Mraz lifts spirits at the Shell
Photo Credit: Photo courtesy of Atlantic Records
Jason Mraz's latest album, "Love is a Four Letter Word," dropped to US audiences on April 13, 2012.
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Chanelle Huang & Claire Furukawa, Arts & Entertainment Editors
July 29, 2012
Filed under Arts & Entertainment, Top Stories
“I don’t ask for much; just be honest with me.” Yes, it is true that this is what every Iolani teacher wants from their students. But this is also a lyric from one of the fresh, new songs on Jason Mraz’s fourth studio album, ‘Love is a Four Letter Word.’ During his 2012 worldwide tour, ‘Tour is a Four Letter Word,’ the laid-back soul singer made a stop in Hawaii and hit the stage at Oahu’s own Waikiki Shell on July 1st. One of his most popular jams, “I’m Yours,” was accompanied by a blend of new songs from his latest album. Grasping the full concert experience, we were seated on our own blankets in the middle of the lawn. Mraz appeared as blinding lights shined onstage in the moment all of his eager fans were waiting for.
While he sang his album’s multitude of songs, a magical medley of pictures, such as of a moon and butterflies, was displayed in the background. After one song about a moon, he followed it up by asking, “Speaking of the moon, where is it tonight?” In response, the audience members all pointed to the moon simultaneously. The artist described the audience’s synchronized movement as “a choreographed dance move”. Showing off his ability to multi-task, Mraz also managed to eat cantelopes while singing. During parts of the concert, cameramen frantically ran from crowd to crowd, and fans stood up and started shouting and dancing as the cameras simply glanced over them. Mraz encouraged the audience to just do whatever they felt like, saying that life is short. He also urged everyone to be free-spirited and to dance along with the ending songs.
So, students, take Mraz’s advice, and remember to enjoy life as you all embark on a new adventures with the beginning of another school year. Some, especially Ayami Hatanaka ’14, showed off their crazy dance moves and screamed out their lungs. The audience members also participated in singing themselves. Mraz performed some vocal exercises. Males and females switched turns. Men made high-pitched girly screams while women roared like ferocious lions. Together, everyone also picked his or her “favorite jungle creature” and imitated it. When Mraz ended the concert with his upbeat hit single “I’m Yours” and walked off stage, the crowd joined forces and shouted together, “Hana hou! Hana hou! Hana hou!” After a few minutes, Mraz finally entered the stage once again and sang two more songs for Hawaii. As satisfied audience members picked up their belongings and headed on out, Hatanaka commented, “Dude, this was definitely worth not staying at home and studying!” The concert experience itself and Mraz’s sweet vibes left fans such as Hatanaka renewed and encouraged, as she cried out, “He inspired me to become a better person!”
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