Michael Franti & Spearhead The Guvernment Tuesday June 1st

http://www.myspace.com/535622951

It's a bit long and my first post/blog

It had been awhile since I last was at The Guvernment and I had kinda forgot just how much I love that venue. Last show I saw there was Ziggy Marley(Love Is My Religion tour) so in that same spirit of the music I was magically lead back there. Wonderful

Checked out "One Eskimo's" myspace site before the gig and decided that I should get there a bit early and see if what I heard on the net came across as well live. Their drummer was someone to watch. He'd adjust drums according to each song, bringing drums out that were already mic'd. Smart. The only thing I didn't connect with was the lead singer's lack of interest(shy?) in playing the front man. He said very little and just seem distracted and/or didn't want to connect with the people who showed up early. It was kinda akward. But having said that the music was on, so overall I enjoyed their set.

Not sure who picked the music that played before Michael's set but I have to say it was perfect. I'd like to think that Michael had some influence but will also say that this club is the nicest club in Toronto and probably someone's running that ship that knows how to work it. The speakers and the lights are even better than The Mod Club's. The Guvernment actually has small speakers hanging from the ceiling as the distance from the stage gets greater. Making every space in that venue sound perfect. And they are a++ quality speakers.

The lights go down and the music starts. Way too loud to start the show but I understand that loud at first isn't such a bad thing, better than the opposite. This was my first time seeing this band and I had prepped for the show by buying and spinning All Rebel Rockers till I knew every song well. First thing I noticed was that mia was the female singer, Cherine. Not sure what's up about that but ummmm.

So many good moments in the show to detail, and I'm sure I'll miss some...

Michael's ability to get the crowd involved is like none other that I have seen. He honestly wants all of us with him, all the way, no rest. Arms in the air, are you with me Toronto? Because of this his show comes across as loose, but the musicianship is anything but loose. Michael makes each tune seem as though it's performed special just for that particular night, with extended solos and lots of "Hey Toronto are you with me?"

At the end of All I want Is You he broke out a snippit from Tainted Love, by Soft Cell and yes I know that song, and it seemed like I wasn't the only one, Hello 1980!

During Shake It Shake It he brought up a girl from the audience to shake it. It was fun and I all of a sudden realized just how tall Michael was. Wow!

Before Everybody On A Move Michael brought up a couple who he met before the show that got married that day so their whole wedding party could come to the show. He then breaks into a speech saying that Everyone Deserves Music...nice

During Everybody On a Move he broke out into a little Mike Jackson jam, Billie Jean with moonwalking included!

Michael talked about last year when his appendix had burst and was in the hospital being visited by angels when he wrote the next song. It was such a beautiful number, gloria was the chorus...I'm glad to be alive. Very moving quiet part of the show. The was song called Never Too Late. He also said he wrote Sound Of Sunshine in the hospital as well.

Hey Hey Hey was introduced as a song about tenacity and endurance and sticking with it when things aren't going so perfect and was deadicated to a person who was 80 years old in the crowd! and it was one of the songs sang from a small stage towards the back of the venue.

I'll be waiting to close the main set was a beautiful musical/spiritual experince. I so connected on that song, that I had never heard before, in every way. It was absolutely prefect.

Yes I will. 1st encore song had the band split in half, each 1/2 at opposites sides at the back of the venue. Love the fact he connects that way

I knew I Got Love For You and it was the in a perfect slot, close to the end of the show, The message was till in tact. It started out slow and then rocked hard, then back slow. It especially peaked when Michael got behind the drum kit to show us that he was a also drummer. The song ended up slow with that great chorus that everyone sang/got

Say Hey had about 20 people on stage dancing, mostly girls, A very Fun ending to the show Everyone in the band got a solo and Spearhead are all ultra talented musicians. They are very much a big part of why Michael delivers his musical message so well.

A 2 hour show.

The thing I most liked about the show other than the great positivity, was the crowd. Weird was everywhere and it had been awhile since I had experienced that(rip JG). A great mix of young and old, and overall people really respectful and everyone was sooo into it.
Lottsa cool happy girls dancin about.

I'm fully converted now. Michael said he'd be back at the end of summer and now I'm hoping for more way sooner.

Thanks to the sound guy for giving me a copy of the setlist!

Love Don't Wait
The Thing That Helps
Rude Boys
All I Want Is you
Hello Bonjour
Shake It Shake It
Anytime You Need me
Sometimes
Everybody Deserves Music
Everybody On A Move
Never Too Late
Only Thing Missing was You
Sound Of Sunshine
Yell Fire
Hey Hey Hey
I'll Be Waiting
encores:
Yes I will(acoustic)
I Got Love For Ya
Say Hey