The Anthem was filled with eager Washingtonians who came to enjoy a night filled with pop, rock and soul. The show was a long time coming; James Bay was scheduled to perform in D.C. in summer 2018, but cancellations pushed the event almost a year later to March 3.
Soft tunes echoed through the music hall as musician Noah Kahan warmed up the crowd with his folk-pop tunes. By the time Bay took the stage, a yellow light showered the room and everyone was already paired up as a couple swaying to the soft croons. It was time.
Bay, accompanied by his guitar and the light show behind him, sang emotional songs that resonated with fans and united the audience. The entire crowd sang along to the soft crooning of some of his more popular songs, including “Let it Go,” “Wild Love” and “If You Ever Want To Be In Love.”
The venue was transformed by the intense lighting experience that illuminated the space. The light show’s visuals displayed and emphasized the lyrics of many of the songs, which paired well with the intense snare that pounded against the speakers and resonated throughout the room. Each song had a specific color visual bouncing on the screen behind Bay, a nice addition throughout the show that resembled a visual color blast of emotions.
Bay serenaded his fans and transformed the arena into alternative rock hall in which the audience chimed in to the slow beats and danced swiftly from side to side. He featured other songs like “Pink Lemonade,” “Craving” and “Just for the Night,” songs that are targeted toward younger audiences going through rough times of adolescence as the singer attributes to his own experiences growing up.
Bay constantly apologized throughout the show for the initial cancellation, but definitely earned back the crowd’s love through his talents. To make up for having to reschedule, he performed an exclusive song that made the crowd settle down and listen intently.
Closing the show with a beautiful live rendition of “Hold Back the River,” the audience asked Bay for an encore, which he obliged willingly, knowing that he would satisfy the eager crowd.
The show was a perfect way to spend the quiet night and enjoy good live music that speaks to the soul. Despite the fact that fans had to wait almost a year to see him live, James Bay gave the crowd a performance worth waiting for.
falbannai@theeagleonline.com
