Jon Bellion has provided lyrics that distinguish themselves from other popular artists these days. Speaking about topics usually ignored with rapping and remixes like no other, his connection proved to be strong to his fans through the line that began at Riviera’s doors and spanned down for two and a half blocks.

The excited fans were all looking for the same thing: an incredible musical experience as provided by Bellion’s music. They were provided with much more.

To open for Bellion, Travis Mendes and Blaque Keyz were scheduled.

Typically, the audience does not care for openers; the same went for this show. Mendes and Blaque Keyz are two artists that are featured in Bellion’s music. Their presence added to the main performance, allowing for live artists to sing their parts of songs instead of recordings, but their opening performances were disappointing.

To rally the audience, Mendes called for everybody to “Make some noise!” “Hands up!” This would have been a great tactic, but when it is asked for five times every minute, it becomes annoying, almost begging, and takes away from the act.

An aspect that was admirable for the openers was their attempt to connect personally with the audience. Mendes and Blaque Keyz were aware that the audience was not familiar with them, but they shared some of their own stories behind songs, such as chasing a girl, or Mendes expressing how the song “Ten Years,” represents the 10 years it took for Mendes to move on from a relationship. The stories showed everybody who they were beyond musical artists.

After waiting an almost unnecessary hour and a half for the main act, lights went black. The audience went crazy. Screams and cheers and phones flew up, everybody was ready for Bellion.

A black theater was pierced with a bright light, matched with the first note of “He is the Same,” the first song on Bellion’s album “The Human Condition.” The lights went out and returned again with the next note. Every fan knew this note, and the excitement for Bellion to appear on stage grew.

Bellion appeared and continued with the lyrics, the entire theater singing along. Bellion brought forth an energy I have not seen in a live performance in years. It was easy to see how much he appreciated every fan for attending, providing us with all he’s got. He ran from each side of the theater, making sure every section was accounted for.

As he began with an opening statement, Bellion was stopped when he saw a familiar audience member. Breaking from song, Bellion asked the theater to cheer for a fan who had been traveling to Bellion’s last show, and ended up in a hospital after a car accident, being told that she would never walk again. “But here she is, standing right in front of me!”

Bellion remastered many of his most popular tracks, like “Guillotine,” making them initially seem unrecognizable, but it added to the excitement and proved his talents.

Bellion shared his appreciation and shared messages he wanted each person to bring forth into the world. That we don’t stop chasing the impossible until our last breath, that we accept every person in this world, no matter the skin color, and that we not stand for the injustice in the world. Bellion united the crowd of 2,500 asking us to high five, hug and to look around. We were not a crowd of people; we were individuals who could do anything, and we were connected.

Once Bellion finished with “Hand of God,” he left the stage. Every audience member continued the concert on their own, singing the chorus, and becoming the show.

Lights went out, but that was no end for everybody in the theater. The cries for “One more song!” made my ears feel numb, unable to hear anything besides screams. The audience wasn’t ready for the night to end.

Bellion bursted out representing Chicago with a Cubs jersey on and stayed out for another 20 minutes, sharing messages and thanking the audience.

Bellion is set to return to Chicago this January touring with twenty one pilots for their Emotional Roadshow tour. If he’s anything like he was at Riviera, it would be a disservice to yourself to miss him this time.

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