By Christian Gleser
Last night, in a nearly sold-out show, 17,000 people filed into Climate Pledge Arena to experience Fred Again. This was his first show ever in Seattle. Before Fred took the stage, or should we say stages, the crowd was entertained by a very interesting opening act. Around 9 all the lights were cut, and the arena filled with anticipation as excited fans waited anxiously for the “best night of their lives”. Being our first experience with Fred Again, we didn’t know what to expect, but we learned, quickly. We were not only surprised but extremely impressed by the performance given last night.
Firstly, the production, done by his team, was full of dynamic and well-orchestrated visuals, lighting effects, and thoughtful layout. He had multiple screens, one on each far side which would be considered “Fred cams,” where you would see Fred, and two additional, ones in the middle, which would show a variety of videos filmed on a phone. Secondly, his stage presence and crowd control were commanding. He would converse with the crowd, lead the call and responses, and ensure everyone in attendance was engaged and electrified. A highlight of the night was when the song “Places to Be” featuring Anderson Paak and Chika, played; the crowd was electric, Fred then moved to the other stage highlighted by an intense light show. During this song, and before the last beat drop, he asked all 17,000 people in the audience to get down low to the ground. The crowd followed this instruction, and it ended up being a really cool moment.
The night was filled with memorable moments. If you ever get the chance to see Fred Again live, don’t hesitate! Last night was more than just a concert; it was an unforgettable night of music and energy. Fred Again plays a second show at Climate Pledge tonight. If you are able to go, we recommend it wholeheartedly.