I know a lot of you missed out to watch Jason Mraz and Raining Jane last week. Me and Ian didn't see them performed due to our hectic workload.
We're sharing with you April De Guzman's concert experience during Mraz's YES tour:
"It takes a thought to
make a word, and it takes some words to make an action.."
and it takes a mirophone and some musical instruments to deliver such powerful messages through the form of
music and banters by the genius man that is Jason Mraz.
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| Photo credit:Jovelyn Lao |
It was a night full of
positivity and heartfelt realization as Jason Mraz takes the Philippine stage
for the fourth time, this time with the equally talented all-girl band, Raining
Jane last November 27, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
What's not to like about the
man, anyway? You may be living under a rock if you have not heard of his hits
"The Remedy", "You and I Both", "I'm Yours" and
"I Won't Give Up" at least once in you life making you like the man by default. No need for
extravagant stage designs and effects, the talent is more than enough.
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| Photo credit:Jovelyn Lao |
The Raining
Jane started the almost three hours of pure
bliss with songs, "The Opposite of
Blue" and "From Me To You". This band composing of Mai
Bloomfield, Becky Gebhardt, Chaska Potter and Mona Tavakoli, they have been playing music, writing and touring
together for over a decade and it was evident on the musical chemistry that
they had on stage. They are such a joy to watch and it is refreshing to hear an
all-girl band on the eclectic rock-folk genre. They were gushing about the warm
welcome of the Filipino making this trip one of their favourites. Also, later
on it was revealed that they co-wrote Jason Mraz's A Beautiful Mess And it is downright
impressive.
Then their time is up (but
not really because they have played with Jason all throughout the show giving
it a more personal vibe given that they usually jam on their backyards and
create music together even back home) and in great pleasure they have
introduced the main man, Jason Mraz to the ever enthusiastic fans. He opened
the set with Life Is Wonderful
which somehow has given the fans an idea on what to expect with the whole show.
It became a reminder of how life is wonderful to be wasted on worrying about
things and the things that we do not have any control. The album Yes which is
also the title of the headlining tour is mainly about spreading positivity and
basically saying Yes to Life. Admittedly, though, he's said that it was hard to
stay positive especially these days with all the nasty and bad stuff that is
happening everywhere. But like somebody who is on the verge of a writer's
block, one should not stop. Write and write something until something fruitful
comes out. One has to start on something, and eventually everything will fall
in its respective places.
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| Photo credit:Jovelyn Lao |
Below is the setlist for the
night. To be honest, one will barely notice the number of songs that he
did (Has it really been that lot?)
because through his funny antics and banters ranging from funny, crazy up to the
inspiring ones, he has definitely delivered and made sure that everyone would
have a real good time.
Life Is Wonderful
Everywhere
Sweet Dreams/The Dynamo of
Volition medleyThings
Lucky
I Take The Music
Hello, You Beautiful Thing
Make It Mine
Quiet
A Beautiful Mess
3 Things
Back To The Earth
Mr. Curiosity
Bottom of the Sea
Love Someone
Song For A Geek
Only Human
Long Drive
The Remedy (acoustic)
Browntown
93 Million Miles
Shine
I'm Yours
Encore:
I Won't Give Up
It's So Hard To Say Goodbye
to Yesterday
Offering the crowd not only
his pure talent and awesome music but throughout the show, he has also made it
known the causes that he supports and why people should follow his example
(though he does not directly state it). One thing would be that part where he
has showed and simultaneously played a video of their recent trip to the
Antartica where the effects of global warming is evident, along with the
impressive wildlife that is out there. All of this while performing Bottom
of the Sea live and in-synched live on stage which
is quite impressive and has served as an eye-opener to everyone. He has also
mentioned that most of the crew on this trip are Filipino and that has elicited
a loud cheer from the crowd.
There was also a point where
he has acknowledged the group of local supporters/fan club that is present who
has organized a tree-planting activity on his behalf also adding that farming
and the trees will serve as our "legacy to the future
generations".
Prior to the end, he has
changed thr lyrics of the last song to "It's
so hard to say goodbye to the Philippines.." and
said, "Kitakits! Salamat po!"
giving the crowd angreat satisfaction and more things to look forward.
All in all, seeing Jason Mraz
and the Raining Jane live is a wonderful experience that one should have at
least once in his/her lifetime. Not only will he satisfy your musical cravings
with his pure talent but he will enlighten you and remind you to choose to be
happy no matter what, to choose to lead the good life and continue to bless others
through your existence.
And for once, you will never
regret saying YES.
Can't get enough of Jason and Raining Jane? The album Yes is now available on iTunes and can also be streamed on Spotify.
Opening lyrics from: Life Is
Wonderful - Jason Mraz