LIVE REPORT: JONAS BROTHERS AT L'ACCORHOTEL ARENA IN PARIS

I have got to admit, I love small shows in tiny, sweaty venues. It is where I feel I am the closest to the artists. Also, in these intimate concerts, almost every time, something surprising happens. They never, ever proceed as planned. I tend to find big productions a bit boring, especially because you can guess almost everything that is bound to happen.

So, why did I go this sold out Jonas Brother concert in the second biggest venue in Paris? Firstly, because this venue is the place for some of my best memories from shows (concerts or sport events) since I was a kid. Secondly, thanks to the means of an American super production, The Jonas Brothers show was expected to be impressive. That it was.

The first to get up on stage that night was Jordan McGraw. It was a bit difficult to completely appreciate his commercial music, even more with a not-so-great cover of “Don’t Look Back in Anger” from Oasis. Just the day before, Liam Gallagher ripped the stage of another Parisian venue (Le Zenith) with many hits from Oasis’ discography. The comparison was definitely not in Jordan McGraw’s advantage.

The second opener, Picture This, is a pop-rock band in pure Irish fashion.  With melodies not far from The Script’s songs, they played a short set filled with some of their best hits from MDRN LV and Picture This. “Take my hand”, especially, was a beautiful moment with the phones of many spectators lighting up the arena.

After 10 years of absence in the French venues, the comeback show for the Jonas Brothers in Paris was a success. It was sold out, it was striking, and it was smooth. On a huge stage, the three brothers and their musicians performed perfectly. The guitarist, the bassist, and the singer kept on running from one side to the other, sometimes sitting with the guys on the stairs of the stage in the softer moments. The only downside is that every single move seemed choreographed. Spontaneity is not something able to be expressed here. However, it was the last show of the tour and it sometimes showed. For example, a guitar tech went up on stage disguised in a crocodile onesie (yes, yes).

Some (old) songs brought back some awesome memories from my 13-years old self. That was definitely a trip down memory lane with some great moments, with songs such as “SOS”, “Gotta Find You”, or snippets from “Play My Music”. A full AccorHotel Arena – 20,000 people – singing along with the band is beautiful moment, no matter the song. It ended with explosive fireworks and confetti for the greatest pleasure of the fans.

My music tastes changed (luckily!) from my early teenage years. The Jonas Borthers are definitely not what I listen to right now, but, hey, a bit nostalgia and guilty pleasures never killed anyone, no?