Of a Revolution” is what it stands for. O.A.R. stood for more than two and a half hours last Wednesday on the outdoor stage at Artpark in Lewiston,NY and played a long list of favorites for an eager and accepting crowd. Formed in 1996 by Marc Roberge, O.A.R. has risen to the top on the heap of light Christian rock jam bands. Led by Roberge’s rich voice, the band has been spreading a message of hope, joy, faith and jah for thousands of faithful fans for many years. The reggae influenced beats in many of their tunes keep fans on their feet, singing and dancing the night away.
Seemingly ignored by commercial radio, they built their following by playing jam style concerts and encouraging their followers to share their music. It has worked in their favor. Their music isn’t exactly jam-style. Their songs are usually short with a few that run on with sax solos, guitar solos and sometimes just Roberge singing solo.
Crowd participation was the word on this night though as the band took the stage many rose to their feet and never sat back down. “Two Hands Up” and “Peace” were highlights as the band members stretched their musical muscle and showed some mastery of the style. Saxophonist Jerry DiPizzo wailed and Roberge led the crowd singers like a symphony conductor.
By the time opening act, John Butler, joined the band for the encore of “No Woman, No Cry” the crowd was in a frenzy, dancing, singing, and carrying on like there was not a care in the world. The only thing they might have cared about was when would O.A.R. be back in town to do it again.
Setlist:
About an Hour Ago
Delicate Few
Black Rock
Two Hands Up
Missing Pieces
Shattered (Turn the Car Around)
Hey Girl
Anyway
Love and Memories
About Mr. Brown
So Moved On
We’ll Pick Up Where We Left Off
City on Down
Daylight the Dog
Heaven
Peace
52-50
Encore:
I Feel Home (Marc and Richard)
That Was a Crazy Game of Poker
No Woman, No Cry (Bob Marley & The Wailers cover) (with John Butler) (John Butler on vocals)
We would like to thank Maria Hays from Artpark for her assistance in obtaining credentials so BackstageAxxess can review the show.
