One Republic at the O2 Arena

One Republic are currently on a European tour entitled Native, to promote their third album; Wednesday saw them take over the O2 Arena in Greenwich. The venue was packed and the excitement tangible as the guys took to the stage. The extraordinary Ryan Tedder and his astounding vocal range command your attention throughout and he isn’t afraid to get right into the crowd. However, even in all black the rest of the band are not outshone, allowing you to concentrate on what’s important – their music.

On a tour that will hit so many venues, the stage set up is kept relatively simple. With the instruments being the main focus, the visuals play an important part in creating the atmosphere. They’re best used during Counting Stars where metallic animals chase superimposed images of each band member. During Good Life a video of London landmarks plays in the background, while Tedder shows off his incredible songwriting skills. He has taken what was a diary entry, and created an ode to London, life and the opportunities he’s been given.

The band are not afraid of a cover, blending Sam Smith’s Stay into Apologise and following it with a George Ezra’s Budapest, which they manage to make all their own. Each band member displays their individual musical talent during the show, on instruments including the cello, drums, Spanish guitar, piano and the tambourine. Particularly, Zach Filkin’s Spanish guitar solo puts a loop pedal to good use, creating a mesmerising intermission and a close-up of his nimble fingers allow you to take in just how breathtakingly talented he is.

The show was well paced as even on slower songs the energy never wanes. This is best demonstrated in the encore, which begins with the sexy, fast-paced Love Runs Out. It then slows for a rendition of Louis Armstrong’s What a Wonderful World, a sentiment that seems to encapsulate the entire show. The big finale is If I Lose Myself with both the lights and the audience going wild and intense drum beats building up to a crescendo of confetti rain, as they send you on your way in a vibrant flurry of exhilaration.

Yassine Senghor

For further information about One Republic and future events visit here.

Watch the video for I Lived here: