Photos by Steve Cerf

Concert Review by Erin Hunter

Photography by Steve Cerf

It was a full house at Ardmore Music Hall on Tuesday, August 6, as fans of all ages braved the inclement weather to see Five for Fighting at the first show of his summer 2024 tour.

 Five for Fighting is the solo project of John Ondrasik, a platinum-selling and Grammy-nominated artist beloved for his comforting falsetto and skill on the piano.

His songs have warmed the hearts of millions with messages of love, reflections on life, gratitude for the human experience, and standing up for your beliefs and country.

His first hit, "Superman (It’s Not Easy)" (2000), likely came out before many of the people in the crowd were even born, he joked onstage. This panorama of ages—from young children to hip millennials and a sea of Gen X adults—cements his music as timeless.

He played other hits from his repertoire—including "Chances," "The Riddle," and "What If" (his favorite music video of all his songs)—and the entire crowd was singing and swaying during a cover of Elton John’s "Rocket Man."

During the show, Ondrasik took moments to pay tribute to the soldiers and veterans who have fought or died for this country, with some of his songs reflecting this appreciation.

He also shared many tender memories about his children, watching them grow up, and observing how his music reflexively changed when they entered his life.

“You can’t not write [100 Years] with two little kids sitting on your lap,” he told the crowd.

One concertgoer emphatically whispered, “What a song,” when he played "100 Years," but I can’t help but think everyone felt that way about every one of his songs.