311’s Unity Tour brings reggae, funk, and joy to Raleigh

TAMPA BREAKWAY FESTIVAL – April 26th-27th

TAMPA BREAKWAY FESTIVAL – April 26th-27th
311

By Gus Samarco, Rock At Night Raleigh Correspondent

Venue: Red Hat Amphitheater , Raleigh, North Carolina – July 24th, 2016 –  311

Although I’ve listening to 311 throughout the years, this was my first time seeing them live. They performed at Raleigh’s Red Hat Amphitheater in the heart of Downtown Raleigh, surrounded by bars and breweries. I made sure to “inspect” most bars/breweries in the area and they were all packed with fans before the show.

I had the chance to talk to the fans at the pit and I counted about three generations of people, very excited for the show to start. And by the way, happy birthday to Austin (good job getting to the fence).

Let’s be honest, it doesn’t matter how long a band has been on the road, nobody gets on a stage to put up a boring show–and 311 wasn’t different. The band has been around the block a few times and knows how to please an audience–and that they did!  Nick Hexum took the stage with passion and I could feel the crowd behind me in an uproar welcoming the band on stag, as Nick greeted them.  The energy was electric as he jumped and sang–and the audience all began to bop and groove as the band pounded out their brand of reggae, hip-hop, funk. Incredible!

The whole performance was very energetic, but, as a music lover, I’m happy when a band plays one of their greatest hits within the first three songs while I’m in the pit. I got goose bumps when they started playing “Beautiful Disaster”. I tend to pay attention for whomever I am photographing, looking for good expressions. I could totally see in the face of all those guys that they were really enjoying themselves on stage.  The fans appreciated 311’s enthusiasm and fervor, thus responding with love towards the band members.

The band is touring the US through September 2nd. Do yourself a favor and spend a fun night grooving with 311.

Photo Gallery

 SETLIST

  • Freeze Time
  • Do You Right
  • Beautiful Disaster
  • Taiyed
  • All Mixed Up
  • Existential Hero
  • Come Original
  • From Chaos
  • Lovesong
  • Bass Solo
  • Don’t Stay Home
  • Use of Time
  • Misdirected Hostility
  • You Wouldn’t Believe
  • Showdown
  • Applied Science
  • Paradise
  • Never Ending Summer
  • Amber
  • T & P Combo
  • Down
  • Omaha Stylee

Encore

  • Tranquility
  • Creatures (For a While)

 

Videos

 

 

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Gus Samarco

Forest Live Festival – UK

Forest Live Festival – UK