It was raining, and the skies above didn’t seem like they were going to let-up at all for the Michael Franti & Spearhead concert at Marymoor Park, outside of Redmond, WA.
People trickled in by the droves over the course of a couple of hours; some dressed in rain gear, and others in simple cotton clothing and sandals strapped to their feet, but all had smiles on their faces.
Politically charged, but not a politician, Franti’s music is heavily based on his view points of what is happening in the world today. From the inauguration of President Obama, to the plight of the Middle East his awareness is projected in song and music.
He is environmentally aware, and conscious of how plastics and fossil fuel affect the world, and has chosen to walk the planet in his bare feet, and travel by bio-diesel fueled tour buses.
His music is a blend of Reggae, Hip-hop, jazz and other influences making a pleasant and infectious melody that seems to bring together people from all walks of life.
I had watched an interview with Franti just days before, and he had said something to the effect that he loved playing music because it brought people together.
I was backstage walking around and noted how happy everyone was. A man and a young girl were playing ball (even in the drizzle of rain), workers moving about, and Franti in his giant frame, standing 6′ 6″ walking about and getting ready for the stage. (I didn’t notice if he was in his bare feet, but I’m sure if he wasn’t, he was only wearing sandals)
Keyboard player Raliegh J. Neal, II gave me a gesture of “hello, welcome” as he passed by. (Pretty cool!)
At around 8:20 p.m., Franti & Spearhead took the stage and the rain pretty much stopped (until later in the show) People were now in t-shirts.
Girls with long hair tossed their heads to the sound of music making their hair dance like waves in a storm.
I walked around the venue after shooting from the front (first four songs) and couldn’t help to notice the peace and love atmosphere; it was something out of a 60’s love fest that I may have seen in a movie a week earlier.
It was true, what he said, this music brought together people from all walks of life for one night of happiness and togetherness without fight, or judgement.
Franti said it best, when he said it was like being in a forest somewhere far from the city…