Jonah Marais: A Solo Debut That Hits All the Right Notes
Written by: Keyali Mikaela
Jonah Marais’ first solo show in Seattle felt like a full-circle moment for anyone who’s been riding with him since the early Why Don’t We days. It was the kind of night that hits you with all the feels—nostalgia, excitement, and a sense of pride seeing Jonah step into his own as a solo artist.
The night kicked off with Gillian McMahon, lead singer of The Sleepy Haunts, and she was an absolute vibe. Her set was a perfect blend of moody and mesmerizing, the kind of performance that makes you forget everything else and just live in the moment. Her voice, paired with those haunting instrumentals, had everyone in the room captivated. Gillian set the bar high, leaving the crowd buzzing with anticipation for Jonah’s big entrance.
When Jonah finally took the stage, the energy in the room was unreal. Opening with "Twisted Lullaby," his debut single, he immediately had us all in our feels. The song’s upbeat vibe and introspective lyrics were the perfect start, pulling everyone into the world Jonah’s been crafting. He poured so much heart into every note; it was like he was singing directly to each of us. You could tell how much this night meant to him, and that made it all the more special.
As Jonah moved through The Jonah Marais Mixtape, it was clear he was bringing something fresh to the table. Each track had this raw, emotional depth that hit differently live. Songs like "Redlight" and "HS Propaganda" had us vibing hard, and you could feel the connection between Jonah and the crowd—like we were all part of this journey together. He wasn’t just performing; he was sharing pieces of his soul, and we were right there with him.
The nostalgia hit hard when Jonah threw it back to his Why Don’t We days. The second those opening chords of "Grey" started, the room lit up. The sing-along was everything you’d want from a WDW throwback, and when he launched into "8 Letters," it was like time stood still. Hearing those songs in Jonah’s solo style was something else, almost like rediscovering them all over again. He brought a new energy to them that made you appreciate the music in a whole new light.
And then, he really took us back with "Warpaint." For anyone who’s been following Jonah since before Why Don’t We, this was a moment. The nostalgia was so real, and Jonah absolutely killed it. You could feel how much this song meant to him—and to all of us who’ve been there since the beginning.
But Jonah wasn’t done surprising us. He saved some of the best for last, debuting a few unreleased tracks that completely blew us away. "Slow Motion" kicked off the encore, and it was one of those songs that you just know is going to be on repeat as soon as it drops. With its slow build and killer chorus, it had everyone vibing hard. "Miracle Fruit" and "Love Me" were just as fire, giving us a taste of what Jonah’s solo future holds. By the end of the night, we were all buzzing, already hyped for what’s next.
Jonah’s first solo show was everything a longtime fan could hope for and more. It was a night of nostalgia, new beginnings, and pure, raw talent. Seeing Jonah step into his own and absolutely crush it was something special. If this show was any indication, Jonah Marais is about to take the solo world by storm, and I can’t wait to see where he goes next.
