Festival Show - Micheal Franti and Spearhead with DJ Spooky, and the Sun Ra Arkestra
The best show of the festival. The best show I've seen
in at least a decade.
The evening started with DJ Spooky, who did a very
interesting and creative DJ thing.
Spooky was followed by the Sun Ra Arkestra, who played well but where a bit out there, as is their reputation.
And then finally the show I had been looking forward to all week. Michael Franti came out and started the show with an a capella reading of The Skin On The Drum.
He and the band then launched into a staggering show. Franti was always moving - jumping, dancing, playing, goofing around. He played the audience like a child's toy. The whole place was jumping and cheering through the entire show.
After a number of shows that were good, but not amazing, I think we all needed someone who could really captivate us. Franti kicked our asses.
Franti is able to do something that I think is very difficult - be positive, warm, friendly, and uplifting without sounding flaky or preaching. I cannot recommend his live show highly enough. Towards the end of the show he prefaced Pray For Grace by asking "Who out there is having a bad day? Who is having a bad week?... How many of you came here tonight alone? Who came with a friend?" and then invited everyone to hug the person next to them, even if they are a stranger. It takes a remarkable person to be able to do that and a) not have it sound like some sappy, new age nonsense, and b) actually have people do it. It was amazing to watch.
This guy, and his band, are ones to watch.
Spooky was followed by the Sun Ra Arkestra, who played well but where a bit out there, as is their reputation.
And then finally the show I had been looking forward to all week. Michael Franti came out and started the show with an a capella reading of The Skin On The Drum.
He and the band then launched into a staggering show. Franti was always moving - jumping, dancing, playing, goofing around. He played the audience like a child's toy. The whole place was jumping and cheering through the entire show.
After a number of shows that were good, but not amazing, I think we all needed someone who could really captivate us. Franti kicked our asses.
Franti is able to do something that I think is very difficult - be positive, warm, friendly, and uplifting without sounding flaky or preaching. I cannot recommend his live show highly enough. Towards the end of the show he prefaced Pray For Grace by asking "Who out there is having a bad day? Who is having a bad week?... How many of you came here tonight alone? Who came with a friend?" and then invited everyone to hug the person next to them, even if they are a stranger. It takes a remarkable person to be able to do that and a) not have it sound like some sappy, new age nonsense, and b) actually have people do it. It was amazing to watch.
This guy, and his band, are ones to watch.
Posted: Fri - June 20, 2003 at 02:42 PM Meltdown The Shows Email Comments
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Total entries in this blog: 34
Total entries in this category: 8
Published On: Jul 02, 2003 09:07 AM
Total entries in this category: 8
Published On: Jul 02, 2003 09:07 AM