REVIEW: Fitz and the Tantrums groovily beat the heat and a storm at Indian Ranch

No one can make people forget an unforgiving and sweltering heat quite like indie pop neo soul band Fitz and the Tantrums.  Though the day called for storms, nothing was going to stop their positive vibes until after these multi-platinum artists finished their set.  Their performance was politics-free, but no less personal and full of encouragement with a repertoire of groovy and upbeat sounds that make even those determined not to dance in this heat, bob and sway, get up and get down.

Fitz of Fitz and the Tantrums Photo credit Adam Klein

Fitz and the Tantrums appeared at Indian Ranch in Webster, MA on July 29 and it was one stop on a national tour that continues through October 1…so far.  Click here for more information on upcoming Indian Ranch performances and click here for more information on Fitz and the Tantrums latest national tour.

Indian Ranch is an outdoor concert venue and more which features a lakeside view and beach.  A portion of the seats do have a cover for rain and the shows are mostly rain or shine.   The VIP pre-concert experience that day started at 11:30 am and featured barbeque with a choice of hamburgers, hotdogs, or veggie burgers, baked beans, corn, salads, and an array of desserts.  Fitz and the Tantrums took the stage at 1:30pm for an almost 2 hour set including an encore.

Noelle from Fitz and the Tantrums Photo credit Adam Klein

Fitz and the Tantrums took the stage for a feel good set featuring an array of hit tunes and some songs off their new album, Let Yourself Free.   Despite the heat, the group remained dedicated to their unique and classy style in dark pants and converse sneakers as the band heated up with horn –infused rhythms and flashing, multi-colored lights.

Most of the songs were infectious, lighthearted, and boasted wild rhythms.  The enthusiastic band made the best of the heat as they encouraged the audience to dance and sing-along.  A few of the highlights included a tune that lead singer Michael Fitzgerald or ‘Fitz’ wrote for his wife, Silver Platter.  It’s a breezy, flirty and snappy single off their new album as he exclaimed, ‘Gimme-gimme that love-that love-that love.’  They also revved the audience up with the inspirational number, 123456 as the audience sang along, ‘Count it out! Shout it out!’

Noelle and Fitz from Fitz and the Tantrums Photo credit Adam Klein

Featuring an amazing saxophone solo by James King and Noelle Scaggs’s rhythmic tambourine, Fitz and the Tantrums grooved to Out of my League’s reverberating synth rhythms before delving into the knock down, get up workday struggle with Living for the Weekend.

Fitz and the Tantrums at Indian Ranch Photo credit Adam Klein

Fitz and the Tantrums kept the party going with their brief, but endlessly catchy title track, Let Yourself Free, the story of a dream with AHHHH! and didn’t leave out their biggest hits such as The Walker to the crowd’s delight.

Fitz and the Tantrums appeared at Indian Ranch in Webster, MA on July 29 and it was one stop on a national tour that continues through October 1…so far.  Click here for more information on upcoming Indian Ranch performances and click here for more information on Fitz and the Tantrums latest national tour.

Renowned singer-songwriter Grace Potter returns for Vermont’s Grand Point North Music Festival in September

Award-winning singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Grace Potter will make her annual return to her beautiful home state this fall to perform at Burlington, Vermont’s exciting, family-friendly music festival she co-founded with the band, Higher Ground, the Grand Point North Music Festival.  Celebrating their 7th year, the Grand Point North Music Festival highlights local and national artists around New England, enlivening Vermont for one monumental weekend.  Grand Point North Music Festival also includes a VIP tent, with a variety of food, beverages, and more.  Click here for further details and ticket information.  Children under 12 attend for free and the festival will be held rain or shine.

Grand Point North Grace Potter

Grand Point North Music Festival co-founder Grace Potter Photo courtesy of Grand Point North

Performing both nights and headlining Saturday night is Vermont-native rock star Grace Potter with Tony award-nominee and Phish band member, Trey Anastasio and his band headlining on Sunday at Burlington’s Waterfront Park on Lake Champlain from Saturday, September 16 and Sunday, September 17.  Troy Millette and Dylan Gombas have been voted favorite local band contest by Vermont’s renowned alt news weekly Seven Days and have been added to the Grand Point North Music Festival lineup.  Also included in Grand Point North’s lineup is New Orleans folk-blues group Hooray for the Riff-Raff, L.A. rock band Dawes, Detroit boogie band Low Cut Connie, rock and roll band Lake Superior, Portland sister trio Joseph, Philadelphia R&B singer Son Little, and many more.

Details on Grand Point North Music Festival’s after party is coming soon.  Gates open at on Saturday, September 16 at 3 p.m.  On Sunday, September 17, gates open at 2 p.m.  VIP tickets include early entrance into the show, closer view by the soundboard, access to the VIP tent offering shade with discounted food and beverages, and more.

Grand Point North concert sunset

Concert sunset at Burlington’s Waterfront Park Photo courtesy of Grand Point North

Click here for further ticket details, call 802-652-0777, or go to the Higher Ground Box Office located at 1214 Williston Road in South Burlington, Vermont.  Soak in a hint of fall foliage as well as some of the tremendous concert flavor at the Grand Point North Music Festival in September.  Follow Grand Point North Music Festival on Facebook and Twitter for updates.

South South Conservatory’s annual, family summer outdoor concert series, ‘Wacky Wednesdays’ returns

South Shore Conservatory, known for offering fun, educational, and interactive classes and entertainment for all ages for the South Shore of Massachusetts and beyond, is proud to enliven Wednesday mornings once again.  Sponsored by The Harold and Avis Goldstein Trust with WATD as media partner, South Shore Conservatory’s Wacky Wednesdays has been delivering award-winning, educational, and interactive family entertainment for their 21st year every Wednesday mornings as part of their outdoor Summer Spotlight series.  Wednesday morning concerts also feature free lemonade and chocolate milk starting at 10 a.m.

Kicking off the season on Wednesday, July 5, singer-songwriter and Music Together teacher Vanessa Trien and the Jumping Monkeys return to the Jane Carr Amphitheater stage.  This family concert series includes humorous, high energy, and catchy family pop band Karen K and the Jitterbugs on July 12, multiple award-winning Roots musician, Alastair Moock and Friends on July 19, and imaginative, energetic, and interactive musical storytelling by Debbie and Friends on July 26.  Click here for a closer look at this enchanting series.

All concerts take place rain or shine at Jane Carr Amphitheater, One Conservatory Drive in Hingham, Massachusetts.  With funding from Massachusetts Cultural Facilities Fund, the Jane Carr Amphitheater has been updated entirely.  See the South Shore Conservatory’s summer spotlight concert series at affordable prices and no charge for children under three.  Discounted prices for groups are also available.  Click here for tickets and more information or call 1-781-749-7565, ext. 22.