09.09.19 – Detroit, Mi. Grace VanderWaal brought her high flying and energetic show to St. Andrews Hall – and fans were just as energetic throughout this powerful set. After touring with bands like Imagine Dragons and Florence and the Machine, VanderWaal is headlining all across America on the Ur So Beautiful Tour.
After winning Season 11 of America’s Got Talent, VanderWaal went on to record the E.P. Perfectly Imperfect and 2017’s full length album Just The Beginning. Her voice sounds great on those recordings but her live voice is even more impressive. She has something that you are born with and can’t teach. Tone. Her vocal tone is special and will earn her even more accolades and awards in the future. That combined with those big tours I mentioned above, this is making for one heck of a career, so far. Oh did I mention that Grace VanderWaal is only FIFTEEN? Yeah.. I’m in awe as well. (I literally said to myself during her performance..”how the heck does she have a voice like this??”)
Throughout the set, VanderWaal confidently patrols the stage and makes timely jumps along to the music and lets you know what pure joy actually looks like. In fact, seeing her – side stage, as the band begins the show lets you know she is having the time of her life. As the band begins to play, Grace jumps up and down and it’s evident she cannot wait to get out there! The band executes the set list with perfection and takes the opportunity to connect with the crowd at any given moment.
I asked some of the concert-goers before the show how excited they were to see VanderWaal perform on a scale of 1-10. I got a lot of 11’s. After seeing their faces during the show, I would say that the band did not disappoint. I also asked what message they would want to give to VanderWaal if given the chance. It was almost unanimous. “I love you.”
Opening the show and on his first ever tour was the talented singer-songwriter, Patrick Martin. It was the first time I’ve heard him play and I have to say, I see big things in store for this emerging artist. A couple of things stood out about Martin. First, his songwriting capability is solid. Second, his voice was strong the entire set and he made some impressive transitions between his head voice and chest voice. Third, his band wasn’t big in numbers but the sound was full and engaging. Lastly, he grasps the importance of being visible to fans and potential fans, aside from being on stage. He made sure to come back out and meet with fans and reward their good cheer with t-shirts and smiles. Good things are headed Mr. Martin’s way.
-Tommy Marz
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