On the evening of July 25, music fans gathered at The Agora in Cleveland, Ohio to see Hawaiian-born singer-songwriter Eli Smart and Indie-Pop sensation Declan Mckenna on tour. As the stage was set for the night, you could feel the anticipation in the air, with attendees eagerly awaiting the musicians to take the stage. The Agora, known for its historic significance, was the perfect venue for this show, promising an evening that would be memorable for years to come.
To kick off the show, rising artist Eli Smart took the stage. He was joined by a group of talented musicians and his close friends, including singer Jordan Paul, drummer Hampster, and Eli’s skilled grandmother Denise Kaufman, former member of Ace of Cups, on bass guitar. Right away, Eli and his band emitted a bright and sunny energy into the venue, and the crowd soaked it up instantly. Each tune on the setlist had a cheery vibe, with many having influence from Smart’s home, Kauai. Much of his music is described as a gentle “warm breeze in your hair,” and having experienced his live performance, I can confidently say that this description fits perfectly.
Throughout the set, each of the musicians on stage radiated a different aura. Eli felt very grounded, yet excited as he sang, while Jordan was dancing and jumping around. Hampster was intensely captivated by the beat, and Denise seemed entranced by her bass-line, throwing herself into the vibrations of each song. As this was my first time seeing Eli Smart live, I caught myself getting stuck watching each of the band members as they dove into their music.The feeling of joy and brightness that each of them spread was something I do not experience often from a band. Their performance was fascinating, and it surely caught the attention of everyone in the venue. It was evident that this gathering of talents wasn’t just a performance; it was a celebration of friendship, passion, and the universal language of music.
In a world where live performances often come and go, this performance left a mark. So, whether you’re a dedicated music fan or simply someone looking for something new to listen to, make sure to keep an eye on Eli Smart’s journey – it’s bound to be an extraordinary one. Don’t miss out on this talented upcoming artist. Be sure to follow Eli on Instagram @smarticuss, and check out his most recent song “Fiesta 99.9FM” on your favorite streaming platform!
After a short turn-around, the crowd awaited Declan Mckenna’s entrance. The chatter in the room was loud and filled with excitement, with conversations about each other’s favorite songs and how far everyone had traveled to see the show. People scurried through the pit, searching for their friends and running back to their spots with their newly purchased Delcan merch. As this was all happening, a playlist of songs was playing quietly in the background, setting the ambience of the room. Suddenly, the volume was turned up, and “Dancing Queen” by ABBA blasted through the speakers. The crowd knew what this meant, and screams rang out. Everyone began singing and dancing along to the music, and having fun with the people around them. Towards the end of the song, in a blackout, Declan Mckenna and his band appeared on the stage.
For the first song of the set, Mckenna played “The Kids Don’t Wanna Come Home,” a crowd favorite. With a venue full of devoted fans, sounds of people singing along to the song bounced off of the walls. It was a great song to open with, since it has both high energy moments and more mellow phases throughout it. Moving through his set, he played songs from all of his biggest releases, including many from his last album Zeros and a bunch of his released singles.
Towards the end of the show, Declan played his most popular song, “Brazil.” Everyone in the crowd knew all the words- the venue erupted with loud singing and crazy dancing. Fans were singing to each other and making memories with complete strangers, which was very touching to see. After “Brazil,” Declan played his newly released single “Sympathy.” The moment that this single was released, everyone here at Almost Famous fell in love with it, so having it on the setlist was very exciting. Declan wanted the crowd to participate during this song, having them sing the recurring phrase in the song,“you don’t need to be clever.” He also brought out Eli Smart and his whole band onto stage to sing along. This song was filled with such joy that it must be ingrained in the brains of everyone who was there.
At the very end of the night, Declan and his band played “British Bombs,” a song protesting against the British arms trade. It seemed impossible for the energy in the venue to rise any more, but it did. You could feel both the joy from people loving the song, but also the anger that came with its meaning. During the bridge and the choruses of the song, everyone was yelling the lyrics, pulling from deep inside themselves. It showed the anger that the younger generation has towards violence and corruption, and that they want to push back against it. It was very moving to see and be a part of.
Declan Mckenna puts on an outstanding show that expels feelings of energy, joy, rage, sadness, and love. The artist’s genuine connection with the audience created an atmosphere that resonated with both long-time fans and newcomers alike, urging them to let go for one night and have fun. Declan McKenna’s concert showed the power that music has to unite, leaving a lasting impact that will continue to resonate with attendees long after the last chord.
After seeing this show, I would highly recommend listening to both Eli Smart and Declan Mckenna. The two artists made perfect sense touring together, and they both brought a bright energy to The Agora. If you are on the look-out for some new music, these are the artists that deserve your attention.
Review by Ella Donovan along with photos by Madalyn Schaller, if reposting please credit @livefromthepitt412.
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