OneRepublic Concert

My afternoon patient on Friday told me that he was helping out some students at an Alzheimer's clinic. He was supposed to get screened down there, but forgot about his appointment and missed it. I'd tell you that you can't make this up, but you could. In fact a three year-old could make this up, and surely it's been on cartoons as a sappy joke several times. That being said, I didn't make it up. He's just hilarious.

The band OneRepublic was in Tempe on last night, and we got there early enough to stand in the seventh row. Rad show! Sorry you missed it AZ people, and go catch them if you can other state people. Here's my analysis.

Opening band: The Daylights. Two Texas brothers alternating singing, playing bass, and lead with a Danish drummer they picked up. These guys played a pretty great live show and drew tons of fans afterward. One of the brothers came up to me as we were leaving at the end of the night and said hi. I told him, "Great show man." And he goes, "Oh, thanks! You look really familiar." There's no way I've ever met him before. In any case, for one of their first shows ever on tour, I give them lots of upside. Big sound for a three-man group.

Second act: Josh Kelly. This dude is very technically sound. Quite a set of pipes and he can shred on guitar. He came up with some really creative melodies as well. However, it was about 40 minutes of songs about getting it on. This usually is annoying (see Maroon 5). We get it. You're into chicks. Although, he was wearing a wedding ring. Who knows. Anyway, we were ready for them to be done.

Headlining band: OneRepublic. Wow. Sick show! Here's what I know about them. They've been largely successful due to the internet. They waited to release their first album and tour, however, in order to polish their act. They also spent time with producer Timbaland, as everyone knows. Dynamite. This explains why they are headlining shows after their first record just barely came out in November. They played most of the album. In the middle, they covered Bittersweet Symphony by The Verve (rad choice) and Um-ber-ella by Rihanna (nailed it). I was impressed. Ryan Tedder can belt it out, and they highlighted cello in most of their songs. You could tell they hadn't played many live shows before only due to Tedder's random between song banter. Too much stuff takes away from a show, and not enough doesn't let you get to know the band's personality. I think he'll get it. At the end of the encore, the lead guitarist threw a pick and I grabbed it. Bam! It was a great time, and I'd definitely see them again.

• You can lead a fool to wisdom, but you can't make him think. -anonymous
  
• I went into a clothes store and a lady came up to me and said “if you need anything, I’m Jill”. I’ve never met anyone with a conditional identity before. -Demetri Martin
• Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way, when you criticize them, you are a mile away from them and you have their shoes. -Jack Handy