X Ambassadors have infinite soul in their music. We can hear it through Spotify, or Apple Music, or YouTube, or any other streaming service, but to hear them live… it’s a completely different experience. The band consists of brothers Sam and Casey Harris, and Adam Levin who started the band in 2009 Ithaca, New York. Sam, the lead singer, tells of their story during the concert including preface to his song “Follow the Sound of My Voice” detailing his family learning his brother would be blind his whole life. They started the band in High School, and have come such a long way since then including 17 years as a band, sold out shows, having their songs featured in movies, and other remarkable achievements. 

Sam was the spokesman during the whole show. There was only one technical issue that occurred and he handled it like a champ saying “okay wait we have to start over… we’ve got a little techNICal DifFicUltyyyy” in a high voice instantly making the audience laugh and probably helped him to rest assured that it was not much of an issue at all. Lighting was synched incredibly to the beat and flow of each song, reflecting buildup or a more intense vocal or instrumental bit for a song. There were plenty of moments where each member had a spotlight, making their skills and addition to the set known. Each individuals instrument added to whatever story was being told in the instance, never overshadowed or less important than another. Casey is an incredible pianist who noticeably has a history with jazz piano as his moments in the spotlight included hints of jazz and blues. He had his stick by him the whole concert and was led by the shoulder by his brother or other bandmates both on and off of the stage to ensure his safety. 

Now there’s no doubt that these men are great storytellers, they have quite the soft spot for love songs. About midway through the set, Sam mentions “I do believe in the power of a good ass love song” leading into the story of him and his high school sweetheart who have been together since 1994, adopted a son in 2008 preceding their marriage. The soul change when you become an audience member at a X Ambassadors show is relieving. It feels reassuring after all of the times belting their songs through my growing up. A recording does not do the harmony in addition to depth justice. Some artists use cracks in their voice as part of their identity, some get embarrassed if it ever happens to them, I honestly couldn’t tell if it was ever a mistake because of the emotion flowing through the crowd by the men on the stage. 

Before the openers came on stage and performed, I had noticed a girl around 10 years old sitting on the other side of the barricade, where the security stands. After asking them how she got such a great seat they told me that when they can, they will let a couple little kids sit there for the openers and first few songs of the main acts set to get a truly amazing first concert experience. One of the security guards told me that she went to the basement earlier to meet all of the performers, get autographs, and just talk to them. Seeing her face light up the whole night and feeling the bass through the barricade was such a surreal experience. I’m sure many of us can picture the moments that we feel the music more than just the sentimental value it has, but physically. It definitely helped that New West and X Ambassadors were very active through the entirety of their performance, dancing, jumping, running, sliding on the stage, etc. 

I’m sure artists are used to having to be vulnerable during shows as they tell backstories of songs and that brings up more emotions and such, but the realization came to me that after telling these stories at numerous shows, the likelihood of crying at multiple would decrease as time goes by. Retelling the story of one of his biggest supporters and mentors, Mr. Todd, tears fell from Sam’s eyes as he played the last voicemail from him before he passed away. Again, the power behind each voice of the performance was constant and rang through the venue even when you would think their energy would time out due to emotions or dancing all around the stage. This is a show that you should go to if you have the chance for the power and soul that resurfaces and echos through the crowd. 

Review & Photos by: Miriam Wasden

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