Third Eye Blind played at The Brooklyn Arts Center in Downtown Wilmington on Tuesday, Feb. 7 as a part of the mini tour they are doing in between working on their new album, which will be released this spring. US Royalty opened for them, and both bands put on a great show.
At noon the day of the concert, Third Eye Blind tweeted and posted on the home page of their website, "Another sold out show in Wilmington, NC tonight. But word on the street is they might open up some more tickets." Brooklyn Arts Center is a small venue for a concert, but a sold out show is always something to be proud of, proving that they still have a loyal fan base.
Katrina Whittier, a UNCW student and a big fan of the band, said, "Third Eye Blind is so nostalgic of the ‘90s and my childhood. It's impossible not to love them."
Third Eye Blind has been around since the mid ‘90s and has recorded four albums, all of which gained popularity among teenagers and young adults.
The band originated in San Francisco, California, and Stephan Jenkins is still the lead singer who much of their success can be attributed to due to his powerful voice and ability to write hit songs. Their debut album, entitled Third Eye Blind, is still their biggest seller, but loyal fans have followed them since then, and they continue to make new music.
Walking up to the Brooklyn Arts Center, there is a line that wraps around the building and goes all the way down the street. Once they open the doors, the line slowly moves into the venue. The Brooklyn Arts Center is a very interesting place for a concert, seeing that it was previously a church and is now used for both rock concerts and intimate weddings.
The venue's website describes it as having "soaring, 50-foot cathedral ceilings, original brick and plaster walls, stained glass windows displayed as extraordinary, 122-year-old artwork, and an exceptional balcony overlooking the expansive Sanctuary." Summing up the elegance and originality of the building, this emphasizes the importance of the history here and gives more insight to the atmosphere of the concert.
US Royalty gave a powerful performance, but most people in the crowd did not seem to know the band or their music. People filed in late, bought t-shirts in the back, got drinks, and waited anxiously in front of the stage for the headliner to start playing.
US Royalty is a relatively new band, and they just released their first album, MIRRORS, last January, so touring with this well known band was a great way for them to get their music out there and attract followers. They have a strong rock ‘n roll presence, and according to the bio on their website, "There is no reason not to leave it all on the stage every night as a testimony to the music that moves them."
There was a long wait between the two acts, as the crew moved things around on the stage and prepared for the next show, but when Third Eye Blind came out, everyone was ready for them. The crowd was so alive, and everyone was jumping around, dancing, and singing along with every song they knew.
At the concert, the songs that everyone got most excited for and everyone in the crowd seemed to know were, "Semi-Charmed Life," "Never Let You Go," "Graduate," and "Jumper." Fans were disappointed that they did not sing two of their most popular songs, "Deep Inside of You" and "How's It Going to Be," but there was so much energy put into their set list that it was not too much of a let down.
During all of their most popular songs, girls got onto guys' shoulders, people attempted crowd surfing, and mosh pits began to form, but nothing was too out of control. One girl jumped onto the stage, but she was immediately taken away by security.
The production of the show was not over the top. There was a light show the entire time, with changing colors and patterns to fit the moods of the songs, but that was it. There were no videos playing in the background, elaborate props, wardrobe changes, or theatrical productions like there are at many concerts. It was simply a band playing for their fans, and that is all musicians and fans alike ever really want.
According to Whittier the best part of the concert was, "catching one of the glow sticks that the lead singer, Stephan Jenkins, threw and when "Semi-Charmed Life" came on. I have never seen an audience at a concert light up as much as everyone did when they started playing it."
Overall, Third Eye Blind was great, and the entire concert was a fun experience for crazy fans or for people who were simply out to have a good time.
