When I showed up to USANA thinking I had beat the crowds/traffic that typically ensues with a concert this big, I was surprised to see the endlessly long lines of people waiting to enter the amphitheater and the incredibly slow pace that said lines were moving. Apparently USANA now has handheld metal detectors that every guest is forced to undergo. Maybe itβs a ploy by the bands so that literally EVERYTHING tops getting an awkward βpat-downβ while five hundred people look on, but I guess safety is more important than efficiency.
After the grueling line waiting, and unfortunately missing the opening act PVRIS in the process, Thirty Seconds to Mars came on with a bang. Their stage production and effects were tasteful yet simple, which really allowed for the bandβs front man Jared Leto to connect with the audience. Having never really listened to Thirty Seconds to Mars or really knowing much of anything about Jared Leto, other than that he is an Oscar winner, my preconceived opinion about the actor/musician quickly dissipated when he began to talk to the audience. He was extremely personable and kind and truly made everyone in the audience immediately fall in love with him. Halfway through their set list and after songs such as βUp in the Air,β βThis Is Warβ and βSearch and Destroy,β Leto walked through the crowd with only his guitar and gave the most beautiful acoustic rendition of βThe Kill,β blowing everyone away with his incredible voice. And this was only the opener! Not wanting the band to ever stop, but eager to see Muse, Leto ended their tour with Muse by inviting 25+ fans onstage to sing βCloser to the Edge.β It was the kind of opener that everyone would have been satisfied leaving after. But the fun was just getting started.