Securing three consecutive nights at London's O2 Academy in Brixton, Alternative Rock band Imagine Dragons blasted out an amazing high-energy performance that had me captivated and reeling for days after it ended. Being my first ever concert from one of my all time favourite bands - Imagine Dragons didn't disappoint and really set the bar high for any future performances I go to. Performing songs predominately from their album Night Visions, each and every song was executed to an outstanding degree with nearly all my favourites making an appearance. The music is original, thoughtful and uplifting and I left the evening feeling completely stripped bare of stressful worries.
On the night I attended, Imagine Dragons were supported by The Moth & The Flame and Linus Young, two bands I had no prior knowledge of before entering the venue. The show opened with The Moth & The Flame who had a lovely rustic lyricism to their sound which I really liked. Feeling lethargic after an hour or so of queuing, the deep thrums of their bass and drums woke me right up and I thoroughly enjoyed their unique style. I did feel that a lot of their charm and lyrics were lost in the size of the stage and I wish I could have heard them in a quieter and more intimate place. I did enjoy them, and their set had me riled up for the Dragons. However, the second supporters, Linus Young, didn't do quite as well. Their drummer and lead guitarist were great yet the band fell short on their vocals. Again, it could have been the acoustics of the large venue, but the female singer sounded particularly pitchy. Unfortunately, being the second support act may not have been in their favour as the crowd admittedly weren't paying attention until the main act were to appear.
Finally, the set was reorganised, the stage darkened and a flurry of piercing eyes emerged within the blackness of the stage. The projected eyes glowed momentarily until a bright illumination of neon wedges overtook them. The stage rapidly burst into light as Imagine Dragons took to the stage and each member played their instruments with passion in a powerful instrumental introduction.
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| The Moth & The Flame |
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| (From left to right) Ben McKee (bass), Dan Platzman (drums), Dan Reynolds (vocals), Wayne Sermon (guitar) |
The whole atmosphere and set up of the gig was incredible. From the psychedelic lights to the beautiful projections on the screen behind them; with a scattering of multiple heavy drums and a golden guitar; Imagine Dragons filled the venue with their presence and every second they were on stage was exciting. Dan Reynolds (lead singer) in particular had such strong stage presence and it never felt like a separated viewer/musician performance but rather a fully involved connection. There were plenty of opportunities for the crowd to sing along - however out of tune it may have been - and we were encouraged through every drum beat to fully enjoy ourselves. With this positive attitude permeating through the audience, I couldn't help but jump up and down with all the enthusiasm my athletically-challenged body could muster.
"And now it's time to build from the bottom of the pit right to the top, don't hold back."
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| Amsterdam |
The set list was well constructed with a good amalgamation of their faster songs with slower counterparts. They opened with the brilliant Round and Round which blended perfectly into one of my personal favourites: Amsterdam. The timings and order of the songs created a good complementing experience. Specifically, after a energetic run of It's Time and Imagine Dragons' surprise cover of Blur's Song 2, the contrast of a beautiful acoustic and emotionally-fuelled piece set a poignant tone. The highlights of the night have to be It's Time where the upbeat instrumental had everyone clapping and stomping in response. This was also where several large confetti-filled balloons floated down to the crowd which just made everyone happier. On Top of the World was similarly as uplifting as the whole audience were encouraged to jump together and just let go. Of course, Radioactive has to be given an honourable mention and hearing it live felt truly apocalyptic. If it were possible, they were even better in the encore with Nothing Left To Say where they really made themselves heard. The encore song choice in my opinion, was perfect as it closed the show in a bittersweet but powerful way. The intensity and energy poured into this last song showed the dedication and passion the band has for their music.
I also really liked how every member had a portion of the show to rock out their own solos which allowed the audience to see every facet of the band's talent. I have no doubt that Imagine Dragons will go far with their extremely skilled musicians, meaningful lyrics and emotional resonance. This is a night I won't forget.
(Concert photos taken by me, The Moth & The Flame and band photo not mine)
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