Pentatonix. Spark Arena, 15 February 2020: Concert Review

Pentatonix left a sold-out crowd at Spark Arena gasping with joy from the moment they stepped onto the Spark Arena stage through the final note of final encore, Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah!!! 13th Floor photographer Chris Zwaagdyk files this review, along with a beautiful set of photos.

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The night was filled with PTX’s special brand of a cappella music interspersed with stories. We learnt how Kevin Olusola was found and joined the group and then treated to a solo variation of the Game of Thrones title theme – cello/beat box (plus loop). This was magic and I could have listened to more. We also learnt this was one of the biggest crowds of the tour.

PTX show off their talent and virtuosity in the Evolutions, medleys with smooth transitions giving each singer space but blending stunning harmonies seamlessly. For me their new songs are more interesting, especially Happy Now and On My Way Home. However, classics Hallelujah, Bohemian Rhapsody and Imagine were audience favourites. The latter was the only disappointment of the night for me, as I think John Lennon’s Imagine is always a solo voice with piano.

A nice touch was towards the end of the evening when Scott Hoying picked out young Amelia, who had been patiently holding up a sign saying it was her 11^th birthday, and getting not only PTX singing Happy Birthday, but had the audience join in.

PTX were last here in 2016, hopefully we won’t have to wait 4 years for a return of the “choir nerds” to hear more of the original songs and special covers.

Opening act, Australian X Factor 2012 winner, Samantha Jade and her band delivered a very polished performance.

~Chris Zwaagdyk

Click any image to view a fill gallery of Pentatonix or opener Samantha Jade. All photos by Chris Zwaagdyk.

Pentatonix

Samantha Jade

Set List
Daft Punk
Sing
Perfume Medley
Can’t Sleep Love
Evolution of Pentatonix
Happy Now
Come Along (Cosmo Sheldrake cover)
Aha! (Imogen Heap cover)
Imagine (John Lennon cover)
Don’t Start Now
Kevin Cello Song – Game of Thrones theme
Shallow (Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper cover)
Love Again
Cracked / Natural Disaster
Evolution of Ariana Grande
Bohemian Rhapsody (Queen cover)
On My Way Home

Encore:
Pretender
Hallelujah