04 May Friday Review: The Black Crowes, Ed Sheeran

Photo by Chris Salata

If I was being totally honest I would admit that, prior to yesterday, SunFest’s Friday lineup gave me the least amount of butterflies. I was not all that familiar with the legendary Black Crowes or the teen star Ed Sheeran.

But I won’t let you wait to the end of this post to tell you that yesterday’s bands obliterated all of my expectations. I left SunFest feeling elated, and sort of silly that this was my first taste of many talented acts.

First, a shout out to opening bands Community Property and Dharmata, who both did a fantastic job of easing us into the evening. Property’s soulful lead singer Lucian appeared to be on cloud nine with a microphone in hand and a captive audience. I chuckled at their “public service announcement” halfway in where they promoted their website and social media with their own elevator music.

SunFest veterans Dharmata took control of the Ford Stage to bring some much appreciated metal to the festival. Their heavy guitar riffs and powerful drums were so demanding that it disturbed the humorless weather gods, who responded with a brief soaking.

Over at the FPL Stage, acoustic act SJ and the funky Chris McCarty and the Underground Movement had the pleasure of playing for a horde of Ed Sheeran fans.

If you didn’t know this rising redhead Sheeran has quite the loyal following of preteens, let me explain. These little girls came out early and in droves to secure the perfect position in the crowd. While fans of SJ and McCarty wandered to and from SunFest’s southern tip, Sheeran fans stood steadfast.

Both opening acts did a fantastic job of entertaining the crowd. It’s no easy task engaging a group of pre-pubescent girls! (I know this from experience.) A hat tip is in order.

Photo by Chris Salata

Back to McCarty…Raised in Gainesville, Florida, McCarty and his funky Underground friends put on a great set. The band is a strong blend of funk, soul and reggae. McCarty, with a new haircut, has an easy appeal for fans of Bruno Mars and Dave Matthews Band. At times the band (with bongos!) would just jam on stage.

“There are three things that are true in life,” McCarty preached. “Love, music and heaven. So while we are in the music scene, lets get it on!”

In addition to his own original songs, McCarty performed “Stir It Up” and “Could You Be Loved?” by Bob Marley, which the little girls loved. I was most taken with his own “The Next One,” which is an irresistible little hit. He also dedicated his track “Castle” to his new baby, which was another heartwarming song worth a minute of your time.

Then I saw the Black Crowes.

I have had the pleasure of attending an absurd amount of concerts in my short lifetime and I enjoy 99 percent of them, but like any addiction I am constantly craving that mind blowing, heart stopping, blissfully overwhelming noise that leaves me speechless.

This powerful feeling doesn’t happen often (thus the chase) but it happened last night.

I was not acutely aware of the electric energy the Crowes possessed, or know offhand that the band formed back in 1989. They’ve been listed as VH1’s “100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock,” and have sold millions upon millions of albums.

I did recognize their hits “She Talks To Angels,” “Hard To Handle” and “Twice As Hard,” but streaming those songs back this morning does not compare to the sounds this brilliant band creates upon a stage.

Their set made me want to rock climb the Grand Canyon or run the Boston Marathon twice or maybe just passionately kiss the rugged, bearded stranger beside me. These long-haired, rustic rockers have mastered the art of music. It was a pleasure to catch them live and float with their ocean of fans.

Photo by Chris Salata

The last act I caught for the day was the English pop star Ed Sheeran. The redhead, as I said, has quite the cult and can now add me to his list of fans.

I didn’t know what to expect. Don’t 15-year-old girls like Justin Bieber and One Direction? Maybe, but they know good music when they hear it.

Sheeran began gaining momentum in the U.S. just last year, appearing on Taylor Swift’s latest album and touring with the blonde country sweetheart (or heartbreaker, depending on who you ask). His song “The A Team” was nominated for “Song of the Year” at the 2013 Grammy Awards. Not bad for a rising artist in their early 20s.

Sheeran took the stage armed with his acoustic guitar. He played his hits “Lego House” and “The A Team.” The girls screamed and screamed and screamed for him, waving their little smart phones in the air to take a picture of their beloved boy.

He also played a beautiful cover of “Be My Husband,” originally by the beautiful Nina Simone and sampled “Thrift Shop” by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis. Both excellent choices to end an excellent day.