WITH THE BANDS FIRST RETURN TO SOUTH FLORIDA SINCE THE PANDEMIC BEGAN, IMAGINE DRAGONS BRING AMAZING MUSIC AND POSITIVITY TO A THANKFUL AUDIENCE.
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Imagine Dragons, one of music's biggest draws, took to the FTX Arena in Miami last night for their nearly sold-out MERCURY tour, which happens to be the first stop of their North American tour.
With a twenty-four-song setlist in front of them, Imagine Dragons lead singer Dan Reynolds, guitarist Wayne Sermon, bassist Ben McKee, and drummer Daniel Platzman took to the stage and exploded with the hits My Life and Believer. This show was the first stop of the bands' North American tour and their return to South Florida since the beginning of the pandemic that shut down the live music industry for nearly a year and a half.
Singer Dan Reynolds was in top form for tonight's performance. His vocals were spot-on and he had energy for days working the crowd from the main stage, all the way down the catwalk to a smaller, more intimate stage that reached the center of the arena. This is the stage where Reynolds spent most of his time during the performance.
A giant screen backdropped the stage where intermittently, short films with messages of hope and stunning visuals would play between song sets. This is key to the Dragons performance as Reynolds struggled with depression and mental health challenges since he was a kid. "It was my life," Reynolds says. "It was all I did since I was 12. When I started to deal with mental health issues, music was therapeutic for me in a way that nothing else was. I felt like I could communicate in a way that I wasn't able to as an adult, or to anyone, really. That's why I say [a music career] kind of chose me because I really didn't have a choice. If I was going to stay alive, I was going to do music. I genuinely feel like music saved my life in that way."
This is why I believe their music is so popular with so many. The music created by Imagine Dragons reaches deep within those that are suffering from depression and mental health issues. The realism within the lyrics of the songs resonates with the suffering and offers messages of hope and brings light to their darkness. Reynolds is the perfect ambassador and proves that the demons inside can be defeated and controlled. His dedication to the craft, and mostly his fans, is easily seen throughout his performance. Unending smiles and joy were plastered on his face for the entire show and his humbleness and appreciation of where he is in life is evident and easily seen.
Thunder, Shots, and Natural were also played in this set to one of the loudest crowds I have witnessed in a while. The lights went out and the band appeared on the smaller stage in the center of the arena for an acoustic set featuring Next To Me, I Bet My Life, and One Day.
Whatever It Takes, Bad Liar, Demons, Radioactive, and Walking The Wire were among the songs that rounded out the end of the performance. Throughout the concert, at different intervals, cannons filled the arena with confetti and added an amazing visual effect to accompany the music. The confetti was printed with images and messages of thanks and hope, one containing the words..."We couldn't do this without you. All our love."
If you have the opportunity to see Imagine Dragons, I urge you to do so. The performance, stage production, and the positivity that comes from seeing this band live leave you feeling amazing and appreciative for all you have in this life. I know I will be waiting for their next trip around to South Florida and I hope to see you there.
ROCKBANDREVIEWS.COM / 2022
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