Chris Carrabba is a rock god.
OK, so he's not metal, but if there were to be a posterboy for the modern-day rock-anthem Jesus, it would be Mr. Carrabba and Dashboard Confessional. You wouldn't doubt me had you seen the Dashboard show last night at the Gibson Amphitheater.
Not necessarily my own personal hero, I really appreciate the sincerity and emotional candor Mr. Carrabba has so faithfully published many times previously with Dashboard. From the first small full-length LP to this recent arena-ready monstrosity, he's managed to create songs that cause teenage girls to cry and grown men to sing like women. This was in full form last night as shrieking 15-year-olds screamed his name at the top of their lungs and men poured their hearts out at the top of their lungs. You would honestly think that this was a Sunday morning gospel and people were testifying to his sermon.
What I saw was an artist who was very comfortable in his celebrity. His performance was solid, he knew when to let the audience do the singing, and also knew what made them connect so well with his words. While our good friend Jenny claims his early demeanor to be friendly and intimate, it's hard to imagine it now, having only seen him perform at the larger venues. Perhaps this is what fame does, it makes it harder to claim intimacy with such a large group of fans.
I will say this though, it was a great show and an engaging performance despite the melodrama and the teenage intensity. Carrabba played many an older song and of course all the big hits that put them where they are today. If there's any evidence that this is a band to remember, it would have to be the singing audience members before and after the show. When I say the people love him, I really mean that they love him.
Good show, maybe I'll see it all again in a smaller setting some day, but that's almost another whole post in itself.
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1 comment:
Yeah! I heard that was a great concert ;)
Seriously, though, even though I was incapacitated, lounging out in the lobby and chatting with that metal band that was playing outside, I was able to enjoy the good music from inside the amphitheatre.
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