Over the past 15 years, I’ve seen many concerts -- including a fair number of A+ shows. I have never seen a more balanced, two-equal-partners extravaganza than the one Dispatch and OAR put on this night at Merriweather.
Danny and I started as huge Dispatch fans. We were really anxious about O.A.R. because, on albums, Danny hadn’t liked their sound.
We left in awe of both bands. It may have been the best memory we shared during her year-and-a-half in the United States.
Adding to the euphoria was the guy in front of us. He was dancing, jumping, having the time of his life – in what was the only his second concert ever?! His first concert, just days before? Pitbull! Talk about variety! In 260 previous shows, I’ve never asked to follow up with someone after a show, but it only felt right here. The bond was that strong, and the site seemed to offer genuine value to him, at the start of the concert life. He agreed and added his Instagram.
So, without further ado, Jo, Danny, and everyone else, here’s the live blog of the Dispatch set:
--- Pre-show: HA at the ticket taker telling me my shirt was giving him “Green Lantern vibes.” Was he talking about the comic book character or Taylor Howard’s DC haunt? Probably the former, but his own vibe suggested it could be the latter…
--- “Passerby”: “It’s been too long since you’ve been around.” Clever choice of lyrics to welcome us back. Awesome new earth section. Heh, now it’s guitar battle. And Danny immediately smiles when I mention ‘reggae.’ Great start!
--- “Break Our Fall”: a genuinely strong new strong. Heh, Chad’s little kick is infectious — as is the song!
--- Awwww at this woman telling me “you must be a Dispatch fan; I like you”!!! The crowd is super stacked towards O.A.R., so this is great to hear. She was jealous of my MSG Last Dispatch experience: my third show ever! She and her husband have been listening to them since the late 90s. They couldn’t afford the concert during the Zimbabwe era – plus they had young kids. Now they can go!!!
--- “Open Up” is a step down. Strong story, not-as-strong rhythm.
--- Wow, Tommy, the subject of “Only The Wild Ones” was in the mud lawn at Merriweather last time they performed here?!
--- “Painted Yellow Lines” is a waste of a song given such a deep catalog. To be fair, in the moment, though, I dug it.
--- “Bang Bang” is super silly fun!! HA at the laid-back rhythm, rapid-fire rap, and guitar jam this time. Wooo at the crowd being so into it.
--- “Beto”: Wow, a song I’ve somehow never heard. Features Spanish. “Beto la Pura.” Dedicated to his sister in Denver for her 50th birthday.
--- “Flying Horses”!!!! Immediate transportation back to MSG. Bounce bounce bounceeee.
--- Creedence Clearwater Revival is an inspired choice for the people on the lawn i.e. "Looking Out My Back Door."
--- “Elias”!!!!! Sym. Bi. Osis.
--- “The General”!!!!! They just transformed it into a completely different song. The trumpet man is on a goddamn mission. Unreal.
--- “Letter to Lady J”!!!!! Pure joy. The lyrics, the livvvveneas of it all. Cojo dolores de la cabeza. Danny jumps; I plant; the world spins.
--- These were O.A.R. fans. Who became Dispatch fans.
--- I have no words for five minutes. This is Bruce territory.
--- How is this your second concert ever, Jo? Thanks for adding to the greatness.
Grade: A+
No comments:
Post a Comment