Crowd-surfing, graffiti, megaphones, tambourines, dancing, confetti-filled balloons, bright lights and loud music were all a part of Imagine Dragons’ homecoming show.
The Imagine Dragons show at the UCCU Center in Orem on Monday, May 20th, sold out weeks in advance, but the bands were surprised by the turnout and the crowd’s support.
Dan Reynolds, the lead singer of Imagine Dragons, expressed his love and gratitude for the fans and their encouragement.
“Every time we come to Utah — there’s something special about this place, and I can’t quite wrap my mind around it,” Reynolds said. “You guys have made it feel like home today. I feel rejuvenated, and I mean that.”
Reynolds encouraged the audience to let loose, enjoy themselves and unwind from whatever was on their minds.
“There should always be at least one night a year where you can be free and unwind,” he said.
The band played crowd favorites like “Radioactive,” “Bleeding Out,” “Demons,” “On Top of the World” and “It’s Time.” During “Radioactive,” Reynolds was hoisted from the ceiling and began to soar above the group. Audience members of all ages loved the show and thought the band had an incredible performance.
Brittany Freestone, a senior from Sandy, said she loved the passion she could feel from the band.
“You could tell (Reynolds) was super emotional, and he was invested into the performance,” Freestone said.
Another senior from Alberta, Canada, Lindsay Regehr, spoke of the band’s lyrics, “I’m never changing who I am,” and the song “It’s Time” being a story about getting big.
“(Reynolds) probably wrote it when they were getting huge, but he’s not changing,” she said. “He’s still the same person.”
The Moth and the Flame and Nico Vega, two bands that have worked with Imagine Dragons in the past, opened the show.
The lead singer of The Moth and the Flame, Brandon Robbins, said he was grateful to be back in the states after a month-long tour in the UK, but especially back in Utah and playing for the band’s home crowd. Robbins encouraged spectators to follow their dreams.
“I hope you all have dreams,” he said. “You owe it to yourself to reach those dreams. I know you can do it, so do it.”
Aja Volkman, the lead singer of Nico Vega and the wife of Dan Reynolds, said she was nervous about playing in front of the crowd before going on stage. Reynolds told her she had no need to be scared because “this is Utah and everyone will love you.”
Reynolds closed the show by again expressing his gratitude for the area.
“This is the most special place we’ve been,” he said. “I promise you that we’ll be back as many times as you’ll have us, Utah.”
