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A roller coaster ride from start to finish

Imagine Dragons
US Airways
Phoenix, AZ
July 25, 2015
Imagine Dragons Imagine Dragons

Story and photos by Mary Andrews

From the first note of "Shots" to the final note of "The Fall," fans were out of their seats experiencing the spectacle of an Imagine Dragons' live show. Their records have reached ten times platinum status and one does not have to wonder why.

The lights dimmed and shadows appeared on the curtain, as the "Smoke and Mirrors" extravaganza show started. "Shots" and "Trouble" were delivered in a pounding manner by the band before lead singer, Dan Reynolds, announced that he almost cancelled tonight's show due to his illness. No one could have guessed that that was the case. He revealed that Phoenix was one of his favorite cities to play and thus he had "no choice" but have the show go on. He invited the audience to "help him sing" if his voice were to fail him at all.

The show was staged with a full light show and a runway that extended down in the general admission floor. Dan's energy appeared to be boundless from start to finish. The audience surrounding the runway was made up of teens, tweens, and college aged folk. Elsewhere in the arena, all-aged fans made up the rest of the crowd. It was a pleasure to watch the relationship between Mr. Reynolds and the fans. At one point in the concert the very brave Dan Reynolds actually ventured into the seated area and sang to the fans.

It is hard to remember that with the lighting, the glitz, and Dan Reynolds' constant motion that this is really a band of consummate musicians and it is about great popular music. The core band also includes Daniel Wayne Sermon (lead and rhythm guitar and backing vocals), Ben McKee (bass guitar and backing vocals), and Daniel Platzman (drums, percussion and backing vocals). William Wells is also touring playing keyboards with the band this year. All of the members of the band have had a hand in writing their iconic songs.

There was one serious note when Dan introduced the song "Release." He revealed that he has had problems with depression in the past" and he hoped that his revelation would inspire some of the fans in the crowd. The ten-times platinum "Radioactive" was saved until the end of the show before the encore. The 90-minute show was over as soon as it seemed to start. It is apparent that Imagine Dragons will be back in Phoenix next year and so will the fans!!

Set List:
1. Shots
2. Trouble
3. It's Time
4. Forever Young (Alphaville cover)
5. Amsterdam / Tiptoe / Bleeding Out
6. Polaroid
7. I'm So Sorry
8. Gold
9. Thief
10. Demons
11. Hopeless Opus
12. Release
13. On Top of the World
14. Friction
15. I Bet My Life
16. Radioactive

Encore:
17. The Fall

Related articles:

Imagine Dragons - Concert review - Rosemont, IL - June 2015
Imagine Dragons - Concert review - Rosemont, IL - March 2014

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