Wednesday’s sold-out show amid hot and muggy conditions brought a doubleheader of fan favorites to the outdoor amphitheater. The recap and photo gallery at Local Spins.
The Frontman: John Popper on stage Wednesday at Meijer Gardens. (Photo/Jamie Geysbeek)
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It was a mid-week rock romp with a blues- and soul-tinged twist.
Despite the sweltering heat, Wednesday night’s co-headlining affair featuring Blues Traveler and JJ Grey & Mofro packed the amphitheater at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park to the brim with fans seemingly happy to revel in the sticky humidity to cheer their heroes.
The sold-out show — the 12th in this summer’s Fifth Third Bank Summer Concerts series — proved to be a pleasant double feature with two veteran acts who brought their own unique twists to the blues-rock sound.
To launch the evening, JJ Grey & Mofro executed a layered track of thick strings, horns and bright keys, blending in some more free-form elements of jazz enhanced by Grey’s deep vocals.
Getting It Started: JJ Grey & Mofro (Photo/Jamie Geysbeek)
The ensemble also previewed some new music, including a song called “Wonderland” that Grey said would hopefully end up on the group’s next album.
“I like how he sings about the working man and the problems they face,” said concertgoer Jason Breer, a Grand Rapids native and longtime Blues Traveler fan who was impressed by the subject material in Grey’s lyrics upon first impression.
Others in the crowd clearly agreed, giving the band two standing ovations before Blues Traveler eventually rounded out the night with its own audience-pleasing set.
The more traditional rock sound offered by the classic band formed back in 1987 was a hit with fans, who quickly started moving to the music.
Of course, the evening included impressive harmonica solos from frontman John Popper, who boasts a distinctive playing style that’s propelled 14 studio albums, including “Traveler’s Blues,” released earlier this year.
“I’ve never seen anyone play the harmonica so hard,” said Jerry Hobin, who traveled from Holland for Wednesday’s show. “He’s a great performer.”
(Hours after the show, the band’s tour bus was involved in a crash in Minnesota on the way to a Friday show in Rochester. Fortunately, only minor injuries were reported. Details from LiveForLiveMusic.com here.)
NEXT UP AT MEIJER GARDENS: 38 Special at 7 p.m. tonight (sold out); Squeeze at 7 p.m. Sunday, $60.
PHOTO GALLERY: Blues Traveler, JJ Grey & Mofro at Meijer Gardens
Photos by Jamie Geysbeek
