|
|||||
| concert reviews | basement tapes | cd reviews | interviews | features | Pollstar news |
 Michael Franti |
 Andy Grammer |
 Zella Day |
|
Review and photos by Mary Andrews My 92.9 radio produced the first of many Christmas shows on "the Old Pueblo." This was an ensemble show featuring Andy Grammer, Michael Franti and Zella Day and may well be Tucson's best holiday concert of the season for many reasons including a diverse musical line-up in a very family oriented setting.The show started with Pinetop, Arizona native, Zella Day. Zella has a new album, Kicker, which was released in June of this year. She is getting a lot of radio play and recognition with her hit single, "Hypnotic." Zella's 30-minute set was too short and, yet, enough to indicate that she will be a big star. Her strong performance along with her vocal talent and great material got the crowd ready for the next layer of entertainment. Michael Franti and Spearhead guitarist, Jay Bowman, had a heck of a time getting to Tucson for this performance. However they were determined to make this show. Franti mentioned that they flew into Phoenix and were routed to New York City and from New York, they were able to fly into Tucson. Thankfully, they stuck it out and performed an an amazing acoustic show. Michael played acoustic guitar and "foot drum." Jay Bowman played electric guitar. Spearhead is known to be as much a part of the show as Franti. Mr. Bowman did his best to keep that legacy going. I have never been to an acoustic show that vibrated the whole venue until now. Franti had the crowd jumping and clapping from the first notes of "The Sound of Sunshine" and throughout the 50-minute set. Franti asked for the house lights to be up on the crowd so he could see who was singing and clapping with him. At a certain point in the show Franti jumped off stage and milled through the crowd while he was singing, shaking hands, hugging, and posing for selfies. It is apparent that he loves his fans and particularly the younger ones. He invited several of the kids on stage to sing and dance. During that part of the show, Zella Day and Andy Grammer joined the group, too. It was a Franti love fest. There were a few serious moments during the show. The subjects of the recent shootings in San Bernadino were heavy on his mind. There were pleas for peace. The other heavy subject was that of illness in his family. His 16-year old son was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease. He dedicated one of the songs to his son. Mr. Franti is one of the most 'hands on' performers around today and his show certainly promoted the joy of the holiday season. The crowd did not want the set to end. Franti was going to be a tough act to follow. Confidently, Andy Grammer and his band stepped up determined keep the momentum going. They managed to blow the house down. They started with his hit song, "Kiss You Slow" that led into "Keep Your Head Up." At that point the crowd was singing the chorus and moving in the groove. This year has been a big one for Grammer. He was on this season's "Dancing With the Stars" and he managed to make it eight weeks before being voted off the show. Andy didn't miss the opportunity to remind the crowd of this. He and the band did a choreographed dance number to commemorate the DWTS experience. The band did their share of engaging the crowd with solo performances throughout the set. Andy Grammer expertly shifted between playing keyboards, guitar, and trumpet. His performance was engaging and fun and worked tirelessly to please the crowd and the fans seemed to love it. |
|
Grammer Set list: 1. Kiss You Slow 2. Keep Your Head Up 3. Miss Me 4. Blame It On the Stars 5. Holding Out/Trumpets 6. Forever 7. The Pocket 8. Co-Pilot 9. Remind You 10. Christmas Song 11. Crazy Beautiful 12. Honey I'm Gay 13. Fine By Me 14. Back Home 15. Chasing Cars (Snow Patrol cover) 16. Good To Be Alive (Hallelujah) |
Franti Set List: 1. The Sound of Sunshine (Michael Franti & Spearhead song) 2. I Got Love for You (Michael Franti & Spearhead song) 3. Good to be Alive Today 4. Life Is Better With You (Michael Franti & Spearhead song) 5. Say Hey (I Love You) (Michael Franti & Spearhead song) 6. I'm Alive 7. Once A Day 8. My Lord |
Day Set list: 1. Sweet Ophelia 2. High 3. Compass 4. East of Eden 5. Jameson 6. Hypnotic 7. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (Hugh Martin & Ralph Blane cover) |
 Michael Franti |
 Andy Grammer |
 Zella Day |
 Michael Franti |
 Zella Day |
 Andy Grammer |
 Michael Franti |
 Andy Grammer |
 Andy Grammer |
Return to Reviews
Return to Livewire