Concerts Galore

Last week, Jenn and I ventured to the Astroturf-laden hills of Riverbend Music Center for an evening with Dave Matthews Band, our favorite annual summer getaway. Unlike previous years, we actually had excellent weather this time around. No rain or desire to tear clothes off due to the oppressive heat. So, we set up camp on a Lil Wayne blanket she found in her trunk and got in some great people-watching with an even better soundtrack.



We witnessed a guy's hilarious attempt to escape the security people while being escorted out of the venue. Instead, he was tackled, knocking over several innocent bystanders' beers in the process, and arrested. We also saw a young overzealous drinker, unable to stand up on his own, get pushed up the hill in a wheelchair by some medics. Like I said, great people-watching.

The setlist, as always, was glorious. I can't help it - I melt every time I hear the 'Dixie Chicken' line from the live performance of "Crash." I also can't get over the awesome crowd reaction whenever Dave mentions 'the GrooGrux King' during "Why I Am."

Bartender
Oh
Butterfly (tease) - First time I've ever heard this live!
Two Step
#27
So Damn Lucky
Snow Outside
Ants Marching - Ugh.
What Would You Say?

So Right
Granny
Seven
#41
Belly Belly Nice
The Idea of You
Say Goodbye
Gravedigger
Save Me
Crash
The Riff
So Much to Say
Anyone Seen the Bridge
Halloween (started with a 'Too Much' fake)

Sister
Good Good Time
Why I Am

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

For the first 25 years of my life, I complained incessantly that I never won anything. Then, in the last few months, I've had a complete reversal of fate. The latest in my winning trend were tickets to the Soulshine Music Festival, thanks to an Indy Downtown Twitter contest. The event was supposed to be held at The Lawn at White River State Park, but the forecast wasn't good, so it was moved to the Egyptian Room at the Murat. It didn't rain a bit, by the way.

The concert was interesting to say the least. Hippie-types of all ages filled the room with the smell of marijuana and unwashed armpits. Live yoga performances were happening on mats in all corners (Side note: There was also a yoga session held in the afternoon with Michael Franti playing alongside. I opted out.). Free spirits with dreadlocks and long skirts danced with no regard for personal space issues. The music, which was primarily a reggae-rock hybrid, was super easy to listen to, even though I didn't know many of the songs.

The entire show was over four hours long, so I intentionally showed up a bit late and missed all of Sonna Rele and most of Trevor Hall. Next was Brett Dennen, a poppy, nerdy guy that I remember from opening for John Mayer years ago. Wheat showed up in time for Soja and we stayed for most of Michael Franti and Spearhead's setlist. My favorite part of the show was either "The Sound of Sunshine," when the crowd passed massive yellow beach balls around, or when Franti called all of his openers on stage for a great rendition of Bob Marley's "Could You Be Loved?"



All in all, it was a wonderful way to spend a Sunday evening, especially considering I had this handsome devil to twirl me around.