Everclear Tempe Music Festival 03.31.2007
April 1, 2007 by FromTheCrowd
Filed under Concert Reviews
By Jill Rashell, www.FromTheCrowd.com Contributor
I have always wondered what it was like backstage right before the band rushes to greet the crowd. Are the artists escorted by a team of security, like a top secret mission waiting to happen? Are they huddled together like a group of athletes before the big game, jumping up and down encouraging each other? Do they approach every performance like most of us do our own jobs? I think it’s a mixture of all and truly depends on the band, the longevity they have had, and they all have lives just like us, that can creep into our work. To be more specific on the band at hand, they were great. I would like to use a more sophisticated word in describing them but it just would not be fitting. As an observer before they went on stage, they were huddled together, smiling, enjoying each other. Slightly secluded, but who doesn’t want to rally with just the team before the big game?
The crowd seemed mediocre in temperament but considering it was late afternoon and the sun was still beating down they were holding up very well. It was either that or they were saving their energy for O.A.R. and The Fray. Regardless, the crowd pulled through song after song, whether it was one of Everclear’s earlier hits or a new song off of their upcoming album.
My personal highlight was when front man, Art Aleakis, sang an acoustic version of Van Morrison’s classic Brown Eyed Girl. Being a blue eyed girl myself, I still found it charming and a great way to unify the audience while giving his band mates a break. Aleakis dedicated the cover to his fifteen year old daughter, who he referred to as the only brown eyed girl he had left.
Everclear is truly versatile and talented. They maintain the integrity of their sound, whether their rockin’ out or catering to pop culture. The have proven it once again that they are in it for the long haul.
