Michael Franti & Spearhead
Express Live!
Columbus, Ohio
July 24

With a 24/7 news cycle that highlights one maddening event after another, it was a much-needed relief to revel in the musical oasis provided by Michael Franti & Spearhead at Express Live!

The two-hour concert echoed Franti’s transformation from a protest singer yearning to make a diŽfference to a Soul Rocker who raises spirits in the hope that the positive vibes cultivated at his shows spread beyond the venues’ doors.

Back in 2003, Franti preached to the converted when he sang, “We can bomb the world to pieces/But we can’t bomb it into peace” in “Bomb the World.” On this night, his politics subliminally made their way into a mix of reggae, rock and dance material on “Say Hey,” “Life Is Better With You” and nine numbers from his latest album, Soulrocker.
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He connected with personal, emotional setups that were universally understood—describing the feelings of pride and trepidation when his son left home for a cross-country bus trip before playing “I Got Love for
Ya” or the need to love and unite after discussing his younger son fighting kidney disease prior to “Once a Day.”

Referencing the ongoing desire for peace in the world, he prefaced “My Lord” by pointing out that such a goal can be realized through religion, yoga, music and other spiritual paths.

Always ready to interact with the audience, Franti invited a young couple onstage to sing during the night’s second number, “The Sound of Sunshine.” Following that, he left the main stage to join concertgoers in the pit while on his way to a smaller stage. There, he pulled up various members of the crowd, which included a dozen children, to sing, dance, hug and high five. At times, he seemed to spend more time among his fans than with his five-piece band.
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As Franti introduced the members of Spearhead and their crew for an inclusive bow, John Lennon’s “Imagine” played on the PA. Then, Bob Marley’s “Three Little Birds” sent the crowd oŽff into the world. In Franti’s
congregation, the song’s refrain of “Every little thing gonna be alright” felt particularly genuine, even in this instant, social-media age.