There was what you'd call a controlled excitement in the air at the recent NYC Jon Bellion show. A homecoming at the Highline Ballroom on a fair-weathered November evening, the venue was packed with about 700 strong, a mixture of proud friends and family members, dedicated followers, and intrigued industry insiders. Everyone in the house was there to witness maybe the most important performance of Bellion's Beautiful Mind tour.
An emotionally charged Jon, powered by a charismatic group of bandmates, took the stage with what seemed like two things in mind: put on a very tight show and have a ton of fun while they were at it. Jon and his band seamlessly ran through fan favorites such as "Superman," "Luxury," "Carry Your Throne," "Human," and "Munny Right." About halfway through, Jon brought out his best friend Black Keys, a relatively unknown artist, who navigated the stage like a pro. A handful of other talented friends shared the stage and showed experienced prowess.
On numerous occasions, his inner philosopher shone through as he preached hard work, positive vibes, and strong faith. At one point, Jon discussed the trivialness of materialism that is so widely spread in hip-hop. He broke out into piano solos and utilized a voice box like a pro. The band exploded into a reggae jam somewhere on the back end, which may well have been the highlight of the show. There weren't many limitations for these artists, and they seemed to enjoy every second of their ownership of the appreciative audience.
Is there room for improvement at the end of the day? Without a doubt. More instrumentalists, bigger production, greater sound -- the opportunities seem boundless for potential like this. After witnessing Jon's passion and authenticity in person, I doubt he would tell you any different. Listen to Jon's latest album, The Definition, here.
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