Concert Review: Neon Trees plays intimate, nearly flawless show at Red Bull Sound Space

Neon Trees
Red Bull Sound Space

For most people, very few occasions justify taking a four-hour lunch break. Yet, for one man, the perfect opportunity arose to do just this when he won tickets to see Neon Trees perform at the Red Bull Sound Space at KROQ radio station.

This private venue provides for an intimate concert experience few people get the chance to experience. At the front of the pack, concert-goers were close enough to see the sweat fly off of lead singer Tyler Glenn while he jumped across the stage.

Throughout the concert, the band could easily slide between moments of animated fun and music to very touching interactions with the audience and each other. At one point, Glenn reached out and held the hand of one concert attendee in a wheelchair.

The concert also featured a Q&A session with KROQ DJ Nicole Alvarez. Although she could only ask a limited number of questions, the band still opened up to the group. These close moments are much harder to come by in larger concerts.

In addition to the personalized experience with the band, the Red Bull Sound Space offered a few other perks. Though the crowd was already high-energy, free Red Bull energy drinks added another notch to the intensity.

The sound quality was impressive; the wall of speakers behind the band accompanied with the surround sound setup made the music blast in such a way that the listeners didn’t suffer from concert-induced shell shock.

The band itself delivered a knockout show. Its live performance was near flawless. Each of the band members sounded right on point while also putting on a show. Even the band’s drummer, Elaine Bradley, who is currently pregnant, worked in a special over-the-back style for her drumming.

At one point, Glenn, while dancing side-by side with bass guitarist Branden Campbell, stepped up on a box to swing his microphone over the audiences’ heads in helicopter fashion. This band is definitely worth seeing in person.

They started with the fast-paced “Everybody Talks.” Instantaneously, the crowd transformed from idle to fluid as everyone started to sing and dance with the band.

Neon Trees’ music, characteristic for its catchy and exciting vibe, built up until it reached a crescendo at the hit single “Animal.” As Glenn held out the microphone, the entire audience sang along to the song that originally launched them on their way to stardom.

Seeing a concert at the Red Bull Sound Space is a definite must if the opportunity arises. Tickets are always available by winning them through KROQ contests or by being invited by Red Bull representatives. Although if winning radio contests doesn’t pan out, all of the concerts at the Sound Space are available via live webcast. Neon Trees and the Red Bull Sound Space made an unforgettable concert experience.