MICHAEL FRANTI AND SPEARHEAD AT THE WELLMONT THEATER IN MONTCLAIR
This past July 2019, I was asked to shoot a private event. This day was filled with some amazing activities, one being a full live concert. The artist performing was a name I heard of, but was not familiar with, and didn’t really know what to expect from his music. Nonetheless, I was eager for the start of the show. When you’re a lover of music and live shows as I am, attending a concert makes present times simply the best! The artist performing was Michael Franti & Spearhead. To sum up that performance in two words: ABSOLUTELY EPIC. Fast forward to November 7th, 2019, Michael Franti was about to perform at the Wellmont Theater in Montclair, NJ. As I was waiting for the show to start, I couldn’t help but wonder if this show was going to be just as surreal and intense as the one I shot back in July.
The show started off with a video of Taj, Michael Franti’s new baby boy. He speaks out loud with a very detailed message. The message is there for the crowd to hear and watch as the video plays, but the message is clearly to his son. He is telling him just how beautiful the world is, even when it is ugly. He is letting him know early on that he will experience both good and bad, but no matter what, this world we live in is a beautiful place. His song “It’s Good To Be Alive Today” couldn’t be any clearer or more direct in regards to what we have faced in the past, what we face today, and what we need to remember to keep living and enjoying life as each day comes.
After we watched that powerful video and listened to his message to Taj, the show exploded with all of the fan favorites. We heard “I’m Alive”, “Sound of Sunshine”, and “Good Shit Happens”; all these unique vibes and sounds of hip hop, funk, reggae, jazz, and rock. The musicians behind him that help bring these songs to life were filled with huge amounts of positive energy and rocked that stand with smiles for days! If you didn’t already feel alive from watching in the crowd, how about adding another special element to this show? Michael Franti and Spearhead literally make you a part of the act! For the loyal fans that know every lyric to every song, you would be graced with a special treat of being invited on stage to sing a song with the band. Franti proceeded to make his way out into the crowd not once, not twice, but multiple times! What better experience for a fan than to literally have one of their favorite artists standing right in front of them performing in the crowd.
As the show continued it was one surprise after another. Not only did he invite more groups of fans on stage, but as Franti went back in to the crowd, he made his way to the second floor to sing with the fans from aisle to aisle! Everything about this show was completely out of the norm. When you go to a show, you typically watch the artist perform on the stage as you watch from the crowd. That was not the case for this night!
Let me not forget to acknowledge the amazing sound coming from the band members. Carl Young (bass and backing vocals) slapped his bass while he danced all over the stage. J. Bowman (electric guitar) shredded his guitar while spiking the energy in the room one song to the next. Manas Itiene (drums and backing vocals) kept that steady beat while rocking his set, singing his parts, and adding super-fast rolls with crazy unique fills. Don’t let Mike Blankenship (keyboards) fool you with his serious face - you see him playing the keys in the back and then the next thing you know, he’s rocking a hand held electric keyboard guitar right out front with Franti and the rest! There are so many other musicians and members that make this band the successful act it is. You have to attend a show to see just how amazing of an experience it is. The lighting and video that was going on from song to song and in between each gave you something to watch and listen to from start to end.
To answer my question about wondering just how great this show would be, it was just that and beyond. There was so much going on, so much to see, and so many surprises to add wow factors over and over! If you are looking for some great tunes to make you feel alive, if you are feeling a little stressed and need that uplifting sound, or if you just want to have one hell of a night and rock out with family, friends or even by yourself, look up the next time Michael Franti and Spearhead have a concert that is in your town and don’t miss their set! Until next time, keep rocking!