Dan Reynolds (vocals / drums), Ben McKee (bass), Wayne Sermon (guitar), and Dan Platzman (drums) took the stage just after 9:30PM and opened with Round and Round. Immediately, it was clear that the music of Imagine Dragons really meant something to the sold out crowd. As Sermon set the landscape with a chorus of guitar, Reynolds beat a massive drum at center stage before he dramatically dropped his drum sticks and assumed his microphone duties. As Reynolds sang “we are all living the same way, we are escaping the same way, … we are a part of the same play,” the audience erupted. While some cheered and sang along, some closed their eyes and teared up. Indeed, it was readily apparent that Reynolds and company hold an unusual and strong connection to their audience. No, not in the “crazy cult” way. Rather, Reynolds’ performance was reflective, and captured the audience in a way that could evoke something real, meaningful, and different from each person. The next song, Amsterdam, followed in the same vein as Round and Round. Reynolds was again masterful in his ability to create a shared experience, taking the audience on the journey with him.

The emotional gateway to the audience was even more pronounced with Radioactive. As Reynolds has stated in the past, Radioactive is a song based on his own weaknesses, depression, and experiences with anxiety. But the song doesn’t dwell on those issues. Unlike reflective songs like the aforementioned Amsterdam, Radioactive is forward-looking. According to Reynolds, the song is about starting “new and fresh” while overcoming one’s own demons. In the live performance, a sense of optimism could be felt throughout the crowd. As the band commanded the stage, it was as though Reynolds was telling the audience “I’ve been in your shoes, I’ve experienced the highs and lows, and I made it through.” Certainly, each Imagine Dragons song has a unique quality behind it. Yet, despite the sonic and lyrical differences from one song to the next, the band used beautiful pacing and expression to intertwine songs like Amsterdam and Radioactive into a cohesive story of hope and enthusiasm.

The band can take the listener on an emotional rollercoaster. While a song like Radioactive can challenge the psyche, others, like On Top of the World, are more about the ability to just let it all go. A song about never giving up, On Top of the World is inspirational, happy, and thoughtful in both lyrics and instrumentation. Another example of phenomenal pacing, the song had the crowd dancing and singing aloud as if it was the very first song of the night.

Imagine Dragons ended the night with aptly titled Nothing Left to Say. Yet, after such an incredible evening, there was so much to say. Imagine Dragons connected with its audience on multiple levels, sending them home hopeful, excited, and satisfied.

Coming into the show, I didn’t know much about Imagine Dragons. By the time the concert was over, I knew I had just witnessed something spectacular. A lot of times, it can be difficult to effectively grade a concert. There are so many variables that go into evaluating any given performance. Then, there’s the task of gauging the show against others that may be entirely different. Determining a band’s proper placement in the hierarchy of live events can be nearly impossible. In some circumstances, a band can build a reputation on the back of its live performances. With an impressive and consistent catalog of music to boot, those bands can become the leaders of the industry. Coldplay and U2 both fit the mold. Both bands started out small and eventually grew into powerhouses, selling out stadiums and selling millions of records along the way. Right now, Imagine Dragons may be on its way to that kind of stardom. Imagine Dragons has a unique ability to express a range of emotions on stage while effectively engaging each individual along the way. In modern music, such is rare, especially among popular acts. This is where Imagine Dragons stands out. Its music is consistent, catchy, and crosses genres. The live performance is stellar. It’s imaginative, engaging, and youthful yet sophisticated. More than anything, it has an indescribable quality that takes everything over the top, from a good show to something epic.

Setlist:
Round and Round
Amsterdam
Tiptoe
Hear Me
Cha-Ching (Till We Grow Older)
Rocks
Radioactive
Thirty Lives
Bleeding Out
Demons
Underdog
On Top of the World
It’s Time

Encore:
Nothing Left to Say
Contact Robert at robert@starsandsatellites.com