Sam Dunn and Scot McFadyen, co-directors of Metal: A Headbanger’s Journey, helmed this OneRepublic concert film. The Oklahoma-based quintet aren't metal, but they rock hard in an anthemic way when they don't slow the pace with cello, piano, or acoustic guitar. The band had been on tour for two years, promoting their 2013 album Native, when they played this Johannesburg date for an audience of 20,000. The 18-song set includes the hits "Apologize" and "Counting Stars," as well as a cover of "What a Wonderful World." There are no misfires during the two-hour show, but no real standout performances either, since they don't have the most distinctive sound, although they are competent players (frontman Ryan Tedder has done production work for Beyoncé and Adele). But this concert should please fans, and the all-out percussive assault on the closing number "If I Lose Myself" ends the show on a high note. McFadyen and Dunn also directed the accompanying half-hour documentary Don’t Look Down, which traces the band's unique road to success through a series of ups and downs before "Apologize" blew up on MySpace, leading to residencies, a major label contract, and a U2 tour. Since then, they've sold 50 million records. Presented in DTS 5.1, Dolby Digital 5.1 and stereo on DVD, and DTS-HD 5.1 and LPCM stereo on Blu-ray, other extras include a bonus live performance of "Wherever I Go" from a Sydney concert. Recommended. (K. Fennessy)
OneRepublic: Live in South Africa
(2015) 126 min. DVD: $19.98, Blu-ray: $21.98. Eagle Rock Entertainment (avail. from most distributors). Volume 33, Issue 4
OneRepublic: Live in South Africa
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