Your face while you were watching pretty much said it all. Not sure if you know they recorded this as a response to the Pulse nightclub shooting which makes it even more hauntingly beautiful.
In February of 2022 my husband of 46 years lost hope and killed himself. I first discovered Pentatonix that September, seven months later. Their music has been a comfort to me when I desperately needed comforting. And then I found out that Pentatonix would be giving a concert in Denver on November 20, 2022. I immediately bought tickets for myself and a friend. I could only afford the nosebleed seats but it didn't matter; we were going to be there and we were going to have fun! And on November 19 a person with an assault rifle entered Club Q, a queer nightclub in Colorado Springs, and attempted to recreate the horror of the Pulse massacre. Colorado Springs is about 70 miles south of my house just west of Denver. This time we got lucky. This time there was a hero present who saw people he loved being killed and ran TOWARD the danger. And against all the odds, this unarmed man succeeded in taking down a man in body armor wielding an assault weapon, using only his bare hands and his own body weight. Because of him, this time we "only" lost five people. One was the mother of an 11 year old daughter 😢. At least two were shot while attempting to protect others - most heros don't live long enough to tell us that they aren't "really" heros, the way the man who took down the gunman did. November 20 was cold. There was still snow at the sides of the roads from our last storm. I hadn't been able to afford parking at the actual venue so I'd purchased parking in a hotel garage in downtown Denver, planning to take the free mall bus to and from the concert. Well, the "to" part of that worked just fine, but then the driver informed us that the scheduling information on the website was wrong - the last returning bus left at 11 p.m.; if we missed it we'd have to find some other way to get back to my car. Sigh. Well, the concert was supposed to be over by then; we'd probably be okay. (At the time I didn't yet know about the Club Q shootings; I hadn't been watching the news that weekend.) So I first heard about Club Q that evening, sitting in my seat at Denver's Ball Arena, checking email on my phone while waiting for Pentatonix to come on stage. It was like a punch in the gut. I've lost so many gay friends over the years, to AIDS, suicide, simple old age and heart failure, and the thought of any of those beloved friends in Club Q brought back all of those old losses, piling in on top of my more recent loss in a crushing weight. Pentatonix was late coming on stage - I think Mitch and Scott were still writing the remarks they wanted to make about the Club Q shootings - but eventually they came out. Mitch led us in a moment of silence. Scott talked about queer nightclubs, about how they're supposed to be safe places for queer people to meet with family, friends, and allies for good conversation and good fun, and what it's like when that safe place suddenly becomes unsafe. Then Pentatonix pledged a large sum of money to the recovery efforts in Colorado Springs, and the concert proceeded. Yes, it was a good concert, despite the cloud hanging over us from the shootings. Because they'd been late starting we had to leave during "The Kevin Show" to catch the last bus. By the time we got to my car I was chilled through. The car's heater didn't do much to fix that; when I got home I replaced my dangly earrings with studs and changed into my warmest pajamas before sitting down in my recliner and pulling two blankets over me, for "just a couple of minutes, until I get warm." I woke up 5 hours later, still too cold, with an aching neck and back. So I took a couple ibuprofen for the pain and made a pot of coffee for the lingering cold, and when I began to feel better I discovered a deep need to revisit SuperFruit's cover of "Rise." This time I noticed the things I'd missed the first time I listened to it. This song, as rendered by these people in this circumstance, speaks directly to my fears for the future without my husband by my side. It's a powerful anthem of hope, of defying the odds and emerging victorious. Three days later was Thanksgiving, my first Thanksgiving as a widow, and I was still listening to "Rise." It got me through Thanksgiving. The next month it got me through Christmas. In January it got me through my first birthday without my husband, and in February it got me through the first anniversary of his death. In a few days it will get me through the second anniversary of his death. I expect it will still be getting me through the tough times many years from now when I'm on my own deathbed. And the hope it gives me is one of the reasons I expect that deathbed to be many years in the future.
SUPERFRUIT!!! Chills every time with this one, particularly knowing the back story. Being speechless is an extremely eloquent reaction actually. Empire Medley next please!
I love that you didn't stop once throughout this amazing performance. It still brings tears to my eye every time I hear it. During a very difficult time last year after hearing this for the first time I wrote "I will still rise" with lipstick on my bathroom mirror to remind me. The words are still there and I feel this song is an anthem for everyone who needs it. Thank you!
Great reaction! Thank you! I love when real talent renders people speechless! Next…..for a lighter, more upbeat but playful and equally as powerful punch…..please react to the Superfruit cover of “Defying Gravity” from the Broadway musical “Wicked”! A couple of Scott and Mitch slaps in that one, too! Love it when these guys just decide to have some fun!
Yay! Superfruit, finally! :) It's all great, but check out their original music - I recommend starting with Imaginary Parties and Guy.Exe. Their medleys are fantastic as well, especially 'Beyonce' (a mash-up of the entire self-titled album)!
You should read what superfruit wrote to preface this song. I wish more reactors would read it first. I understand wanting to go into a reaction cold but this song means so much more that I think this once reactors should make an exception.
I know the context as to the performance. And it wouldn't be an authentic reaction if I research in any way. If we make an exception for just this song, we would have to for ALL songs, as how would we have any idea not to, otherwise?
@@zack_reacts there are ALWAYS exceptions to anything. And if it's important enough subject matter to warrant a one in a million exception, why not? Even the constitution has exceptions. Even every law or policy throughout the world will have exceptions, even if it's incredibly rare. Which makes an exception when it does happen all the more important. And many reactors have made an exception to the rule of no research bc of the fact the group itself in essence WROTE the exception, wanting people to read before listening and watching because for obvious reasons the subject matter is that important to them. It for no other reason make the exception for these artists who were asking to hear their words. THATS why you make an exception for just this one song. It deserves it.
As several people have already mentioned, this was a response to the massacre at the Pulse gay nightclub in 2016. All five singers are members of the LGBTQ+ community. Their description reads: "As music artists we are given an incredible platform with which to reach the world. One of the most inspiring and rewarding aspects of our job is the ability to make a difference in people's lives. In keeping with the spirit of why we pursued our dreams as music artists, and the positive impact we aspired to have on others, we decided to make this video with some of our closest friends in celebration of the LGBTQ+ community and all of our fans who love unconditionally and see no barriers. For anyone who has ever felt pride in who they are, and for anyone who has ever doubted the power of your own uniqueness, this video is for you. It warms our hearts to finally be able to share this with you!! xoxo Scott, Mitch, Mary, Mario, Brian"
Your face while you were watching pretty much said it all. Not sure if you know they recorded this as a response to the Pulse nightclub shooting which makes it even more hauntingly beautiful.
In February of 2022 my husband of 46 years lost hope and killed himself. I first discovered Pentatonix that September, seven months later. Their music has been a comfort to me when I desperately needed comforting.
And then I found out that Pentatonix would be giving a concert in Denver on November 20, 2022. I immediately bought tickets for myself and a friend. I could only afford the nosebleed seats but it didn't matter; we were going to be there and we were going to have fun!
And on November 19 a person with an assault rifle entered Club Q, a queer nightclub in Colorado Springs, and attempted to recreate the horror of the Pulse massacre. Colorado Springs is about 70 miles south of my house just west of Denver.
This time we got lucky. This time there was a hero present who saw people he loved being killed and ran TOWARD the danger. And against all the odds, this unarmed man succeeded in taking down a man in body armor wielding an assault weapon, using only his bare hands and his own body weight. Because of him, this time we "only" lost five people. One was the mother of an 11 year old daughter 😢. At least two were shot while attempting to protect others - most heros don't live long enough to tell us that they aren't "really" heros, the way the man who took down the gunman did.
November 20 was cold. There was still snow at the sides of the roads from our last storm. I hadn't been able to afford parking at the actual venue so I'd purchased parking in a hotel garage in downtown Denver, planning to take the free mall bus to and from the concert. Well, the "to" part of that worked just fine, but then the driver informed us that the scheduling information on the website was wrong - the last returning bus left at 11 p.m.; if we missed it we'd have to find some other way to get back to my car. Sigh. Well, the concert was supposed to be over by then; we'd probably be okay. (At the time I didn't yet know about the Club Q shootings; I hadn't been watching the news that weekend.)
So I first heard about Club Q that evening, sitting in my seat at Denver's Ball Arena, checking email on my phone while waiting for Pentatonix to come on stage. It was like a punch in the gut. I've lost so many gay friends over the years, to AIDS, suicide, simple old age and heart failure, and the thought of any of those beloved friends in Club Q brought back all of those old losses, piling in on top of my more recent loss in a crushing weight.
Pentatonix was late coming on stage - I think Mitch and Scott were still writing the remarks they wanted to make about the Club Q shootings - but eventually they came out. Mitch led us in a moment of silence. Scott talked about queer nightclubs, about how they're supposed to be safe places for queer people to meet with family, friends, and allies for good conversation and good fun, and what it's like when that safe place suddenly becomes unsafe. Then Pentatonix pledged a large sum of money to the recovery efforts in Colorado Springs, and the concert proceeded.
Yes, it was a good concert, despite the cloud hanging over us from the shootings. Because they'd been late starting we had to leave during "The Kevin Show" to catch the last bus. By the time we got to my car I was chilled through. The car's heater didn't do much to fix that; when I got home I replaced my dangly earrings with studs and changed into my warmest pajamas before sitting down in my recliner and pulling two blankets over me, for "just a couple of minutes, until I get warm." I woke up 5 hours later, still too cold, with an aching neck and back. So I took a couple ibuprofen for the pain and made a pot of coffee for the lingering cold, and when I began to feel better I discovered a deep need to revisit SuperFruit's cover of "Rise."
This time I noticed the things I'd missed the first time I listened to it. This song, as rendered by these people in this circumstance, speaks directly to my fears for the future without my husband by my side. It's a powerful anthem of hope, of defying the odds and emerging victorious.
Three days later was Thanksgiving, my first Thanksgiving as a widow, and I was still listening to "Rise." It got me through Thanksgiving. The next month it got me through Christmas. In January it got me through my first birthday without my husband, and in February it got me through the first anniversary of his death. In a few days it will get me through the second anniversary of his death. I expect it will still be getting me through the tough times many years from now when I'm on my own deathbed. And the hope it gives me is one of the reasons I expect that deathbed to be many years in the future.
Sending prayers and love! 🩷
Love Superfruit! Pure ear candy! Sometimes saying nothing is the best compliment! Thanks for this one! More Superfruit! Anything! Take your pick!
They did this in honor of the Pulse nightclub shooting.
SUPERFRUIT!!! Chills every time with this one, particularly knowing the back story. Being speechless is an extremely eloquent reaction actually. Empire Medley next please!
Goosebumps every time I hear it. I agree it makes you speechless.
I love that you didn't stop once throughout this amazing performance. It still brings tears to my eye every time I hear it. During a very difficult time last year after hearing this for the first time I wrote "I will still rise" with lipstick on my bathroom mirror to remind me. The words are still there and I feel this song is an anthem for everyone who needs it. Thank you!
Great reaction! Thank you! I love when real talent renders people speechless! Next…..for a lighter, more upbeat but playful and equally as powerful punch…..please react to the Superfruit cover of “Defying Gravity” from the Broadway musical “Wicked”! A couple of Scott and Mitch slaps in that one, too! Love it when these guys just decide to have some fun!
Amazing reaction to a fantastic cover. They indeed crushed it. All 5 were outstanding.
Your facial expressions were enough reaction, lol! This is a really special one to me, I love it so much.
I love this version! You should check out Superfruit's original, Goodbye From Lonely. It is very catchy and has a good vibe.
Absolutely love Goodbye From Lonely
Such a stunning performance. Such an inspiring and uplifting song. Thanks for reacting to it, Zack!
One of Superfruits funnier skits is a Stranger things parody that Mario is in. Hilarious.
Yay! Superfruit, finally! :) It's all great, but check out their original music - I recommend starting with Imaginary Parties and Guy.Exe. Their medleys are fantastic as well, especially 'Beyonce' (a mash-up of the entire self-titled album)!
I did guy.exe and Beyonce
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
You should read what superfruit wrote to preface this song. I wish more reactors would read it first. I understand wanting to go into a reaction cold but this song means so much more that I think this once reactors should make an exception.
I know the context as to the performance. And it wouldn't be an authentic reaction if I research in any way. If we make an exception for just this song, we would have to for ALL songs, as how would we have any idea not to, otherwise?
@@zack_reacts there are ALWAYS exceptions to anything. And if it's important enough subject matter to warrant a one in a million exception, why not? Even the constitution has exceptions. Even every law or policy throughout the world will have exceptions, even if it's incredibly rare. Which makes an exception when it does happen all the more important. And many reactors have made an exception to the rule of no research bc of the fact the group itself in essence WROTE the exception, wanting people to read before listening and watching because for obvious reasons the subject matter is that important to them. It for no other reason make the exception for these artists who were asking to hear their words. THATS why you make an exception for just this one song. It deserves it.
Love Superfruit and with so much added talent!!. Sorry Katie better.
As several people have already mentioned, this was a response to the massacre at the Pulse gay nightclub in 2016. All five singers are members of the LGBTQ+ community.
Their description reads:
"As music artists we are given an incredible platform with which to reach the world. One of the most inspiring and rewarding aspects of our job is the ability to make a difference in people's lives. In keeping with the spirit of why we pursued our dreams as music artists, and the positive impact we aspired to have on others, we decided to make this video with some of our closest friends in celebration of the LGBTQ+ community and all of our fans who love unconditionally and see no barriers. For anyone who has ever felt pride in who they are, and for anyone who has ever doubted the power of your own uniqueness, this video is for you. It warms our hearts to finally be able to share this with you!!
xoxo
Scott, Mitch, Mary, Mario, Brian"