Despite the unexpected Modern Family filming, the crowd's enthusiasm never wavered. If anything, it added to the night's magic.
Sensing their continued support, Lucas stepped up to the mic. "I really appreciate you guys cooperating and understanding the shooting just now. So I want to give something back - I'm going to perform a new song that hasn't been released yet."
The announcement sent waves of excitement through the crowd.
"YES! NEW SONG!"
"OH MY GOD, WE'RE HEARING IT FIRST!"
"LUCAS, WE LOVE YOU!"
Suddenly, the entire venue plunged into darkness. The crowd's cheers echoed through the blackness, anticipation building with each passing second.
For two minutes, anticipation built in the pitch black. When the lights finally blazed back on, Lucas stood transformed - now wearing a sleek black outfit, electric guitar slung across his body. Behind him, a full band had assembled - drums, bass, keyboards, and backing guitars, all poised to begin.
The crowd gasped collectively at the transformation.
"Here, let us perform a song for you guys..." Lucas adjusted his mic stand. "This one's called '214'."
His fingers found the opening notes, and his voice filled the arena:
"Am I real?
Do the words I speak before you make you feel
That the love I lay for you will see no ending?"
The crowd fell silent, captivated by the raw emotion in his voice.
"Well, if you look into my eyes, then you should know
That there is nothing here to doubt, nothing to fear..."
Phones lit up across the arena, swaying to the melody. Some fans were already mouthing along, trying to learn the lyrics in real time, touched by the song's intimate message.
"The world could die, and everything may lie
Still, you shan't cry"
"'Cause time may pass, but longer than it'll last..."
The arena fell into a hushed reverence. Had they known the lyrics, they would've been singing along, but instead, they found themselves caught in the song's spell.
Lucas's face filled the giant screens, his expression lost in the music. His dreamy performance had an almost hypnotic effect - girls throughout the venue found themselves blushing, hearts racing as they watched.
"Take my hand
And gently close your eyes so you could understand..."
The crowd swayed unconsciously to the melody, carried by Lucas and the band.
"Well, if you feel the same way for me, then let go
We can journey to a garden no one knows..."
"Life is short, my darling, tell me that you love me..."
"Lucas is charming..." a woman whispered, forgetting her boyfriend sat right beside her.
He heard her but couldn't even disagree. Even he felt drawn in by Lucas's charisma. Besides, he thought, what harm was there in letting her dream? Lucas Knight was safely out of everyone's reach anyway.
"'Cause time may pass, but longer than it'll last
I'll be by your side"
The song washed over the audience, its message of eternal love and devotion touching something deep within them.
Romance filled the air as Lucas's voice carried promises of unwavering commitment, making everyone feel the power of true love.
The camera caught Jennifer's enchanted smile in the VIP section as the song ended. The crowd erupted in cheers.
"Lucas, you're killing us with these lyrics!"
"That was beautiful!"
"How are you this perfect?!"
Lucas chuckled at their enthusiasm. He turned toward the band, his eyes finding Rico, the lead guitarist who was slightly older than him.
"Everyone, this song wouldn't be possible without this talented singer who helped me," Lucas said, gesturing toward him. "This Filipino artist, Rico, helped create this masterpiece. Give him a round of applause!"
The crowd responded with thunderous applause and sharp whistles. Rico, clearly unused to such attention, shuffled his feet slightly. Standing before twenty thousand people was a far cry from his usual gigs. He managed a shy bow toward the audience.
"I appreciate you guys like the song. Thank you," he said simply into the mic.
Lucas's smile widened as he introduced the rest of Rico's bandmates - the drummer, bassist, and keyboardist. Each took turns thanking Lucas for the opportunity and the crowd for their warm response.
As the band made their exit, the stage lights dimmed slightly. Lucas approached the mic again, his energy shifting for what was coming next.
"You know what time it is?" he asked the crowd, a mischievous glint in his eye.
The opening notes of his next song started to play, and the audience's screams showed they knew exactly what was coming.
"I used to rule the world..." Lucas's voice filled the arena. The opening lines of 'Viva La Vida' triggered immediate recognition - after all, the music video's 2.7 billion YouTube views made it one of the platform's most watched videos ever.
The entire venue erupted in song, particularly the male audience members. Something about the lyrics of a fallen king resonated deeply with them, each man in the crowd channeling their inner monarch as they sang along passionately.
Women throughout the arena watched their boyfriends and husbands lose themselves in the performance, many smiling at seeing their partners so uninhibited.
From their VIP seats, the Modern Family cast watched in amazement as Lucas commanded the crowd with simple gestures - pointing his mic toward different sections, conducting this massive choir of voices like a master conductor.
When the song ended, the male fans weren't ready to let it go.
"One more time, Lucas!"
"Come on man, that's our anthem!"
"The king demands an encore!"
"You can't just leave us hanging like that!"
Lucas laughed but moved on despite their protests, flowing into a sequence of hits - "Wonderwall," "Train Wreck," "Say You Won't Let Go." Each song drew massive reactions, but he wasn't done surprising them.
The next reveal caught everyone off guard - Luis Fonsi walked onto the stage. Like Rico before him, the audience didn't recognize him, but Lucas's confident introduction suggested they should pay attention.
Lucas smiled as he saw the crowd's confusion before him and the nervous Luis beside him.
In his previous life, Luis had become famous for his song "Despacito" - but in this timeline, he was still just another music artist who hadn't yet made his breakthrough.
The security threats that had delayed Lucas's concert for weeks had unexpectedly given them time to work together. During those empty weeks of heightened security and venue preparations, Lucas had reached out to collaborate. The delay that seemed unfortunate at first had given them the opportunity to create their version of "Despacito" together.
After Lucas introduced Luis, murmurs spread through the crowd at the revelation of a Puerto Rican artist joining the concert.
"Luis and I created something special together," Lucas said, his voice carrying confidence. "A blend of English and Spanish that I guarantee will surprise you."
The mention of Spanish lyrics drew skeptical glances among audience members, but Lucas's self-assured demeanor made them pause.
They'd learned to trust his musical instincts. The arena fell silent as Luis's fingers found the guitar strings, crafting the distinctive opening melody.
Lucas stepped forward, his voice taking on a smoother tone:
"Come and move that in my direction
So thankful for that, it's such a blessin', yeah..."
The beat merged perfectly with the melody, Lucas's voice adding an unexpected layer of soul to the rhythm.
"...My sunrise on the darkest day
Got me feelin' some kind of way..."
Initial skepticism faded as the song progressed, but the real shock came when Lucas and Luis launched into the Spanish verses together:
"Despacito
Quiero respirar tu cuello despacito..."
In the VIP section, Taylor turned to Jennifer with surprise. "Lucas can actually speak Spanish?"
Jennifer sat transfixed, completely absorbed in the performance.
"Jennifer?" Taylor tried again, finally breaking through her friend's daze.
Jennifer blinked, turning to Taylor. "Even I didn't know he could speak Spanish."
Taylor chuckled at this revelation. "Looks like your boyfriend still has some secrets up his sleeve."
Jennifer couldn't help smiling. "I guess so. But that's just how it is. We're not perfect, and we each have our little secrets, but those secrets aren't enough to break our relationship." She turned to Taylor. "Just like how I don't mind at all that he hid his Spanish-speaking ability."
Taylor nodded with understanding. "Yeah. Maybe he just never felt the need to share it."
Jennifer agreed quietly.
They turned their attention back to Lucas and Luis, watching as the crowd began catching on to the Spanish chorus. When "Despacito" came around again, thousands of voices attempted to sing along, surprising both women with how quickly the audience had embraced the foreign lyrics.
The song built to its finale, Lucas and Luis finishing strong together. The crowd erupted in cheers as Lucas introduced Luis one final time, sending him off stage with much more enthusiasm than his initial welcome.
Just as the audience thought the show was nearing its end, the familiar opening notes of "Shallow" echoed through the arena. Lucas's voice rang out, soulful and clear, as he began the first verse:
"Tell me something, girl,
Are you happy in this modern world?"
"..I'm falling,
In all the good times, I find myself longin' for change,
And in the bad times, I fear myself..."
Then, with the spotlight focused on the VIP section, the crowd's attention shifted. Taylor Swift was seen, seated among the exclusive guests, as she took her moment to stand and join in, delivering her part:
"Tell me something, boy,
Aren't you tired trying to fill that void?"
The crowd gasped in disbelief—a surprise collaboration no one saw coming.
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214 - Rivermaya
Despacito - Luis Fonsi
Shallow - Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper