Jessica, Angelica and Gabriella Luna, from Sacramento, wore matching Jonas Brothers shirts in the front row at Angeles’ Banc of California Stadium on Saturday night, Jan. 7.
They were surprised that the College Football Playoff helped them see their favorite boy band at this weekend’s “AT&T Playoff Playlist Live!,” but were happy to make the drive for the experience.
“We’d go anywhere for the Jonas Brothers,” Jessica Luna said, “but being here has been so great.”
They joined thousands of music fans who packed the Exposition Park soccer stadium for the first of two days of free music, an experience meant to bring together music and college football fans, according to officials.
“AT&T Playoff Playlist Live!” is a free, two-day live music event, part of the buildup for the College Football Playoff National Championship game on Monday, Jan. 9, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood.
The music-filled weekend started with performances by singer-songwriters Em Beihold and Duckwrth. Other entertainment throughout the night included DJ Hannah Rad hyping up the crowd in between performances and appearances from former contestants of ABC’s “The Bachelorette,” who asked fans trivia questions.
Coming up Sunday: Another array of performers, headlined by GAYLE, Saweetie and Pitbull.
But the performance most anticipated Saturday was the bill-topping set from the multi-platinum selling Jonas Brothers.
Fans in the front row, leaning against the barricade, said they appreciated the opportunity to attend a free concert, especially to see the Jonas Brothers.
Megan Noronha, from Orange County, and her two friends who had traveled from out of state were at the Banc of California stadium at 5 a.m. to make sure they had front-row seats.
“It was chaos to get up here,” Noronha said. The friends said they had to run towards the front once getting inside.
“But it was worth it,” Noronha said, “we take any opportunity to come to see (the Jonas Brothers).”
More and more people filled the stadium as the time for the headlining artists grew near.
The capacity for the venue is 22,000 people but tickets for the two-day event were sold out within 24 hours, said Victoria Sumrall, senior producer at the Solomon Group, which is producing the live events.
As the stadium turned down the lights, the screams grew louder in anticipation.
The Jonas Brothers took the stage and opened with “Only Human,” and followed with well-known and fan-favorite songs such as “Cool,” “What A Man Gotta Do,” and “Burnin’ Up.”
Fans were singing along and dancing from the very front, all the way up in the top row seats of the stadium.
The lads may not have tallied any touchdowns or sacked any quarterbacks — fans will have to wait for Monday for the football action — but they certainly scored with Saturday’s packed house.