Music Review: Planetary Adventures with 30 Seconds To Mars

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Parent Category: Film and the Arts

Category: Reviews

Published on Monday, 02 January 2012 16:09

Written by Christine Natanael

30 Seconds To Mars
Hammerstein Ballroom
December 7, 2011

When the brothers Jared and Shannon Leto, and Tomo Milicevic released This Is War in 2010, little did they know just where the tour for the album would take them or the journey it would become. Not only have they touched millions with their music, but they have helped so many with their compassionate charitable work.

The band's journey was marked by a new milestone on Wednesday December 7, 2011, at Hammerstein Ballroom in NYC where the Echelon (their fans) got to share in two great experiences: the presentation from Guinness Book of World Records of an award presented by James Montgomery, for achieving the greatest amount of shows in one tour cycle, (a round 300 on the plaque, but 309 in actuality); and simultaneous live streaming of the show via VyRT on UStream.

Those in the sold-out venue experienced a multi-media experience at the hands of the band itself and the filmmaker Bartholomew Cubbins, a full sensory immersion in the 30 Seconds To Mars Experience. Teenagers, toddlers, and adults alike were there to interact with the band, the music, the film and each other. It was  a celebratory experience of positivity from the first chords of "Escape" and "A Beautiful Lie" to the encore of "Kings and Queens".

Jared made his way to the back of the venue by the soundboard and light techs and took audience requests for the tunes "Kings and Queens", "Alibi", "Was It A Dream?", "Hurricane", and "The Kill", before returning to the main stage for "Closer To The Edge".  But 30 Seconds To Mars is not just the Jared Leto show. 

Guitarist Tomo Milicevic added his tone and technical precision as throughout the evening as drummer Shannon Leto punctuated and poly-rhythm-ed across the event, with a highlight being his coming centerstage to produce a beautiful tone on a large white singing bowl.

Older favorites such as "Search and Destroy", "Buddha for Mary", and "Capricorn", were also included in the set.

Jared let the crowd know that from their passion for the band they have and could make reality from a dream with the statement: "Dreams Are Possible" before bringing up two of the cutest little kids from the audience and introducing Bam Margera.

During the encore of "Kings and Queens", there was a slight mishap when young female fan down front went down and Jared stopped the show in order to call out from the stage for the medics to attend to her.  But she was revived quickly and soon joined the band onstage with so many people, including one guest who was hoisted out of his wheelchair to be brought up to be a part of it all, ending the night joyously.

Also on the evening's bill were local NYC group Semi Precious Weapons who are signed to Interscope Records and who toured with Lady Gaga as the opening act on her The Monster Ball Tour.

Tonight's 30 Seconds To Mars show will be held at St. Peter's of Chelsea with 100% of the proceeds going to aid those in Haiti who are still suffering from the devastating earthquake.  Non-perishable food items are being requested by the band to be brought by attendees of the event.

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