Review on the Jonas Concert, Simmons Voice Issue 15
As seen in Issue 15 of the Simmons Voice:
"The Jonas Brothers are more than just a boy band"
When the anticipated stars rose from beneath the stage, the crowd went wild with deafening screams and cheers.
It was not for Valora, the new rock band from L.A. led by a strong female vocalist and backed by a seriously amplified band. Though they did give a solid performance that channeled a “Paramore” sound.
Nor was it for Rooney, the internationally known and traveled rock/pop band. They were both just the opening acts, receiving 30 minute slots each.
The screams were for the headliners: the Jonas Brothers. The B.U Agganis Arena played host to the young men on the last leg of their sold-out North American “When You Look Me in The Eyes Tour”-fittingly named after their current hit single which has been all over the ITunes top lists since its release in February. It also hit number one on Total Request Live the same day they played in Boston.
The Jonas Brothers are best known among teens and were the opening act for the infamous “Hannah Montana Tour” this past winter. But don’t write them off as just another group of Disney kids just yet.
The biological trio is composed of Kevin, Joe and Nick Jonas, who were originally discovered and signed by Columbia Records but later moved to Hollywood Records. The Brothers have been touring for about three years now with much more impressive acts than Hannah Montana.
They have opened for The Veronicas and performed at last spring’s Bamboozle Festival catering to an array of fans. They headlined their own summer tour in 2007 in small venues and now they are touring sold-out arenas on their own merit all across America.
What sets them apart from other young artists right now is the fact that they write all of their lyrics. They play their own guitars, drums, piano and yes the occasional tambourine-the entire show.
They refuse to become another manufactured “boy band,” and appear to be quite the quirky yet humble group who are in it for the music. Their hour and a half performance showed range with upbeat dance songs, encouraging tunes, slowed down love songs and a cover of the 80’s hit “Take on Me” made famous by a-ha.
The brothers play with an experienced backup band, consisting of John Taylor on backup guitar, Greg Garbo on bass, Jack Lawless on drums and keyboardist Ryan Liestman.
The group has been a cohesive unit with the Jonas’ for a few years now; with the exception of Liestman, who joined the band this year. And there is no loss of love from the fans for them either.
The show itself was an array of lights, which added excitement in the audience and enhanced the performance. There was a quick outfit change for the second half where they ditched their previous black ensemble for whites.
The all-of-three minute outfit change was filled with a documentary video of the Jonas’ life on the road. It left fans chanting for more because apparently three minutes without the Jonases seemed too much for them.
When the band returned to the stage they all got into the act with the youngest, Nick, on the drums introducing all the members of the group. They came out to his command, each playing trashcans and fire extinguishers to workup excitement for the next song.
After being satisfied by the unbelievable racket from the audience, they returned to their instruments and sampled a new song. Though their third album doesn’t come out until August, the audience never missed a beat. They were singing along and swaying their bodies furiously to the new tune.
There were sporadic dance moves and a few flips that were immediately coveted by the fans. But for the most part they stuck to doing what they do best: playing their instruments.
Kevin played lead guitar the whole night and at one point played dueling guitars seamlessly while habitually adding backup harmonies for his brothers.
It was during his solos on guitar that he really shined as a musician. He completely took the audience’s attention from his brothers in those moments and put himself in focus.
Joe acted the part of co-lead singer, but spent some time on the keyboard and Lawless’ drums. He played electric guitar with Kevin on the inspirational song “A Little Bit Longer,” penned about Nick’s fight with diabetes. And he shook his signature tambourine along with fans that brought their own in case he needed backup.
And then there was Nick, who seems young in comparison to his brothers yet had quite the stage command. Possibly squeezing the most dedication out of the adoring fans, he shared the vocals with Joe and played guitar steadily through almost every song.
He got up on the dueling drum set and took over for a few songs, and then there were his two appearances on the baby grand piano-once for their signature slow song, “When You Look Me in the Eyes” and again for “A Little Bit Longer.”
Despite their day-after-day hectic schedule they threw their all into the performance. The brothers hit some difficult high notes smoothly, and cued the fans when to clap along, wave, or just go crazy. They definitely were all over the stage working the screams out of their fans and giving them an entertaining show, to say the least.
Kelsey Garrity from Somerville stated the reason they shine is because “they always come out strong…Their voices stand out…They reach out to the crowd and they always bring their strengths.”
One fact is obvious, their music touches a lot of people, probably more than they ever imagined. The loyal base began steadily and continues to grow exponentially with every year they continue.
Maybe fan Jesse Carlozzi from Waltham was on to something when she said she liked them because “they are real, normal people like you and me, not pretentious or fake.
Just teenagers going through the same stuff other teens are going through and not just making fun music, but music we can relate to, stuff that happens everyday to everyone of us. You [cannot] not like them, they worked hard for where they are and keep working harder and are living the dream,” said Jesse Carlozzi.
Another thing for sure is that the Jonases are all very appreciative of their success. Repeatedly thanking and praising their zealous fans who have all become smitten with the guys’ charisma, dedication and normalcy.
The concert was a night full of screaming, clapping, waving and glow stick madness among the loving fans. There were strong performances delivered by the entire band. And by the end of the night it was clear that their future looks bright as headliners.
These platinum selling artists who are about to tour internationally are the next big thing with a lot of projects up ahead. Before you typecast the band of brothers, you might want to take a listen; you may just be surprised at what you hear.
for more info:
www.myspace.com/jonasbrothers
www.myspace.com/valora
www.myspace.com/rooney
Posted: March 30, 2008 1:08 am | 0 comments
Tags: Simmons Voice Issue 15
