SHOW REVIEW: IMAGINE DRAGONS

The best New Year’s celebration took place in Mashantucket, CT, at Foxwoods Resort Casino. One of the world’s biggest bands would ring in 2016 at the intimate Grand Theater. Opened in 2008, the Grand Theater has an old school style with modern amenities, including some of the best acoustics to be heard. With plenty of concession stands serving a wide variety of adult beverages, the only thing to be aware of is the single entrance into the venue, so be sure to get in line early. As it is overall a great place to see a show, I highly recommend this venue. And, of course, after the show there’s no shortage of entertainment with plenty of gaming and clubs that will take you into the early morning hours, if that’s your thing.

Formed in 2008 by lead vocalist Dan Reynolds, Imagine Dragons have released two full length albums: 2012’s, Night Visions and 2015’s, Smoke + Mirrors. In their short existence, Reynolds, along with guitarist Daniel Wayne Sermon, bassist Ben McKee, and drummer Daniel Platzman, has amassed a list of credentials worthy of Hall of Fame consideration already (of course, they do not meet the qualification of their debut album being 25 plus years ago). They were Billboard’s No. 1 Top Rock Artist of 2013 and No. 2 for 2014, and their debut album stayed on the charts for over 2 years. The single, “Radioactive”, was the number 1 Hot Rock Song of 2013, as well as the longest-charting single on the Billboard Hot 100 at 87 weeks. They also have two of the top ten most downloaded songs in rock history, with “Radioactive” and “Demons”. If you are not familiar with Imagine Dragons, you’ve obviously been stranded on a desert island for, at least, the last four years.

It hasn’t been just about the accolades; the Vegas quartet have been heavy supporters of multiple charities, performing for “Playing It Forward”, raising $100K for school music programs, partnering with Do The Write Thing: National Campaign to Stop Violence, joining Amnesty International’s “Bringing Human Rights Home” concert, and they released the track, “I Was Me” for the One4 project to help with UN refugees. The band then went on to release the track, “I Love You All The Time” to benefit the victims of the Paris terrorist attacks, and they helm their very own charity, The Tyler Foundation (http://www.trf.org/) helping young people battling cancer. I have huge respect for a band using their stardom to influence the world in a positive way, and what Imagine Dragons have contributed has been immense in their short existence; we need more bands like this. This gave me another another reason to feel good about support this amazing band.

Now back to New Year’s Eve! The evening got started around 10 pm with the New York natives, MS MR (Miz Mister). This would be the first time I would encounter this duo, described as a mash up of indie/pop rock with kind of a trippy vibe to it, with maybe a touch of techno. They just had a very different sound. The amount of energy they put out could take an audience from their seats to their feet, and that’s what they did this evening. Although I was not much of a fan, I can appreciate their passion, and they seem to have a strong following.

With MS MR off and a quick stage change, this decade’s hottest band took the stage shortly after 11 pm. This would be my second time seeing Imagine Dragons, with my teenage daughter introducing me to the band a couple years back. At the time, I had never heard of them; by the time the concert was over, I was a fan. They put on an absolutely amazing show, and I was excited for my second Imagine Dragons live experience with a couple bonuses: a small, intimate venue and New Year’s Eve!

As Reynold’s and Co. made their way out, the crowd exploded as if the ball was dropping at midnight. They got things going with the lead off of their latest album, “Shots”. We would go on a 15 song journey that would include a large chunk from Smoke + Mirrors. Dan Reynolds also performed an amazing solo vocal of Alphaville’s, “Forever Young”. With the set winding down and midnight approaching, there would be a break in the set to go to the live telecast of Times Square. This led the sold-out crowd into a countdown from 20 to the New Year, but not before Reynolds would provide a heartfelt, sincere message encouraging the crowd to be present in the moment, to celebrate music and life, to look into the future with a positive attitude, and not dwell in the past. From the ball drop to their biggest hit, “Radioactive”, the party rolled on, and the crowd rolled with it. Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end, and with the final chords of, “The Fall”, it was over. With a final bow, they were off. But the visual and audio display we witnessed that evening would provide memories that will continue on, and for me, it will go down as one of the best New Year’s Eve celebration I’ve been a part of. It could only be described as an absolutely phenomenal show from an even more phenomenal band. If you are one of the few who have yet to witness Imagine Dragons live, or even the fewer who do not have their music on an iPod, you are missing out on one of this generation’s biggest and best bands. Do not miss out any further!! For all things Imagine Dragons, visit their website at https://www.imaginedragonsmusic.com/home.

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