01 May O.A.R. Takes Fans On An Emotional Roller Coaster Through Hits
O.A.R. left an impact on its crowd tonight, and they did the same to the band.
When the six-piece alternative band walked out, the members all had their smart phones out and started snapping pictures and videos of the crowd. The wonder a band that has been featured in Diet Coke campaigns and sold out Madison Square Garden before is both surprising and humbling.
Photo by Chris Salata for Sunfest | Copyright 2016
“Good evening, everybody,” lead singer Marc Roberge, dressed in a grey t-shirt and ripped jeans, said. “Thanks for having us.” The band opened with “Love and Memories” and the crowd of thousands eagerly sang along.
After a long day, last minute SunFest additions, O.A.R. served as the perfect close to a long day, with its mellow songs.
As the band played “Heaven,” saxophone player Jerry DePizzo took a mean solo and a beach ball was passed around the crowd.
“Y’all feel good?” Roberge asked the crowd. As the band played its 2008 single, “Shattered,” couples slow danced and the audience helped finish the chorus. DePizzo laughed. “You guys sound so good here.”
The band played more of its hits like “This Town,” before bringing it way down with more emotional songs like “Peace” and “War Song.”
OAR added to sunfest lineup. That just changed everything!!!! Can’t wait to go Saturday night now.
— Brandon Hall (@BrandonHall9) April 23, 2016
In typical O.A.R. fashion, the band delivered an emotional sandwich to its fans. Upbeat songs, emotional songs and it closed off with a classic.
The minute the band broke into “Crazy Game Of Poker,” instantaneously, decks of cards were thrown from the crowd, into the sky and at the band. Who needs confetti when the audience wants to bring their own?
“Y’all man, you fill me up,” DePizzo said. “Y’all are so cool!” Before the band walked off, they took one more photo of the crowd and looked out to the audience one last time, smiling and taking it all in.