Junior shares live music experiences

By Jake Herstad

March 7, 2024

All images provided courtesy of Alexandra Vuorenmaa

Junior Alex Vuorenmaa stands outside the Minnesota State Fair Grandstands in Falcon Heights, Minn. on Aug. 31 2023. This is where she saw Duran Duran in concert.

The 2020 pandemic killed the live music scene. Four years later, it’s back and better than ever. Junior Alex Vuorenmaa has an extensive background when it comes to live music, having gone to eight concerts in 2023 alone, out of 10 total. She is undecided as to her favorite artist.

“Either Duran Duran or The Cure,” Vuorenmaa said.

Experiencing music live can be very moving. She talked about her most emotional experience with a live song.

“It was when I saw “Only Women Bleed” by Alice Cooper live,” Vuorenmaa said.

Junior Alex Vuorenmaa experiences an emotional moment during Duran Duran’s concert at the Minnesota State Fair in Falcon Heights, MN on Aug. 31 2023.

She has traveled far and wide to see some of these artists.

“It’s kind of embarrassing, but it’s when I saw Nickelback in Fargo” Vuorenmaa said, “actually, Nickelback was pretty good. I think I’d see them live again.”

“My favorite metal band? I don’t know if it really counts, but Alice Cooper. Other than that, Pantera’s up there,” Vuorenmaa said. “As much as I love 80’s synth, it’s my favorite genre, I love to see metal and rock shows live.”

Vuorenmaa showcases her signed photo of Alice Cooper from the Sanford Center in Bemidji Minn. on May 5, 2023.

She has plans to see Metallica, Pantera, and Wolfgang Van Halen in concert at the US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn. this year. She had just one piece of advice for anyone who is interested in the live music scene.

“Go see Alice Cooper before he’s dead.”