Franti and his band, Spearhead, brought their love-infused reggae fusion to an adoring sold-out crowd Thursday night at the outdoor
amphitheater, even serenading fans in the parking lot before the show. (Review, photo gallery)
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Reggae fusion powerhouse and noted peace activist Michael Franti isn’t much for barriers.
By the fourth song in his exceptionally buoyant, sold-out performance Thursday evening at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, Franti scaled the chest-high barricade separating the stage from the cement “dance” area to mix with a welcoming crowd.
This “of the people” spirit was a mainstay in a nearly two-hour show-meets-party that saw Franti hugging fans (and encouraging them to hug one another), strolling the hill and inviting children to sing with him on-stage.
Heck, even before the venue gates opened, the always-barefoot Franti and crew were parading through the parking lot, strumming and singing for fans, pausing for photos, hugs and high fives. Obstacles — be it physical, emotional, societal — needn’t hold one back, Franti expressed continuously, both in words and actions.
Franti and his fantastic band Spearhead were one with the audience, fostering an atmosphere of goodwill, friendship and festivity. It will be a happy surprise if one finds a more pleasant Meijer Gardens crowd than the folks who stood, danced and sang for the duration of Franti’s roughly 20-song set.
Sure, plenty of acts have drawn enthusiastic responses in the picturesque setting — last year’s Lake Street Dive visit immediately comes to mind — but never has this reviewer witnessed the vast majority of a Meijer Gardens crowd on its feet for the entirety of a show.
People were engaged, whether shimmying to the infectious sunshine sheen of Franti’s 2008 hit “(Say Hey) I Love You” (during which, Franti was joined on stage by several dozen kids from the audience), passionately singing along with “11:59” or wiping away tears during the “if you love something, set it free” acoustics of 2008’s “I Got Love for You.”
This all-ages crowd got it, man. The chill vibe was wholly appreciated in a lovely venue that has, unfortunately, earned a reputation for less-than-attentive audiences (cough, cough, Ray Lamontagne). Perhaps it’s a sign of good things to come? Maybe it’s just Franti and his fans? Either way, audience reception does much to color the mood at Meijer Gardens and Thursday night’s all-ages crowd was killing it.
Mostly sunny skies and a light breeze were a perfect backdrop for Franti’s playful, roadtrip-ready blend of modern reggae fused with hip-hop, funk and rock. Spearhead — percussionist Manas Itiene, keyboardist Raliegh J. Neal, bassist Carl Young and ultra-animated/entertaining guitarist J Bowman — struck the right balance of tight and loose, grooving and moving as Franti worked the venue.
Show opener Nattali Rize was fierce and fun, a petite but powerful package of reggae, funk and spirit backed by two vocalists and noted four-piece reggae band Notis. Again, the crowd’s reception was incredible for the 45-minute opening set, with folks singing, dancing and providing a standing ovation.
The evening wasn’t all beach balls, bubbles and hula hoops, however. Franti, a well-traveled man of mixed cultural heritage and an advocate for peace and social justice issues, took several opportunities to recognize the country’s recent pains and tragedies, including this week’s horrific shooting in a historically black church in Charleston, S.C.
“Sometimes, we get it right and it’s beautiful,” he said. “And sometimes, we f— it up.”
Indeed. Thanks to Franti and friends for getting so much right on Thursday.
MICHAEL FRANTI: LOCAL SPINS PHOTO GALLERY BY CHRIS CLARK
Copyright 2015, Spins on Music LLC