Saturday night, Eric and I headed to Webster Hall in the East Village to see Michael Franti and Spearhead. (http://www.spearheadvibrations.com) We have been listening to his newest CD, Yell Fire, almost nonstop since Mom sent it to him in August for his birthday, so we were pretty stoked. The venue was awesome - we had to climb about 5 flights of steep, narrow stairs to get to a McDonald Theater-y area with two levels and three bars. The opening band, State Radio, was good, even.
But nothing compared to Spearhead! The crowd - about 2,000 people - jumped, danced and sang along the entire time. They played about a 2 hour set, including most of my favorite songs.
But the atmosphere was what really got me. Yell Fire is quite political - but in a very positive way. (Could Spearhead be anything but positive?) Two veterans of the Iraq war got onstage and talked briefly, saying that the best way to support all the troops was to bring them home as soon as possible. The room practically vibrated with enthusiasm and excitement about last week's victories for the Democratic party. Michael's lyrics seemed to make everyone believe that we can all create change. It's hard to describe, but I felt a solidarity - an empathy, mutual understanding, camaraderie, something - with everyone in the hall.
Afterward they finished their show, Michael came out to meet whoever stuck around. He gave people hugs from across the crowd control fence, but then all 6-foot-6 of him hopped over the fence to meet an incredibly short man. I honestly think Michael's dreds were longer than he was tall. Then I got to meet him - he gave me a hug and said he liked my Queen Kong shirt. (Yay Thailand shopping!) Eric and I were so excited about the whole night. We left with a buzz not from the $6 Coors Lights but from the concert's almost tangible energy.
At the merchandise table (Eric bought a shirt), they were giving out blank postcards to send to President Bush in protest of the genocide in Darfur. We can also all sign the online petition at http://savedarfur.org. It was just another example of the feeling of momentum and potential that the night generated.
As Michael says, power to the peaceful.
But nothing compared to Spearhead! The crowd - about 2,000 people - jumped, danced and sang along the entire time. They played about a 2 hour set, including most of my favorite songs.
But the atmosphere was what really got me. Yell Fire is quite political - but in a very positive way. (Could Spearhead be anything but positive?) Two veterans of the Iraq war got onstage and talked briefly, saying that the best way to support all the troops was to bring them home as soon as possible. The room practically vibrated with enthusiasm and excitement about last week's victories for the Democratic party. Michael's lyrics seemed to make everyone believe that we can all create change. It's hard to describe, but I felt a solidarity - an empathy, mutual understanding, camaraderie, something - with everyone in the hall.
Afterward they finished their show, Michael came out to meet whoever stuck around. He gave people hugs from across the crowd control fence, but then all 6-foot-6 of him hopped over the fence to meet an incredibly short man. I honestly think Michael's dreds were longer than he was tall. Then I got to meet him - he gave me a hug and said he liked my Queen Kong shirt. (Yay Thailand shopping!) Eric and I were so excited about the whole night. We left with a buzz not from the $6 Coors Lights but from the concert's almost tangible energy.
At the merchandise table (Eric bought a shirt), they were giving out blank postcards to send to President Bush in protest of the genocide in Darfur. We can also all sign the online petition at http://savedarfur.org. It was just another example of the feeling of momentum and potential that the night generated.
As Michael says, power to the peaceful.
posted by cm at 12:04 PM
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