Monday, August 31, 1998
Bands on H.O.R.D.E. tour share energy, enthusiasm with audience
MUSIC: Established favorites, newcomers to scene continue show's tradition of excellence
By Michelle Zubiate
Daily Bruin Staff
Tie-dye and modern rock, framed in social awareness, will always bring the crowds and some fun.
No, it's not Woodstock, but the H.O.R.D.E. (Horizons of Rock Developing Everywhere) Festival '98 gathered this conscious audience at Irvine Meadows on Thursday.
The day's success rested in the night's strong line-up of bands, such as Barenaked Ladies, Ben Harper and Blues Traveler, who pulled off an energized event with few kinks.
Started by John Popper and Blues Traveler in 1992, H.O.R.D.E.'s purpose is to feature both the hitmakers of modern rock and newcomers to the industry. Bands that now sell out stadiums, such as Dave Matthews, had their humble introductions into the music industry on the tour.
In addition, popular bands still perform on the bill, with names such as Paula Cole and Smashing Pumpkins playing on select dates during the summer.
The warm summer night in Irvine served as the perfect environment, the music capturing the crowd with every set. Even between the sets of the headliners on the main stage, the music picked up on the main stage as the crowd milled among the craft and political booths and the rockin' sounds of promising artists such as Box Set and Bran Van 3000.
The Texas-trio Fastball delivered with the vitality of a confident band that's seen the road and knows how to win a crowd with fun. Revved up versions of their latest singles "The Way" and "Fire Escape" proved that the band has grown since their last Los Angeles appearance at the K-ROQ Weenie Roast. With a little more effort and a lot more enthusiasm, they spiced up the atmosphere with impressive guitar hooks and melodies.
Barenaked Ladies immediately dazzled with their hilarious act, filled with witty banter and compelling tunes. Always creating laughter, the band managed to work in bits and pieces of almost every played-out song and created from "My Heart Will Go On," "Memories," "Semi-Charmed Life," "Amazing Grace" and more. Although the size of the venue often resulted in a cold distance between act and audience, Barenaked Ladies achieved intimacy with heart and talent.
But it wasn't all giggles and gags for the Canadian band. In addition to their charm, they also proved they possess true musical talent, shown by the catchiness of their melodies and the simply gripping nature of the folk-inspired, modern rock sound.
For Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals, however, it was all business as they entered a serious set of blues and classic rock, leaving a stunned audience begging for more. A band of true professionals, every component of the act remained a complete inspiration, from Juan Nelson on the bass to the intense fun of battling between the congo and traditional drums sets.
Playing music off of their newest album, "Will To Live", the Orange County native gave a shout-out to his neighbors in Claremont before rocking the crowd with numbers like "Oppression", which supported the night's social theme. Harper's own use of a lap slide guitar was nothing less than his usual performance of gripping solos worked into a solid background of rhythms.
Blues Traveler ended the night by keeping everyone on their toes with their high-paced sound and light-hearted demeanor. Playing both old and new favorites, the band worked as a unified team that not only has individual fortes but the combination of musicians with experience and a hard-hitting, classic style.
While H.O.R.D.E. might not be the biggest tour of the summer, the night proved that it still has a few good years left to continue its long run as an event that brings together audiences of both a fun-loving and loyal nature.GENEVIEVE LIANG/Daily Bruin
Guitarist Ben Harper plays at the H.O.R.D.E festival. Among the other bands on the tour are Fastball, Blues Traveler and Barenaked Ladies.