I first saw Jason Mraz live roughly seven or eight years ago. “The Remedy” was his “I’m Yours,” and acoustic performances were more common that those with a full band. I’m pretty sure I had change from $100, and that bought me not just the show but my dinner at The Vanguard.
A lot has changed since that time. The venues are bigger, the catalogue of songs is larger, and acoustic performances are increasingly rare. So it was pretty special to recapture some of what drew me to his music in the first place with Saturday night’s performance at the Sydney Opera House.
The Opera House is a long way from The Vanguard, but at least in my seats the show felt just as intimate as that first one. I wish I had some photos of my own to give you a sense of the show as I saw it, but I figured the Opera House’s usual no cameras policy would be enforced. Anyway, Jason joked easily with the crowd and his first mate and percussionist Toca. He encouraged us all to sing along and follow his lead as he scatted. He also delivered a selection of songs that should have satisfied most of the fans he’s picked up along the way.
We were treated to a generous helping of songs from his as yet unreleased album, but as he graced the stage for almost three hours I couldn’t fault that. Their acoustic treatment meant we could really listen to the unfamiliar lyrics and appreciate what he’s been building while away from the public eye.
All three studio albums were represented (although if I’m critical I would have appreciated more numbers from the first two), and the diehard fans were also treated to a few beloved rarities. I was thrilled to hear one of my personal favourites “1000 Things,” one song I never expected to make the set list. “Mr Curiosity” stripped back on the piano was another highlight, as was my all-time favourite Mraz number “You and I Both.”
There was no “The Remedy” this time, and I thought about the days when he couldn’t play a show without it. These days it’s been replaced with “I’m Yours,” a number which is still as much fun despite the radio saturation. As the extended version wound down Jason and Toca played recorded looped audio and their words rang out as they left the stage: “You are Loved.” It was more than simply the tour’s name. It was a reminder that they appreciate all the fans have given them, especially here where their music has been embraced for close to a decade. It was a lovely parting sentiment, and one that reinforced the giving way they played for us. I’m sure most people who left the Concert Hall were every bit as grateful for the night’s amazing performance.
Image source: Matthew Straubmuller @ Flickr
