I've been actively trying to see bands that I've never seen before or haven't seen in a decade or two. Even though I've been a fan of The Roots since the late 90's, and despite the fact that they have been playing shows consistently in that time, I've never actually seen them. I've loved Digable Planets since 1993, and I've also never seen them. The only artist of the three that played MGM Music Hall at Fenway on Sunday night was Arrested Development, and that was at my second ever concert (Peter Gabriel's WOMAD festival which also included Midnight Oil and Live). Obviously, the Hip Hop is the Love of My Life tour could not be missed.
Sunday night's show completely ignored the usual concert format of Band #1, break, Band #2, break, Band #3, break. The Roots took the stage at roughly 8:15 pm and did not leave until just before 11:00 pm. It was a nearly three hour marathon performance that included the Philly hip hop legends acting as the backing band for both Arrested Development and Digable Planets. Each guest artist played four songs each, and then came back for two more each towards the end of the show.
The Roots have never really been a singles band for me, but more of an album band or an entire discography band. That being said, The Roots have some amazing songs out there. They included "You Got Me" and "The Seed (2.0)" with guitarist "Captain" Kirk Douglas taking over vocals for Erykah Badu and Cody Chesnutt respectively. He did a phenomenal job, and even turned "You Got Me" into an extended guitar solo showcase.
Speaking of solos, just about every member of The Roots had a moment to solo and showcase their own talents. There was even an extended keytar solo that brought the hip hop collective into jam band territory. Just about every member also got to take at least a little break from the stage at different points. That is... except for Questlove, who is apparently not human and played drums for nearly three hours straight.
The band also kept the Hip Hop is the Love of My Life theme going throughout their set, dropping musical references to De La Soul's "Ego Trippin', Part Two," Geto Boys' "Mind Playing Tricks On Me," The Pharcyde's "Otha Fish," and probably more I missed throughout their set.
Arrested Development and Digable Planets kept it to the hits. "Rebirth of Slick (Cool Like Dat)" was a thrill to hear live for the first time after thirty one years. Arrested Development have more hits than you remember, and "Mr. Wendell" and "Everyday People" kept the ridiculous crowd energy alive.
How great could a three hour nonstop concert be? It might have been the greatest live music experience of my life. The truly all ages crowd (there were elementary school children right up to people that appeared to be in their seventies in attendance) kept dancing and bopping along throughout, with the only chill out points being during some of the solos. Even at the end, when the band was bowing and taking photos from stage, virtually the entire crowd stayed and kept applauding. Barely anyone took that time to head out to the bathroom or the T early. That's practically unheard of.
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ReplyDeleteHow great could a three hour nonstop concert be? It might have been the greatest live music experience of my life. The truly all ages crowd (there were elementary school children right up to people that appeared to be in their seventies in attendance) kept dancing and bopping along throughout, with the only chill out points being during some of the solos. Even at the end, when the band was bowing and taking photos from stage, virtually the entire crowd stayed and kept applauding. Barely anyone took that time to head out to the bathroom or the T early. That's practically unheard of.