This Is Life In Color, Today Feels Like No Other

As I mentioned in my previous post, even though my day over in Brooklyn was quite eventful already, the day wasn’t even over yet. After Brooklyn, my friend and I had to go back to Manhattan to catch the One Republic concert. We wanted to get there earlier but there was a problem with the MTA as usual. Fortunately the delays were not super long and we were able to get there in time to have a decent spot in the crowd. We were literally just a few rows from the front and I was glad we were able to be so close because being able to experience One Republic that close was simply electrifying. There is just no other word to describe it. I’ve watched plenty of concerts this year alone and this concert without a doubt makes it in my top 4 concerts. It was everything I ever expected and wanted a concert to be. Ryan Tedder’s energy reminded me of Chris Martin’s energy when I watched Coldplay perform last December. Ryan Tedder used the entire stage, jumped around, and really connected with the crowd. I was in awe.

They opened their set with a song called Light It Up from their new album Native and even from behind the white curtain, I felt all their energy especially Ryan Tedder’s. I know I seem to just focus on him but I can’t help it! Seriously. Since when did he get so...unf?? There were a few moments in the concert wherein my friend and I thought he was Ryan Gosling. With his rolled up skinny jeans, grey V-neck shirt, and leather jacket...he looked like the epitome of a rock star, which he is. I couldn’t take my eyes of him. Wherever he went on stage, my eyes (and my camera) would follow him. I didn’t want to ignore the other members because they are equally as talented but my goodness did Ryan Tedder steal the show that night especially when he climbed the side of the stage. I nearly lost it. And when he sang the infamous Apologize with just him playing the piano...I felt a chill in the heart and bones. No matter how many times I hear that song, I always get chills but hearing him sing it live, I almost got a fever from it. It was so beautifully haunting and with the freedom tower in the foreground, it became more haunting for me at least.

I’m sorry if I’m not making any sense anymore. I’m still having a fan-girl moment. Watching One Republic by the Hudson River with the skyline of New Jersey in the front and the skyline of Manhattan in the back was truly spectacular. And when they closed the show with Life in Color, I knew that in that moment I fell in love with the city of New York once more. It was the perfect setting and the perfect way to end the night. My mission that day was to rekindle the fire and bring back the feeling that I had when I first moved here. While I have to admit, I do not think that feeling would ever be back; the fire is definitely burning a fire red and no longer blue. So thank you New York and thank you One Republic especially Ryan Gos...oops...Tedder for making me fall. New York, I love you and I always will.

Keep Your Head Up, Keep Your Heart Strong

I was going to wait until tomorrow to blog about this but I couldn’t wait. I just have to share this experience with you all because I consider it to be a crime to not share an amazing talent such as Ben Howard. I just came home from his concert and I have to tell you...it was magical. I’ve been to a lot of concerts this year alone and the last time I got major chills was from watching Ed Sheeran live and that was 7 months ago. While I did get chills when I watched The Xx in Berkeley last month, it wasn’t the same kind of chills I got when I watched Ed and Bon Iver, which is ironic because I find Ben Howard to be the perfect combination of Ed Sheeran and Bon Iver.

Ben Howard is one of those unappreciated and underrated artists that truly deserve more attention. His music is unlike anything we hear in the airwaves nowadays, which is sad because more people should really hear the songs he sings and writes about. You can tell they come from the heart and that they actually mean something. Just listen to Only Love and tell me if you wouldn’t want to be serenaded with the simplicity and effortless vocals of the song? The song Only Love proves that love songs (or even just songs in general) need not be complicated. When sang the right way, it’s enough to make us all starry-eyed and weak in the knees. As I say this, I am not bashing any songs out there right now (ok, maybe I am bashing some...). I love hiphop and I am obsessed with Jay Z’s newest album. However, sometimes when I need a break from all the aggression that hiphop brings, I listen to artists like Ben Howard and I feel relaxed all of a sudden.

Because his voice is exactly the type of voice that can soothe your soul, the Summerstage in Central Park provided the perfect venue to let him do just that. As the sun began to set and the breeze settled in, the concert felt like the perfect lullaby. From beginning to end, he never failed to captivate his audience. Everyone in the crowd was clinging to his every word and when he ended his set with Promise...well  I think that was just the end of everyone. While he didn’t play two of my favorites like Depth Over Distance and Gracious, I still thoroughly enjoyed the concert. It’s amazing how much better he sounds live. Much like when I watched Ed Sheeran and Bon Iver, there were times wherein I couldn’t help but close my eyes and just feel.  

In the end, I am so glad I decided to watch him live. Not to sound redundant but he is simply spectacular and I would definitely recommend watching him live. If you’re not ready to shell out cash and watch him live, at least listen to his songs on YouTube or watch videos of his live performances there. You’ll be happy that you did.

P.S. I tried uploading the videos I took from the concert but it won't let me so I'm just going to put my favorite performances of his from other places.

P.P.S. No one better use Only Love as their wedding song before I do. 

Depth Over Distance:

Promise:

Move Dust Through The Light

Ever since I got back from London, all I’ve really been doing is working and studying for the LSATs. I haven’t been staying out really late and whenever I do go out, it is just for dinner and that’s it. All I’ve been doing is saying no to my friends whenever something comes up but I decided I needed a break. And hey! It’s my birthday weekend so I’m going to do something different and just have fun. The chance came when my friend asked me if I wanted to go to the Bon Iver concert with her to Radio City. It took me a couple of days to finally say yes and was I glad I did. It was one of the best concerts of my life and it was in Radio City Music Hall no less! 

I’m gonna admit, I only knew a couple of their songs so I didn’t know what to expect plus I was still a bit down from not being able to watch Ed Sheeran live the night before. However when the show started, that all changed. My mood was instantly lifted and I literally got chills. When I heard the first strings of the guitar, I couldn’t help but close my eyes and just feel the music. They opened the show with Perth; and, from there on out, I became an avid fan. I could imagine myself with my friends driving down at night with the windows down and just blasting this song. It was incredible and that’s what I felt song after song. 

I apologize for the crappy quality. I had to zoom in using my phone.

They played a total of 14 songs plus an encore composed of 2 other songs. The show was very mellow and you could tell that everyone was there to simply just enjoy the music (expect of the 4 people behind us who were clearly high on something and were yelling the entire time). I would definitely recommend everyone to watch them live. Hearing their songs on your iPods or whatever is nothing compared to seeing and hearing them live. You get to feel and appreciate the songs more and isn’t that what music is about? Now I understand the expression, “Music is Life.” 

 K

P.S. Here's a little peak from their performance of Skinny Love and Perth.