Concert Review: Hootie & the Blowfish A Gathering of Longtime Friends
When Darius Rucker embarked on a new genre-changing career in country music, little did he know that a decade would go by before he and fellow bandmates would rejoin again for a tour. During that time, lots of things happened. Rucker charted many top-ten hits as a country artist. He couldn’t predict that the band would still be able to sell out shows a decade later.
The rest of the band was still there. Mark Bryan, Dean Felber and Jim Sonefeld have all been working on their own projects, and Hootie & the Blowfish as a band would unite to play select events here and there. After all, the band has never officially broken up, perhaps just taking an extended break.
Could the durable quartet from South Carolina continue to be pertinent in a much different musical landscape? If the current Group Therapy Tour is any representation of it, then the answer is a resounding YES. The two-hour performance at Coral Sky Amphitheater in West Palm Beach on a brutally hot Saturday night illustrated their music prowess.
Opening with “Hannah Jane” with Darius Rucker front and center, Mark Bryan in his customary perch on the right side, Dean Felber far left, and Jim Sonefeld up high on the drum riser. Hootie & the Blowfish engaged the sold-out crowd from the very first note. This is a band that doesn’t need anything fancy: no crazy light shows, smoke or fire. Their setup consisted of a large video screens showing vintage images that are quite familiar to Hootie fans. These included the young version of the band and some of their favorite places like the Waffle House. Simply put, this is a band that you crack open a beer, sit back and sing along to their hits and what Hootie & the Blowfish first discovered was their initial storied rise to greatness: covers.
Immersed into the band’s noted hits, the over 20,000 plus fans attending at Coral Sky Amphitheater were treated to some of Hootie’s very best from perhaps their most successful album, 1994’s Cracked Rear View. “Time,” “Hold My Hand,” and “Let Her Cry” were all played in fine form, and the band ripped through a series of covers such as REM’s “Losing My Religion,” which nearly everyone sang along in unison.
The expected demographic of the audience related perfectly to the sounds of “Hey Hey What Can I Do,” a Led Zeppelin cover that many of the 20-somethings that were there didn’t know, but the much more experienced fans witnessed a performance that will be discussed at the office for the next few days while the musical ether slowly fades.
Throughout the show, Rucker continuously pulled you in. His soulful voice along with the roots rock sound that has been the key to Hootie’s overall success carried through a 22-song setlist that kept the audience on their feet nearly the entire two hours. Mark Bryan, the barefoot guitarist, looked like a rockin’ teenager as he bounced around the stage during the band’s second song “I Go Blind;” it is clear that Bryan hasn’t lost his desire to have fun and get everyone moving.
There is a very distinct connection between Rucker and South Florida. Every Hootie & the Blowfish fan knows that the Dolphins make him cry. Of course he’s not talking about those creatures swimming aimlessly about the ocean; it is NFL’s Miami Dolphins that he refers to. His long adoration as a true Dan Marino fan has led to a lifelong friendship with the Hall of Famer, whom Rucker named his daughter Dani after. On this magical night in South Florida, Dan Marino was present to see his good friend perform.
After enduring scorching temperatures coupled with extreme humidity that left most of the audience dripping in perspiration, Hootie & the Blowfish ripped through 19 of the band’s very best, and it was time to say goodnight. However, most of the crowd remained as there was some unfinished business. After a non-stop chant demanding more, the band took the stage and encored with three more songs including “Goodbye” and “Go and Tell Him (Soup Song)” before wrapping things up with perhaps their biggest hit, “Only Wanna Be With You.”
Barenaked Ladies were the opener and didn’t disappoint. The Canadian quartet played before a relatively full audience that was treated to a full 16-song set featuring some of the bands best-known hits. Fans who arrived early enough got to hear “One Week,” “Brian Wilson,” “If I Had $1,000,000” among other favorites. Ed Robertson, who is the only true original member of the band, has maintained his vocal timbre that continues to amaze with a satisfying tone. Robertson was joined by Jim Creeggan, Tyler Stewart and Kevin Hearn as the other long-term members, just a few years after the band’s initial formation. Kevin Hearn kept things interesting, switching between keyboards and the guitar while Tyler Stuart pounded on the drums. Overall, the Barenaked Ladies delivered a satisfying set for the early arrivals.
It was a night filled to indulge with a band that makes you feel warm and happy. It brought back memories from a decade past when Hootie & the Blowfish were on top of the world cranking out hit after hit. It was a chance to reconnect with a time that was perhaps better but certainly different. What’s next for Darius, Mark, Dean and Jim? One can only wonder, but this tour left an impression that there is still bands that you can sing along with and bring back the memories.
Hootie & the Blowfish Setlist
Hannah Jane
State Your Peace
I Go Blind (54-40 cover)
Fine Line (Radney Foster cover)
Not Even the Trees
Hold My Hand
Losing My Religion (R.E.M. cover)
I Will Wait
Let Her Cry
Hey Hey What Can I Do (Led Zeppelin cover)
Desert Mountain Showdown
I Hope I Don’t Fall in Love With You (Tom Waits cover)
Alright (Darius Rucker song)
Running From an Angel
Drowning
Time
Wagon Wheel (Old Crow Medicine Show cover)
Old Man & Me (Interlude with ‘Fight the… more )
With a Little Help From My Friends (The Beatles cover)
Encore:
Goodbye
Go and Tell Him (Soup Song)
Only Wanna Be With You