew I was going to have a good time at Monday Night RAW, but those two folks I shared the experience with (Karlie and Jon) made it GREAT.

Back To Where It RAW Began

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On January 10, 2016

In Life as a Fan, New Orleans, Wrestling

Finally, Tyler Mayforth is headed back to Monday Night RAW!

Tomorrow night, I and two of my friends — as well as 17,997 of our closest buddies (if it’s sold out) — will head inside the Smoothie King Center to watch the live-action soap opera that is professional wrestling.

You know what’s crazy? Well, other than the fact that I’m a 30-year-old man who is unabashedly excited about going to see professional wrestling? This will be my third live WWE event that I’ve seen in New Orleans.

As some of you know I went to WrestleMania 30 two years ago on a whim. It was held inside the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. If you didn’t know I went or want to read about that trip, feel free to give this post a look.

That same trip, I attended Monday Night RAW the next night. For those who aren’t aware, Monday Night RAW the night after WrestleMania is a sight to behold. My seats weren’t as good for that RAW as they will be for this one, but just being in that crowd is the important part. Check out this video and feel the energy.

There is just something about attending a professional wrestling event. Most, if not all, people know it’s fake — but it’s the pageantry and the aforementioned energy that makes it such a great experience.

I used to ask for tickets to wrestling events ALL THE TIME for Christmas. I’m sure my parents can vouch for me on that. Now that I’m older and I can buy them myself, I’m not going overboard, but when I have an opportunity, I’ll take advantage of it.

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