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Owl City plays the Valley of the Sun
Owl City, LIGHTS, and other perform at Marquee Theatre on April 10. Photo by Andrea Lavalette
Written by Andrea Lavalette - Staff Writer
Anticipation was heating up, as was the sweltering Arizona sun, April 10, at Marquee Theatre—hundreds of diverse individuals, ranging from kids to adults, stood in line several hours for multi-platinum chart topper, Owl City, to perform. However, they were not only there to see Owl City, but singer Valerie Poxleitner, known as LIGHTS. Finally, after an hour of waiting, the doors opened up. Fans rushed in to get the best view of the stage, and after two more hours of waiting, the sold-out show began.
Nashville band, Paper Route, was the first to play for the crowd. The newly discovered Indie Rock band performed several songs, and although unknown, the crowd vigorously approved. Their alternative, electronic synth styled song “Gutter” was clearly an audience favorite.
After Paper Route performed, semi-famous singer, LIGHTS, performed. LIGHTS, which can only be described as a female version of Owl City, was not to my personal liking. However, the crowd disagreed as several gifts were tossed on the stage in celebration of the 23-year-old’s birthday. One of her best performances was “Ice”, an up-tempo creative, poppy, electronica piece that enticed the audience.
Once LIGHTS finished, the stage darkened, and the crowd went wild. Chants containing both “Adam” and “Owl City” echoed amongst the crowd relentlessly—suddenly, the music started, as did the pushing. People crowded in to see lead singer Adam Young, of Owl City perform. Using multiple synthesizers and keyboards, Young performed songs from all three of his albums, including the number one hit, “Fireflies”. Owl City ended the set in the usual croon of “you guys were the best,” and surprisingly, the cliché deemed genuine when he stated, “Hey thanks, Tempe. You guys were the best crowd I’ve ever performed for. I like you guys a lot!”
After Young said his thank you’s, the crowd still wasn’t ready to go home as they chanted, “one more song.” Following several calls for encore, Young and his band reappeared and performed another of their hit songs “Hello Seattle”.
In the end, the show was a success—fans were definitely impressed. There was not one attendee who did not walk out the door smiling. “Owl City is amazing! The concert was phenomenal—best concert ever,” said Gilbert High concert-goer, Anne Taylor.
Set list:
Umbrella Beach
The Bird and the Worm
Air Traffic
On the Wing
Hot Air Balloon
Dear Vienna
Fuzzy Blue Lights
Cave In
This Is the Future
Dental Care
The Saltwater Room
The Technicolor Phase
Fireflies
Meteor Shower
Vanilla Twilight
The Tip of the Iceberg
Hello Seattle
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