Counting Crows is hitting the US with their Butter Miracle Tour and OC Music News caught the show in Nashville to get intel for the CA dates.
Counting Crows recently released their first new music in seven years, the EP “Butter Miracle, Suite One.” The show included all four songs from the EP, plus the hits and favorites we would expect. But could the ‘90s band who brought us “Mr. Jones” and “Round Here” still deliver it live?
Both openers were introduced by Counting Crows front-man, Adam Duritz, and he stayed in the wings to watch their performances. Duritz has worked with both acts, giving the show a friendly atmosphere.
Sean Barna and his band gave an enthusiastic performance that included a song Duritz wrote part of, “Be a Girl.” Barna has an engaging personality and he got a chuckle from the crowd with, “Here is a song about monogamy called ‘Sleeping with Strangers.’”
ADAM DURITZ of COUNTING CROWS at FIRSTBANK AMP | PHOTO by STEPHANIE PEPPER
Matt Sucich’s latest CD has several songs that Duritz sings on and his laidback vibe was accented on several songs by steel guitarist Cameron Mitchell. The crowd enjoyed Sucich’s style and personality, and for his last song, he made them laugh with, “If I had a hit, it would be this song. I don’t have a hit and Adam took me on tour anyway, so take that!”
As soon as the lights dimmed for Counting Crows, the crowd was on their feet. When the first note of “Round Here” hit, the audience began yelling in appreciation, ready to dance and sing the night away. As for his voice, when Duritz belted out the first “round here,” he showed his voice is still there, and stronger than ever. “Mr. Jones” was another crowd favorite for singing and dancing, then “Colorblind” had people swaying along.
Duritz then got big yells from the audience when said, “Welcome back to concerts!” He told the crowd how strange it was to perform live constantly since he was 19, and then have two years off. After joking his voice sounded “like an alien” and he could not remember how “Round Here” goes, he said he brought a lyric book just in case. He watched past performances and said, “I was doing some shit and I don’t know what it was.” He also joked that their songs “have too many fucking words! I can’t remember these fucking things!” If he needed the lyric book, it did not show.
Duritz took another break after “God of Ocean Times” to talk about the formation of the band in San Francisco in 1990, and reflected on the history with original member David Bryson.
COUNTING CROWS at FIRSTBANK AMP | PHOTO by STEPHANIE PEPPER
For the last song, “Long December,” Duritz took to the piano to play while he sang. The crowd insisted on an encore and the band came onstage for three more songs. With every band member sounding tight, and Duritz’s vocals staying strong, they put on an incredible show. While there is nostalgia, there was also fresh new music to enjoy and an energy that infected the crowd.
The Butter Miracle Tour is covering the entire US and it includes a stop at the BeachLife Festival in Redondo Beach. Special VIP packages are available for their headlining shows and include sound check performances, premium seats, autographed lyric sheet, special merch, and even an acoustic guitar.
