The AJR brothers delivered an indie-pop spectacle for enthused fans at Van Andel Arena on Sunday night. The review and photos at Local Spins.
‘The Good Part’: AJR on stage at Van Andel Arena on Sunday. (Photo/Chelsea Whitaker)
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Surveying the spectacle of 10,000 or so enthused fans cheering their every move on Sunday night at Grand Rapids’ Van Andel Arena, Jack Met of indie-pop’s AJR expressed some genuine awe.
After all, the last time AJR played West Michigan, the performance came in front of about 3,000 at DeltaPlex Arena.
“I have no words for this,” he exclaimed.
Spoken words aside, the AJR brothers — New York’s Jack, Adam and Ryan Met — brought a high-energy 20-song set to the arena stage and that throng of fans was ready to celebrate every part of it.
Indeed, even before AJR took the stage, a wave passed through the room, nearly a dozen times, with the crowd eagerly awaiting the moment the lights went down.
The show began with spotlights on Jack Met, singing and dancing, and continued with theatrics and impressive stage production: From a massive, curved video wall curtain to performing two songs from the balcony seats in the midst of the crowd there was no lack of innovative thought with this performance.
AJR rolled out fan favorites from the very beginning, with “Sober Up,” “Yes I’m a Mess,” “The Good Part” and “Burn The House Down” turning the entire room into a dance party.
Hailing from Australia, Dean Lewis (“Waves”) opened the evening with sad-boy, indie-pop energy, blending original tunes with a couple of tastefully selected covers, including “Iris” by the Goo Goo Dolls. By the end of his set, the crowd was primed and ready for AJR.
PHOTO GALLERY: AJR, Dean Lewis at Van Andel Arena
Photos by Chelsea Whitaker
