Concert Review: Radio. Com Presents Not So Silent Night At Barclays

CHVRCHES

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NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 06: Lauren Mayberry of CHVRCHES performs onstage at Not So Silent Night presented by Radio.com at Barclays Center on December 6, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Pont/Getty Images for Radio.com )

LOVED IT! Talk about an ELECTRIC NIGHT! Radio.Com Presented Not So Silent Night at Barclays, and it was worth the ticket. With a line-up of the premier pop-rockers, the Alt 92.3 event took a bunch of artists that have sold out Barclays on their own, and made them play their greatest hits to a people EAGER to hear them.

From CHVRCHES to MUSE, the night was FILLED with artists that tear the roof down with how much energy they give. Thus, Not So Silent Night lived up to its name because there was never quiet a moment. Each artists had 30-40 minutes to play to the  crowd THEIR FAVES. From Mike Shinoda’s solo rendition of “In The End” to Bastille’s “Pompeii,” this radio station led night was made for the music that defines your day. It was exhilarating to see Death Cab For Cutie, Foster The People, and AJR all within a three hour window. IMAGINE THAT! It was as if all your senses were being activated by a dream scenario. Honestly, when are you going to see Florence + The Machine open up for Muse. Both of them are headliners. Actually, all of the artists were, but Not So Silent Night made these mainstream acts appear as if they were auditioning for your mainstay. 

With a rotating stage and smooth pace, I admired how well run Not So Silent Night was as an event. Yet, it was that same quick, easy feel that made the artists feel accessible. For an event that was by all means MAJOR!, it felt every casual, and I appreciated it. I have been to so many festivals, and you can feel it: for better or worse. Although this was, technically, not a festival, these concert nights can jam-pack so many artists that they become congested and even, a little, chaotic. Of course, you appreciate the ticket, and Not So Silent Night, was of friendly price, but I enjoyed that it was a friendly ambiance, as well. It was if people were having a spa day, and the masseuse was rock itself. 

Here Are Some Quick Reviews of The Acts: 

Chvrches: 

Lauren Mayberry feels like someone combusted in pop sparkles and rock electricity. With pastels painting her back-drop, her candied vocality felt refreshingly sweet, especially because only two women were in the line-up. Thus, that difference, was heard and welcomed. 

FLORENCE + THE MACHINE:

Bury me to “Dog Days Are Over.” Seriously! Florence Welch is, literally, a woodland fairy running and twirling around the stage while maintaining perfect pitch. Her stamina shamed me, and her voice pierced with spiritualism as she went into the crowd and grabbed hands as if she was giving us her soul for safekeeping. WOW! 

Muse: 

Muse felt like a marching band of “kickass.” The final act of the night, they were the ultimate, music jolt to have you leaving Barclays unable to sleep for work. (LOL!) Although a Thursday event, everyone walked out feeling like it was a Saturday, with Matt Bellamy’s voice waking you up to go to a bar and brunch! 

Foster The People:

You will not find too many bands that make you feel sexy and moody, all at once. As their seedy, invigorating rhythms blazed throughout the arena, you simply wanted to tussle you hair into the wind, go leather-clad, and let Mark Foster’s voice soundtrack the day you, finally, confront all your haters. 

AJR:

The first act, they set up the tone that this was a fun event. There is an inherent jubilee to their dynamic, and their music and lighting opened the show to say, “This is going to be a good time.” Again, it was distinctly wonderful to go through an experience that felt big but not over-powering. 

Death Cab For Cutie: 

You can never go wrong hearing “Soul Meets Body” on blast with thousands of people singing along. It is impossible to not feel a little more positive after hearing Benjamin Gibbard sing. 

Mike Shinoda:

Running solo, Mike Shinoda, automatically, stood out as one of the more intimate acts. It is not easy to get an entire stadium to pay attention to you: one man with a bunch of instruments and a voice. This may sound too basic, but that was the launchpad for Mike’s act and he soared. 

Bastille:

Next to AJR, Bastille felt like one of the lightest acts. They have such optimism in their tracks, and they were certainly one of the more danceable artists. You cannot NOT bust a move when Dan Smith sings verses that make life feel conquerable. 

For More Information On Alt 92.3 Not So Silent Night Click Here