Andy Grammer brought his beat-boxing skills and soulfulness right from the Los Angeles streets to become “the biggest man in Athens” on Tuesday night.
Grammer repeated multiple times that Ohio is his favorite place to perform because the crowds are always energized, and the 750 people in attendance certainly made it seem that way.
Andrew Holzaepfel, associate director for the Campus Involvement Center, said ticket sales covered the $15,000 fee to bring Grammer to Athens.
Playing hits from his debut album and mixing some covers — such as “We Found Love” by Rihanna and “Sunday Morning” by Maroon 5 — into the performance, Grammer kept the crowd energized the whole time.
Grammer sounds exactly the same live as he does on his CD, said Kristeena Blaser, a sophomore studying chemical engineering.
“You are always wondering if musicians are going to sound like the CD, and it was identical,” Blaser said. “I was really impressed.”
Grammer said his favorite song to perform right now is his newest single, “Miss Me.”
Although “Miss Me” is a song about lost love and is different compared to his other hits “Keep Your Head up” and “Fine By Me,” the audience loved it just the same.
“He played the crowd really well when he started that single,” Blaser said. “I feel like for it to be his newest single, he played it at the right time.”
The audience was also receptive to opener Chris Wallace, even though some were unfamiliar with his music.
He played songs from his debut album and covered Taylor Swift’s “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” to a girl he brought on stage with him.
Parker Tod, a sophomore who has yet to declare a major, recognized Wallace outside, but when he called her onstage, she said she was shocked.
“I did not expect that at all, and I was nervous,” Tod said. “It was absolutely crazy.”
The audience connection is one of the most important and best parts of performing, Grammer said. He made a point to connect with the audience during his performance of “Slow,” when he entered the crowd and walked on some chairs.
“There is a perfect circle you want,” Grammer said. “We (musicians) love to play, so when people love the music, that creates the perfect circle.”
Holzaepfel said the concert was an overall success.
“I was really pleased with how much fun the crowd seemed to be having,” he said. “They were very engaged in the concert.”
ao007510@ohiou.edu
