Jason Derulo Takes NYC By Storm With Surprise Times Square Show

A diverse crowd turned up at Broadway Plaza in Times Square yesterday (May 14) to eat, play games, and enjoy some live music — including a surprise performance from Jason Derulo.

The festivities were all part of Applebees' Taste the Change Fest, where event attendees sampled lots of free food from the restaurant's menu — and it's a scientific fact that pulled-pork nachos make every party even better. The afternoon began with a set from musician and DJ Michael Fitzpatrick — or as you may know him, Fitz of Fitz and the Tantrums. Fitz's song selections were well-matched with the day's sunny weather: Top 40 hits from Charli XCX and Ed Sheeran alongside unexpected cuts from Alice Gold and Michael Jackson.

Ithaca rock four-piece X Ambassadors took the stage next, playing a song from their forthcoming debut album, VHS. People continued to stream in, drawn in by the music and the sight of people playing pool and darts, as Fitz returned maintain the crowd's easy-breezy vibe with another DJ set.

Jae Murphy then took the DJ reigns, and began to hype the crowd up for their surprise guest. "How y'all feeling out there?" he asked, as he mixed Iggy Azalea's "Fancy" and threw in some airhorn drops. And then, it was time for the main event: "Make some noise...for Jason Deruuuuulooooo!"

The audience whooped as the "Talk Dirty" singer strutted onstage, immediately launching into his Lorde-approved single "Want To Want Me." Derulo was joined by two stunning female dancers in varsity jackets and Chuck Taylors, and soon his whole dance squad was jumping and spinning as Jason, an excellent dancer in his own right, matched them for every step.

You didn't need to be in New York City to join the party, either — people watched the #WatchApplebees stream live on Periscope as Jason continued to perform, playing "In My Head" from his 2010 self-titled debut. Jae Murphy kept things going following Jason's set, pumping out a steady stream of party favorites into the early afternoon.

Jason Derulo's Everything is 4 is due June 2.