I went to see Rusted Root close out the free concert series in North Tonawanda, NY at Gratwick Park on Sunday August 25, 2013, and from the buzz that was going through the crowd, it seems you really never know what to expect from this band. At any given show, they constantly change their set list after checking out the vibe in the crowd and seeing what would be a good fit for the night.
In recent years, Rusted Root has played frequently in Western New York. The Pittsburgh-based band has opened the Lockport Canal Series for two consecutive years, in 2009 and 2010, and drew huge crowds there. This band has been together for 20 years…does it seem possible? Were they seven when they first formed? ‘Send Me On My Way’ has been used in commercials for a little while now but, did you know that NASA used it as wake-up music for the Mars Rover? How many musicians can put that on their resume! At the front of the stage is singer guitarist Michael Glabicki, whose voice is both powerful and decisive as he uses it as he does any other instrument in the band’s arsenal. He is just ridiculously talented and versatile. Patrick Norman on bass has a great voice and is ridiculously cool on stage; all chill and hip in his shades and t-shirt from the 9:30 club here in Buffalo. The lovely Liz Berlin has a gorgeous voice and plays a mad cowbell. She also rocked the talking drum and a mean cabasa in addition to too many other instruments to name. It is my belief that every band should have a female this hot with so much versatility. Dirk Miller added his guitar and percussion highlights and one of the best drummers in the business is Preach Freedom, who brought the house down with his mad percussion workouts. The band obviously put a lot of time and energy into staying tight for their ever growing fan base of “fortunate freaks” as they are known.
Rusted Root delivered a great performance that will be remembered as one of the finest closing shows for the concert series. The band was energetic and tight and the crowd could not have been more happy with the evening. …and so goes another concert season. ‘nite.
Set List:
The Movement
Martyr
Lost in a Crowd
Back To the Earth
Cover Me Up
Honky Tonk Woman (Rolling Stones cover)
Food & Creative Love
Monkey Pants
Fortunate Freaks
Laugh as the Sun
Artificial Winter
Dangle
Voodoo
Send Me On My Way
Encore:
Ecstasy
Beautiful People
We would like to thank the Caronia Media Group for the credentials to review the show.
