Mitsuko Uchida at Severance Hall

Every country that enjoys classical music wants to attract the best musicians in the world to their concert halls. But getting the best musicians through your doors is a difficult task considering the competition internationally. Reputation is the most vital element to bring in big names and one venue which ticks all of the boxes in the USA is the historic Severance Hall. Now one of the world's most prominent pianists Mitsuko Uchida is performing in this most glorious of settings.

The Tokyo born Mitsuko has played in some of all of the most prestigious orchestras across the globe and has won a plethora of awards including the Gramophone Award for her interpretation of Mozart's sonatas. So this represents a major coup for the organisers.

Severance Hall first opened its doors in 1931 and became an instant hit with the music loving public. It is the home of the Cleveland Orchestra and is recognised as one of the most beautifully ornate concert halls in America. The location is perfect for such a historic centre piece of classical music on one of the leafy neighbourhoods in the University Circle. It is Georgian in style which is reflected in the marvellous grand entrance foyer which has a series of beautiful columns. It has even featured in Harrison Ford's blockbuster movie Air Force One.

But if you are less interested in aesthetics and architecture and care more about the sound it creates, then this building has some truly impressive lungs. It comes equipped with a 94-rank Norton Memorial Organ, which was built by Ernest M. Skinner who is regarded as one of the finest craftsman ever. The work was completed in 1930 and now contains over 6,025 pipes to create a truly enchanting sound that fills the entire space. The workmanship is so good, and the sound is so pitch perfect, that the organ is seen as one of the very best in existence.

This truly breath-taking space is great for the traditional arrangements likes of Mozart and Beethoven, but it also provides a space for challenging contemporary work. Currently, the venue is working side by side with the world famous Mitsuko Uchida who has been performing Mozart in her own distinctive style. Uchida is a truly international talent and you can get tickets to see her here:

http://www.clevelandorchestra.com/index.aspx

Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta

The Wright Brothers became living legends in the USA for inventing the first aircraft and started the ball rolling on a huge revolution in aerospace, yet it is important to remember the contribution of the hot air balloon. Seen today as something of a recreational fancy, you must understand there is some serious science behind the pretty façade. It stands as the oldest of all flight technology (1783) and was the first method of carrying humans into the skies.

Every entertainment guide to the USA has to therefore contain the amazing Alberquerque International Balloon Fiesta, which pays homage to the greatness of the hot air balloon. Hot air ballooning is one of the most awe-inspiring experiences you can have in life (permitting you are not scared of heights!). Every October flight fans descend on New Mexico for to see this spectacle for themselves and all expectations are thrown of the window. In the USA they have a habit of doing things bigger and better than you ever thought possible.

Albuquerque has the perfect climate to go ballooning down to the clear blue skies, calm winds and a mixture of weather conditions that have come to be known as the "Albuquerque Box." The geography and landscape of the surrounding area, along with favourable weather patterns, allows the balloonist to navigate the skies with consummate ease, and even retrace their journey.

The Fiesta Park where the event takes place has over 200 acres of space to enjoy and during the festival is totally inundated with the beautiful canopies of the balloons. There are a variety of stalls and eateries for tourists and balloon enthusiasts to enjoy, including authentic food from the area and souvenirs. Balloons make the trip from all over the world, and it has a truly global feel.

Green Day Return to US Tour

Green Day have been around the block a few times since bursting onto the scene in the mid 90s with their debut album Dookie. Despite some chaotic times in their recent history (including a meltdown by frontman Billie Joe Armstrong live onstage) the band are set to continue on their tour of the USA sounding better than ever.

The iconic trio returned to the stage in Chicago, Allstate Arena, in March for the first time since Billie Joe was entered into rehab last year. Fans will be pleased to see the punk rockers putting this difficult period behind them. And who knows? A rejuvenated Billie Joe could open a new chapter of creativity in their careers.

It seemed as if the band had played their last show last year after Billie Joe suffered a breakdown while performing at the iHeartRadio Festival. In the aftermath they had to scrap a number of scheduled appearances and tour dates while he received treatment for a drug problem. It is not generally in their makeup to take time off, and when Billie Joe was released from the rehab centre with a clean bill of health, they were keen to get back on stage and blow off the cobwebs. This culminated in a number of small shows before getting back into the big arenas.

Their fans are notoriously fanatical and were particularly emotional for the return gig in the Allstate. Green Day took a trip down memory lane, playing through their hits and kept the crowd in a state of frenzy with songs like Holiday, When I Come Around, Warning, When September Ends and Basket Case. But they also gave the crowd a special treat with a cover of the Guns N' Roses hit Sweet Child O'Mine.

Armstrong is intensely private but tried to alleviate any concerns when he addressed the crowd of his recent troubles. He said: "It's been a slightly unpredictable path. But I wouldn't trade it for the world."

Green Day will continue on their US tour now. For more info go to: http://www.greenday.com/tour

Vans Warped Tour 2013

Vans are a US company famed for their celebrated line of trainers, which have been a part of youth culture in peaks and troughs for nearly half a century. Fads are usually transient, but Vans have outlasted many of their competitors since the Van Doren brothers opened their first shop in Anaheim, California. Over the course of time they have become the apparel of choice for skateboarders and BMXers all over the world, and Vans embrace this image. But one thing they are not perhaps known for is their involvement in music and USA festivals, specifically through the Warped Tour 2013.

This is a travelling circus of Indie rock and alternative music, which each year embarks on a massive tour of North America. As you would expect for a global brand with its feet firmly under the table of alternative youth movements, they have a fantastic mix of bands on the line-up. There is something for everyone, with sounds that will both challenge and excite the masses. The noise they all bring together epitomises the gritty visceral sound of the skate park but also bring good vibes and positive energy.

This is the 19th iteration of the Warped Tour which takes to the road every summer for some serious partying in the USA. But Vans like to get this tour off on the right foot and on the 28th of March they held the big Kick Off party to send out a signal of intent. It was held in downtown LA and featured the likes of Chiodos, Beware of Darkness, Brian Marquis (acoustic), New Beat Fund, Charlotte Sometimes, MC Lars, Juliet Simms, Big Chocolate and Craig Owens. But this is only a prelude to the big one!

The tour is even bigger and better than usual and is scheduled to visit over 40 different cities, pulling up in Auburnon July 15th and winding it up in Houston on the 4th of August. Then it is a plane ride over the Atlantic for the European leg, including two dates in the famous Alexandra Palace in London. Here is just taster of the bands you can expect to see stepping off the tour bus: August Burns Red, Bring Me The Horizon, Mac Lethal, and The Black Dahlia Murder, Reel Big Fish, Bowling For Soup, The Used and Motion City Soundtrack.

For ticket info see:

http://www.vanswarpedtour.com/