Wednesday, December 2, 2009

311's Uplifter tour a cut above (Palm Beach Post)

The day the mayor of a major metropolitan city declares a holiday in honor of a rock band, it’s a safe bet that band has put on its share of spectacular shows.

That day came in 2000 for 311 in the city of New Orleans. Nine years and a few hit albums later, the genre-bending quintet is still luring massive crowds with dynamic, unpretentious performances held in the spirit of unity and positivity.

An eager but easygoing 20-something crowd packed Miami’s 8,000-person Bayfront Amphitheater nearly to capacity Tuesday night. They got an earful of chart-topping favorites like “Down,” “Beautiful Disaster” and “Amber,” but also rarer tracks like “Jack-o-lantern’s Weather” and standouts from the band’s 2009 Uplifter album such as “Daisy Cutter”.

Alt-rock trio State Radio pounded out a 45-minute opening set tinged with traces of punk and even reggae influence.

Sporting nothing but a sparse set and wide, easy smiles, 311 still managed to keep its audience captivated. A solo by drummer Chad Sexton had heads involuntarily nodding, and the crowd erupted in hoots when the whole band joined in, pounding on drums and cymbals of every size and style. Encore and all, the set lasted the better part of two hours.

Almost two decades after the multi-platinum group’s humble beginnings in Omaha, Nebraska, 311 has kept up a steady touring schedule. Summer’s Unity tour melted into fall’s Uplifter tour, and after a three-month break, the band will celebrate its legendary 311 Day in Las Vegas on March 11, 2010.

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