The evening air carries an electric charge of participatory excitement as fans gather at Brisbane's The Tivoli for Michael Franti and Spearhead's first Australian show of the Togetherness tour.
As I enter inside, it's a packed house (16 November). Chatter fills the space as everyone waits for opening act, Tjaka, to take the stage.The house lights dim and an expectant hush of curiosity falls across most of the floor as the trio, brothers Geoff Fabila (didjeribone, vocals) and Jake Fabila (vocals, facebass, percussion) and their fiery axe wielder, Felix Fogarty, bring us music that is unique, rooted deeply in their ancient culture, yet entirely contemporary.
Opening with 'Tau, Tau' they are commanding yet unpretentious. Letting the rhymes rip in 'Dancing Mood', while the didjeribone continues to hold the crowd spellbound. Its rich, resonant tones fill the room, vibrating through the floor and into every chest, grounding everyone in this shared moment.
Tjaka - image © Clea-marie Thorne
Tjaka applied innovation throughout their set with mic adaptions, programming layering beats and rhythms that had the crowd erupting in cheers, captivated by their unfiltered lyrics and raw, almost otherworldly sound – a blend of old and new, past and present.
'Bada Dada' and 'Homeland' come before lighting up the room, turning us into the party people grooving out to their track 'James Brown' with blend of hip hop with a killer reggae-funk groove that has the crowd swaying, bodies loose and smiling.
People who had never hear of them before were shouting along, jumping, and losing themselves in the beat. By the time they reached their final song, 'Thanos', the energy in the room is volcanic and they roped in more new fans with this banger that included snippets of Rage Against The Machine's 'Killing In The Name Of'.
Tjaka - image © Clea-marie Thorne
Before leaving us, we are invited to their launch show in a couple of weeks here in Brisbane (The Brightside on 30 November) – and I reckon there may be more than a few in the room that will hunt down a ticket to see them, and you should too!
As the stage is prepped for the headliner's set, the buzz of the crowd remains electric. Anticipation escalates among the punters as we watch a timer on a video clip counting down the seconds until the headliners take the stage.
There is a taped recording of 'Ain't No Mountain High Enough' playing as lyrics from the song flash up on the digital backdrop, until we get the taped spoken word intro and imagery from the man himself before he arrives onstage. . . in shoes (I know – it's unheard of), carrying his Maton guitar gifted to him while on tour in Australia, Mama (named after his grandma Brown).
Michael Franti & Spearhead - image © Clea-marie Thorne
Mama bears the scars of countless journeys to venues and festivals across the globe – her faded finish is cracked and splintered, but I reckon she is held together with love and acceptance, like the messages of his music.
Franti strums her to play the opening song, 'Meet Me When The Sun Goes Down', and despite her appearance, Mama's voice echoes with an energy that holds every story and song she's helped him tell over the decades.
'I'm Alive (Life Sounds Like)' comes at us followed hot on its heels with 'Summertime Is In Our Hands' and 'Good Life'. 'Better' sends the crowd nuts as does the 'Stay Human/Everyone Deserves Music/Yell Fire!' mash-up that has Raga Wiguna on guitar ripping it up.
Michael Franti & Spearhead - image © Clea-marie Thorne
We are reminded to cherish the fleeting golden moments that make life extraordinary in 'The Sound of Sunshine Going Down'.
Franti doesn't need to worry about crowd surfers. He's not one to hang back onstage. Nah, he's in there with the crowd, dancing like he's at a mate's wedding and fans get to shake his hand, pump fists, get a hug or three, some even a kiss on the cheek!
Next thing you know, he's back on the stage belting out a chorus. Who does that? Michael Franti, that's who. It's an interactive affair alright.
Michael Franti & Spearhead - image © Clea-marie Thorne
'Work Hard And Be Nice' and 'Oh My God' come ahead of the big banger that has fans voices raising the roof of The Tivoli – 'Big Love'. The air is electric; I never thought I'd find myself celebrating life at a concert, an indoor concert at that, and feeling charged with a boundless positivity and camaraderie with hundreds of people I haven't formally met, but feel connected with: "One love, one love, we got big, big, big, big love!"
Spearhead's blend of rap, funk, soul, reggae and tribal folk is infectious. They keep the tunes pumping with a tight groove that has our feet dancing and hips swinging as we sing and rap along to 'Vibe Check (My Kinda Party)' ahead of a song about friendship, the ones that help you turn lemons into lemonade, 'Sunny Lemonade'.
'I Got You' brings a hug for the soul and Franti encourages us through song to hold on tight to those that matter most. Fans lose it big time as soon as they recognise 'Good Day For A Good Day', and the band is relentless playing with that unstoppable infectious enthusiasm. They are fuelling the crowd with a relentless energy of tight and dynamic grooves.
Image © Clea-marie Thorne
Basslines are rippling through our body and the drums sync our heartbeats to the rhythm. Everyone is moving, no feet are still and it is indeed a good day.
Solo time now with Franti and Mama on 'Heaven With You' that is complemented by the hope of a 'Brighter Day' and 'Lost But Not Alone'. The grooves come at us smoother than a bald set of tyres on an icy road; even the most rhythmically challenged in the crowd are giving dance moves a crack.
However, it's not just bangers and dancing. Franti often takes time to yarn with the crowd about unity, gratitude, and how love can triumph over chaos. It's not preachy – it's like a mate pulling you aside for a heart-to-heart over a cold one.
We sing-along to these tunes grinning and it makes us feel a hell of a lot lighter and connected to ourself, our mates and this room of strangers who are fast becoming Franti family.
Another oldie but goodie, a wedding song, a budding love dedication, a general uplifting tonic about sharing your journey with an appreciation of the special someone in your life making you want to shout 'Life Is Better With You'.
Michael Franti & Spearhead - image © Clea-marie Thorne
Recent track about what Franti wants to be should he pass before his loved ones and gets a chance to return to them – he wants it to be a long-lasting reunion – 'I Hope I Come Back As A Song' is that wish and I bet he'll get it.
Taking it to a level of diversity acceptance is the song that celebrates our uniqueness; 'Happy Is The New Sexy' starts with Franti spitting rhymes, a whiff of jazzy keys and Sinatra before the bop brings sing-along and we are encouraged to jump to the beat.
'Hands Up To The Sky' makes goosebumps undulate in waves across all of the skin on my body as fans clap while singing "Throw yo' hands up to the sky. Away, away, away, away, away..." Spearhead bounce off each other and their enthusiasm lifts us higher.
Man, every now and then I am tickled by the dense basslines that ripple through my body while the drums are doing their darndest to sync my heartbeat to the rhythm. Everyone is moving. No one is standing still.
'Baby Let Your Soulshine' is backed up with another oldie – a classic Franti tribe love anthem 'Say Hey (I Love You)'. A whole lot of fans are onstage dancing, singing with Franti, Spearhead and the crew. This sight gives me goosebumps and a feeling that I've been plugged into the mains of positivity.
Michael Franti & Spearhead - image © Clea-marie Thorne
Not happy to leave the intimacy of the crowd and the energy pervading every corner of The Tiv, Franti goes totally acoustic and encourages us to have a sing-along that is extended with snippets of covers as Mike Blankenship (keys) and Manas Itiene (drums) take the opportunity to come down and interact with the fans too.
That's the magic of Franti – he doesn't just play music; he sparks connection and tonight has been made even more special because we witness Franti and bassist Carl Young celebrating 30 years of making music together.
Young was celebrating his birthday too (and there was cake!); a song especially dedicated to his wife and a duet to boot; a couple up onstage proposing or re-proposing marriage; other fans got invited up to sing with Franti on the big stage while others got to stand with him and hug him on the riser in the pit! Apparently, everyone gets a prize at a Franti show!
Michael Franti & Spearhead - image © Clea-marie Thorne
What hit me most about Franti's gig tonight, is that it wasn't just a show; it was like existing in a better version of the world created inside the confines of The Tiv, where positivity reigns supreme and makes you believe that love really is the answer.
This tour is not just a concert, it's a bloody Franti-astic movement. The Togetherness experience is one to hunt down a ticket to. You won't regret it.
More photos from the concert.
