Hey J-14ers,
I got to see my fave band ever, Counting Crows, perform live last night at the Borgata in Atlantic City, NJ, and it was such a sick concert, I just had to tell you guys about it!
You know how most shows have one or two opening acts before the headliner even begins? Well, the Counting Crows have been doing things way differently during The Saturday Night Rebel Rockers Traveling Circus & Medicine Show tour. Counting Crows, Michael Franti & Spearhead, and Augustana all performed together at the beginning of the show and throughout the entire three-act, almost three hour concert. It was a constant party on stage as the bands all performed each others' music together!
All 18 musicians were on top of their game, especially during an energetic, guitar-heavy version of CC's hit "Hanging Around." Counting Crows' Adam Duritz and Augustana's Dan Layus even sang my "Omaha," my absolute fave CC song ever!
There was never a dull moment -- even if you didn't recognize a song, Michael Franti & Spearhead had the crowd pumped, especially during, "Say Hey," the love-filled track that's all over the radio right now. And even after the Counting Crows played the slow, emotionally-charged ballad "Colorblind" -- their hit from the '90s movie Cruel Intentions -- the crowd was bouncing as soon as they brought the other bands back on stage. But the most interesting part of all? The very last song of the night was a cover of "This Land Is Your Land" -- yup, the patriotic song you've been singing forever in school.
I've seen Counting Crows four times now, but this medley of a show was def the best one yet. After all, I'm a big fan of artists who are trying new things, especially ones who've been around awhile. You may not be as familiar with Counting Crows as some other bands around now, but their tunes are worth a listen, especially for budding music fans.
Tell me: Have you or are you seeing the Counting Crows this summer? What was your fave performance of the summer (on TV, in concert, wherever)?
<3,
Emily, J-14 editor
Photo: Courtesy of Monty Chandler
