Words by Martin Halo | Nicole Mago Photo
The Wellmont Theater was dressed to the nines for a live broadcast of Gavin DeGraw as the last night of VH1’s Super Bowl Blitz before the Big Game. The tapings also featured Fall Out Boy at Brooklyn Bowl, TLC at the Beacon Theater, and Goo Goo Dolls at the St. George Theater. Hosted by Nick Cannon and Stacey Keibler, the hour long broadcast featured DeGraw’s most well-known material to a chorus of cheers from the faithful.
With a line stretching off Seymour Street and spilling down Bloomfield Ave, the TV audience was invite-only, and mainly consisted of girls screaming at the top of their lungs for the Grammy award winning pop darling. Christmas lights graced the balcony and full stage decorations offered the perfect altar for an unsuspecting inspired performance.
Soulful vocals, catchy melodies and smooth harmonies carried the New York native through material dating back to his debut album in 2003. The abbreviated set even featured DeGraw venturing out into the crowd for a cover of Justin Timberlake’s “Mirrors.” Additional selections included “Best I Ever Had,” “I’m In Love with a Girl,” before capping with “Not Over You.” This was probably one of the better performances I have seen in quite a long time.
The Wellmont Theater has a packed lineup of contemporary and classic artists coming up this Winter and Spring including Cheap Trick on Feb 15th, Bob Weir and Ratdog on Feb 20, Lewis Black in April and just announced Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Experience on May 8.
Set List:
In Love With A Girl
Make A Move
Radiation
Chariot
Everything Will Change
Follow Through
Best I Ever Had
Sweeter
Mirrors
I Don’t Want to Be
Who’s Gonna Save Us
Soldier
Not Over You
www.gavindegraw.com
TheWaster.com | Montclair, NJ
2.1.14
