Joe Jonas, fully aware of his heavy online presence, decided to premiere his new song at an event where phones were not allowed.
By Website Content Manager
Published by Cel Manero from Global One Media Inc.
PEOPLE offers an exclusive behind-the-scenes glimpse at the ‘Heart by Heart’ music video — Joe Jonas’ third single from his forthcoming solo album — and the special event where he introduced it.
Joe Jonas is not someone who can really fly under the radar after nearly two decades in the spotlight, so he treasures the times when he can really connect with people and not get mobbed.
On Thursday, April 24, Jonas got to do just that as he partnered with Heineken to host an Off Socials event at New York City’s Bleecker Street Bar, where he performed his new single “Heart by Heart” for the first time before its worldwide premiere at midnight to a group of fans and friends — who were instructed to keep the performance, as the event name implied, off social media.
Jonas, 35, spent the day at the bar, too, filming a music video for the single, his third off Music for People Who Believe in Love, out May 23. He tells PEOPLE that he is “excited that I finally get to share” the music he’s been “holding onto for a year” — and he was particularly looking forward to performing to a phone-free crowd.
“It’s been a while — actually, the last time I performed with no phones, I honestly couldn’t tell you,” he admits, tucked into a booth in the popular NYC bar during a quick break from the video shoot.
Joe Jonas reflected on a recent experience at the Masters, noting how refreshing it was to be without a phone since they’re not permitted at the event. “Once you’re separated from your phone for a few hours, you might initially feel anxious — I know I do — but then you realize everything’s still okay,” he shared.
Acknowledging that he’s “chronically online,” Jonas admitted he often falls into endless scrolling habits. “It’s a good reminder to be fully present with your loved ones,” he said. “You can put your phone down for a few hours and just enjoy being together.”
He added that he wasn’t upset about the idea of a phone-free audience for his performance, either. However, ironically, despite the no-phone rule, many attendees still recorded his set, proving that even his fans found it hard to stay off their screens.
Joe Jonas is preparing to release his second solo album, a long-anticipated follow-up to 2011’s Fastlife. Reflecting on the time that has passed, he says it’s “wild” to think about how much his life has evolved since then.
“That’s a lot of life lived,” Jonas notes. “It feels like the two albums belong to completely different chapters of my life. I can’t even really connect them — but it’s exciting to start this new journey, and I’m thankful for it.”
During the years between albums, Jonas also launched DNCE with bandmates JinJoo Lee, Jack Lawless, and Cole Whittle. Even though DNCE is a group, Jonas shares that creating music for it often felt like a solo effort.
“Each project really stands on its own,” he says thoughtfully.
