Tyler Ward

Date: September 22, 2015
Venue: Larimer Lounge
On Tour With: Two Worlds & Tiffany Alvord

There was nothing perfect about this set. The venue was dark, cords and equipment were scattered about, creating an unwelcomed obstacle course. Technology failed, and lyrics were missed. It was Day 3 of the Yellow Boxes Tour, and Tyler Ward was nervous. With the audience a mere arms length away from his polished boots, nothing went unnoticed. If there was ever a moment to be vulnerable, this was it, whether he wanted it or not.

Taking the stage alone, with his guitar and mixer as his only companions, Tyler Ward told a story. A boyish grin spread across his face as he laughed at his mistakes and owned his flaws. His songs, though simple, opened the doors to a complex life. What started off as a fairy-tale journey, quickly turned to disaster, with addiction as the driver. Fame had taken over his ideals, and his return to his identity was a work in progress. Turning instead to a higher power, it seems that Ward has found a saving grace in words, chords and melodies.

With a new EP, titled Yellow Boxes, coming out on Oct. 1st, Ward is exposing his experiences. In a press release about the album, Ward says the album will display “the trials of self discovery, addiction, failure, success, heartbreak, and the realization that life kinda sucks when you push people away.”

The singer/songwriter, a pioneer in the social media artist world, played songs from his plethora of original acoustic tracks, including some from the new record. More often than not, combining multiple singles into one long mashup. He celebrated love with the romantic tune “Falling” and encouraged change with “Dashes”, a song geared towards stepping outside of your comfort zone.

Before his originals, Ward came to be with his catchy renditions of Top 40 songs that he posted on YouTube. In the spirit of pleasing those he loves, Ward returned to his roots. As fans shouted out current popular artists, Ward promised and delivered 14 unrehearsed covers. Unapologetically admitting the implausible nature of memorizing 14 songs, he didn’t know he’d be playing, he relied on the audience as backing vocals and turned the experience into an energizing group effort.

Though the night started off slow, it ended with a bang. Bringing out special guests, and fellow YouTube sensations Epicc, Two Worlds and Danny Padilla, the group took the final minutes to show off their rapping, dancing and beat-boxing skills.

Unlike most concerts these days, this show was not immaculate. They didn’t practice and rehearse until they were blue in the face. They were human. Flawed, hurt, loved and beautifully imperfect.