Show Review: Jason Mraz at the Bell Center

Last night, September 8th, Montreal had the chance to see two very talented artists hit the stage at the Bell Center; Christina Perri and Jason Mraz.

Perri opened up the show at 7:30, playing a thoughtful and well rehearsed 45 minute set. She won the hearts of listeners throughout the Bell Center with her sweet disposure and her genuinely lovable personality. It was clear from the get-go that this girl has a voice worthy of the fame she found after the release of her song ‘Jar of Hearts’. Perri’s pretty and melodious songs had almost everyone on their feet in a standing ovation before her set was anywhere near over. Although I knew about her, I wasn’t familiar with Perri’s music. Like many others, I quickly found out that I didn’t need to know the words to her songs; it was easy to simply sit there and enjoy her perform. Some highlights for me, as a new listener, were the songs ‘Arms’, the upbeat track ‘Mine’ and of course her single ‘Jar of Hearts’. Towards the end of her set, Christina Perri explained how she remembered sitting in her room, writing one of her songs at the age of 17, and wishing that she could one day play side by side with Jason Mraz. She then told the crowd “I hope you all go home tonight and make a really big wish like I did, because dreams do come true.”

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Around 9pm Jason Mraz came on stage and began his set with a simple acoustic song called ‘You and I Both’. He followed with a string of upbeat fan favorites. I was loving his set list despite not knowing each song- but I must admit the tacky pictures playing behind him were extremely distracting for almost the entire show.

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That being said, Jason Mraz put on a solid hour and a half set. He played an excellent cover of Frank Sinatra’s ‘Fly me to the Moon’, and continued to bring fans back and forth through upbeat songs, acoustic tracks, and some of his slower melodies too. He spoke to the crowd and seemed so genuinely happy to be spending time in Montreal; his good mood was contagious. Everyone was standing up to dance, and sitting down to enjoy the vocals in the more intense songs to go along with his movements on stage. He also played two great duets; one with Andree Anne Leclerc from Star Academie & another with Christina Perri herself.

duet with Marie-Andree Leclerc
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Overall, it was a good show and it was nice to see the singer here in Montreal at the Bell Center. His talent is easy to see a mile away, and it was a great reason to get out for the night with friends and sing along to that song everyone seems to know the words to; ‘I’m Yours’.