It was a clear night, still a dose of summer heat in the sky as the people came strolling into Tempe’s Marquee Theatre to see Michael Franti and Spearhead perform. All ages from teenagers to middle-agers, all there with one thing in common….to feel the love. That was the vibe the entire night. Dancing, playful, intoxicated….happy people.
Playing new songs like the rock and roll meets soul anthem “Thing That Gets Me Through” to the dub sounds of “Shake It” from his recently released CD The Sound of Sunshine, the crowd was singing along like the songs were their OWN. Franti’s voice sounded crisp and clear hitting all the right notes, completely in the moment feeding off the energy of the crowd.
After a few songs he announced “After having calluses and cracks that ached like no other ache in my life, I continue to walk on and it’s been ten years and five months being barefoot. Let’s honor those who are not fortunate to have shoes on their feet, and support the charity Soles For Souls. Please donate your shoes and help your brothers and sisters of the land.” The crowd cheered in approval as he began to sing in a demure fashion, the familiar Sesame Street song “C is for Cookie”…a light-hearted segway from the somber fact of reality.
The set also included the much loved “Everyone Deserves Music” and “Anytime You Need Me.” Pausing before the next song, Franti stated as his own testimony “I believe everybody should be able to love anybody”. It was very appropriate for transitioning into the next song “Love Somebody”. Strangers were smiling and dancing in their “own little world”, feeling the love from the music.
Halfway through the set he offered some wise words: ”had a phone interview here in Arizona and the guy asked me if I was going to support the boycott of Arizona and I said that if I was going to boycott in the places that I thought were doing injustice, than I’d find myself not being able to play anywhere. And that’s all I got to say about that.”
After leaving the stage and going down to the floors to sing with the people, Franti handpicked random people onto the stage. Showing that his music truly embraces all race, color and creed, he gave the little ones extra attention and twirled them around. After the show was over, he stepped off the stage onto the floor and took pictures with the crowd, shaking hands and hearing all the stories of how his music has inspired them. Not showing a hint of vanity, he stayed after, signed autographs and took pictures with all the remaining, showing his gratitude for their support. Hearing people say “we appreciate you Michael, God Bless You," he would stop and connect, place his hands over his heart and bow”. Franti bestowed true sincerity from start to finish, engaging and connecting to all the people.
