Last night, there be Dragons in London, Ontario.
Las Vegas pop rock band Imagine Dragons took over Budweiser Gardens on April 24 for two hours of emotional, expressive and inspirational music. It was so passionate that it felt like a therapy session for lead vocalist Dan Reynolds, who remained idle for maybe 10 minutes in total throughout the evening. And that therapy session was passed on to audience members, myself included, who cried, danced and sang their way through one of the first touring concerts at Bud Gardens since the pandemic began.
A lot of pop rock bands can get easily dismissed for either generic or junky lyrics and over-produced electronic beats – Imagine Dragons are nothing like that. There’s a lot of talent backing up Reynolds pent-up energy, including Wayne Sermon (guitars, backing vocals, mandolin, drums, percussion, piano, synthesizers), Ben McKee (bass, piano, keyboards, synthesizers, backing vocals, guitars, drums), Daniel Platzman (drums, percussion, backing vocals, guitars, viola, keyboards) and touring musician Elliot Schwartzman (keyboards, guitar, backing vocals).
This show was a much-needed break from the past two and a half years of pandemic misery and lockdown madness. The song lyrics really resonated through the exuberant performance from Reynolds, who touched, hugged and sang beside audience members throughout the night. It was a bonding of people and a celebration of our vulnerabilities and weaknesses. It appeared as if it was therapy and validity for himself as well.
Opening with a confetti storm through My Life, the show was smothered with hits. They were all there too – Believer, Thunder, Demons, Radioactive – they didn’t miss any essentials in the 120 minute assault of the senses.
The middle of the show was slowed down with an acoustic session held in the middle of the arena at the end of the catwalk that served as Reynolds endless playground. It was a great chance for the audience to bond with the band and really take in the lyrics, including a slick audience participation cover version of Bob Marley’s Three Little Birds.
McKee was fun to watch with his big smile all night long. He played a gorgeous blue, pink and white Sadowsky bass, complete with rainbow heart on the backside. Sermon’s guitars sounded a bit more prominent in the live mix and really showcased his skills, especially during the acoustic session. The real magic behind the Imagine Dragons sound is the incredible pounding beats of Platzman, who gives the songs the grooves that make them go beyond basic songs. If I was a drummer, this is how I’d want to play.
For me, this was a lifechanging concert. Music is a therapy I’ve never explored quite in the way Imagine Dragons took me, but it’s certainly a direction I plan to take forward.
Live music is back and it was a pleasure to do it through the eyes of Imagine Dragons. Let the Demons be gone and the Dragons live on.
Aviv performs live at Budweiser Gardens in London on April 24, 2022.
Opening the show was Toronto singer/songwriter AVIV. The multi-instrumentalist is only 16 years old, but her sound and emotion suggest a talent that is far beyond her years. She performed songs from her eight-track debut album Drowning In Culture, as well as a faithful cover of Arctic Monkey’s 505. She had fun on stage and even used a small portion of the giant Imagine Dragons catwalk. It’s a big audience and a big stage for such a tiny young woman, but she utilized her space well. Watch for more from this youthful up-and-coming Canadian artist in the future.
Imagine Dragons
Budweiser Gardens
April 24, 2022
Photos by Dan Savoie
AVIV
Budweiser Gardens
April 24, 2022
Photos by Dan Savoie
