Review: Michael Franti & Spearhead – Barrymore, Madison

Set: Hello Bonjour / We Don’t Stop / Rude Boyz / Time To Go Home / Sometimes / Hey Hey Now / Keep On Rolling / Pass The Kutchie / Jam Rock / All I Want Is You / Little Bit Of Riddim / EDM / Nobody Right / Is Love Enuff / Never Too Late / Remote Control / Everybody Ona Move Encore: Hey World / I Got Love For Ya / Sound System / Barak Obama / Yell Fire/ Say Hey

The music of Michael Franti & Spearhead may fall outside of what one might consider our regular coverage here at MoB. While I’ve found their records to be inconsistent for the most part in the past, All Rebel Rockers is, in my opinion, their most polished offering that cuts closest to the true energy of their live performances.

Go to any summer music festival and you’re sure to cross paths with Michael Franti & Spearhead. I believe, but am not positive, that my first time seeing them live was at Vegoose in 2005. My friends are regulars of their live experiences and have coerced me to come along on many occasions since then, but last night the decision was my own.

The show itself was a balance of uplifting rockers and low-key acoustic balladry. Franti ceded some of his front man prowess to Cherine Anderson throughout the night. Her appearance, singing, and dancing all contributed to the the level of excitement throughout the evening, including bringing a guy on stage for a dance. Anderson wasn’t the only extra on stage last night, on multiple occasions the Solillaquists of Sound lent their freestyle and beatboxing skills to many of the numbers.

Ironically, the biggest and most enjoyable contributions came from the two young brothers pulled from the crowd by Franti. They were eventually draped with two guitars and encouraged to jump around and perform with the band for some time including the exit of the lead guitar player side stage leaving just the two young kids with what appeared to be sole guitar chops on AC/DC’s “Back in Black.” The crowd and band loved it, those kids will never forget it.

What makes the Michael Franti & Spearhead live experience is their ability to get the most of everyone in attendance. People of all ages and walks of life were there to get injected with some positive vibrations. When Franti calls for hands in the air, he gets them. When he says he wants to see everybody jumping, people leave their feet. Last night the capacity crowd at the Barrymore had a great time on a Sunday night. Nobody enjoys Mondays, but at least everyone in last night’s crowd will have a little bit of good times on their mind as they toll through their day.

Discuss: What did you think of the show? What is your favorite Michael Franti & Spearhead album? Where and when have you previously seen them live? Why would you bring a baby/young child to the show and not bring headphones/ear protection for them? Please leave your thoughts/reviews in the comments.

Myspace: Michael Franti & Spearhead

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