Concert Review: Heavy and Light at House of Blues on 2/18

By Jen Thuy-Tien 
Contributing Writer


Heavy and Light Tour stopped in Orlando on Monday night at House of Blues. Orlando was the tour's last date. The evening consisted of emotional conversation and heartfelt music. The night was of remembrance of Orlando film
and music producer David McKenna who died in December in a car accident on I-4. In the intermissions between musical performances poet Anis Mojgani read intense and inspiring poetry and To Write Love On Her Arms founder Jamie Tworkowski spoke about David McKenna and the tour’s purpose. The night featured performances by musicians Renee Yohe, Now, Now, Will Anderson (of Parachute), Anthony Raneri (of Bayside) and Jon Foreman and Fiction Family. The tour was organized by non-profit organization To Write Love on Her Arms, dedicated to giving hope and finding help for people struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury, and suicide.
Musician Renee Yohe performed three songs and talked about her personal struggles and the loss of her close friend David McKenna. After Yohe, indie-rock band Now, Now hit the stage and played upbeat songs. The night’s third musical act Will Anderson (lead singer of Parachute) started his performance with the song “What I Know” and made the audience sing along. After, he commented about the audience’s great singing skills. Anderson also played new music that will be on Parachute's new album. Anthony Raneri (of Bayside), accompanied by guitarist Jack O'Shea, performed songs by Bayside and songs from his solo album. He also played a cover song of “I Will Follow You Into The Dark” by Death Cab For Cutie. Headliner Jon Foreman (lead singer of Switchfoot and Fiction Family) started his set with a performance of “Only Hope” with Anthony Raneri. After, Foreman performed an unplugged acoustic version of “Dare You To Move” for the first half of the song and directed the microphone to the audience who sang along to every word. After completing the song, the rest of Fiction Family, guitarist and singer Sean Watkins, drummer Aaron Redfield and bassist-keyboardist Tyler Chester, joined Foreman on stage. Fiction Family performed songs from their new album Fiction Family Reunion. The last song of the night was a cover of David Bowie’s “Heroes” performed by all the musicians on-stage. Lucky audience members were given a lamp and other stage props from Foreman who joked earlier in the show about giving stage props away since it was the last night of the tour.


Cacie Dalager of Now Now
Renee Yohe
Will Anderson of Parachute
Anthony Raneri of Bayside
Jon Foreman of Fiction Family

                                  Below is my interview with Sean Watkins of Fiction Family. Check it out.
**************************************************************** College Park Farmers Market

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