ON OPEN WATERS

October 1, 2010

Known for his laid-back personality, the always mellow Jack Johnson opened the Vancouver show on his To The Sea Tour at Rogers Arena Friday night to a reception that was anything but quiet and relaxed.

Clad in a t-shirt, jeans, and sandals, the chill singer-songwriter sauntered on stage like he was playing an intimate club. Instead, a sea of thousands of fans that packed the stadium floor swayed along as he opened with "You and Your Heart", the first single off To The Sea, his fifth studio album.

His feel-good songs and positive vibe infiltrated the audience as the entire building danced and sang along with the Hawaiian musician.

Johnson's latest album, released in June 2010, celebrates the life and influence of his late father, who died of cancer last summer, and explores his growth as a father of three.

A tribute to his father and reflection of his own evolving identity, this album offers a deeper look into the emotions of the musician, without losing his sunny disposition.

He manages to maintain his renowned island-flavour sound while infusing it with depth and meaning. The surfer and filmmaker's laid-back attitude is embedded in his music, a quality that his fans have come to know and appreciate.

With band mates Adam Topol (drums), Merlo Podlewski (bass), and Zach Gill (piano), Johnson made sure to keep the evening light and playful, dolling out fan favourites including "Sitting, Waiting, Wishing" and "Upside Down".

Despite filling stadiums around the world, when he's not touring the easygoing musician unassumingly goes about his business as an activist and artist.

Johnson lives his environmentally friendly message, recording in a solar-powered studio and working to make his tour as green as possible.

As he's done before, the singer-songwriter is donating 100 percent of the tour profits to the Johnson Ohana Charitable Foundation. The foundation, which he set up with his wife, supports environmental efforts, art and music education.

The philanthropic artist sounded great, performing a range of songs from his career for Vancouver fans including "Red Wine, Mistakes, Mythology", "Go On" and "Wasting Time".

The musician who first made waves with his debut album "Brushfire Fairytales", which included the classic Jack Johnson singalong hit "Bubble Toes", attended the University of California, Santa Barbara and graduated with a film degree, never actually intending to pursue a music career.

It isn't a stretch to believe that the 35 year old really is happy to be doing what he's doing and feels he's been blessed with more success than he ever could have imagined.

He'll continue spreading his glass-half-full attitude through his strumming guitar and soothing voice to global audiences that can't help but be drawn in.