Photos by Kristin Threadgill
Following a blowout debut at the GRAMMYs last month alongside Kendrick Lamar, Imagine Dragons recently kicked off the final leg of shows in support of breakout album Night Visions.
Having previously performed more intimate or mid-sized venues, this latest trek takes the Las Vegas rockers to some of the biggest arenas in North America, including a sell-out performance this past weekend at Tulsa's BOK Center, joined by fellow Variance favorites The Naked and Famous.
Unlike the other shows on this tour, Saturday's event was not on the original schedule, added only several weeks ago as a special charity event. As we previously reported, all proceeds from the show went to the Tyler Robinson Foundation, which raises money to help families of children fighting cancer. Funds raised help families pay for treatment and offset essential household bills as a result of unexpected medical expenses.
The night, soundtracked by the band's now-mega hits like "Radioactive" and "Demons," was underscored by a deeply somber moment midway through the set when frontman Dan Reynolds explained to the audience that Tyler Robinson was an early fan who write in about how much their song "It's Time" inspired him as he was battling cancer. Unfortunately, Robinson didn't survive, and it hit the band pretty hard.
"This is a special night, probably the most special night of the tour," a visibly emotional Reynolds told the crowd of more than 19,000, which included Robinson's family. "Every person here tonight, your ticket paid [to help] a family member for a child who has cancer. This is for you, Tyler ... Your legacy lives on forever and ever."
The band then proceeded to play "It's Time," the song that introduced them to the world. It was bittersweet, highlighted by a heightened awareness of Robinson's influence over the night and the band. But it something special, watching the sea of thousands of fans sing along with Reynolds.
Just two years ago, this little rock outfit was playing 200-capacity venues. Just this past week, they broke a Billboard record for longest-running song on the American music chart. And now they're utilizing their giant platform to rally thousands in support of such an important cause.
Sure, not everyone is a fan of Imagine Dragons. And maybe they're not the most exceptional band in the world. But it's always curious how success like that of Reynolds and Co. brings out the detractors. However, as we've been following the band over the past few years, watching them go from unknowns to rockstars, this moment was certainly something special.
See exclusive photos below, followed by the band's remaining U.S. tour dates.
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IMAGINE DRAGONS TOUR DATES:
Feb 24 Bidgestone Arena // Nashville, TN
Feb 26 Phillips Arena // Atlanta, GA
Feb 28 Constant Convocation Center // Norfolk, VA
Mar 01 Mohegan Sun // Uncasville, CT
Mar 03 Bell Centre // Montreal, Canada
Mar 04 Air Canada Centre // Toronto, Canada
Mar 06 DCU Center // Worcester, MA
Mar 07 Susquehanna Bank Center // Camden, NJ
Mar 08 IZOD Center // East Rutherford, NJ
Mar 11 iTunes Festival at SXSW // Austin, TX
Mar 12 Xcel Energy Center // St Paul, MN
Mar 13 Allstate Arena // Rosemont, IL
Mar 15 Pepsi Center // Denver, CO
Click here to see more international dates beyond March 2014