Michael Franti & Spearhead @Thebarton Theatre, Adelaide(21/10/08)

Mon 3rd Nov, 2008 in Gig Reviews

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Preparing for a Michael Franti & Spearhead concert is like preparing for a marathon of sorts. These days the average performance is around the one and a half mark but for Franti and Company they were still going at the three hour mark with no sign of winding down any time soon. Next time I’ll remember to wear comfortable shoes and perhaps retire to the lounge section to join the other – œold’ folk who had the smarts to sit.

Nevertheless, the concert experience was an enjoyable one and for a Tuesday night it was a solid turnout despite being a school night. It’s hard to believe that it has been two years since his last show here but for me it was pleasing to see Thebby transformed in to a hub of positivity and an abundance of energy. The floor section was full of people dancing, singing and having an all round good time being more akin to a Saturday night out kind of vibe.

The focus tonight was on the new album All Rebel Rockers, which marks a change of direction for the Michael Franti sound. The album’s guest star Cherine Anderson (plenty of wolf whistles here) joined the band for much of the set. The new songs that featured in the set include All Rebel Rockers, A Little Bit Riddim, All I Want Is You, Rude Boys Back In Town and Nobody Right And Nobody Wrong. The big moment of the set was Hey World – bloody great!

Michael Franti has the added bonus of having a top notch band – Spearhead – who are more than capable in their own right but as a collective are a force to be reckoned with especially as they charged through the back catalogue of hits with (Everyone Deserves) Music, Sometimes and We Don’t (Stop). Rather than just belting out the tunes some did take on a fresh face and sounding even better than the original. Although the overdose of reggae did get a tad tiring at times.

The set was a mixed bag with some great covers thrown in such as Bob Marley’s Get Up, Stand Up and other classics including Red, Red Wine and Pass the Dutchie.

For seventy sobs few could leave disappointed after dancing and singing the night away or feeling inspired and empowered politically to make change tomorrow.

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