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 O.A.R. set:
--- I’m about to murder those who jabber through the bands’ video on mass incarceration. No respect.
--- “Inside Out”: lackluster start. His voice remains crystal clear though.
--- “Black Rock”: lol at the trumpet guy dancing. Lol at the cocky, gum-chewing electric guitarist. Heh at the ‘tough’ repetition of ‘rockkk.’ Fun.
--- “Revisited”: The most unified and moving of their songs so far. I like how every band member sings parts. They believe.
--- “About Mr Brown”!!! Absolute unity.
--- “Destination" [including "Fire on the Mountain" by The Grateful Dead]: Sickkk trumpet solo.
--- Awww, “I want to talk to you all, but I also wanna just play music.” That’s the tension, man.
--- “About An Hour Ago”: The first song they ever recorded. I am currently jumping for a keyboardist!! It’s also satisfying that they recorded it in Kensington, MD, site of my 70-plus surprise proposal!!
--- “Shattered”!!!!! The largest crowd I have ever seen at Merriweather giving it their ALL. No one person has the same reaction.
--- “Miss You All The Time”: super tender. The trumpet man SINGS. I honestly can’t remember this many solos and this much interaction by a band before.
--- “Look at this crowd. Look at what’s been done to Merriweather. Congrats, man.”
--- “It’s great to be with G Love and Dispatch, just hanging out and playing music.”
--- “Ring of Fire”!!!! I scream for Annelle.
--- Hahahahahaha at a random blue-shirted gray-haired man wandering in with a guitar during “Hey Girl” and killing it. Then the charge across the stage and trumpet solo of all time!!!!! Even he’s tired after. Heh, appreciate the attempt, saxophonist.
--- “All Because of You” is a nice chance to breath.
--- “Love and Memories”!!!!! Top-shelf adaptation. Just as catchy, wildly inventive.
--- “Night Shift”: Jesus, more newness. The darkness from the bassist is a total surprise. Hahahaha at “3am and I’ve gotta go to bed.” FEELS THAT LATE. In the best possible way. His voice is…*regal.* Danny compares it to the band Magic otra vez. Don’t take my lack of exclamation points as a lack quality. It deserves at least three.
--- Awww, an obscure request from a fan, “We’ll Pick Up Where We Left Off.” Fitting as life comes back after Covid. Ideal palate cleanser before “Poker.”
--- “Peace” into “Poker”!!!! Calm. Madness.
--- In the words of Nadine Curley Verbesey, “these are…” Yep, mom, these are the good times.
--- Then the roar heard round the world – or at least 2,500 miles away in Oaxaca. I realize they’re playing “With Or Without You” before Danny does. (Thanks, Americans.) The second she realizes they’re covering her all-time-favorite band, she ROARS. It’s a scream, a cry, a collapse, a flashbulb memory!!!!!
--- So glad, Danny, Jo, and thousands of others were able to experience this night. To borrow from O.A.R.’s final cover, if this were the end of the world as we know, I’d…feel…fine.
Grade: A+
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