Jason Mraz: Birmingham O2 Academy: 07.04.09
Arriving just after doors it was 7pm I thought we would be able to walk right into the Birmingham O2 Academy but it appeared I was mistaken as we snaked our way to the back of the queue, which almost circled the building. I knew it was a sell out but it appears all Mraz fans seem rather keen and punctual! Nevertheless it wasn’t raining so it wasn’t all that bad. When we get inside Norweigan support act Marit Larsen has already started with her folky tunes and I instantly think oh so that’s who he’s doing 'Lucky' with tonight then, though she seemed a bit more Regina Spektor than Colbie Colliatt. She was good, I wouldn’t buy her album but her folky rhythms got you in a Mraz mood.
The next band, Two Spot Gobi were a soul, rap, funky mix even closer to Mraz though this also seemed to be their downfall. I whispered to my boyfriend, “They need more brass,” as they had a backing singer who seemed to fiddle with a trumpet now and again and by their last track they’d borrowed Jason’s brass. There just seemed to be something missing, the vocals weren’t resonating enough, though the lead singer was full of energy which became irritating as if he’d put more effort into his singing they might have been alright. Though, Jason did introduce them which was quite a nice touch.
Now it was time for Mr A-Z himself. He and his band file on into a dim blue-lighted stage of mystic and opens with 'Make It Mine', of which the first line is “Wake up everyone” and the stage is thrust into bright lights and the brass get going, it’s just a pure explosion of light, music and adrenaline. He proceeded to play mainly a mixture from his past two albums, as well as a couple of new tracks. The absence of old Jason was a bit disappointing for some of his old fans who have known him since he was Jason who? But with that little grumble over Jason cannot be faulted on stage presence and performance. As usual the chemistry between Jason and Tocca his bongo player and lifelong friend is electric!
For those that don’t know Jason’s music he’s a little difficult to define, he crosses so many genres, I guess he’s pop/funk/rap/reggae/soul/jazz...his song 'I’m Yours' all of a sudden got really big and has been covered on the likes of American Idol and now the world is finding out about his wonder. But he really is one of those artists that gains a dimension when you put them on the stage. As predicted he sang 'Lucky' with Marit Larsen who went down extremely well with the crowd and a personal highlight was when the brass appeared amidst the crowd during 'Live High', it felt really up close and personal in a song that at least to me is spiritually moving despite the venue holding 3,000 of us!
Mraz really show’s off his skills in songs such as 'Dynamo of Volition' and when you realise your one of the only people in your vicinity who knows the entire rap and your singing it out loud a wave of slight embarrassment may wash over you or a wave of superiority depending on your mindset! Jason’s little audience participation dance making everyone air high fives certainly gets the crowd going. He really seems to feel the music and although I’ve seen him do it before his drifting into Bob Marley’s 'Three Little Birds' seems so natural!
There’s no real encore, Mraz runs off stage and lets the band play for five minutes and then he runs back on, plays us a new track and takes Polaroid’s of each band member and support act. This is a Mraz tradition at the end of each show, then throws them out to the scrambling crowd, all desperate for an extra special keepsake. He ends the show on 'Butterfly', an upbeat and lyrically erotic track before thanking all the crowd and reminding us all to have gratitude in his little hippy way and then off he goes!
Overall a brilliant show by the main man!
Words and Pictures: Hannah Ross
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