First up was the down to earth, Melbourne-hometown boys, British India, who warmed up the maxed out Margaret Court Arena as support for Las Vegas’s Imagine Dragons.
For a support act, they certainly were recognised by the young crowd of adoring teens. There wouldn’t be a band in Australia, other than British India, more suitable to open for an international act such as Imagine Dragons — they delivered their modern Aussie rock in classic style.
Photos from Imagine Dragons and British India.
The crowd in attendance ranged from young kiddies, as early as 8, to mums and dads (me being one of the oldies, if 40 is old) and all those in-between — the majority being teenage girls and boys. For the first few songs of the impressive Imagine Dragons set the tweens and teens screamed, and the adults perched back on their seats. But, before you knew it, all ages soon become engaged in song and cheer.
The front row was treated by the prevalent presence of lead singer, Dan Reynolds, for the majority of the show while he danced and entertained upon the stage jetty to the centre of the area. Arms stretched out as the frontman lingered just out of reach of the hungry teens grasp.
Imagine DragonsThe sound was big, and the quality of the vibrations were nothing short of astonishing. I see a lot of bands, but on this night, I was hooked! The pounding bass of the drums kept me focused, and the guitars lured me in — I was taken aback.
Being the old-fart I am, I was pleasantly surprised when the American outfit covered the mighty Midnight Oil’s, 'Beds Are Buring'. Most of the young crowd had no idea who the song was written by and just what it means to Australia’s Indigenous people, but none the less, they certainly enjoyed the thunder of such a big anthem. It fit into the set perfectly.
Of course 'Demons' and 'Radioactive' were crowd favourites but no song was any more a crowd pleaser than the next. When Reynolds yelled, “put your hands up!", everyone, I mean everyone, from the front right up to the top of the stadium, instantly put their hands in the air.
British India A fantastic performance by a highly energetic, uplifting, polished band. Imagine Dragons live; a recommended experience.
Imagine Dragons Tour Dates
Thurs 4 Sep – Qantas Credit Union Arena (Sydney)Fri 5 – Brisbane Riverstage
Imagine Dragons Set List
ShotsTrouble
It's Time
Forever Young (Alphaville cover)
Smoke & Mirrors
Roots (live debut)
Polaroid
Beds Are Burning (Midnight Oil cover)
I'm So Sorry
Gold
Bleeding Out (acoustic chorus)
Demons
On Top Of The World
Friction
I Bet My Life
Radioactive
Encore:
The Fall
