Oak & Ash served as his opening act, where they were able to warm up the stage with their crisp, haunting vocals.
“Hello,” Phillip Phillips told his fans, as he took the stage with his band. He encouraged them to stand up and dance, and kicked off his Beacon Theatre set with “Get Up Get Down,” as blue lights dimmed from the stage. Phillips was backed by his talented four-piece band.
He immediately broke into “Lead On,” and “Don’t Tell Me,” which had a bluesy and sultry vibe to it. He asked the audience to help him out on “Where We Came From,” and they honored his request.
“Raging Fire” was mid-tempo and fun, where orange and fuchsia lights graced the stage. “For the last chorus, I want you to sing it as loud as you possibly can,” he said, and the crowd yet again, obliged. This song was well-received by all, and rightfully so.
“I love New York so much,” Phillips admitted. “The best people are here,” he added, and went on to express his gratitude and love for his fans. “I love you,” he said.
Equally noteworthy was the infectious “Into The Wild,” which he incorporated as a crowd singalong. During this song, the Beacon Theatre audience served as his background vocalists, where they sang the words “change you” and “tame you” back to him, and it worked out well.
An American Idol Season 11 winner, Phillips noted that he has new music out, in the form of his latest studio offering Collateral, which was released earlier in the year on Interscope Records. He subsequently noted that it is “the best thing you’ll hear this year.” “At least that is what my mom told me,” he explained.
One of the stand-out vocals of the night included his vivacious rendition of “Gone, Gone, Gone,” where the audience was clapping along; moreover, his delivery of this smash single went on to earn him a standing ovation.
It was followed by the trumpet-driven “Magnetic,” which ended in a neat instrumental jam. “I hope all of you are having a good time,” he said, wholeheartedly, and the answer was a resounding “yeah.”
He noted that he wrote the following song, “Tell Me a Story,” in a hotel in Los Angeles, however, he recorded it in New York City. The song’s lyrics were pure poetry, and his storytelling ability was quite convincing and compelling. “Thank you,” he said.
“Thank you again for coming out tonight. Give it up for these awesome guys on stage,” he said, complimented his gifted band members, and praised his “awesome crew” for their work. “Thank you to Bud Light as well. Thank y’all. I love you,” Phillips said, effusively.
He was able to get everybody on their feet as he serenaded them to his signature song, and Idol coronation tune, “Home,” which felt like a national anthem tonight at the Beacon Theatre.
Phillips concluded his set with the up-tempo and carefree “My Name.” For his encore, he returned to the Beacon Theatre stage for “What Will Become of Us,” and closed with a distinct cover of “Thriller,” where he tipped his hat to the late “King of Pop” Michael Jackson.
The Verdict
Overall, Phillip Phillips put on a charismatic live performance at the Beacon Theatre in New York City, for “Bud Light Presents: One Night Only.” The show was a blend of his older hits, and his newer songs from Collateral, all of which he sang with ease and comfort. Phillips had the crowd with him every step of the way, and they all loved him in return. His passion for his craft, and his humility as a recording artist, was evident throughout the entire duration of the show. His Beacon Theatre concert in New York garnered five out of five stars.
Collateral is available on iTunes.
To learn more about Phillip Phillips and his music, check out his official website.
For more information on Bud Light, follow them on Twitter and check out their homepage.
