(Alexis & Jim Pugh Theater at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, Orlando FL) In a very intimate setting, Rachel Platten fans were treated to a very personal, emotional, endearing performance by the "Fight Song" writer and mother of 2.
This show was particularly special in that it marked the final stop of Patten's "Set Me Free" tour. Attendees witnessed Rachel initially began on stage right of the dimly lit stage, where she accompanied herself via piano while singing songs from 2024 album "I Am Rachel Platten", and her 2016 "Wildfire" album. In all, she played 15 songs, with no intermission and spanned just about 90 minutes in its entirety. The show was a memorable one for Platten in that a fire alarm at the Dr. Phillips caused the attendees of all of its theaters (including the Lion King audience next door inside the 2700-seat Walt Disney Theater) to have to evacuate. For this show, the evacuation came during the opening song entrance, and was just seconds away from Platten taking to the stage.
However, when we were able to resettle back into our seats, we heard the same opening intro and Platten came out on stage. She joked that while she was out back, she was surrounded by the cast of the Lion King musical, which was light-hearted and fun. She even referenced the fire drill into the lyrics of one of her first songs this evening.
Approximately midway through her set, she was joined for an onstage duo with Ben Abraham, who served as one of the tour's opening acts. Abraham and Platten had a playful relationship onstage, as evidenced toward the end of Abraham's most tender ballad performances as Rachel displayed a sign in the background advising for no one to clap. Abraham's performance was very touching, and deserved a roar of applause, and appeared stunned upon concluding the song with some audience member clapping slowly in the distance. When he turned around and saw Rachel, he laughed uncontrollably and embraced Rachel, and I knew that the tone for tonight's performance was going to be a very delightful engagement. It should be noted here as well that the first opener tonight, Jojo Dodge was the perfect complement and opener for tonight's show as she tenderly delivered on some wonderful acoustically-backed songs.
During Rachel's performance, she did reference her struggles with anxiety and other personal challenges, which really felt like we in the audience had made a connection with the artist. There were some young girls in the audience who stood up nearly the entire concert singing along to Rachel, and she fed off that energy as she became more energized and enthusiastic as the night progressed.
This was one of the most enjoyable performances I have attended live. It was sweet and genuine, and Rachel's voice was powerful and expressive.
At the end of the show, Rachel brought out her touring staff onto the stage with her as they sang and even featured some of the staff members with their own vocal solos. It was fun and lively, and I felt like jumping up onstage to give this Team Platten family one big hug for making me feel so warm inside.
Hopefully Rachel will pass back through central Florida in the near future. She was very charismatic and tried to make eye contact with apparently every one in attendance.
I would give this show an 'A', as Platten rose to the occasion and fought her way into everyone's heart this night!
Bailey Guinigundo
This show was particularly special in that it marked the final stop of Patten's "Set Me Free" tour. Attendees witnessed Rachel initially began on stage right of the dimly lit stage, where she accompanied herself via piano while singing songs from 2024 album "I Am Rachel Platten", and her 2016 "Wildfire" album. In all, she played 15 songs, with no intermission and spanned just about 90 minutes in its entirety. The show was a memorable one for Platten in that a fire alarm at the Dr. Phillips caused the attendees of all of its theaters (including the Lion King audience next door inside the 2700-seat Walt Disney Theater) to have to evacuate. For this show, the evacuation came during the opening song entrance, and was just seconds away from Platten taking to the stage.
However, when we were able to resettle back into our seats, we heard the same opening intro and Platten came out on stage. She joked that while she was out back, she was surrounded by the cast of the Lion King musical, which was light-hearted and fun. She even referenced the fire drill into the lyrics of one of her first songs this evening.
Approximately midway through her set, she was joined for an onstage duo with Ben Abraham, who served as one of the tour's opening acts. Abraham and Platten had a playful relationship onstage, as evidenced toward the end of Abraham's most tender ballad performances as Rachel displayed a sign in the background advising for no one to clap. Abraham's performance was very touching, and deserved a roar of applause, and appeared stunned upon concluding the song with some audience member clapping slowly in the distance. When he turned around and saw Rachel, he laughed uncontrollably and embraced Rachel, and I knew that the tone for tonight's performance was going to be a very delightful engagement. It should be noted here as well that the first opener tonight, Jojo Dodge was the perfect complement and opener for tonight's show as she tenderly delivered on some wonderful acoustically-backed songs.
During Rachel's performance, she did reference her struggles with anxiety and other personal challenges, which really felt like we in the audience had made a connection with the artist. There were some young girls in the audience who stood up nearly the entire concert singing along to Rachel, and she fed off that energy as she became more energized and enthusiastic as the night progressed.
This was one of the most enjoyable performances I have attended live. It was sweet and genuine, and Rachel's voice was powerful and expressive.
At the end of the show, Rachel brought out her touring staff onto the stage with her as they sang and even featured some of the staff members with their own vocal solos. It was fun and lively, and I felt like jumping up onstage to give this Team Platten family one big hug for making me feel so warm inside.
Hopefully Rachel will pass back through central Florida in the near future. She was very charismatic and tried to make eye contact with apparently every one in attendance.
I would give this show an 'A', as Platten rose to the occasion and fought her way into everyone's heart this night!
Bailey Guinigundo
Jojo Dodge:
Ben Abraham:
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