Michael Franti & Spearhead - BottleRock 2016

Festival Plan: This band ranks high on the list of artists I'd want to watch perform.

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Relevant Links:
Michael Franti & Spearhead at BottleRock 2016 (setlist.fm)*
Michael Franti and Spearhead (Facebook page)
Michael Franti (Wikipedia.org)
*Added 3rd, 4th, and 5th song to the setlist on 20160602.

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Pre-Festival Thoughts:
Michael Franti & Spearhead was a band that I didn't necessarily know I wanted to hear simply by name (e.g., Death Cab for Cutie, Walk the Moon, and Florence + The Machine). However, after listening to the band's music, I was sure to put them high on my list of bands to consider seeing.

Excellent: I'm Alive (Life Sounds Like) {2}; The Sound of Sunshine {3} [It's always interesting when suddenly a great song is paired with a name]; Life is Better with You {4} [I'm in such a good mood...]; Say Hey (I Love You) {3} [like Hey Hey Hey, this one also sounds like a Mat Kearney song]

The Sound of Sunshine

Above Average: Crazy for You; Hey Hey Hey [Hmm, the rhythm of this song reminds me of... a Mat Kearney song, probably Count On Me]; All People [Different from other songs thus far]; Once A Day;
Slightly Above Average: We Are All Earthlings; All I Want Is You;
On the Fence: 11:59;

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Setlist:
1) I'm Alive (Life Sounds Like) [SAA] -- Franti begins by playing a short snippet of the song, pauses, and then begins the song in full; I'm not fond of the live performance and the album recording would get an [E2]
2) The Sound of Sunshine [AA] -- a kid is brought onto the stasge and gets to sing the lyrics; similar to I'm Alive, I'd probably rate the album recording an [E2]
3) All I Want is You [SAA] -- Franti goes into the crowd

Raise those arms!

-- Franti talks about how everyday when he wakes up he does two things: first, kiss his wife on the cheek, and, second, check his phone. He jokes and emphasizes that its always in that order. The story serves as introduction to the next song:
4) Good to Be Alive Today [AA]
5) Summertime is in Our Hands

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Post-Festival Thoughts:
Since Michael Franti & Spearhead was near the top of the line-up, it had been a while since I had listened to a selection of the band's music. Otherwise, I would have formed a better idea of what to expect using a more recent setlist. In any case, I was more than satisfied with seeing just his first five songs, because the first two were among my favorite (I'm Alive and The Sound of Sunshine).

Franti stands in the crowd. Can you spot him?

Excellent: I'm Alive (Life Sounds Like) {4}; The Sound of Sunshine {2}; Say Hey (I Love You) {3};
Above Average: Crazy for You;
Slightly Above Average: All I Want is You; My Lord;
On the Fence: We Are All Earthlings;