Imagine Dragons help Radio 104.5 celebrate the station's birthday

June 25, 2018

The story of Imagine Dragons and Radio 104.5 goes back to the very beginning when the band played a Summer Block Party in 2012 early in their career, this well before the chart topping success, multiple stadium/arena tours and more that they are known for today.

‘Radioactive’ went on to be the one of the biggest songs of 2012 with numerous singles to follow from ‘Night Visions’ and of course the two consecutive albums since their debut that were both loaded with successful singles. Radio 104.5 has been pivotal to the discovery of countless amounts of great talent over the years and has continued to actively promote both upcoming and established artists with their annual Birthday Shows. The station has also continued to grow their free concert series all summer long with the ‘Block Party Series’ and ‘Winter Jawn’ show in early January.


Few stories in alternative music are as good as the massive success of Imagine Dragons as the band has nominated the charts for the past 2 years. Their return to the area for night two of the Radio 104.5 11th Birthday show marked an incredible full circle moment for both the band and the station. Along the journey both the band and Dan Reynolds have evolved into the most committed activists in alternative music as they’ve become very outspoken for the LGBTQ rights movement. Doors were set to open at 1PM but the line in front of the venue spanned a long distance of Imagine Dragons fans who were ready to camp out in the pit for hours to come – many of them holding pride flags and wearing Imagine Dragon shirts proudly. The band and Reynolds just released a powerful documentary titled ‘Believer’ that was filmed in the past year of their efforts to support the LGBTQ community with both a festival in Utah and constant support from the band. Posters for the feature were set up in the lobby of the BB&T Pavalion but many fans ran right past to get the closets spots to the stage – conversations could be overheard later that seemingly many in attendance had already watched the freshly released film earlier that weak in anticipation for the band’s return.

As the stage was set the house lights came on to reveal a diverse crowd of adults and children alike who were their to experience the best alternative music of this century. It is easy to get caught up in the statistics of Imagine Dragons with their numerous singles, their massive success touring and their incredible digital sales in an era that has shown signs of fatigue but their true appeal is their universe message of hope and love with their music. Reynolds has become the activist this generation needed as mentioned earlier but even before his outspoken outbreak the band had always managed to find beauty in the impossible and hope in the dark. This thread extends through their entire discography and is the unifying force that helped bring 25,000 to Camden on the hottest day of the year.


Imagine Dragons wasted no time that evening as the stage burst to life in orange light as the band rose from behind the drum kit as they played an original introduction to ‘Radioactive’ before Dan Reynolds came running down the thrust on the stage and Co2 burst around him to kick the night off in dramatic fashion. The band has come a long way their since Radio 104.5 debut under a white tent in the summer sun on a stage no bigger than a hundred square feet – though the fans remain the same as they jumped forward with joy from this first song to the last note of the last song. Reynolds took some time to both introduce the band and thank everyone including the radio station for coming to see them after the first song; it was then that he saw a fan in the front row holding a pride flag up that he reached out to grab for a few moments.

A brief but impactful message was delivered then as the crowd roared as Reynolds held the flag high above his head as he gave an strong message that asked for this concert to be a place of safety, inclusion and no judgement as fans were united by music. He kept the flag as he turned around to Wayne Sermon on guitar with a smile as they began a slow building version of ‘It’s Time’ to the approval of the crowd. Reynolds eventually went on to return the flag to it’s owner in the front of the crowded pit but the message remained the same all night long from the band and the show pressed on as Ben McKee on bass and Daniel Platzman on drums led the band into one of their more recent songs ‘Whatever It Takes.’


Across eighteen songs the band showcased their evolution as a band and a long the way treated the Radio 104.5 crowd to a truly beautiful performance. The show spanned their entire catalog but leaned heavily on songs from their newest album ‘Believer’ as it should have – these songs hold the truest to who Imagine Dragons have become as people and performers as well as translating into stunning tracks when performed live. A highlight of the set came just about midway into it as a passionate and emotional ‘Mouth of the River’ was bled into a very new song that was made with Kygo titled ‘Born to Be Yours.’ There was confetti rain, there were giagantic beach balls that fell from the ceiling, their was more confetti that was shot across the the entire venue and most of all their was hope. Reynolds has become a true frontman and no longer shys away from speaking his mind both on and off stage. While the band was performing ‘Demons’ he took some time to speak on depression and the importance of life as he asked no one to take their life from those who love them as a Make Chester Proud sign was displayed from the crowd on the massive split screens behind the band.



The night wasn’t somber or down, as Reynolds said he himself suffers from depression but it wasn’t about feeling down about it. The concert was about having the ability to move past that and live a great life. Radio 104.5 helped give Imagine Dragons the tools in their earliest days to grow to a band of this size and importance that has sold out almost every show across the country. The work that Reynolds and the band has done in the past two years has been remarkable but a lot of credit is owed to the stations like Radio 104.5 who took a chance on them from day one. The station has constantly put talented artistry first over the past eleven years and they did so yet again with Imagine Dragon’s homecoming being supported by such talented bands. It is hard to think about but harder to resist wondering where Imagine Dragons and Radio 104.5 will be in eleven more years – maybe by then the world will be a different place but if not I think they will be right where they are now fighting the good fight on stage with support from the best radio station around.

Article Written By:

Matt Christine

Jack's Mannequin return to Philadelphia for another SOLD OUT show

By Matt Christine • June 13, 2025
On June 8, Jack’s Mannequin swept into the Fillmore Philadelphia for the hometown stop of their Made For Each Other 20th-anniversary tour, turning the storied ballroom into a reunion between new Andrew McMahon fans from his solo era and the fans who grew up with his songs in Jack's Mannequin. A burst of lights and the band made their way to their places on set as the massive LED screens behind them flicked to life with the roar of the crowd—almost before the crowd could catch its breath—the band dove head-first into “Bruised,” instantly launching a full-room sing-along for the first time of the night. The family style sing-alongs would continue all night long because a Jack's Mannequin show is more than just a concert, it's a gathering of fans of all walks of life. Rather than lean solely on radio favorites, McMahon built a career-spanning arc that kept veterans and newcomers guessing. Early standouts “The Mixed Tape” and “Amy, I” landed with arena-sized fervor, while deeper cuts like “Spinning,” “Television,” and the introspective “Cell Phone” offered welcome detours for die-hard listeners. Mid-show, the tempo dropped for a surprise, lights-down, almost-whispered rendition of “Hammers and Strings (A Lullaby)”—performed nearly a cappella, save for a few plaintive piano chords. It was McMahon’s first time revisiting the lullaby in years, and the silence that followed its last note spoke louder than any applause. The final stretch was a one-two-three knockout: “I’m Ready,” “The Resolution,” and the soaring “Dark Blue,” each chorus louder than the last. After a brief exit, the band returned beneath a single spotlight for the encore. McMahon tipped his cap to the tour’s namesake, easing into the gentle “Restless Dream” before the full ensemble erupted into the sprawling suite “MFEO: Pt. 1 — Made For Each Other / Pt. 2 — You Can Breathe,” turning the title track into a communal vow to keep moving forward together. Twenty years on, Andrew McMahon and company showed how to honor a past without getting trapped in it: by laughing at the room you’re in, risking a fragile ballad in the middle of the party, and playing every song like it still belongs to today.

Shakira brings the 'Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour' to Atlanta

By Matt Christine • June 4, 2025
After a rocky start to her U.S. leg, with technical issues forcing the postponement of both the Washington, D.C. and Boston dates, Shakira delivered an electrifying, glitch-free performance in Atlanta that more than made up for the delays. The sold-out show at State Farm Arena proved why the Colombian superstar remains a force in global pop music: it was a spectacle of raw emotion, razor-sharp choreography, and dazzling stagecraft. Every moment felt polished and purposeful, yet deeply personal, a balance only a veteran performer like Shakira can pull off. The night opened with La Fuerte, a powerful declaration of intent that set the tone: this tour is about resilience, evolution, and feminine power. With minimal delay, she launched into a fierce rendition of GIRL LIKE ME, originally with the Black Eyed Peas, injecting it with her signature moves and vocal style. The audience, many of whom were adorned with glittering wolf ears and flashing LED bracelets, responded instantly, roaring as she transitioned into a nostalgic medley of Las de la intuición and Estoy aquí. It was a clever juxtaposition—early-career Shakira meeting her modern self, both artists occupying the stage in harmony. One of the most emotionally potent sequences came with Empire blending into Inevitable, where her vocals took on an operatic, almost volcanic intensity. The screen behind her exploded with elemental visuals—lava flows, crashing waves—mirroring the emotional crescendo on stage. This wasn’t just a concert; it was a catharsis. Later, Acróstico offered a softer moment, featuring a touching video of her children Sasha and Milan singing along, which visibly moved many in the crowd. You could hear a pin drop as Shakira sat on a stool, wiping away tears mid-performance. In terms of showmanship, the middle of the setlist was where Shakira proved her mettle. Copa Vacía, La Bicicleta, and La Tortura formed a seamless trinity of reggaeton and cumbia-infused pop, each song melting into the next with smooth transitions and high-energy dance breaks. She momentarily disappeared backstage during Chantaje, only to reemerge in a vibrant new costume and launch into a salsa version of the hit that transformed the entire arena into a nightclub. By the time she reached Whenever, Wherever, complete with a dramatic belly dance introduction using knives, Shakira had the entire arena in the palm of her hand. Her hips truly didn’t lie, and neither did the crowd, erupting into a thunderous sing-along. That energy spilled right into Waka Waka (This Time for Africa), which featured a thrilling Champeta breakdown and pulsating rhythms that was the infectious anthem of the 2010 World Cup. Shakira left the stage like a mythic figure—part woman, part legend—having proven once again that she isn’t just a performer. She’s a storyteller, a mother, a rebel, and above all, a she-wolf with a story still very much in motion.

The All-American Rejects kick off a new era at Parx Casino in Bensalem

By Matt Christine • April 1, 2025
On March 29, The All-American Rejects brought a whirlwind of nostalgia, energy, and surprise to the Xcite Center at Parx Casino in Bensalem, Pennsylvania. With the crowd already buzzing, the band made their entrance to the iconic "Gonna Fly Now" from Rocky, setting the tone for a night that would blend theatrical flair with heartfelt musicianship. Tyson Ritter and crew wasted no time launching into “Dirty Little Secret,” immediately turning the venue into a singalong haven for fans of all ages. The evening’s setlist was a well-balanced mix of crowd favorites and deep cuts, keeping both longtime fans and newer listeners on their toes. From upbeat anthems like “Fallin’ Apart” and “Beekeeper’s Daughter” to early classics like “My Paper Heart,” the band showcased their full range. But one of the night’s most emotional moments came from an unexpected fan request: an acoustic, acapella performance of “Heartbeat Slowing Down.” Tyson delivered the first verse and chorus with just his voice and a dim spotlight—his first time performing the song live since 2013. The crowd, stunned into silence, erupted with cheers at the final note. Throughout the show, Tyson Ritter kept the mood light with his signature irreverent humor. He poked fun at the convention center-style room, joking, about what other events were hosted in the room including a furry convention before launching into a riff about Parx Casino’s not-so-subtle encouragement to gamble. “They want you to leave this show... and immediately hit the slots. Don’t let them down!” he quipped, drawing laughs from every corner of the venue. That excitement rolled perfectly into a performance of their brand-new single “Sandbox,” which blended the band’s classic melodic hooks with a fresh, heavier indie-pop edge that had fans filming the moment for social media. One particularly fun surprise came when Tyson improvised a short, comedic song inspired by fans in the front row called “Chrysanthemum.” The details of this moment will be left behind lock and key for anyone not at the concert but just know it was one of the most obscene moments of the set and was a perfect way for the band to launch into "Sweat" after the moment wrapped up. The band also took time to acknowledge their recent appearance at Jonas Con, where they teased their upcoming role as special guests on the Jonas Brothers’ 20th Anniversary Summer Tour. The crowd cheered at the announcement, and Tyson grinned, saying, “We’ve officially joined the Jonas extended universe.” As the show neared its finale, The All-American Rejects rolled out a trifecta of hits—“Swing, Swing,” “It Ends Tonight,” and “Move Along”—each met with raucous applause and heartfelt singalongs. The encore, naturally, closed with “Gives You Hell,” sending the audience out into the casino with their voices hoarse and spirits high. Fans could be heard raving as they exited, calling it “everything I could have hoped for” and praising both the band and the intimate, high-energy setting. In the end, The All-American Rejects proved that they’re far from just a nostalgia act. With clever banter, emotional surprises, a killer setlist, and a brand-new single to boot, their performance at Parx Casino was a reminder that great bands don’t just survive the decades—they evolve, engage, and keep giving fans reasons to fall in love all over again.