Concert Review: Guster pings, pongs way through awesome show

03/06/07 - Even though I froze my ass off while waiting for the doors to open at Lupo's Heartbreak Hotel in Providence, I was instantly awestruck once I got inside. It's quite impressive to say the least, and it truly possesses a respected reputation that should make bands want to play there. Aside from the sights of the venue, an eclectic opening act was performed by Mason Jennings, who the five people in front of me couldn't shut up about. About halfway through the set, three Amazon-like blondes slid in front of us and made viewing somewhat difficult.

Thankfully, they were not massive enough to totally block out the light from the stage. They jumped up and down as if the music was upbeat and a head-banging good time.

However, the songs throughout the majority of Jennings' set were pretty mellow and possibly could've sedated someone.

As anticipation rose and mood music played to hold us over, it was obvious that all age groups were beyond stoked that the main event was finally getting into action. Roadies quickly tuned and tweaked guitars, bongo drums, a standard percussion set, banjos and mics.

Luckily the Amazonian tribe moved toward another group of friends. It was humorous as my friend and I watched this young, fluffy-haired kid try to mack it with each of them; on occasion it kind of worked, since they all seemed slightly intoxicated.

Smoking mist and vibrantly coordinated lights beamed from the stage as Guster took the platform.

The crowd exploded and I got goosebumps as the chimes and bongos of "What You Wish For" resonated from the speakers. I was amped that there was an even balance of old and new material.

Perhaps my favorite track from Guster's latest album, Ganging Up On the Sun, came next. "The Captain" is a banjo, guitar and percussion medley whose short length seems to be appropriately orchestrated.

It was particularly hilarious when lead singer Ryan Miller called a kid out for talking on his cell phone during "Amsterdam."

Miller commented on how he usually avoids focusing on anyone in the crowd because of nerves, and ironically the one time he does, he spots a kid on his cell phone. He said he wondered if it was really what happens at their shows.

The kid wised up and held his phone in the air while the band continued to play, proving he wasn't a mindless idiot and letting a friend hear Guster play.

Next came the slow-paced ballad "Either Way," which is only played once each tour. Props to Lupo's!

The middle of the set featured the fast-paced bongo percussion of "Airport Song," which was first released in March 1997 on Goldfly. The studio-recorded version included ping-pong undertones while the volume fades out.

To create the same effect, a mass swarm of ping-pong balls were thrown from the crowd onto the stage. There were so many that Miller said the pelting was "quite an assault of ping-pong balls." He was surprised, since he said prior shows only had "a trickle."

Other highlights like the "Brazil" beat-down proved to be a dance-evoking crowd pleaser. The piece required roadies Scooter and Josh to complete the speedy rhythms.

The encore occurred in an unusual manner as Miller announced our options rather than going through the stereotypical motions.

Option A, he said, was that Guster would go backstage, and after the crowd sang "Na Na Hey Hey (Kiss Him Goodbye)" they would come back out. Or, Option B, they could simply play the encore right through. The crowd chose option A.

The encore featured "Lightning Rod," the opening track for Ganging Up, "The New Underground," "Happier," and finally, "Keep It Together."

I think this is probably the best of the three times I've seen Guster play. I was a little disappointed since I was hoping to see drummer Brian Rosenworcel to come out and sing Bonnie Tyler's "Total Eclipse Of The Heart," like he did at my first Guster concert in upstate New York at the RPI Field House. It was beautiful and off-key, but who couldn't love the multi-faceted percussion dude? Good times...

Hats off to Guster for a great show! Even when I was semi-sick and vocally hoarse, I was still inspired to belt out lyrics and bust-a-move while genuinely enjoying myself.