Cherine Anderson and Michael Franti & Spearhead
Tuesday, September 9th at the Knitting Factory

I have never been to a reggae show before but I knew the name Franti & Spearhead like the back of my hand. It wasn't until after the show did I realize the importance of the name but before I get to that a wonderfully sassy and spunky lady known as Chernie Anderson from Kingston Jamaica got the party started.

Cherine came out on stage and sat down with her acoustic guitar to cover Bob Marley's Redemption Song. As Matt said we have seen dozens of bands play this song even punk rock bands and it's a great way to win over the crowd. Cherin won me over because after that she was just full of life, dancing, had great vocals, and looked cute! I loved her shiny Chuck Taylor's.

I liked that she had a thick accent and that she could rap and sing. Very confident and all about making sure she and the crowd was having fun. Cherine brought up a girl from the front row to dance on stage; you don't see that these days thanks to security.

We got to ring the alarm on all the injustice during her last song which she wrote on tour and then she asked us on the count of three yell Spearhead loud enough that they could hear us in Jamaica. On the three the lights went off and everyone yelled Spearhead and poof the band was on stage.

Michael Franti was as tall as Brett Dennen and was barefoot like him too. Cherine Anderson stayed on stage to sing the opening song with Franti and came on and off through out the night. This is the second time we have seen no set change with bands - straight from opener to headliner.

I loved the positive energy that came from the crowd and from the stage. We have been to 127 shows this year (so far) and I have never seen a crowd that danced, clapped, and sang along from the front row to the back of the bar for the entire night. Franti & Spearhead have some of the most dedicated fans I have ever seen and the fun-ness that came off of them sucks you in and no matter who you are you had a great time. I even got out on the floor and danced around for a song or two.

Franti is able to use music to spread intelligent words that you will end up singing along to in your car. He is not afraid to address anything and is very apt to move you and make you think. I knew a few of his songs but a lot of it was new to me. I can say that I am going to purchase some tunes of iTunes because I would say that I am a bit of a fan now.

It was a fiery show and I know a lot of people are going to sleep well tonight due to all the jumping and dancing. Hopefully they can come back and you can witness the love, music, and fans for yourself.

Learn more about Michael Franti & Spearhead here.

Check out our photos from the show here!

Andrea@checkitoutmusic.com