Imagine Dragons launched the Canadian leg of their ‘Mercury Tour’ at Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre in Victoria Sunday April 20, 2022.

Their set started with a video sequence on the stage’s large LED screen backdrop distracting the audience until lead singer Dan Reynolds was lifted up from under the secondary stage at the end of a long runway where he sang the opening verse of ‘My Life’. He then waved to three sides of the cheering audience before running towards the stage and swinging his right hand in the air to trigger an explosion of confetti. That kind of theatrics would happen numerous times through out the spectacle that is an Imagine Dragons show.

The concert was essentially split into three sections. A performance of twelve songs including hits like ‘Believer’, ‘It’s Time’, ‘Thunder’, and ‘Natural’ followed by four songs performed acoustically at the secondary stage. The final section of eight songs had more hits in ‘Whatever It Takes’, ‘Demons’ and ‘Radioactive’. Surprisingly the latter was not the final song.

Much of Reynolds’ banter between songs was spent sharing positive messages. About halfway through the set he shared the story of what their song ‘Wrecked’ was inspired from.

“This song is for Alisha Reynolds, my brother’s wife,” said Reynolds. “The mother of seven children who passed away two years ago. Cancer came out of nowhere in her 30s. Was totally healthy and came and took her from us in a years time. She a had a two-year-old… seven kids. I sat with her and my brother as she passed away in a hospital bed. I don’t share this to put a damper on tonight, but actually the opposite. I think she lived a life where she would want every single person in the world to know that every single day matters… every moment that you’re year. We have our health. So never take it for granted. At least that’s what I try to remind myself when I sing this song.”

There were people of all ages at the arena. Many young children could be seen standing on the stairs or dancing at their seats holding blinking light sticks purchased at the merch tables. Reynolds acknowledged all the young fans before performing ‘It’s Okay.

“I’m definitely seeing quite a few kids out here tonight. This song is for you. It’s a very simple message. When you’re young, sometimes the world can be a very very pleasant place and as you get older you’re surprised by the meanness of other people. It just comes from hurt. It’s just hurt. But what’s important to know is that you should never ever look at someone else and want to be what they are. You should always be what you are. You may see other kids and think that they are cool, but what is cool is being yourself every day. Never apologize, never change for anybody. Find what you love and do it everyday passionately. Drown out all the noise and above all love yourself. It’s a simple thing.”

Opening the evening was 15-year-old singer-songwriter AVIV from Toronto. The Dine Alone Records artist’s debut EP won’t be released until April 15, but she already earned a huge gig opening for Imagine Dragons. Based on what we saw on stage, she is an up and coming singer to keep a look out for in the future.

The concert was presented by Live Nation

See our full photo gallery or on our Facebook Page