Concert Review: Gnash Sings To The Heartbroken Optimist At Irving Plaza

You ever rewatch a movie, and finally understand the ending? It is as if, for some reason, in that viewing, the dots connected, new clues were seen, and the mystery took a clearer meaning. I saw Gnash at Billboard fest, and even reviewed his debut, but, at Irving Plaza, I felt like I discovered his work. While most are singing about sadness and positivity, he is singing about the a heartbroken positive.

With a crowd openly joining his Broken Hearts Club, walking into a Gnash show is like walking into a Friends convention. Everyone is super polite, generous, and exceptionally kind; qualities they find in their fearless leader, Gnash. This artist is all smiles throughout his show; consistently tossing lines like, “Are you ready to have fun?,” as if he was also the host checking in on the party. He emanates an energy of optimism that feels supernatural and makes me envious. We all wish we could be positive, but it seems like such a deluded thing to be; often portrayed as a person that does not know reality. Yet, Gnash sings for the positive person that knows heartbreak.

Being positive does not mean you do not know or notice suffering; it is simply a perspective that helps you get through it. From “I Hate U, I Love U” to “T-Shirt,” Gnash sung to the man and woman that loves life, but needs a musical uplift when life does not love him or her back. He creates pop tracks that spruce as if guitar melodies were made of pine, and always felt bright, fresh, and unbelievably alert of emotionality, which is why the audience sang through songs such as, “Be,” “Wait,” “Pajamas,” and “Dear Insecurity.” While everyone felt settled in a natural giddiness, Gnash provided a catharsis for the gleeful going through a hard time.

Honestly, I was shook by Gnash’s show. It is not everyone that could make positivity look cool or reveal it as a survival choice. You have to keep going in life, whether you like it or not, and Gnash creates simple verses and chords that help you see that. Vocally, his voice feels like heat rising from the sun to bring warmth and light to those that are willing to receive it. The result is a concert that feels quick, easy, and completely successful in returning a pep to your step. For More Information On Gnash Click Here.