No matter the day of the week, Common Kings is bound to come and conquer the soundwaves, all while sending hearts through an array of infectious and pounding riddims. Even after 8 weeks on the road, the Orange County natives came to rock Jannus Live to its core this past Thursday as part of their renamed “Road To Maui Tour,” with 100% of VIP sales going toward the Kīnā’ole Foundation’s Road to Maui Fund, joined by Cloud9Vibes and Jakob’s Castle. Even weeks before the show, the buzz in the air was electric with anticipation, yet nothing could prepare the St. Pete music family for the stellar performances from Thursday’s wild night.

Prior to the gate’s opening, a massive line stretched down the avenue, with everyone eagerly awaiting the booming sounds of a kick drum and thumping pull of a bass string. While waiting in line, the cool autumn air whistled through the collection of souls like a sweet serenade, all while the anticipation heated the air up, creating a wild hurricane of hype.

From the second Cloud9Vibes came to the stage, an endless scream emitted from the courtyard venue, reverberating through the buildings. The addition of Byron and Daymi Sellers of Indigo I added a whole new layer to the set. With Byron’s zipping quick fingers strumming his guitar fretboard, he fueled the air with an everlasting glow. Daymi hypnotized the Jannus faithful with her incredible voice, adding a touch of a soulful jazz vibe to the band’s already distinct and stand-out sound.

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Throughout the night, the energy pulsated hearts, synchronizing together into a perfect harmony of fierce love. As the mass of the crowd danced together, it looked much like a shimmering pool of water, glistening from the lights of the stage. Jakob’s Castle kept the crowd in suspense with a wild mix of tunes.

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Once the lights dimmed for the final time and Common Kings graced the stage, an absolute frenzy of energy released from every single person in the crowd. The shimmering sea of people erupted into a beautiful cascade of love and unity strong enough to conquer continents.

As the night floated on, Common Kings delivered hit after hit, each song an anthem that the audience sang with a burning passion. This beautiful scene evoked an incredible sense of not only love but also unity and a reminder of the power of music can not only sway hips but bring them together as one connected soul. Each smile, each scream, engrained deep into my mind and tucked into my ear drum, created an everlasting smile.

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Call it Lovers Rock, call it what you will, Common Kings soothed the soul and caressed the body with their delicate tunes but spiced things up when needed. The blending of these tunes created a tantric set that mystified and stunned, bringing the crowd on a mystical journey allowing them to waft freely between the soundwaves in a place of pure bliss. The final notes emitting from the amplifiers left a bittersweet impact on the heart. The gratitude that electrified the air at the end of the night could literally be seen, with each smile permanently zapped on every single face.