AJR Delivers the Unforgettable Neotheater Experience
Photo courtesy of the AJR Facebook page
On November 16th AJR gave a performance to a sold out crowd at Agganis Arena that did not fit the definition of a traditional concert. To consider their jaw-dropping performance anything besides an exhilarating experience would be unfair to the trio. Undermining the magnificence they have achieved would be downright criminal.
AJR is a band of brothers consisting of Adam, Jack, and Ryan Met who write, produce, and mix all of their material in their living room. They are known for their abstract style of songwriting, like how they sampled the signature “I’m Ready” yell from Spongebob on their song “I’m Ready”, or how they told the story of growing up through the scope of “The Office” on “Netflix Trip”.
The group made stylistic choices throughout the performance that turned it into its own style of performance. For instance, every song either faded seamlessly into the next, or cut to black completely, treating each section like its own act of a play. Additionally, the group stopped the concert to do a pseudo-comedy routine and roast different members of the audience who had caught their attention. They also used the projector to help the crowd visualize AJR during their street performing days when they played “Wow, I’m Not Crazy”.
At one point the band headed backstage while trumpet player JJ Kirkpatrick performed the chorus to songs they didn’t have time to perform in full. It felt as if the group was paying tribute to the songs that helped them get where they are now, allowing every attendee to hear their favorite song, even if it wasn’t featured as a standalone track.
With just a few songs left to go, Jack stated “Most musicians want to make concerts that you can go to and forget your problems for 90 minutes. We want to make a performance where you can embrace those emotions and even celebrate them.” The statement seemed to resonate with the group of college students and recent grads clearly riddled with debts, depressors, and loads of anxiety.
The last few moments of the show stood out the most. They performed “Finale (Can’t Wait to See What You Do Next)”, the last song on the Neotheater album. However, they interluded the song“100 Bad Days” where the breakdown would normally be, then perfectly cut back to the other song when “100 Bad Days” had finished. It was incredible, It was the type of ingenuity that reminds you of the childish creativity you once had, then blows you away with its realization. It was something that only the minds of AJR are capable of.
I would not hesitate to call Neotheater the show of the year. It made me love music in ways I never had before and served as an inspiration to a crowd of 6,000 to be creative and to fill the world with as much beautiful artistry as possible.