AJR Returns to Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre
AJR returned to Denver for another show at the Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre, and they came in full force. Their show was part of their tour promoting their latest album, “The Maybe Man,” and the band played a range of songs from across their discography.
The crowd was overflowing as people headed into the amphitheatre to see AJR perform. Children, grandparents and people of all ages gathered in the stands, and the diverse audience was a testament to the wide range of people AJR’s music appeals to.
Starting with an energetic performance of “Way Less Sad,” a song from their 2023 album, “OK ORCHESTRA,” that encapsulates the weird state of feeling better than you were but not quite being happy either, hence the title. The exciting opening came after performances by openers Madilyn Mae, Valley and Cavetown.
After thoroughly amping up the crowd and dancing across every inch of the stage, the band launched into singing “Karma” from their “Neotheather” album released in 2019. The song is an upbeat, quirky and existential piece that expresses the complex emotions of trying to do good deeds despite continually facing adversity, as well as feeling guilty for wanting your good deeds to not go unnoticed.
After playing several more songs, the band used their track “100 Bad Days,” to do the “how we made it” portion of their show, where they clue in the audience on the production process for one of their songs. The “how we made it” intro has become a staple of AJR shows where fans can expect to be delighted by the innovative (and goofy) ways that the band mixes their music.
Personally, the intro has always felt really special because it’s a conversation between the band and audience that gives people a more intimate insight into how some of their favorite songs came to be. The game feels a little like you’re playing 20 questions as you try to guess what song they’re mixing, and it makes you feel inspired to try making your own music.
AJR has always had a special way of including fans in their performances, often engaging in impromptu banter with audience members through casual conversation and games. Their show and Fiddler’s Green was no exception, and the band made sure to call out notable attendees, including people wearing breadloaf hats, and people holding signs for a “paper airplane contest.”
The paper airplane contest has also become a regular occurrence at shows, where fans are able to try and fly a paper airplane further than Jack Met, the lead vocalist of AJR, for a prize and recognition. The contest is a fun way to break up the band’s set, give people an opportunity to interact with the band and garner some laughs from the audience.
A huge part of why people go to AJR’s shows is not just because they unabashedly dance around the stage, but also because they engage in improv that you wouldn’t otherwise get to experience if you weren’t at one of their shows.
AJR also understands the value of letting people experience their favorite songs across different albums live, and they have a unique style of doing it through mashups.
As part of the finale of their performance, the band performed a mashup that included the songs, “Burn The House Down” from their album “The Click,” as well as a mash up of “Come Hang Out / I'm Not Famous / I'm Ready / Break My Face / Finale (Can't Wait to See What You Do Next).”
The exciting mix of songs featured some of AJR’s most complex musical compositions. Elements of electronic, pop, orchestral and various other sounds showcased AJR’s nuanced understanding of music production, which has allowed them to have the distinct sound they’re known for.
After the insane mashup, the band then went on to play a shortened version of “Steve’s Going to London” and an extended outro of “Sober Up,” before performing “Weak” for their encore.
AJR’s performance this past Thursday was an affirmation of their status as a staple indie band with a sound that’s distinct, yet hard to fully pin down.
AJR has continued to be an experimental band with a knack for tackling feelings and experiences that are hard to describe in a tasteful, upbeat way. Their music digs deep into what it means to navigate the human experience and translates it into something that’s easily digestible and resonates with audiences across various demographics. And furthermore, their performances allow people to be immersed in their unique, often ironic, musical universe.
