As a die-hard limelight stepping into the world of music journalism, watching Jonah Marais perform at Union Stage in Washington D.C. last Sunday felt surreal. The last time I saw him was in 2019 during Why Don’t We’s 8 Letters tour stop in Baltimore, MD. Back then, he was still part of the energetic boy band on the brink of an arena tour, constantly on the move and always sleep-deprived.
Union Stage offered one of the most intimate concert experiences I have ever had, with fewer than 200 attendees. The smaller crowd fostered a cozy, relaxed atmosphere where fans could easily connect and chat before the show, free from the usual packed-in feeling. I had the pleasure of meeting some incredibly kind Limelights, dedicated fans who have supported Jonah since the very beginning of his career.
The Power of Fan Engagement
Although I’ve been a Why Don’t We fan since 2019, I wasn’t originally planning on going to their show because I wanted to save money for other priorities. But after I shared this on my Instagram story, Jonah noticed and reached out, encouraging me to go. This is the perfect example of the power of fan engagement.
Back in 2020, when Why Don’t We were gearing up for arena shows, their only way to connect with fans online was through a spam account. Their schedules were jam-packed with nonstop events and performances, and they were under a tight contract with limited free time. The closest they could get to personal fan interaction was with the fans in the front row or contest winners at meet-and-greets.
A Shoutout to BRASSIE: The D.C Tour Opener
One of the most unique elements of the Young and Optimistic tour was that there were different openers for every tour date. This was one of the perks Jonah got when he became an independent artist instead of being stuck to a record-label contract.
Opening the Washington, D.C. show was local singer-songwriter BRASSIE, who treated the audience to a mix of her songs and an exciting Chappell Roan cover that had fans joining in. It was so nice to discover a new local artist who is passionate about songwriting.
The Moment We Have All Been Waiting For
Jonah kicked off the show with his popular track ‘Twisted Lullaby,’ a fan favorite that had the crowd immediately energized. As the crowd sang every lyric back to him, it gave me a sense of belonging, like I was part of something special too. As a petite concert girlie, I was surprised people gave me space to see and take videos. It felt like a community of fans coming together to celebrate Jonah’s solo tour.
Once the first song was over he took a few minutes to introduce himself and talk about why he loves Washington D.C. “I love Washington D.C. I had so much fun today [ being a tourist instead of on a back-to-back schedule]. I am really excited for this and for tonight. Tonight I am going to sing some throwback songs for you, new songs, and a cover.” Jonah even mentioned that his former band mate, Corbyn Besson is from the DMV area too.
The highlights of the show for me were when he performed ‘War Paint’ and ‘8 Letters’.These tracks deserve a spot on every set list. I also loved hearing him sing ‘Grey’ but wish that Daniel was there to play the cello.
One of the Best Covers I Have Ever Seen Live
In addition to his nostalgic hits, Jonah included a cover of Tracy Chapman’s iconic song ‘Fast Car’ in his set. His performance filled the room with both energy and serenity, making the atmosphere feel even more intimate than the show had originally promised.
Mental Health Matters Every Month
Before the last song, Jonah made a statement about how thankful he is for each and every one of his fans whether their new or a limelight. He even got emotional talking about his struggles with mental health before he could perform again post- Why Don’t We.
“D.C thanks so much for tonight. Thanks for showing up for me. I haven’t talked about it much but I went throug a pretty tough time mental health wise. I wasn’t sure if I would ever get back on the stage after that. It was a moment where I was really scared. I just want to say on a spiritual deep level, thank you for being here with me tonight, it means the world. Thank you for riding with me through this. And I here people say that ‘your music really helped me or saved me,’ I want you to know that it’s very much a two way street. Because you guys saved me too. I love you so much. Thank you. I want to come back to Washington D.C for a very long time,”
Warm Hugs and Quality Time with Jonah
After the show, Jonah made it a point to meet everyone and give them a big warm welcoming hug or kiss on the cheek. He even made sure to visit the ADA section for fans with disabilities and connect with younger fans as well. As a word of advice if you get to the venue early, he might even be signing things outside in the que.
He listened attentively and was happy to sign anything—clothing, postcards, baseball cards with his face on them, and merch. Without a doubt, he’s one of the kindest souls I’ve ever met, and he spends at least five minutes with each person, creating a safe space for them to share whatever is on their mind.
By the time I left the meet and greet, there were still plenty of fans waiting to talk to him. He didn’t take a break or say no to anyone, making it feel like our own personal chat room with him.
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