To tell it to you to straight: if you’re looking for an opportunity to dance and shout so much your body aches with, then you should go to a Spearhead gig. The first time I ever got to see Michael Franti & Spearheard live, I was actually doing some street-team work. I was familiar with some of the music, but I couldn’t confidently say that I would’ve have gone to show had I not been there for a specific reason. However, once I saw the band perform, I was bowled over by the amount of energy Michael and his band maintain on stage. They play sets that are at least two hours long and dedicate themselves to making sure every individual present feels like family by the end. It’s almost guaranteed that members of the audience will start to lose momentum before they do.
A year after seeing them once, I’m more familiar with the music but still can’t compare to some of the die-hards fans. What impresses me most about the show is that that fact doesn’t particularly matter, because the spirit in the venue is so inclusive. Spearheard performed at the Orpheum Theatre, which is always a tricky venue for rock shows because it’s entirely seated. It takes a especially effective act to get the audience to respond to as if they were standing in a pit in that room, but I can now add Spearhead to the short list of acts I’ve seen pull it off.
Before the show, the friend I went along with was nervous about the set-up for that reason, and we both left more than satisfied. For this tour, Michael and his band have added another performer, Jamaican Dancehall/Reggae vocalist Cherine Anderson. She’s heavily featured on the new album, All The Rebel Rockers, and she fit into the stage show seamlessly. Her voice is incredibly strong live, and she had the same sort of passion for each song that Michael and his band maintain. The interaction between her and the audience felt natural and inviting, and although I’d never heard of her before the album, I’m looking forward to seeing what else Cherine does in this business.
As soon as I got home from the show, I called a friend to recommend that as soon as Spearhead came to town, he should see them. Michael Franti has been one the most politically-charged writers in the business for years, and his enthusiasm doesn’t wane as times passes. And for every instance of unrest there’s also a message of love, allowing anyone participating in the experience to leave feeling a little lifted for a change. At least, I know it put bounce in my step.
