IMAGINE DRAGONS - FROM ZERO TO HERO
Behind every successful name are a story, a long-lasting friendship, drama, opportunity, and a long list of challenges. Few bands have managed to withstand the test of time, especially those formed during the members' teenage years. Finding the perfect artistic combination is quite as complicated as the chemistry between people.
When the bassist wants something different while the other band members seek a blend of pop/rock, you have to make a change, and another change, to find that tempo. This is also the story of Imagine Dragons, one of the most beautiful surprises offered by the creators of the UNTOLD festival for this year's edition.
Dan Reynolds and Andrew Tolman laid the band’s foundations in 2008 while studying at Brigham University. They were then classified as an Indie-Rock band with live performances in small clubs near Las Vegas. Then an opportunity arose - they became the opening act at a festival in Las Vegas after the lead singer of the band Train, Patrick Monahan, couldn't perform due to a medical issue. It was the first time Imagine Dragons appeared in front of an audience of 26,000 people!
However, it wasn't enough for the five members of the original lineup to stay together; something was missing—the chemistry. But in 2012, the band that the world knows and appreciates emerged. Dan Reynolds was the one who managed to discover the right artists for this successful project: Wayne Sermon, a guy who could work magic with guitar riffs; bassist Daniel Platzman; and Ben McKee, the drummer of the band. The best thing about this perfect combination was that they all shared the same desire: to be credible and be incredible and part of a legendary band. They succeeded in a short time!
In 2012, they released the single "It's Time," which paved the way for the massive success of "Radioactive." "Demons" followed. That year, Imagine Dragons achieved their goal of becoming relevant. "Radioactive" was an unprecedented success for a band in its early stages; it was the biggest rock hit of the year, according to Billboard magazine. Four albums followed: "Night Visions," "Smoke + Mirrors," "Evolve," and "Origins," which earned them accolades from all fronts, ranging from Grammy, Teen Choice, Billboard Music, MTV Video Music Award to Echo Music, NRJ Music, and American Music Awards.
But the most important achievement was reaching the second goal: Imagine Dragons became a legendary band. In 2021, after a three-year hiatus, a personal story offered a new chance for this band. Dan Reynolds experienced an extremely complicated love story. He was married to Aja Volkman for ten years, a marriage filled with many ups and downs.
In 2019, Reynolds posted a message on his Twitter account stating that he was trying, alongside Aja, to save their marriage. It didn't work, and Reynolds received divorce papers and a message from his ex-wife that would change the situation: "I love you. I can love you without expecting anything in return." This message saved their marriage for a short period. They are parents to four children, but it also inspired the comeback and reunion of Imagine Dragons.
After a three-year break, the American band released a new song, "Follow You," a confessional single. It was followed by an album, "Mercury - Act 1," a second album, "Mercury - Act 2," and a worldwide tour—a spectacular comeback of the Imagine Dragons. The band's evolution is a lesson in perseverance and friendship among four people who managed to grow together and believe that it is possible for a band formed during their college years to sell 35 million singles in the United States alone and 20 million albums worldwide.
Finding the ideal combination of sound and message seems to be the details that can take you from "Zero to Hero." Reynolds said it is important to find your people and make things happen, even if it means investing time and effort. Every year, for four days, people believe that magic is not just a story but an inner song that opens the gates of the UNTOLD universe. And the story of the eighth edition will be written with a legendary live performance by the band Imagine Dragons.
The UNTOLD festival will occur from August 3rd to August 6th, 2023.
When the bassist wants something different while the other band members seek a blend of pop/rock, you have to make a change, and another change, to find that tempo. This is also the story of Imagine Dragons, one of the most beautiful surprises offered by the creators of the UNTOLD festival for this year's edition.
Dan Reynolds and Andrew Tolman laid the band’s foundations in 2008 while studying at Brigham University. They were then classified as an Indie-Rock band with live performances in small clubs near Las Vegas. Then an opportunity arose - they became the opening act at a festival in Las Vegas after the lead singer of the band Train, Patrick Monahan, couldn't perform due to a medical issue. It was the first time Imagine Dragons appeared in front of an audience of 26,000 people!
However, it wasn't enough for the five members of the original lineup to stay together; something was missing—the chemistry. But in 2012, the band that the world knows and appreciates emerged. Dan Reynolds was the one who managed to discover the right artists for this successful project: Wayne Sermon, a guy who could work magic with guitar riffs; bassist Daniel Platzman; and Ben McKee, the drummer of the band. The best thing about this perfect combination was that they all shared the same desire: to be credible and be incredible and part of a legendary band. They succeeded in a short time!
In 2012, they released the single "It's Time," which paved the way for the massive success of "Radioactive." "Demons" followed. That year, Imagine Dragons achieved their goal of becoming relevant. "Radioactive" was an unprecedented success for a band in its early stages; it was the biggest rock hit of the year, according to Billboard magazine. Four albums followed: "Night Visions," "Smoke + Mirrors," "Evolve," and "Origins," which earned them accolades from all fronts, ranging from Grammy, Teen Choice, Billboard Music, MTV Video Music Award to Echo Music, NRJ Music, and American Music Awards.
But the most important achievement was reaching the second goal: Imagine Dragons became a legendary band. In 2021, after a three-year hiatus, a personal story offered a new chance for this band. Dan Reynolds experienced an extremely complicated love story. He was married to Aja Volkman for ten years, a marriage filled with many ups and downs.
In 2019, Reynolds posted a message on his Twitter account stating that he was trying, alongside Aja, to save their marriage. It didn't work, and Reynolds received divorce papers and a message from his ex-wife that would change the situation: "I love you. I can love you without expecting anything in return." This message saved their marriage for a short period. They are parents to four children, but it also inspired the comeback and reunion of Imagine Dragons.
After a three-year break, the American band released a new song, "Follow You," a confessional single. It was followed by an album, "Mercury - Act 1," a second album, "Mercury - Act 2," and a worldwide tour—a spectacular comeback of the Imagine Dragons. The band's evolution is a lesson in perseverance and friendship among four people who managed to grow together and believe that it is possible for a band formed during their college years to sell 35 million singles in the United States alone and 20 million albums worldwide.
Finding the ideal combination of sound and message seems to be the details that can take you from "Zero to Hero." Reynolds said it is important to find your people and make things happen, even if it means investing time and effort. Every year, for four days, people believe that magic is not just a story but an inner song that opens the gates of the UNTOLD universe. And the story of the eighth edition will be written with a legendary live performance by the band Imagine Dragons.
The UNTOLD festival will occur from August 3rd to August 6th, 2023.