★★★★☆

The Jonas Brothers star in many college-aged girls’ childhood memories.

 The dynamic trio’s roles in Disney Channel movies such as “Camp Rock” (2008) and “Jonas” (2009) and radio hits from their first three albums like “S.O.S.” (2007), “Burnin’ Up” (2008), and “Year 3000” (2006) have made them quintessential figures of the 2000s. 

While they took a break to indulge in solo careers and start families, the three brothers are back together, and many of their original fans are still committed to their music.

The Jonas Brothers announced their “Five Albums. One Night.” tour after releasing their newest album, “The Album” (2023), with the goal of encapsulating their entire discography.

The Jonas Brothers came to Washington, D.C., on Saturday, Sept. 23, as the 23rd stop of their tour. Many fans showed up dressed to the nines for their show: from neon-colored suits and Disney Channel Games costumes to Waffle House t-shirts in honor of the Jonas Brothers’ iconic “Waffle House” (2023) song and full-body ladybug suits paying homage to the song “Lovebug” (2008), every part of the brothers’ career was represented.

The pop sibling group Lawrence opened for the Jonas Brothers with several original songs in a set marked by bright polka-dotted lighting and school-girl costumes that gave their performance an almost childlike feel. Combined with their stereotypical lyrics like “I’m confident that I’m insecure” and “I don’t care about your workout routine,” it came as no surprise that most fans opted to use the opening act as an opportunity to buy merchandise before the real show began.

“Five Albums. One Night.” consisted of an over-three-hour set list, starting with “Celebrate!” (2023), “What a Man Gotta Do” (2020) and “S.O.S” (2007) and closing with “Only Human” (2019), “Sucker” (2019) and “Leave Before You Love Me” (2021). 

While these songs — as well as other upbeat hits like “Burnin’ Up” (2008), “Jealous” (2014) and “Cake by the Ocean” (2015) — had the whole crowd singing and dancing along, much of their music has a considerably slower tempo. 

While popular songs were punctuated with fireworks, fire and smoke, most of the set had a very relaxed feel. The set design was simple: just a screen on each side of the stage and neon lights lining the platform. Without a backdrop, the tour was able to sell the seats behind the stage, expanding the show into a 360-degree experience. The Jonas brothers also ran up and down a center aisle, granting each of their fans the opportunity to see them up close for at least a few songs.

The show maintained its casual atmosphere throughout the night, with easy choreography that anyone in the audience could copy. Backup dancers also initiated clapping patterns and other beats the audience could jump into, giving the show a strong participatory element. 

Intermittently throughout the show, the screens above the stage would pan to audience members in an NBA Jumbotron fashion, even featuring a kiss cam at one point. The screens were also used to showcase montages of different points in the Jonas Brothers’ lives, from when they were just coming into fame in their teenage years up until now, when they are all in their mid-thirties and have families outside of their singing careers.

Amid the tour, Joe Jonas filed for divorce from Sophie Turner, his wife of four years and the mother of his two children. The crowd at the concert was abuzz about the drama that has been heavily covered in recent media; some fans were even running up to people in lines at the merchandise carts and food stands polling them on whether they were Team Sophie or Team Joe for a TikTok. One thing is for sure: Joe Jonas certainly looked devastated during “Hesitate” (2019), a song Nick had called Joe’s love letter to Sophie.

Without the pizzazz of flashy sets, extravagant costumes and intricate choreography, many recreational Jonas Brothers fans and newbies to the trio did not find themselves on their feet the entire night like the true fans. However, the simplistic and interactive design elements of “Five Albums. One Night.” brought an intimate touch to the show and directed the entire audience’s attention to the true talent of the Jonas Brothers’ voices.

With a second leg of the tour including a Dec. 3 Washington, D.C. date, anyone who’s been following the Jonas Brothers since their Disney days or who appreciates the beauty of their raw vocals should consider purchasing tickets. After all, we could all use a trip down memory lane.