PHOTOS: What You Missed at MixFest 2013
For his third MixFest, Gavin DeGraw got up-close and personal with fans, letting them know exactly how much they meant to him. (Photos by Margaret Burdge)
The early birds this weekend got much more than worms in the hours before MixFest 2013 began. The Hatch Shell viewing area was full before the free music even began. Overflow extended down the Esplanade, around into the surrounding grounds, and basically anywhere viewers could stand.
Every year MIX 104.1 hosts this free concert at the DCR Hatch Shell, but this year’s was bigger than ever before. The most-attended MixFest in history, this year’s show definitely did not disappoint.
If you couldn’t make it out this year, it you missed the screams that ensued when Gavin DeGraw mentioned Massachusetts in “Best I Ever Had,” or if you missed Nick Carter’s beautiful grin, then check out these photos from MixFest 2013:
More than an hour before the concert began, the Esplanade was packed with people shoulder-to-shoulder. State police had a tight control on security, funneling crowds into alternate locations.
Fans lined up all the way down Storrow Drive, along with the folks on the lagoon side. They received shout-outs from the performers who were happy to see that fans were willing to stand on the other side of the street to hear them play.
15 Seconds of Fame winner Alex Preston, 20, was the New England local selected to open the show. The singer/songwriter began with “Fairy Tales” and followed with the song that got him the gig, “The Light Was Already Here.”
After Preston’s impressive performance, the MIX 104.1 DJs announced that they will be doing the contest again next year and asked the crowd to start sending in submissions.
An interview with MIX host Erin O’Malley and Gavin DeGraw played while fans waited for him to come on stage. After explaining his recent on-plane performance, DeGraw answered O’Malley’s question about whether he sings his own songs or others’ when showering. “It depends where I’m washing myself,” DeGraw joked.
Returning for his third MixFest–including last year’s concert–DeGraw performed favorites and chart-toppers, but also new songs from his album Make a Move, which will be released October 15. Stay tuned, because DeGraw promised O’Malley backstage that he would be back again for MixFest next year.
DeGraw spent a good portion of his performance up against the fence with fans. Though it made it hard for state police to control, the audience appreciated DeGraw’s attention.
A true showman, DeGraw made his way around the stage, singing, playing piano, and joking with the audience.
“I love that,” said DeGraw when crowds screamed for the Backstreet Boys. “Music is not competition, music is a community.”
The Backstreet Boys followed DeGraw, opening with the obvious choice, “Everybody,” which prompted crowds to roar as the band announced, “Backstreet’s back, alright!”
Nick Carter bounced up and down, getting energy high during the opening song, “Everybody.”
Howie Dorough came out to the front of the stage during “As Long as You Love Me.”
In true boy-band fashion, the singers performed choreography, jumped, clapped, and–as seen above–Nick Carter even started to shed some clothing.
Brian Littrell soloed while Carter, Dorough, and A.J. McLean danced in sync behind him.
Kevin Richardson fist-pumped during the performance.
To maintain security, the Backstreet Boys were asked not to get off the stage, but McLean made a quick break for it, coming down closer to the audience for part of their first song.
Hat’s off to you, Boston. Both the Backstreet Boys and Gavin DeGraw commented on the beautiful ladies of the audience. McLean even said, “I might have to move to Boston.”
Just pal-ing around, Littrell and Richardson made it clear that they’ve been together for the long haul even when performing new songs.
Headliners Of Monsters and Men closed out MixFest 2013 with an indie-rock vibe to follow the classic pop of the Backstreet Boys.
The etherial Nanna Bryndís Hilmarsdóttir strummed away on her guitar.
Drummer Arnar Rósenkranz Hilmarsson played with enthusiasm throughout the performance.
Ragnar “Raggi” Þórhallsson, the band’s co-singer and guitarist, along with the rest of the band, created the smooth and powerful sound that Of Monsters and Men is known for.
Brynjar Leifsson accompanied on guitar, while Ragnhildur Gunnarsdóttir filled in the sound with a trumpet solo.
Hilmarsdóttir and Kristján Páll Kristjánsson sang in harmony during “Mountain Sound.”
