100.5 The Drive Mistletoe Show (Featuring: The Fray, Sara Bareilles and Parachute) @ Main Street Armory, Rochester, New York 12-8-2013

On December 8, 2013 the Drive’s Mistletoe Show took over the Main Street Armory with a show to remember. Not the Armory’s usual heavy metal or rap show, this more gentle rock show proved to be well worth every sold out ticket.

Opening the show, was the part local band Pretty in Pink who graciously got the crowd’s attention. The three man band only had a few songs, but still left a festive impression on the mostly student and parent crowd who were streaming in by the 100’s. Once Parachute hit the stage, the crowd was ready to dance and sing and swoon to the beats. Lead singer Will Anderson was a smiling, dancing and gyrating vision – opening the show with their new song, “Can’t Help.” The crowd instantly was screaming and singing back as he and his band mates made sure to connect with all the young girls immediately. Their popular hit, “She is Love,” was gentle and touching and melted many hearts. Just when the swooning was at its peak, they surprised us all singing Bruce Springsteen’s “Dancing in the Dark” and bringing up two girls who were hand picked from the audience. They were practically in tears (of joy) dancing as in the old Springsteen performance. Parachute continued their newer songs and hits and with each built a fan base from anyone who wasn’t familiar with them in the first place. They earned each and every one!

But the fans were here for the headliners and that is an understatement when it comes to Sara Bareilles. Opening her set with “Chasing the Sun,” she immediately had everyone singing along with her vivacious piano playing and easy going personality. “Gonna Get Over You” was equally playful and she graciously apologized to the audience for the use of “douche bag” in her song; she added, (while giggling) that parents will have to be the ones to explain to any youngsters in the audience later. Sara simply emanates every sweet quality, on top of an amazing clear and incredibly rich voice, that every girl would die for and every guy wanted to hear say anything to him! She had them all entranced from new songs to her hits like “Gravity,” “King of Anything” and her closing song “Brave.” Her versatility was endless. She could obviously play the piano brilliantly but she also played guitar or just sang, connecting to the throngs of people who just wanted to be in her presence.

The Fray had quite an act to follow. With the song “Hotblooded” playing, they took the stage and lead singer Issac Slade, bowed in genuine reverence to rock legend Lou Gramm sitting in the upper balcony. They were here to rock and to woe and to wow us all and “Hurricane,” their opening song proved to “blow” us over! Hit after hit, song after song, they sung harnessing the amazing energy of the crowd. Everyone was on their feet dancing to “You Found Me” and soon swaying to “Be Still.” There was not a song that wasn’t a crowd favorite and the band was genuinely touched by the outpouring of affection and joy that the crowd reflected to them back. By the time they hit “Love Don’t Die,” Issac had been down to the audience and shook hands and cheered them on himself. They had not initially planned an encore, but none of the crowd budged and so they sang the song “Hold My Hand” to an overly thrilled audience; so grateful and thankful for their generosity. Truly the spirit of the holiday was everywhere on and off the stage!

The Fray Setlist:

Hurricane
Heartbeat
You Found Me
Turn Me On
Look After You
Wherever This Goes
Be Still
Never Say Never
All at Once
How to Save a Life
Cable Car
Love Don’t Die