[Live Blog] Champs Downtown Jonas Brothers After Party
We’re posted up in the already-crowded, bumping barroom of Champs Downtown as the Jonas Brothers prepare to take the Bryce Jordan Center stage.
Champs announced earlier today that it would host an after party following the Jonas Brothers concert, featuring the band’s opener Jordan McGraw and a special guest DJ.
Be sure to follow @onwardstate on Twitter and Instagram and our Facebook page for updates as a boy band frenzy fully grips State College.
Live Blog
1:33 a.m. — With a final guitar riff, one last cheer, a few guitar picks thrown into the crowd, and chants of “Jonas” even as the bar empties, Jordan McGraw leaves the stage and another chapter in the Penn State-Jonas Brothers saga is complete.
1:31 a.m. — Penn State is louder than Pitt, Nick Jonas confirmed.
1:26 a.m. — McGraw hits his audience with a throwback — “All the Small Things” — from a band key to his discovery as a musician: Blink 182.
1:23 a.m. — “If y’all go a little extra crazy on this, this could be the best party we’ve had on tour.”
1:16 a.m. — Jordan McGraw is on stage wearing a Penn State Football jersey.
1:14 a.m. — Lucchesi presents Joe Jonas with a blue and white Coors Light championship belt.
“I love this bar and I love Penn State,” Jonas said.
1:09 a.m. — “We’re celebrating happiness and Happy Valley,” Champs Manager Dante Lucchesi said during a break in the music.
1:02 a.m. — Nick makes a brief appearance onstage as “Bad Guy” by Billie Eilish begins.
12:59 a.m. — Joe’s currently spinning an energetic remix of “Cake by the Ocean.”
“I’m a little confused, I thought this was Penn State and you guys would be crazy.”
12:56 a.m. — Joe Jonas on the turntables! He’s got Champs rocking to “Single Ladies.”
12:52 a.m. — Joe and Nick Jonas take the Champs Stage to Sweet Caroline!
12:42 a.m. — There’s an infinite loop of old-but-gold classics playing — including “Living on a Prayer” and “Wannabe” — but the Champs stage is occupied by a single DJ.
12:36 a.m. — To be clear, the song played over the speakers. The Jonas Brothers have yet to make an appearance.
12:34 a.m. — “Sucker” plays, and Champs erupts.
12:26 a.m. — We’re hearing “Sicko Mode” beat drops and a little Post Malone, but neither Jordan McGraw nor any of the Jonas Brothers are on stage.
12:20 a.m. — Beach balls released, Old Town Road playing, TVs turned off, and lights dimmed.
Champs looks ready for something special.
12:17 a.m. — Where’s Kevin?
12:15 a.m.— Two visits to Happy Valley in one week.
Joe Jonas was on the sideline for Penn State football’s game against Idaho last weekend. Now, after performing at the BJC, he’s at Champs Downtown.
12:07 a.m. — Champs’s stage is empty, but two Jonas Brothers have arrived outside.
12:01 a.m. — Nick and Joe Jonas have arrived at Champs!
11:56 p.m. — JONAS SIGHTING
11:55 p.m. — It’s the second playing of “Mo Bamba” tonight and Champs is feeling it.
11:51 p.m. — Kanye West’s “Power” followed immediately by a “We Are” chant and “DNA” by Kendrick Lamar. Energy levels are rising.
11:49 p.m. — We’re still in soundcheck mode here at Champs.
11:37 p.m. — “You never know who you’re gonna see,” DJ Rictor said.
11:28 p.m. — Seven Nation Army Time here at Champs, where DJ Rictor is getting the crowd ready for Jordan McGraw.
11:20 p.m. — “Let’s find a place where Happiness Begins”
(Happy Valley)
11:14 p.m. — Two separate bartenders said they’ve poured over 300 Dirty Sprites each tonight. We’ve just crossed into hour five since Champs opened its doors.
‘Tis the szn…Of Sprite.
11:04 p.m. — “Mr. Brightside” blares as tonight’s DJ openers announce that they have a few songs left to play.
11:01 p.m. — The Jonas Brothers have just finished their set at the BJC.
10:57 p.m. — “Bring ’em Out” is playing here at Champs. Is that a sign?
10:49 p.m. — Jordan McGraw’s drums are onstage at Champs.
10:39 p.m. — Champs remains surprisingly cool, even comfortable. Not what you’d expect from a relatively packed bar with a line around the corner.
10:35 p.m. — “PSU knows how to party.” — Nick Jonas
10:26 p.m. — There’s a bit of a lull, albeit a loud one, here at Champs as anticipation for the evening’s special guests builds. Why not dissect some lyrics?
Here’s a full guide to the Penn State references you missed on the Jonas Brothers’ “Happiness Begins” album.
10:20 p.m. — The Jonas Brothers are currently playing Cake by the Ocean in the BJC.
We’ve heard that one around here before, specifically during and after THON 2017.
10:14 p.m. — Meanwhile, in the BJC…
10:06 p.m. — Zombie Nation is currently bringing out some pregame tunnel and Nittany Lion bleachers vibes.
9:57 p.m. — McGraw isn’t on stage yet, but according to DJ Rictor, he’s here.
9:56 p.m. — JORDAN MCGRAW IS IN THE HOUSE.
9:55 p.m. — In other news, Rafa Nadal is currently up 1-0 in his U.S. Open quarterfinal, according to the Champs TV.
9:47 p.m. — Welcome!
9:41 p.m. — Neil Diamond’s Sweet Caroline, in the house.
— Onward State (@OnwardState) September 5, 2019
Good times never seemed so good
9:37 p.m. — Line update: even further around the Calder Way corner.
9:31 p.m. — Ya’ll thought they were finished?
DJs Rictor and Lil energize the Philadelphia half of the floor with some beer throwing and a Meek Mill classic: “Dreams and Nightmares.”
9:27 p.m. — The Jonas Brothers have officially taken the BJC stage, kicking off their set with “Rollercoaster.”
9:24 p.m. — “Sucker” just made its first appearance on Champs’ speakers. It feels like that won’t be the last time the crowd hears a song from “Happiness Begins.”
9:20 p.m. — ICE SCULPTURE UPDATE: After some impressive blowtorch touch ups, things got musical.
9:11 p.m. — Champs opened its doors just over three hours ago.
One bartender said he’s already poured more than 100 Dirty Sprites.
9:08 p.m. — Just unveiled in the corner of the bar: Champs’ very own Coors Light ice sculpture.
9:04 p.m. — Rictor’s taking it back to Movin’ On with a remix of A$AP Ferg’s “New Level.”
9:01 p.m. — DJs Rictor and Lil aren’t playing around.
— Onward State (@OnwardState) September 5, 2019
MO BAMBA IS BACK AT PENN STATE
MO BAMBA IS BACK AT PENN STATE8:57 p.m. — Champs feels like Beaver Stadium: Kanye West’s “Power” and “All of the Lights,” “Humble,” by Kendrick Lamar, and Sheck Wes’s “Mo Bamba” BACK. TO. BACK.
8:47 p.m. — First celebrity appearance of the night (sort of):
8:41 p.m. — Line Update: Around the Calder Way corner.
The not-so calm before the storm
— Onward State (@OnwardState) September 5, 2019
8:32 p.m. — The Jonas Brothers have Champs regulars since Joe celebrated his 21st birthday at the North Atherton location nine years ago. Here’s a complete timeline of one of Happy Valley’s great love stories.
8:26 p.m. — JoBros ain’t the only boy band out there: One Direction’s “Best Song Ever” has the crowd singing along.
8:21 p.m. — DJ Rictor’s warming the crowd up with a few hype remixes and some smooth transitions.
8:11 p.m. — Jordan McGraw, performing in the BJC while wearing a Penn State football jersey, said he’s headed to Champs after the show.
“We’re gonna get real crazy.”
8:05 p.m. — Champs DJ: “We’re gonna have some very special guests in the house tonight!”
7:41 p.m. — “Was the prep for this crazy?”
Champs Bouncer: *Nods head with a slow smile*
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