jxdn
Article by Brittany Ormiston
You are music. The white spray painted letters etched into the black canvas rose from the floor to the ceiling behind the drum kit. The three word phrase instantaneously washed away all worry, pain, and the world outside the doors of Concord Music Hall in Chicago. “The rest of the world doesn’t exist. You’re here with me,” declared jxdn. He selected the banner for one reason only: to express to his fans that they matter the most above all else. He admitted to heavily focusing on his reputation in the past, but tonight he checked his name at the door to be truly present and 100% authentically himself.
jxdn stayed true to his word throughout the entirety of his live performance. As the confidence soared to the ceiling during ‘CANDLES,’ he proceeded to dance around the stage with immense stamina. jxdn headbanged with his whole upper body in sync with the crowd bouncing their hands during the chorus. He cracked a smile as fans sang back lyrics to ‘Friends With Benefits,’ and it was crystal clear the evening was going to be a treasured memory. The crowd continued to thrive while jxdn performed his older music, such as ‘WANNA BE.’ For Machine Gun Kelly’s verse, he handed the microphone to a fan near the stage. Those 30 seconds and the simplest gesture meant the absolute world to them. jxdn has made this a tradition to continue throughout the rest of the When The Music Stops tour.
jxdn’s humor helped create a safe haven for all in attendance, a space to be whoever they wanted to be without judgment. He made this even more apparent by exposing the dark parts of his psyche during the acoustic part of the set. He stood with his back to the crowd clutching the microphone stand, taking in each stroke of the piano keys. “All I can think right now // Is how I can’t scream out loud // But the voices won’t leave // I guess I have to force them out,” sang jxdn during ‘DRUGS.’ The clarity of his vocals with the acoustic guitar in the background was otherworldly, and the crowd quietly singing along transformed the venue into a magical landscape. “In the past I tried to be tougher than I am. For the first time in my life, I'm okay with just being me,” stated jxdn once the song had concluded. The moments following this statement hit concert-goers like a ton of bricks, and resonated very deeply.
This soul connection strengthened as jxdn described what it feels like to be a stranger in his own life, and how you are not alone if you have had a similar experience. “Just let it all out, just be yourself now,” belted out jxdn with the crowd in tow. The room turned into a true party as jxdn closed out the evening with ‘ANGELS & DEMONS.’ “Get up off your f****** feet!” jxdn yelled. Everyone was on their feet and jumping until the very last beat as the red and white spotlights ricocheted around the room. Despite the desolate lyrics throughout jxdn’s discography, he has a true talent of filling a room with lighthearted and witty energy. YUNGBLUD said it best when he called jxdn a sun artist: one who symbolizes happiness and positivity, while also not being afraid to address what is lurking in the shadows. jxdn is and always will be, our yellow.
Concord Music Hall in Chicago, IL on July 7, 2024
Photos by Everly Ormiston
