One of the summer’s final Meijer Gardens concerts boasted the return of a Maryland rock band which once again sold out the amphitheater and got plenty of ‘hands up’ in the process. (Review, photo gallery)
Meijer Gardens Turned ‘Rockville’: Marc Roberge & O.A.R. on stage Wednesday at the outdoor amphitheater. (Photo/Tori Thomas)
For a band that built its career from performing live — having recorded a host of live albums that are highly regarded, even treasured, by devoted fans — and known from the very start of their musical careers for putting on a roaring party of a concert, O.A.R. seemed a little on the tired side during their stop at Grand Rapids’ Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park on Wednesday night.
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Turning the Car Around: Marc Roberge of O.A.R. (Photo/Tori Thomas)
In fact, it seemed the band was at its most energetic when opener Allen Stone joined as a guest vocalist. Stone, a Seattle native with magnificently soulful vocals and enormous singing range, performed as the second opener after Atlanta songwriter Brynn Elliott.
Stone was able to win over the mostly seated audience with his passionate, energetic, funk-inspired set backed by a talented group of musicians. By time his last song rolled around, most of the amphitheater was on its feet.
O.A.R. took the stage in a casual manner, and for the first 30 to 45 minutes of their set, performed casually.
Frontman Marc Roberge missed a few lines here and there, but recovered gracefully by letting backing vocals fill the space, swooping in with a vocal fill or offbeat variation of the same lyrics. Band member movement on stage was minimal, the musicians staring out into the audience with deadpan facial expressions.
EXHILARATING SECOND HALF, WITH A MAGICAL ENCORE
Maybe it was the heat and humidity, or the fact that the early-set songs were more laid-back, including the mainstream hit, “Turn The Car Around,” and fan favorite, “Black Rock.” But after a long summer of extensive coast-to-coast touring, it’s more likely that O.A.R. was just getting started, because its performances amount to a hefty two-hour commitment. And thankfully, for the sold-out Meijer Gardens crowd of 1,900, it was right around the 45-minute mark that things started to pick up.
The energetic “Hey Girl,” an exhilarating, upbeat tune, had the group for the first time rounding into full-fledged, jam-band form: The vibe exuded by audience and the performer turned on a dime.
Soulful: Allen Stone (Photo/Tori Thomas)
Raised hands and cheers filled the amphitheater with the first recognizable chords of the song, which featured lively solos from the band’s trumpet and saxophone players. Building on that newfound energy, the band followed up with the popular “Love and Memories,” “Night Shift” and a near-perfect rendition of Bob Marley’s “Stir it Up.”
And fans responded to the band’s energetic run of tunes. “It’s O.A.R., they’re incredible, you can’t beat it,” fan Mike Martin said enthusiastically, shortly after the string of songs. “There’s so many instruments and no computer. They’re making the music right in front of us.”
The night’s most magical moments came, however, during the encore, when a lone band member wielding a tuba appeared on stage to much applause, fascination, and perhaps just a bit of laughter at the humorous look and unexpected cameo of the instrument.
But the audience quieted when the musician launched into the recognizable opening bass line of “Stand By Me,” joined only by minimal auxiliary percussion. It set the scene for a gorgeous duet by Roberge and guest Allen Stone, whose vocals soared on the second verse.
The evening ended with the band’s most popular and well-known song, “Crazy Game of Poker,” a song met with roaring applause, deafening shouting and audience sing-along, as well as a showering of playing cards that rounded out the night perfectly.
And after band members finally and clearly looked like they were having fun on stage, it was an evening that embodied everything that fans have come to love about O.A.R. and what the group does best: upbeat college jam-band ballads, multiple breakdowns and solos, and infectious on-stage energy.
PHOTO GALLERY: O.A.R., Allen Stone, Brynn Elliott at Meijer Gardens
Photos by Tori Thomas
Copyright 2015, Spins on Music LLC
