OneRepublic took the stage as one of the highly anticipated headliners at the Palm Tree Festival in Dana Point on October 5th, delivering a high-energy performance that perfectly matched the laid-back, coastal vibes of the festival. Surrounded by ocean breezes and palm trees, the band electrified the crowd with their signature hits and unforgettable moments.
One of the standout highlights of the night was when frontman Ryan Tedder treated fans to a special “concert within a concert,” giving the audience a glimpse of his remarkable songwriting career. Before diving into a medley of chart-topping songs he wrote for other major artists, Tedder shared with the crowd, “We’re gonna give you a concert within a concert. Here’s the thing, we’ve been a band for 17-18 years. I’ve been writing songs for all the artists you listen to for the last 17-18 years. I’ve been lucky enough to work with a lot of artists. A lot of you don’t know the songs I wrote.”
He then continued, “Here’s what we’re gonna do in the next 10 minutes or less. I’m going to rip through like five or six records that I’m pretty sure you’re going to know.” As the crowd eagerly anticipated, Tedder added with a grin, “This is Dana Point karaoke.”
What followed was an unforgettable medley of hits, including Beyoncé’s “Halo,” Leona Lewis’s “Bleeding Love,” Maroon 5’s “Maps” and “Love Somebody,” David Guetta’s “I Don’t Wanna Wait” (featuring OneRepublic), and Tate McRae’s “Greedy.” The audience sang along to every note, fully embracing the unique experience of hearing so many familiar songs from one of music’s most prolific songwriters.
In addition to the amazing performance by OneRepublic, I had the chance to speak with two incredible fans who shared their love for the band. Cesar from Oceanside, who had been waiting in line since 6 a.m. and stayed until the gates opened at 2 p.m., said, “First time I heard them was back in 2010. There was a movie that came out called The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, and in the movie, OneRepublic played ‘Secrets.’ Ever since then, I’ve been a really big fan and so happy to see them here in Dana Point.”
Another loyal fan, Michi, who traveled all the way from Munich, Germany, enthusiastically shared, “I already saw them over 70 times, I think, in Europe, in the US, in Canada, and in Asia.” The dedication and excitement from fans like Cesar and Michi only added to the magic of OneRepublic’s performance at the Palm Tree Festival.
Ryan Tedder played all the hits during the concert, with the audience enthusiastically singing along. Before one particular song, Tedder shared a personal story, saying, “Most of my late teens and 20s, I was flat broke and getting evicted. Couldn’t afford a car. I definitely wasn’t getting handouts or coming from money, so I didn’t really have much of a choice. I spent many, many nights lying in bed, waking up at 3:00 a.m., stressed out, thinking, ‘I can’t afford this house, I can’t afford this car, I can’t afford the rent, I can’t afford a diamond, I can’t afford anything.’ And I thought, ‘Man, one day I can’t wait until I’m not just lying here, staring at the ceiling at 3 in the morning, counting dollars. One day, I want to be counting stars.” With that, the crowd erupted in cheers, knowing the next song would be “Counting Stars.”
The concert was nothing short of electrifying, with Ryan Tedder delivering a flawless vocal performance that captivated the audience from start to finish. His powerful voice, combined with the energy of the band and his heartfelt stories, brought a unique connection to the crowd. Each song, from OneRepublic’s greatest hits to the surprise medley of songs Tedder had written for other artists, created moments of pure joy and excitement. Tedder’s charisma and genuine passion for the music filled the air, leaving everyone in attendance singing, dancing, and fully immersed in the experience. It was a night that truly showcased why OneRepublic remains one of the best live acts today.
OneRepublic’s setlist at the Palm Tree Festival in Dana Point.
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