The first time I heard of Greyson Chance was through his 2010 release, “Waiting Outside The Lines.” For years, I wondered what he may have been doing musically but this show displayed how much he’s vocally and lyrically improved.
The American singer-songwriter released a few EPs along the way but his experiences through college give us a new perspective on the 21-year-old. Learning from life experiences has given him the chance to grow up away from the flashing lights and become as vulnerable as he had ever been. The singles “Low,” “Good As Gold,” and “Twenty One” perfectly represent that.
Chance debuted on The Gramercy Theater stage with the single “Shut Up,” one of the many singles referencing his love life, which he’s become comfortably okay about sharing. “I cannot hold my tongue, you give me much to say/I’m sweating bullets, nervous that you’ll push away” he sings completely fixated on a summer fling. The at-ease, relaxed vocals highlight Chance’s comfort about being able to write about his sexuality and fully expressing himself. The recently released video for “Shut Up” has garnered over one million views.
Throughout the short breaks, Greyson Chance spoke freely about his inspirations. “Twenty One,” titled based on his current age, mentions the desire to become 21 because then we’re able to have access to a variety of things that we can’t have below that age – such as drinking. “F–k me all up, put your hands on me/One more bottle, have some fun/We only got one year to be twenty one, twenty one, twenty one” he sings while he swings around a bottle of liquor in his hand.
“Good As Gold” was inspired by a friend who was having a bad day. Fans have been able to relate with this single, as seen from the jacket a fan gave him before the show. He instantly put it on at the start of “Good as Gold” while saying, “Don’t think you are lesser than someone because of the likes they have, number of followers they have, number of views they have… because validation in your phone screens is empty, seriously… focus on being a better version of yourself, that’s what it’s all about.”
The lyrics then flowed from everyone’s mouths: “Good as gold. You are good as gold.”
Fans in the crowd grew excited as the hour-and-a-half set kept rolling. For someone who gained fame through his cover of Lady Gaga’s “Paparazzi,” fans feel like they grew up with him and are seeing it with their own eyes. His experiences have been seen through them and for many, they can relate.
Setlist:
- Intro
- Shut Up
- Bleed You Still
- Seasons Nineteen
- Timekeeper
- Low
- Stand
- West Texas
- No Fear
- Black On Black
- Twenty One
- Good As Gold
- More Than Me
- Lakeshore
- White Roses
- Yours
Portraits releases on March 15. Are you excited for Greyson Chance’s album? Let us know on Twitter @CelebMix