One of the highlights of pop rock band OneRepublic’s debut concert was band leader and vocalist Ryan Tedder’s heartwarming and intimate rendition of EDM spin master Avicii’s Wake Me Up. Avcii, who passed away on April 20, was a highly revered artist in India and Tedder’s tribute on the piano was a great way to pay homage to the Swedish DJ.
As part of their Asia tour, OneRepublic’s concert in India held on Saturday was planned just one month ahead. As Tedder announced, "This is one of the most last minute international shows we have ever done. We can’t believe you all came in such huge numbers. All you beautiful people of Mumbai, thank you for coming."
Since their debut on the scene in 2007, many people have made many connections to the group's music. The surprisingly mixed-age audience belted out the words to the concert opener Stop and Stare without provocation, gleefully joined in on Secrets and when Tedder stated that he and his band were having a good time, he cajoled the audience saying, “We should meet more often. This places looks like an Irish-Indian pub. People swinging and singing. So let's sing Something I need."
The Grammy nominated band, comprising of singer Ryan Tedder, Brent Kutzle alternating between bass and cello, drummer Eddie Fisher, rhythm guitarist Drew Brown and lead guitarist Zach Filkins, set the stage on fire with their global hits like Kids, Good Life, If I lose myself and a piano and cello version of their biggest hit, Apologize.
The band kept the audience entranced and shared their love for the city and the people multiple times, Tedder thanking the audience in Hindi with a Shukriya and then saying, "I have only read about Mumbai till now. Nothing matches up to the last three days we have been here. We are definitely coming back with a new album. I will go to Goa, Delhi, Bangalore, all the places in this beautiful country."
The songs fans have come to know, kept flowing. You had All the Right Moves, to a cover of Beyonce’s Halo sung brilliantly while Tedder played on the ivory keys with the crowd joining in on the catchy chorus. Wish Beyonce was there to join him too.
OneRepublic delivered everything expected in an arena rock concert, dressed in a white T-shirt with South Bombay Snob inscribed on it, a brown rosary bead necklace around his neck and Fedora hat, Tedder made sure his fans had a great time.
The concert had everything one can expect, confetti cannons at the crescendo of the closing track Love Runs Out.
There is talent in OneRepublic, as could be seen with all five members claiming multi-instrumentalist skills, an experience fans will cherish for days to come.
The band gave fans their money's worth, but the short 80 minute set was a disappointing factor as fans expected much more, this being OneRepublic’s maiden concert.
The low attendance of barely 3,000 at the massive NSCI Dome in Worli was shocking, something even the band might have noticed. There were also many touts hounding fans to buy tickets outside the venue.
Mumbai band ONEmpire, who was the opening act for the American band, brought in some great original material and a mix of cover songs in their 35 minute set.