Audioholic Media

Seeing Jason Mraz live is probably the most romantic thing I’ve ever done… by myself.
I got to see him play at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall in Portland on Wednesday. With a trumpet player, a dude on sax, and a guy on the “rusty trombone” (thank you, Jason), the show had a jazzy vibe, which was a little unexpected but mostly fantastic.

Regardless of how you feel about his music or how many times you’ve heard that BFF love song on the radio, the kid has personality. And it’s infectious. During “The Dynamo of Volition”, Jason had a series of hi-five-esque hand movements to get the audience through the chorus with him. Per usual, the entire front row and a few drunk women in the back were totally into it while everyone else faked their way through it or simply didn’t do anything at all. Apparently, Jason noticed. To the people with “their hands glued to their pockets”, he said, “Don’t let your mind stop you from having a good time.”
After those eleven words (I counted), there were a lot more hands in the air, slapping phantom hi-fives.
I’m sappy. It was a special moment.

The way he sings is honest in a way that makes you feel like you’re hearing the songs for the first time– even if you’ve heard “I’m Yours” on the radio 842 times since you woke up this morning. His show is interactive and fun for all ages– literally. The 16 year old girl in front of me was screaming “I LOVE YOU, JASON!!” just as loudly as the PTA mom behind me.

Opening for Jason Mraz is Lisa Hannigan, who speaks as if she’s been using her voice since only last Thursday. She is so soft-spoken that her vocal cords sound brand new and, for lack of a less cheesy (or Damien Rice-associated) word, delicate.
Her set was quiet, overall. Until the last song when she brought the motherfucking house down. Lisa Hannigan totally pulled a bait-and-switch on us all and made us believe she was a quiet and sweet little Irish girl– right up until the moment when the music got really loud and the walls began to vibrate while she rocked our worlds. Every spine in the theater straightened and there was an obvious vibe of what the hell just happened?!-edness.
It was awesome.
If anyone has seen her live and knows what song I’m talking about, please email me the name of that song.
I’ll pay you in Jason Mraz-style hi-fives.

[UPDATE: Thank you to everyone who responded! John was the first to get it right, though. The song I was referring to was a cover of Iron & Wine's "Free Until They Cut Me Down". I've attempted to find a suitable YouTube version for all of you, but none seem to capture the magic of seeing it live.
And so it goes...]

xoxo,
Brianne Turner
Audioholic Media.

P.S. My Judas camera betrayed me and died right after Lisa Hannigan’s set, so I have no pictures or video from the show. Lesson of the day: learn the art of proper preparation FUCK MY CAMERA.

Jason Mraz photo courtesy of jasonmraz.com