Writing a massively popular song – one that gets your band its first real attention – can put you in a pretty precarious situation. It obviously puts the pressure on, as fans and critics alike start to ponder, “Is this all they’ve got? Do we have nothing more than a one-hit-wonder on our hands, or will they come back with hits equally as good as this one?” It’s easy to consider this with fun., and their gigantic hit “We Are Young,” a track that’s likely been played a record number of times at proms and graduations this year.
After witnessing the band play like they intend to be around for some time to come, however, it seems they may just have the talent to keep on keeping on. And not just talent, but sheer enjoyment in what they do. The lead singer, more than anyone else, spent the ENTIRE set skip-dancing all over the stage, sharing his exuberant personality with everyone watching. The crowd was getting pretty intense with their love for the music, too – several times I watched as fans sang the lyrics, not back at the stage, but to their friends, with deep and soul-searching looks in their eyes. It was almost concerning.
The band did deliver a great performance, however, and it seems their very rawkin’ guitarist could give the band much more depth, if they’d let him. Late in the set, lead singer Nate Ruess announced they had a confession to make, in that “this is the largest crowd we’ve ever played to.” It wouldn’t be too much of a surprise if soon, their crowd size doubled from that of the Bigfoot stage this day.
