Flashback to the summer of 2008. A 5-year-old me sitting on her grandmother’s lap at her first ever concert… a Jonas Brothers concert at that, while her sister sings their songs. I cannot remember much else because I was crying from excitement and then fell asleep from crying too much. I wore that light blue hoodie from that tour for years to come. 

Thursday August 17th, 2023. A 20-year-old me jumps out of bed knowing that I should have gotten more than 3 hours of sleep to prepare for the 3-hour drive ahead of me. I was given the amazing opportunity to cover this magnificent concert by Lakeside Entertainment Group, the management for the Jonas Brothers opening band, Lawrence.  

In January of 2023 I interviewed Clyde and Gracie of the band Lawrence via Zoom. I have been a huge fan of theirs and continued to offer my support for their upcoming concerts.  

I got out of my car and walked into a massive building I had never seen before. Walking around seeing the shops, anxious for the experience that will be taking place in just a few hours. I noticed a lengthy line for merch 2 hours before show time and decided to check in with some of the dedicated fans.  

A 25-year-old Tiffany Cavanaugh who was first on the line for their merchandise explained “This is my… 7th or 8th time seeing the Jonas brothers but my 3rd time seeing this tour!” Many of the fans attending the show had seen the beloved siblings multiple times before this tour.  

When asked about the influence of Jon Bellion (famous singer-songwriter, rapper, and producer, also head of Beautiful Mind records) and members of Lawrence having influence on the new Jonas Brothers album another fan replied “Lawrence did a really good job of setting the tone of the show” says Roman Divenuto who saw Lawrence open for Jon Bellion at Mohegan Sun. “This album is certainly a different vibe from their earlier stuff, honestly it’s an amazing album and it’s amazing to watch them grow up.” Cavanaugh states. 

As the doors opened, I sat back to watch people file into the arena. I couldn’t help but feel a sense of nostalgia when I saw young girls around the age of 5 excited to see the same band I saw 15 years ago. 

I took my seat, met up with the amazing Lakeside Management team who gave me this opportunity, Dan Pearson and Kerry Lee and waited for Lawrence to take the stage.  

I saw Lawrence last summer at Summer Stage in Central Park, so I knew how amazing they were to watch them live already. Something felt different this time, however. Seeing a band, you have supported since only a few thousand followers, now playing massive arenas and stadiums is one of the most incredible feelings. Almost like a parent being proud of their child, I had always known Lawrence would grow in popularity, they are truly a band like no other. A sound that feels so nostalgic yet so modern.  

Clyde and Gracie Lawrence are siblings and the singers of the band. Clyde also plays keyboard for the band as well. Alltogether there are 8 members of the group. Aside from the sibling duo, there’s Marc Langer on trumpet, Jordan Cohen on tenor saxophone and background vocals, Sumner Becker on Alto Saxophone, Jonny Koh on guitar and backing vocals, Sam Askin on drums, and lastly Michael Karsh on Bass and backing vocals. Each member of Lawrence has their own amazing vibe onstage. Typically you see the brass in the background however these Horn and Sax players make it their mission to dance the Cotton Eye Joe, press the notorious “Bing Bong” button, and create dance routines on the spot to every song they perform.  

Gracie Lawrence is a force to be reckoned with. I don’t know how else to describe her, other than she must be from another planet because there is no way someone that perfect exists. Her vocals are unmatched by any artist out there today. Not only does she belt some of the highest notes with flawless grit and vibrato, but she does so after jumping around, doing random (but for some reason also not so random for Lawrence) pushups, and running around on stage as if she is doing cardio.  

I was fortunate enough to go backstage to meet the band and meet Gracie, seeing her in her striped shirt with a flannel skirt on and talking to her about her most recent song “I’m Confident I’m Insecure” and the lyrics I absolutely adore was an experience I will never forget. Hearing her give praise to the interview I had with them months ago and her saying AND I QUOTE “I remember your interview so distinctly it was amazing” had me holding back screams, tears, and for the first time I realized this is what I was meant to be doing. 

Clyde Lawrence. Musical mastermind, the Einstein of rhythm, you cannot compare him to any artist today. The youngest member to ever join the SongWriters Guild of America for his work on the movie Miss. Congeniality with his father who wrote the score. Meeting him and being able to just be in his presence is intoxicating. The two siblings are so down to earth, they understand the impact their music has, and they were also once just kids living in NYC with a dream.  

After saying goodbye to Lawrence I returned to my seat to witness the Jonas Brothers play almost every song in their discography. Each brother was wearing a very sparkly item of clothing and they were definitely serving looks. I was fortunate enough to once again see them perform Burnin’ Up and Year 3000, it brought back a youthful feeling hearing hundreds of my peers scream the lyrics we have had memorized for years. 

The concert was truly a spectacle to be seen, it is an experience I would recommend to anyone who is thinking about purchasing a ticket during this 4 month tour. I had such a wonderful time at Mohegan Sun and at this show, I smiled, laughed, maybe cried a time or two, and made unforgettable memories. Thank you Lakeside Entertainment for this amazing opportunity. Stay tuned and listen to Planned Chaos on WQAQ 98.1 FM for even more interviews and, of course, chaos.