Owl City and Lights, Not Just for Teens

Adam Young of Owl City @ The Paramount

I approached the Paper Route/Lights/Owl City show with trepidation. I like the music of all three acts and I was looking forward to getting some shots and listening to the music, but I had a concern. I love shows, even if the music is mediocre, when the musician is able to engage the audience and have a great time in the process. From the half-dozen photos and videos I was able to trudge up from the depths of the web of Owl City's lead-singer Adam Young, he was obstructed by a set of keyboards or hiding his face behind strategically placed hair. Honestly, it's hard to know if someone with digitally-based music is going to get out from behind their instrument or computer and really perform.

As the lights went down, a set of blue and white drums lit up and Young hopped in the driver's seat as a pair of lovely ladies came on stage carrying a cello and a violin. I'm not sure many in the mostly teen-aged audience even knew it was him playing until he jumped down and ran to the front of the stage. If they hadn't noticed, then the screams that echoed throughout The Paramount overpowering everything else (including the musicians) gave them no doubt that he'd arrived.

Adam Young of Owl City @ the Paramount

My fears of a low-key, somewhat boring performance, were quickly abated as he grabbed the mic and sang that first note. He moved around the stage like it was a dance, getting into the beats and the excitement of the crowd. He didn't stop during the whole set, moving from the mic, to keyboards, to guitar, and back again. The cellist and violinist got into the performance as well with synchronized dances and playing with the audience. His energy was infectious, causing screams of love and adoration from most of the front row.  The buzz of the fans and the non-stop enthusiasm of Young and his band members made for one entertaining show.

I do have one comment to make on a slightly personal note: I'm a huge fan of the Postal Service and many people in the press have described Owl City as synonymous with the Ben Gibbard side project. I'll have to respectfully, but heartily, disagree. While the style may be similar, the lyrics and overall feel of the bands are completely different. If you like one, you may like the other, but it's not a surety in any respect.

LIGHTS @ The Paramount

I was pleasantly surprised by the second act, LIGHTS, and I think she deserves a mention. The Canadian born singer, full name Lights Valerie Poxleitner, looked very young and very small on the huge stage. She had some accompanying musicians (a guitarist, keyboardist, and drummer), but the 22 year-old artist at maybe 5'4'' could have completely hidden herself behind the double keyboard set-up in front of her. Her voice told a different story when she belted out her first few songs.

The lyrics were enchanting, which always adds to my listening pleasure. The obvious joy she found in performing didn't hurt one bit.  As she swayed and jumped around her instruments, the smile that would more than occasionally break across her face lit up the otherwise semi-dark stage. She's a favorite of many teenaged boys, as she's a fan of WoW (that's right, World of Warcraft) and openly jokes and sings about it. Don't let that deter you from giving it a try.  She describes her music as "a nervous sheep straddling a rocket to bring a daisy to a wolf in stilettos waiting lonely on the moon." There's a definite pop-style to the music, so it may not be for you, but I really enjoyed the show. I recommend you at least take a listen to a few songs off the full-length, The Listening.