The concert was presented by the radio station, 106.1 BLI, and Bebe Rexha served as their opening act, where she was able to warm up the stage for Lukas Graham.
They opened their set with “Better Than Yourself,” which Lukas sang on the left side of the stage by the microphone in a haunting yet expressive performance. He went on to acknowledge that this was their second show on Long Island this week, and they changed the pace with the mid-tempo tune, “Drunk in The Morning,” as the stage was graced in yellow and orange lights, as he was accompanied with a trombone, saxophone and trumpet. “Cheers, everyone,” Lukas said, as he took a sip of alcohol.
Lukas shared that he writes song about his life, as well as songs that matter to him. He was pleased with the fact that a fan in the audience brought a Danish flag, which made the band feel as home. “There are five million Danish people in the world,” he said, prior to noting that everywhere they play, they always see at least one fan from Denmark, thus making them feel at home.
He revealed that his father had passed away, and that had a major impact on his songwriting. He went on to sing the “happier song” about his father’s passing, which was “Don’t You Worry ‘Bout Me,” whose lyrics were filled with positivity. In this song, he was able to take the weakest moment in his life, and make a strong point out of it. It was followed by the sad song about his father’s death, the melancholic “You’re Not There,” where red lights dimmed from the stage.
After taking off his shirt, Lukas acknowledged that he has sung tunes about his father’s death, as well as being drunk in the morning, however, he had yet to write a song about his mom. He paid homage to his mother with his latest radio single, the soulful “Mama Said,” which featured his neat falsetto, as the audience was singing along and waving their hands up in the air. “To the worst and the best in me,” he said, following this performance, and took another sip of his drink.
He continued with “Strip No More,” and he inquired as to whether or not their New York fans have enjoyed their show at the Paramount so far. It was met with a resounding yes, and he closed with “Funeral,” prior to returning for their encore, which was their signature song “7 Years,” which was sheer perfection, that garnered them a lengthy standing ovation.
The Verdict
Overall, Lukas Graham were able to deliver at The Paramount. Their show was upbeat, charismatic and high-energy. Lukas’ vocals were warm, sultry and emotional. They were able to form a strong connection with their Long Island fan-base. They deserve a Grammy nomination for “Best New Artist” at next year’s ceremony, and “7 Years” should earn nominations for “Song of the Year” and “Record of the Year.” They earned 5 out of 5 stars.
To learn more about Lukas Graham and their music, check out their official homepage.
