MISSOULA MUSIC SCENE
Michael Franti and Spearhead Bring the Conscious Funk
By Kerry McMannis, 10-18-06
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| Caption: Michael Franti in the Wilma's Green Room. Photos by Darren Guyaz. | |
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“It’s inspiring to go to a place that’s not a big city, be there on a Tuesday night, and fill the house,” Franti said, “I find it really inspiring.”
The inspiration was flowing both ways. Franti’s new anti-war ballads inspired by his recent journey to Iraq sent the crowd into both frenzy and reverie. The title track of the new Yell Fire! album sent all the bic’s in the room into the air. The song Hello Bonjour had the crowd bouncing into the air at Franti’s command.
All the freaky people in Missoula packed into the Wilma Theater for the sold out show. As usual, Missoula turned out the vibe. The crowd was in top animated form.
“Dare I say a bit rowdy,” Franti said. “Which I like.”
The show was also the perfect kick off event for the Northern Rockies Bioneers happening this weekend in Bozeman. The inspiring messages will continue at this nationally linked conference focusing on issues of sustainability and social justice. Look for live coverage of the conference on New West!
A man of messages, Franti ended the show with a gentle reminder, “VOTE!”
Links:
Yell Fire!
Northern Rockies Bioneers [End of article]
Who is this guy? Barefoot, dreads, songs of love and understanding, peace, acceptance. Oh my, oh my god, I think he is too good to be true. At work and in daily life I seem to be surrounded by people who have the one and only answer, the truth. They won't listen to anyone. Their view is the only possible outlook on a situation. The music played at Willson Auditorium last night reflects a different point of view. A god too big for just one religion. A world big enough for all of us to find peace with each other if we can give it a chance.
I don't remember the sixties because I wasn't even born yet, but in Michael's songs and ideas there seems to be a re-birth of some simple ideals that benefit all of us. Thanks Michael Franti, and not to forget his great friends in Spearhead; I'll take the good feelings, the peace, and the love to heart and hope it may make a small change in the world.
I didnt know who Michael Franti was until the tickets were sold out. I finally realized all those great social concienseness songs I have been hearing for the last couple of years were coming from one guy.
My wife and sixteen year old son went to the "We are not alone" movie on Monday and then desperatly tried to score three of the last 50 tickets available. Alas, being in our fifties we find we dont know how to play that concert ticket hustle well. The sixteen year old scored and he and his twenty two year old sister got to see the show.
We are old enough and aware enough to know the message but it was important for us to have the teenager hear it from someone else who speaks the language of music. Its improtant for the kids to wake up and realize whats going on right now. We old farts pretty much see it coming. We have been dealing with it for a life time.