You have to love a band that starts one of their songs with Spongebob lyrics...

Indeed, we loved the band of brothers, AJR, before we saw them perform live this weekend. But after seeing them in concert? Well, they blew us away with their energy, creative songs, personality, and musicianship. 

Adam, Jack, and Ryan are the real deal - musicians that are involved in every aspect of their music, in an era when many hands are often stirring the pot. Their concert was exhilarating, danceable, and we wished it would never end. 

Here's why you need to see AJR live:

1. They are fantastic musicians

Did you know that AJR writes all of their music? In our interview with them (see #3, below), the brothers gave fantastic advice to up and coming musicians - Adam, Jack, and Ryan are an extraordinary example of being creative, authentic, interesting - and talented. Each plays multiple instruments, and the band puts together songs that are seamlessly written - and performed. 

2. It's a lively, high-powered show

As one of our youtube viewers, Rachel Levin, said in a comment, "This just shows how amazing at performing they are, they had that audience SNATCHED... they for real execute as the number 1 group I've ever seen live - 4 times. This is one of the reasons why I'm a huge fan and supporter of my boys and always will be ❤️."

I was surprised by how energetic the show was - it was as if the entire audience was electrified. Don't forget the drumming - WOW!

They also connect well with their audience - including some of the banter in between songs. Fangirling commenced...

3. They are interesting

We were lucky enough to interview them before the show (thank you!). We learned of their favorite (and least favorite) things about being on tour, favorite tv shows, how they work every day (writing music, on tour, designing the album cover, etc.), busking in New York City as young kids, the last 2 states they need to visit to have been to all 50 states, their songwriting process, something people would be surprised to know about them, working in the living room of their home (and guess where they record?), a lifetime of singing, favorite pizza and the foods they miss on tour, and many other topics, including that eternal question: Marvel or DC.

4. You want to dance like crazy

AJR's songs are danceable - every single one of them. But there's something magical about seeing music live - the songs seep into your pores, and energize your soul.

As Music and Theatre Insider noted about their song, No Grass Today, "Anyone who has been to an AJR concert knows that the boys jump around and dance like no one is watching. Seriously, they look ridiculous. It’s wonderful. Many of people assume they do drugs and smoke weed because of their music and dancing but nope, they’re just that creative and crazy! This song alone would want you to go to an AJR concert because can you imagine singing this with a big crowd behind you?!" They also said, regarding AJR's danceable song, I'm Not Famous, "This song, like the others, have a super hype chorus that will make you want to jump and dance around like a lunatic."

There you go. Listen to their new song, Weak, if you want to dance in your living room (make sure I'm Not Famous is on your playlist, as well), while you're waiting for their tour to come to your town. It's on their new EP, What Everyone's Thinking. (Spotify link: Smarturl.it/TGIFWEAK)

5. Their DIY approach to their music - and career - is refreshing

Besides creating their own music and recording in their home, they are accessible to their fans. During the show, they took a photo with the audience. They were also available during intermission and after the show, to talk with fans (and take selfies - look at their instagram tags! I'm impressed). 

Most of all, the lyrics they write mean something. AJR's songs are catchy and also cover topics that everyone can relate to - conforming to social mores, growing up, popular culture, and more.

On stage, with just the three of them, the sounds they produced were so much bigger than expected - filling the rafters.

This fall, they are touring with Ingrid Michaelson (a phenomenal singer), and co-wrote a new song together. Listen!

AJR will be headlining their own tour in the spring. Be sure to follow along on social media to discover when they'll be heading somewhere near you. Highly recommended.

http://ajrbrothers.com/
https://www.facebook.com/AJRBrothers/
https://www.youtube.com/ajr
https://twitter.com/ajrbrothers
https://www.instagram.com/ajrbrothers/

All photos courtesy and copyright Wandering Educators