Saturday was Michael Franti’s semiannual Harvest Ball.  We attended back to back Harvest Ball shows a couple of years ago at the Fillmore, and this time the single night show was held at the larger 1STBANK Center in Broomfield.  This was my first time not only seeing a show at the 1STBANK Center, but also the first time I had ever been inside the arena.  It was actually smaller than I was expecting it to be, with only one bowl of small seating sections.  Fortunately there was lots of space with the open and standing general admission floor.  

We walked in to hear the sounds of The Motet already warming up the stage.  I saw this band for the first time over the summer at the Mile High Music Festival and was fairly impressed by them.  Despite their lack of vocals and sometimes long jams, I find their sound to be tight and groovy.  Their three-piece horn section definitely adds to my overall enjoyment of their music.  

After a rather long break, Michael Franti and Spearhead finally took the stage after 9pm.  As I expected, the majority of the setlist featured songs from the last couple of albums.  I really enjoy these albums, but I also like hearing some of the older tunes as well.  As always the energy from Michael and the band were unparalleled.  We stood at the back of the floor near the soundboard for the first half of the show and were surprised at how well we could see.  I guess no matter where you stand it’s hard to miss a 6’6″ frontman.  

At one point we took a break for a drink and decided to lounge in some chairs at the back of the arena for a while.  Shortly thereafter Michael and some of his band mates appeared on a platform just in front of the soundboard, very close to where we had been standing before.  They played a couple of songs from this position, before returning to the stage.  It has become a custom to find Michael suddenly appearing in a section full of people, which also happened later in the show, as well as another stop at the platform near the soundboard.  It’s very evident that they strive to entertain everyone in the crowd equally.  

Michael and other band members in a sea of fans.

It is hard for me to believe that I’ve only seen Michael Franti play nine times since 2003. It seems like that number should be higher, especially since how much I love seeing him and the band perform. I always leave each show feeling so good and ready to take on the world.  Be sure to catch this super fun live show if you get the chance.