One Republic Manchester Ritz 25.04.13
One Republic Manchester Ritz
25.04.2013
I first heard of this band in 2008,when their Timberland inspired single 'Apologise' was in the u.k. charts,I wasn't instantly that interested at the time as I preferred Rock type bands more.
That changed after I heard 'Stop & Stare' whilst I was going through a challenging year, gradually due to the beautifully versed lyrics by front man 'Ryan Tedder' they won me over, as a songwriter 'Ryan' was already responsible for writing a clutch of hits for 'Beyonce' and 'Leona Lewis' to name but a few ,and 'One Republic' were fast becoming rising stars on our shores.
Tonight then is my first 'One Republic' experience as I missed them in 2009 it was a busy year for me,the band have not been back over here for 3 Years and have just released new album 'Native' in April.
Supporting act tonight are local Manchester band 'Sons & Lovers' with influences of 'Coldplay and the lead singer looking a bit like 'Jack Penante',tonight the crowd seemed to enjoy their sound and actually seemed to know them and the songs as there were the odd screams and yells of female teenagers, reminding me once again that was at a pop gig not my usual Indie /Rock nights out.
At 8.45pm the stage eqt on the front was stripped back quickly for the arrival of the U.S. Band 'One Republic' and their set looked very unique and on a larger scale than I expected for a small venue, sticks of incense were placed carefully in position of the drum podiums there were two sets of podiums for different Drums and a space in between cut through suggesting that's where they will take to the stage.
The waft of the incense sticks filled the air it smelt lovely and very relaxing it set the mood,dry ice filled the corner of the stage, the lights went down the band arrived first with the 5 members on guitar, drums, rhythm guitar/bass and other instruments which you'll hear about later.
The crowd went nuts when lead singer 'Ryan Tedder' came bouncing on stage to take his place at the mic stands centre stage.
He's dressed like a cool dude in Black leather jacket blokey type t-shirt (you know the black and white bizarre design types that mean nothing but say something) and jeans with some ankle boots as his footwear of choice.
They begin with album tracks 'Don't Look Down','Light It Up', and 'Secrets',the bass player in white shirt and trousers looking slick standing 7ft tall takes a set with a cello and begins to play I never thought this band was so multi-talented,then between the gap of drums again placed carefully into position by roadies is a piano which 'Ryan' turns around from us to play ,there are a multitude of instruments on the stage and when he sings its pitch perfect and boy he can hit all those high notes flawlessly.
Frontman 'Ryan' is such the supercool star he does not even take his leather jacket off when he sweats, more songs in and later 'stop & Stare' with 'Ryan' on acoustic guitar now and the music as a beautiful symphony flows out propelling fans like me to sing along and fans abound with their camera phones out filming the moment.
He stops to speak to us quite frequently ,sitting on a stool centre stage and crossing his legs he begins reflecting on his experience in Manchester "I was in Starbucks today by the student unis you know where that is were you there ? well I was trying to get a connection on the wifi there I do you know I couldn't get 1 gigabyte, there were tonnes of students in there",crowd laughs.. few screams and 'I Love you's'.. then he responds "oh you are all beautiful people Thank you" he smiles and gets up to begin the next song with an electric guitar.
I first heard of this band in 2008,when their Timberland inspired single 'Apologise' was in the u.k. charts,I wasn't instantly that interested at the time as I preferred Rock type bands more.
That changed after I heard 'Stop & Stare' whilst I was going through a challenging year, gradually due to the beautifully versed lyrics by front man 'Ryan Tedder' they won me over, as a songwriter 'Ryan' was already responsible for writing a clutch of hits for 'Beyonce' and 'Leona Lewis' to name but a few ,and 'One Republic' were fast becoming rising stars on our shores.
Tonight then is my first 'One Republic' experience as I missed them in 2009 it was a busy year for me,the band have not been back over here for 3 Years and have just released new album 'Native' in April.
Supporting act tonight are local Manchester band 'Sons & Lovers' with influences of 'Coldplay and the lead singer looking a bit like 'Jack Penante',tonight the crowd seemed to enjoy their sound and actually seemed to know them and the songs as there were the odd screams and yells of female teenagers, reminding me once again that was at a pop gig not my usual Indie /Rock nights out.
At 8.45pm the stage eqt on the front was stripped back quickly for the arrival of the U.S. Band 'One Republic' and their set looked very unique and on a larger scale than I expected for a small venue, sticks of incense were placed carefully in position of the drum podiums there were two sets of podiums for different Drums and a space in between cut through suggesting that's where they will take to the stage.
The waft of the incense sticks filled the air it smelt lovely and very relaxing it set the mood,dry ice filled the corner of the stage, the lights went down the band arrived first with the 5 members on guitar, drums, rhythm guitar/bass and other instruments which you'll hear about later.
The crowd went nuts when lead singer 'Ryan Tedder' came bouncing on stage to take his place at the mic stands centre stage.
He's dressed like a cool dude in Black leather jacket blokey type t-shirt (you know the black and white bizarre design types that mean nothing but say something) and jeans with some ankle boots as his footwear of choice.
They begin with album tracks 'Don't Look Down','Light It Up', and 'Secrets',the bass player in white shirt and trousers looking slick standing 7ft tall takes a set with a cello and begins to play I never thought this band was so multi-talented,then between the gap of drums again placed carefully into position by roadies is a piano which 'Ryan' turns around from us to play ,there are a multitude of instruments on the stage and when he sings its pitch perfect and boy he can hit all those high notes flawlessly.
Frontman 'Ryan' is such the supercool star he does not even take his leather jacket off when he sweats, more songs in and later 'stop & Stare' with 'Ryan' on acoustic guitar now and the music as a beautiful symphony flows out propelling fans like me to sing along and fans abound with their camera phones out filming the moment.
He stops to speak to us quite frequently ,sitting on a stool centre stage and crossing his legs he begins reflecting on his experience in Manchester "I was in Starbucks today by the student unis you know where that is were you there ? well I was trying to get a connection on the wifi there I do you know I couldn't get 1 gigabyte, there were tonnes of students in there",crowd laughs.. few screams and 'I Love you's'.. then he responds "oh you are all beautiful people Thank you" he smiles and gets up to begin the next song with an electric guitar.
Then he wanders off whilst the stage
is rejigged around for another Piano this time over the right hand side just
behind the Cello/bass player,'Ryan' takes a seat and begins 'Apologise' the
crowd go wild at the first opening bars,as he sings and turns sideways from the
piano to catch the crowds reaction and the applauds loudly and then another
song from 'Dreaming Out Loud' called 'Come Home' a lovely slow version in a
stripped down section of the show, and goes over to the piano again for a
bluesy version of 'Gold Digger' by 'Kanye West' its even better than the
original.
When he finishes the song he gets up kicks the stool over in dramatic fashion and plays some more songs from 'Native' he stands right in front of me reach out to try and touch him and he suddenly leaps off the stage sideways to my left and runs past us people grabbing and reaching out at him then he comes back to our left again and one fan grabs his arm he pulls away from them to climb back on stage.
Then they all leave the stage and the crowd are yelling for more.. More,More.. and five minutes later lights go down again and 'He speaks again "Manchester you are fantastic if it wasn't for bands from here we wouldn't be. bands like 'Doves','The Smiths' we are only here because the music inspired us" .
The guitar player in ‘Guns N Roses’ t-shirt begins the familiar next song which becomes apparent is 'Seven Nation Army' which 'Ryan' manages to have us all humming the ad libs and bouncing about up and down in pogo fashion,and just when you think it can't get better he decides to direct the audience to carry him over the crowd for the last song how they held him up I've no idea there did not look like many in the centre so people from sides went to help and he crowd surfed all the way to the back and to the front during 'I Lose Myself'.
When he finishes the song he gets up kicks the stool over in dramatic fashion and plays some more songs from 'Native' he stands right in front of me reach out to try and touch him and he suddenly leaps off the stage sideways to my left and runs past us people grabbing and reaching out at him then he comes back to our left again and one fan grabs his arm he pulls away from them to climb back on stage.
Then they all leave the stage and the crowd are yelling for more.. More,More.. and five minutes later lights go down again and 'He speaks again "Manchester you are fantastic if it wasn't for bands from here we wouldn't be. bands like 'Doves','The Smiths' we are only here because the music inspired us" .
The guitar player in ‘Guns N Roses’ t-shirt begins the familiar next song which becomes apparent is 'Seven Nation Army' which 'Ryan' manages to have us all humming the ad libs and bouncing about up and down in pogo fashion,and just when you think it can't get better he decides to direct the audience to carry him over the crowd for the last song how they held him up I've no idea there did not look like many in the centre so people from sides went to help and he crowd surfed all the way to the back and to the front during 'I Lose Myself'.
It was a success and he got back out unscathed
a beautiful moment, the band wave at us and then they were gone, a great
experience I won’t forget and full of surprises.
You can catch 'One Republic' later
this year on tour details have not been announced yet but 'Ryan' hinted the new
show will be different than this more special show.
I should hopefully have some photos from the gig I will let you all know if and when I upload them later this coming week.
Til very soon folks BFN ..
I should hopefully have some photos from the gig I will let you all know if and when I upload them later this coming week.
Til very soon folks BFN ..
Lmi x
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