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Imagine Dragons at House of Blues Anaheim

Written by Brittany Woolsey

Thursday, 21 March 2013 00:44

Dan Reynolds said he never thought he would be in a band as he stood on the fluorescent-lit stage at the House of Blues in Anaheim on Tuesday night. But a sold-out sea of people, who look like they raided an Urban Outfitters before the show, screamed and thanked him for performing with Imagine Dragons.

The Las Vegas-based band, along with openers Nico Vega and Atlas Genius, brought their Night Visions Tour to Anaheim on Tuesday night. Drums played a big role for the evening, whether musicians were jumping off them or playing gigantic Taiko ones.

As Imagine Dragons began their set, the stage was decorated with lit-up trees, an LED backboard and several types of drums. Immediately, Reynolds and the other three members of the band began pounding on the drums incessantly as the crowd began roaring. Opening with “Round & Round,” Imagine Dragons brought an unparalleled energy to the venue as they played their songs that combined alternative, indie and electro sounds.

Throughout the night, as fans cheered for the band, Imagine Dragons showed appreciation for their fans. “This is a cool location,” Reynolds said. “I didn’t go to Disneyland enough as a kid. This may be the smallest venue on the tour, which I love.”While many of the songs, including the lively “Radioactive” and “Bleeding Out,” showed infectious energy by the band, Reynolds and guitarist Wayne Sermon slowed things down for “Lay Me Down.” The song was emotional and brought a different feel to the room, which suddenly seemed to become very intimate.

The band tossed glow-in-the-dark balloons into the dancing crowd during “Underdog,” which was one of the liveliest songs of the evening.

Reynolds knew the song may prompt some rowdiness, so he cautioned the audience. “If you see anyone crowd-surfing, don’t let them fall,” he said. “If they do fall, help them back up.”

Reynolds continued to show his love for his fans, which filled the entire venue, that he noted, again as an intimate size.

“I know people who are here really wanted to be here,” he said. “This show is sold out. The only reason we’ve had success is because of people like you.”

The band then broke out into the optimistic “It’s Time,” which was featured in the coming-to-age film, “The Perks of Being a Wallflower.”

While Imagine Dragons ended their set with “Nothing Left to Say,” they surely will have more to say in the future as they are proving themselves to be a phenomenal upcoming band.

Imagine Dragons will continue their Night Visions Tour, including stops in Los Angeles on at The Wiltern on March 20, and at the Hollywood Palladium on May 29 and May 30.