That red hair

There are a number of things that are strikingly attention grabbing about, or that are immediately identifiable to certain artists, and to which we can quickly connect them.  It can be their stage make-up (for example Gene Simmons of KISS), choice of wardrobe (the black top hat of Slash), and so on.  But in the case of Hayley Williams, it is her hair. Or rather, the color of her hair—whether it be bright orange, cinnamon red, or plain red. When you see those red tresses, you immediately know they’re Hayley Williams’s.

Her hairstyle has become so recognizable to kids and people of her age group that you have fans imitating her hairstyle and all its subtle hues. Even though she wasn’t the first female lead singer to sport such eye catching look, she has pretty much has owned it and has made it her signature look.

Aside from her choice of style and hair color, it is also the fact that far she has already gone in her career. It is hard to believe that Hayley Williams is already 24 years old because when she became lead singer of “Paramore” she was only in her mid-teens. She was practically a kid then.

She soon became a “poster-child” of the music she represented. Years after the formation of Paramore, she has now become a basis for many other young female-fronted bands to get started. At the moment, there are around a dozen lesser known female-led bands in the States with the same exact hairstyle of Hayley Williams. Whether it is a form of acknowledgment or an influence, you can credit that to Hayley for starting a trend.

The music of Paramore has certainly made an impact on the youth of today.

I recall with fondness that even my ex-girlfriend was a follower of the music of Paramore. She was also the reason why I got exposed to their music. She was such a huge fan of the band that she even changed her hair color to red, just to match the color of Hayley’s hairdo at the time. Just imagine walking around in a mall with someone like that. It was all in the spirit of having fun though and being able to express oneself. Those were some memorable times!

I even know a few “toughies” whose names will remain unmentioned who have a crush on Hayley Williams. And it is not hard to understand why. The girl can sing and certainly looks good and is not merely “eye-candy”.

Paramore was once considered a newbie act as almost every other beginning band is labeled.  However, they have managed to outlast a few of their other contemporaries who at the time were bigger than Paramore was. But wouldn’t you know it? Music aficionados and listeners wanted to hear something new, and Paramore happened to be there at the right time and at the right place. This perfect timing really led the band to build a following that have remained loyal to them to this day. The only difference now is that we are all a little bit older.

We are now mere days away from having the second concert of Paramore taking place here in the Philippines. Fans can rejoice that they are coming back a second time around. Definitely they are one of the better foreign bands to come in some time, and who have an active fan base. This is a band in their prime; they haven’t even peaked yet. The original members are only in their 20’s. Not to knock on anyone, but these aren’t some “has-beens” or a band stuck in some decade. These guys are relevant and current. They are not a band from the 70’s, 80’s, 90’s. They are from this decade.

To attend this concert doesn’t need a lot of reasons. If you were a teenager in the mid-2000, you would certainly know who they are. If you are a teenager now, you surely have heard of their music somehow, and especially because of the soundtrack of the “Twilight” movie franchise. And if you have never heard of them before, February 15 would be the best opportunity for you to watch them perform live and then, purchase their CD’s afterwards.

In my opinion, this might very well be the last time that they will ever come here again. Grab the opportunity while you still can to catch them live once more.  Come Feb.15 at the SM MOA arena. The grand stage will belong to Paramore!