#element band

Since they'd brought a good time to the two previous festivals, EPCOT invited Element back for another stretch of mid-week shows during their summer Eat to the Beat concert series. Both of these sets were livestreamed by a fan on their final night.

(Cesar also had stints during this seasonal run with his other gig bands, Evolution: Motown and The Vybe, the latter with EJ.)

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This setlist has a great combination of party energy, driving beats, and just a touch of darkness to make the light shine that much brighter.

Details:

original songs / performers: "Where the Streets Have No Name" by U2; [5:32] "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)" by Eurythmics; [9:05] "Ain't It Fun" by Paramore; [13:45] "High Hopes" by Panic! at the Disco; [17:35] "Rise Up" by Andra Day; [23:06] "Rumour Has It" by Adele; [27:48] "Don't Stop Me Now" by Queen

written by: "Where the Streets Have No Name" by Paul "Bono" Hewson, David "The Edge" Evans, Adam Clayton, & Larry Mullen Jr.; "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)" by Annie Lennox & David A. Stewart; "Ain't It Fun" by Hayley Williams & Taylor York; "High Hopes" by Brendon Urie, Jake Sinclair, Jenny Owen Youngs, Lauren "Lolo" Pritchard, Sam Hollander, William Lobban-Bean, Jonas Jeberg, Taylor Parks, & Ilsey Juber; "Rise Up" by Andra Day & Jennifer Decilveo; "Rumour Has It" by Adele Adkins & Ryan Tedder; "Don't Stop Me Now" by Freddie Mercury

performance date: 4 August 2022

My favorite bits:

everyone striding back to the front as they belt their faces off after the drum solo in the opening song

Michelle and Lindsay cutting loose on "Sweet Dreams"

the slow build of ♫ "hold your head up" ♫ harmonies in the bridge

Amanda's dismissive push at the end of ♫ "the world don't revolve around you" ♫ in the second chorus of "Ain't It Fun"

EJ and Cesar high-fiving as they switch sides behind the ladies

the delicious grit in EJ's voice during "High Hopes"

the pure passion they all pour into "Rise Up"

Cesar dipping LOW at the start of "Rumour Has It"

"Can I be dramatic?!" (Absolutely, baby.)

going out with a bang

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Their last set of the night — and the week — sent the crowd off on a high note, with a mix of feel-good pop, gritty rock, and a dose of romantic vibes.

Details:

original songs / performers: [2:02] "Let's Go Crazy" by Prince and the Revolution; [5:33] "Is This Love" by Bob Marley and the Wailers; [8:45] "Levitating" by Dua Lipa; [12:24] "Go Your Own Way" by Fleetwood Mac; [16:14] "Treasure" by Bruno Mars; [19:42] "Shut Up and Dance" by Walk the Moon; [23:50] "Don't Stop Me Now" by Queen

written by: "Let's Go Crazy" by Prince Rogers Nelson; "Is This Love" by Bob Marley; "Levitating" by Dua Lipa, Clarence Coffee Jr., Sarah Hudson, & Stephen "Koz" Kozmeniuk; "Go Your Own Way" by Lindsey Buckingham; "Treasure" by Bruno Mars, Philip Lawrence, Ari Levine, Phredley Brown, Thibaut "Breakbot" Berland, & Christopher Khan; "Shut Up and Dance" by Ben Berger, Eli Maiman, Ryan McMahon, Nicholas Petricca, Kevin Ray, & Sean Waugaman; "Don't Stop Me Now" by Freddie Mercury

performance date: 4 August 2022

My favorite bits:

their gleeful shouts of "Let's go!"

Nick absolutely shredding on his first guitar solo

EJ singing his first ♫ "I wanna love ya" ♫ to Lindsay during "Is This Love"

Lindsay's clear, joyous tone on the lead for "Levitating"

Michelle and Cesar spitting bars

that gritty belt of "another lonely day" in "Go Your Own Way"

Cesar leading the audience participation clapping

the way Amanda includes the whole audience in the repeated ♫ "you you you" ♫ during the bridge of "Treasure"

EJ belting his face off after the bridge in "Shut Up and Dance"

everyone pulling out all the stops for the final song of the night

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Additional photos

After they'd wowed the crowds at the Food & Wine Festival the previous summer and fall, Element returned to the stage in EPCOT for their spring Garden Rocks concert series during the Flower & Garden Festival. They played two mid-week runs in the last week of April and again in late June.

(Cesar and EJ also had a stint there with The Vybe in mid-May.)

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EJ provided this playful look behind the scenes as they were getting everything set up. Even the band's soundchecks are fun.

Details:

title: Don't Stop Me Now

original performers: Queen

written by: Freddie Mercury

performance date: 26 April 2022

My favorite bits:

Lindsay's cute little shuffle to the center

Amanda going full-out even though she's the only one at the soundcheck who doesn't need any kind of amplification

Cesar and Michelle's goofy grooving in the background

surprise!EJ closeup

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This inspirational song has become a staple in Element shows. It's hard to persevere in difficult times, but this beautiful anthem to inner strength just might help bolster you if you need it.

Details:

title: Rise Up

original performer: Andra Day

written by: Andra Day & Jennifer Decilveo

performance date: 26 April 2022

My favorite bits:

the way EJ and Lindsay look at each other when she joins in on the harmony line

Amanda pointing at different parts of the audience during repeated lyrics to include everyone

all of them pointing at each other during ♫ "for that we have each other" ♫ and Amanda punctuating it with a double 🤟 to the audience

Cesar getting to croon a bit in his native Spanish

Michelle finishing it off in her lovely lower register

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When you're having fun, it's a good time to Panic! (at the Disco). This song provides a great spotlight for EJ, and a beat you can dance to for everyone in the audience.

Details:

title: High Hopes

original performers: Panic! at the Disco

written by: Brendon Urie, Jake Sinclair, Jenny Owen Youngs, Lauren "Lolo" Pritchard, Sam Hollander, William Lobban-Bean, Jonas Jeberg, Taylor Parks, & Ilsey Juber

performance date: 26 April 2022

My favorite bits:

EJ kicking things off with a bit of grit

the trio's synchronized grooving at the back

the siblings sharing a smile during ♫ "stay up on that rise" ♫

Amanda giving a slight mean mug on ♫ "They haven't seen the best of me" ♫

Cesar's adorable pony prance during the drum solo

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Now it's the ladies' turn. This 80s pop classic lets them shine, and the band's driving accompaniment is particularly good.

Details:

title: Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)

original performers: Eurythmics

written by: Annie Lennox & David A. Stewart

performance date: 26 April 2022

My favorite bits:

Lindsay taking advantage of the wind machines before she starts singing

Michelle's gorgeous deep melody

the ladies' slow strut back to the front after the guitar solo

EJ showing off his riffing prowess

the band adding emphatic triplets under ♫ "hold your head up" ♫

ending on pure vocal harmonies

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When adult life gets frustrating, sometimes it can be cathartic to let it out through your voice. Belt along with the girls, or even have a good scream if you want.

Details:

title: Ain't It Fun

original performers: Paramore

written by: Hayley Williams & Taylor York

performance date: 26 April 2022

My favorite bits:

Lindsay and Amanda's mirrored shouder shimmy on the second ♫ "What are you gonna do?" ♫

Michelle's delicate stacato of ♫ "It's easy to ignore" ♫ in the second verse

the fun hop step Cesar does as he and EJ switch sides

Amanda's dismissive pats to illustrate ♫ "Don't go cryin' to your mama" ♫

Michelle's kick and EJ's spin on the final beat

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This video has the band's entire first set during their June run, and it's a whole lot of fun from start to finish.

Details:

original songs / performers: [0:50] "Let's Go Crazy" by Prince and the Revolution; [4:30] "Is This Love" by Bob Marley and the Wailers; [7:54] "Levitating" by Dua Lipa; [11:20] "Go Your Own Way" by Fleetwood Mac; [15:37] "Shut Up and Dance" by Walk the Moon; [19:32] "Don't Stop Me Now" by Queen

written by: "Let's Go Crazy" by Prince Rogers Nelson; "Is This Love" by Bob Marley; "Levitating" by Dua Lipa, Clarence Coffee Jr., Sarah Hudson, & Stephen "Koz" Kozmeniuk; "Go Your Own Way" by Lindsey Buckingham; "Shut Up and Dance" by Ben Berger, Eli Maiman, Ryan McMahon, Nicholas Petricca, Kevin Ray, & Sean Waugaman; "Don't Stop Me Now" by Freddie Mercury

performance date: 21 June 2022

My favorite bits:

their cute twisty dance during the first guitar solo in "Let's Go Crazy"

everyone getting a turn on the lead during "Is This Love"

crunchy buddy Cesar wishing folks a happy solstice

Michelle spitting bars in the bridge of "Levitating"

"Margariiitaaas!" 🍹

the lush harmonies in their "Go Your Own Way" choruses

Cesar enthusiatically leading the audience participation

Amanda looping her hands through EJ and Michelle's elbows as they sing ♫ "She took my arm" ♫ in "Shut Up and Dance"

all of them really letting loose on the last song

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The music of this song is deceptively complex, but it's message is simple — people deserve respect, regardless of where they come from. And this group performs it with fantastic honesty.

Details:

title: Where the Streets Have No Name

original performers: U2

written by: Paul "Bono" Hewson, David "The Edge" Evans, Adam Clayton, & Larry Mullen Jr.

performance date: 23 June 2022

My favorite bits:

Michelle and Amanda moseying to the front

the cry in Cesar's voice on ♫ "without a trace" ♫

Lindsay and EJ's lovely harmonies in their verse

Amanda doing exaggerated drum hits to indicate the start of Landon's solo 🥁

the beautifully plaintive tone of Michelle's last ♫ "It's all I can do" ♫

that final 🤟 encompasing the world and offered to the audience as the music comes to a close

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Additional photos

The annual Food & Wine Festival at Disney World's EPCOT Center spans several months, and there's much more to do than simply eat and drink. The park also brings in a robust lineup of musical entertainment for folks to enjoy. While most weekends boast singers and groups that may be more familiar to broader audiences, the mid-week crowds are treated to performances by top Orlando musicians.

As part of the Eat to the Beat concert series in 2021, local gig band Element did three stints — from end of July into the start of August, Halloween weekend, and two weeks later in mid-November. These recordings were filmed by their management group, Hawkmoon Creative, and uploaded over the course of the following months. The band provides a rocking good time, as well as integrated ASL interpretation.`

NOTE: All the dates I've listed are my best guesses based on when the videos were posted, other videos and photos from social media, and the progression of Lindsay's baby bump.

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Element know how to kick things off with a bang. This bouncy rendition of Prince's second big hit is sure to get your toes tapping and put a smile on your face. Plus, they take a moment to introduce the members of their band.

Details:

title: Let's Go Crazy

original performer: Prince and The Revolution

written by: Prince Rogers Nelson

performance date: 2 August 2021

My favorite bits:

that high-energy intro

EJ's gorgeous, full tone on the lead

that smooth pop-up Cesar adds to ♫ "have a good time" ♫

the high counterpoint moment from Lindsay

Amanda grooving on that air guitar during the instrumental break

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This song is a showcase for Cesar's many talents. They give the audience some rich lows, some airy highs, some fun dancing, and a whole lot of sass.

Details:

title: Rumour Has It

original performer: Adele

written by: Adele Adkins & Ryan Tedder

performance date: 2 August 2021

My favorite bits:

Cesar's delightfully scornful timbre to emphasize the lyrics

the dismissive shake Amanda does with ♫ "she don't have your love anymore" ♫

Michelle, EJ, and Lindsay's lowkey choreography at the back during the choruses

"Josh, can you go dramatic for me?" (Of course he can, baby.)

that gorgeous floaty falsetto

::gestures for applause:: 👏 "Oh, stop it." 😂

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Now it's Michelle's turn for a classic break-up song. It's hard to go wrong with Stevie Nicks, and the band gets this one very right.

Details:

title: Go Your Own Way

original performers: Fleetwood Mac

written by: Lindsey Buckingham

performance date: 2 August 2021

My favorite bits:

Michelle starting deep and dark, then adding grit in the chorus

the shooing motion Amanda adds to the repeated ♫ "go your own way" ♫

that big old belt in final chorus

Nick wailing on the guitar solo

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This recording contains two songs with different tones, but similar messages. First the band gives the audience a bit of a cool down with the slower, more contemplative "Rise Up". Then they get folks moving in their seats again to send them off with a rousing rendition of "Shut Up and Dance".

Details:

title: Rise Up / Shut Up and Dance

original songs / performers: "Rise Up" by Andra Day; [4:30] "Shut Up and Dance" by Walk the Moon

written by: "Rise Up" by Andra Day & Jennifer Decilveo; "Shut Up and Dance" by Ben Berger, Eli Maiman, Ryan McMahon, Nicholas Petricca, Kevin Ray, & Sean Waugaman

performance date: 2 August 2021

My favorite bits:

EJ's beautiful plaintive lead on the first verse of "Rise Up"

Lindsay taking the lead with confidence

the breathy anticipatory tone in Cesar's vocals

the contrast between Michelle's rich timbre in her verse and the lightness in the following chorus

Amanda's exultant expression as she signs the repeated ♫ "We'll rise up!" ♫

Lindsay and Amanda sharing a little shimmy as they come together at center stage

Amanda looping her hands through EJ and Michelle's elbows

that massive belt from EJ on the key change

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During their Halloween weekend run, the band cranked things up just a little. This rocking tune was a great choice to open their sets and give everyone a moment in the spotlight.

Details:

title: Where the Streets Have No Name

original performers: U2

written by: Paul "Bono" Hewson, David "The Edge" Evans, Adam Clayton, & Larry Mullen Jr.

performance date: 29 October 2021

release date: 6 January 2022

My favorite bits:

the atmospheric smoke and reverb on Nick's opening guitar riff

Michelle absolutely roaring on those opening lyrics

those gorgeous harmonies in the chorus

the Cardonas' lovely blend on the second verse

Get it, Landon! 🥁

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This recording has slightly better sound quality than the earlier one, particularly during the section when the melody is being passed between all four singers, so you can more clearly hear Cesar slipping a bit of his native Spanish into the lyrics.

Details:

title: Rise Up

original performer: Andra Day

written by: Andra Day & Jennifer Decilveo

performance date: 29 October 2021

release date: 7 January 2022

My favorite bits:

that powerful wail from EJ before he floats up into his falsetto

Lindsay's delicate tone as she takes the lead

the emotion in Cesar's voice during their melody lines

the expressive vibrato in Michelle's timbre for the second chorus

Amanda's movements reflecting the crescendos and decrescendos in the music

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It takes some serious talent to tackle Brendon Urie's vocal heights, and EJ defintely has that. His prowess is on full display for this energetic anthem.

Details:

title: High Hopes

original performers: Panic! at the Disco

written by: Brendon Urie, Jake Sinclair, Jenny Owen Youngs, Lauren "Lolo" Pritchard, Sam Hollander, William Lobban-Bean, Jonas Jeberg, Taylor Parks, & Ilsey Juber

performance date: 13 November 2021

release date: 26 January 2022

My favorite bits:

EJ and Amanda grabbing hold of those first lyrics

the echoed ♫ "high high hopes" ♫ from the backing trio

the chagrined expressions to concede ♫ "It's a little complicated." ♫

Cesar mouthing and miming ♫ "Don't give up" ♫ in the background during the second chorus

EJ adding a touch of grit at the start of the breakdown section

the siblings bounding back to the front to end things on a bang

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The ladies take center stage for an enduring 80s hit, and absoutely nail the power of Annie Lennox's lyrics. It's pretty much impossible to stay still while watching this, but why would you want to?

Details:

title: Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)

original performers: Eurythmics

written by: Annie Lennox & David A. Stewart

performance date: 13 November 2021

release date: 27 January 2022

My favorite bits:

Michelle and Amanda grooving together

the lovely high harmonies from Lindsay

those iconic vocal riffs from both singers

the way Amanda dismissively swipes away ♫ "want to abuse you" ♫

EJ belting out that repeated ♫ "Movin' on" ♫

ending on pure vocals and Amanda giving a double 🤟

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On the final weekend of the festival, the group was joined for some of their shows by the Cardonas' new Voices of Liberty bandmate, Rebecca, who filled in during Lindsay's maternity leave. And she absolutely holds her own.

Details:

title: Rise Up

original performer: Andra Day

written by: Andra Day & Jennifer Decilveo

performance date: 15 November 2021

My favorite bits:

Cesar's sweet timbre on the opening lines

the mix of power and vulnerability in Michelle's voice

Amanda switching hands on repeated lines to connect with the entire audience

Rebecca's lovely clear tone when she takes over the melody

those big old belts from EJ that start both sets of layering

Bingyol element band  

لا داعي أن تفهم الكلام فقط إستمتع بالموسيقى 

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