The Jonas Brothers performed at the KeyBank Center in Buffalo on Aug. 27. The Geneseo Campus Activities Board offered tickets for the concert to Geneseo students and provided transportation from campus to the stadium (courtesy of Claire Prunier ‘19).
Few things are as ubiquitous for young adults as the 21st century’s Disney Channel programming. From shows like “Lizzy McGuire” and “Phineas and Ferb” to feature films like High School Musical, the Disney Channel was a cultural powerhouse that turned talented kids and teens into overnight sensations. Few Disney alums have “graduated” with a larger following than the Jonas Brothers.
The Jonas Brothers, a band formed in 2005 by real-life brothers Kevin, Joe and Nick Jonas, gained significant attention in 2008 with their prominent role in Disney’s musical comedy Camp Rock. Kids at the time resonated well with the Jonas Brother’s pop lyrics, youthful boyband demeanor and brotherly hijinks.
The band enjoyed much success in the music industry during the mid-to-late 2000s, releasing four studio albums and selling more than 17 million copies worldwide. In addition to touring for their music, the Jonas Brothers also continued to appear in Disney Channel shows like “Hannah Montana” as well as starring in their own show, “Jonas.”
In October 2013, the band suddenly cancelled tour dates through the end of the year and broke up due to creative differences between the brothers. Since then, Joe and Nick Jonas enjoyed solo musical and acting careers while Kevin founded successful enterprises in construction, real estate and social media.
After six years of retirement, the brothers announced the band’s reunion and released a subsequent music video for their first single since reuniting, “Sucker.” The Jonas Brothers’ return reignited the interest of original members of their fanbase, thanks in part to a successful social media presence as well as a week-long takeover of “The Late Late Show with James Corden.”
The trio’s latest album, Happiness Begins, was met with considerable success, debuting at No. 1 on the United States Billboard 200 as well as having the largest sales week for an album since Taylor Swift’s Reputation. The album’s release has been accompanied by an official tour across the U.S. taking place between August and October.
Fortunately for Geneseo students, the band’s tour included a show in Buffalo on Aug. 27, the second day of classes. Many students were able to take a break from looking over their syllabi to enjoy the concert.
Biology major senior Claire Prunier was delighted with the concert and was happy to see the band making a comeback. “Their comeback was so sudden … it was a huge message to their fanbase,” Prunier said. The trio has benefited from a wave of returning fans, ecstatic about the band’s new projects.
The concert’s setlist featured a mix of older songs and new tracks from Happiness Begins. International relations and history double major senior Grace McGinnis praised the concert for the brothers’ stage presence.
“The boys’ eye-popping orange, green and blue monochrome suits and energy on stage made the concert really enjoyable,” she said.
Along with the impressive show and nostalgic tunes, many fans were also delighted with the band’s new musical direction. Geography and history double major senior Shannon Curley loved the sudden change in sound.
“The band’s newest songs are a lot more mellow and mature compared to the band’s older albums,” Curley said.
If this concert is any indication, the Jonas Brothers’ reunion appears to be going successfully. The band’s nostalgic appeal and new music is proving to be popular with fans new and old and seems to be getting the band back in the spotlight. Between a successful start to their tour and great reviews of their latest album, the Jonas Brothers are only “Burnin’ Up” from here.