By Nick Scofield
The show was set for a hot and humid night. As the venue filled with eager fans of all ages, there was a special spark in the air that quite literally set flames afire on the stage in anticipation.
Just before opening performer Arden Jones took the stage, fans quickly pointed out that one of the LED panels had sparked and caught a small fire. Crews quickly put it out and worked on repairing the panel as Jones took the stage.
Jones, a Los Angeles-based singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, embraced the unusual event moments before his performance and quickly turned the fans’ spark of energy into a buzz. Jones’ music blends pop, hip-hop and alternative influences, a style that helped him build a following online before moving into larger live performances.
Playing songs from his new album, FLASH, including “Someone New,” along with singles such as “Serotonin Highs” and “Think You’re Someone New,” Jones brought his catchy pop/hip-hop style to the stage. FLASH, his latest album, was just released August 28.
With his upbeat sound and energetic performance, Jones had fans bouncing on their feet and energized as he led them into the main act.
AJR had quite the anticipation building as the time grew closer for the band to hit the stage. People got their signs ready, while chants of “AJR, AJR, AJR” called the group to the stage.
The New York City-bred indie pop band (brothers Adam, Jack and Ryan Met) didn’t waste time getting things started with “Bummerland” from their 2021 album OK ORCHESTRA. The album also features some of the group’s other well-known songs, including “Bang!,” “World’s Smallest Violin” and “Way Less Sad.”
Their energy was palpable as lead singer Jack Met commanded the stage.
The brothers brought an electric, interactive, energy-filled set, mixing music, humor and elaborate visuals throughout the night. Laughter and excitement filled the venue as the band worked its way through its catalog, including the hit song “Bang!”
The real magic, though, was the enormous screen behind the band. It wasn’t simply a backdrop, it became part of the performance. The visuals moved and responded to the musicians in real time, making it feel as though the band was stepping inside the screen and bringing the audience along with them.
At one point, the singer appeared to “press” a piano key on the screen, and the key actually sank down as the corresponding sound played. Moments like that made it difficult to know where the live performance ended and the technology began.
The older fans got on their feet as the band played a tribute to early-2000s band Fountains of Wayne with “Stacy’s Mom.” You could hear the chorus from across the river, some might say.
The tribute was just one of the moments that demonstrated the wide range of influences and generations represented in the crowd. AJR’s catalog has developed a reputation for combining pop hooks with theatrical production and unconventional instrumentation, making its concerts as much a visual experience as a musical one.
They definitely brought another level of energy for the night. You could feel the energy of the crowd as everyone sang, danced and watched in amazement.
It wasn’t just a concert; it was an immersive experience that engaged your eyes, ears and emotions from beginning to end.
So it was only fitting to close out the show with “Weak,” one of AJR’s signature songs from The Click. Originally released as a single in 2016, the song became one of the band’s breakthrough hits and remains a fan favorite.
By the time the final notes rang out, the crowd had experienced exactly what AJR’s elaborate production promised: a night of music, humor, technology and plenty of surprises.
