O.A.R. Rocks Utica

By Karina Swanson, Knight Times Reporter

The Utica Memorial Auditorium was the place to be on Saturday, September 13 when Of A Revolution, or O.A.R. as they're better known, preformed.

The doors opened to an audience of mostly college and high school students from local areas at 6:00 pm who were waiting impatiently. The opening band, Foxtrot Zulu, started at 7:00 and got the sea of fans attention as they played for an hour with the remarkable saxophones wailing their soulful notes along with the impressive conga and bongo solos.

After the crowd was roaring with enthusiasm, O.A.R. went on at 8:00 pm. I must say, the live performance surpasses the recordings by a long shot. The vocals, instrumentals, and energy from the stage electrified the crowd in a way unlike any other. The band mixed older songs, like "Crazy Game of Poker" and "Love and Memories," with the new, like the upbeat "This Town" along with a song written about the war in Iraq called "War Song."

Upon visiting the troops, they decided it necessary to honor them with this moving piece. As fans in the crowd held up pictures of their loved ones who are over seas, emotions were flying. After the song the lead singer Mark is quoted with saying "...they'll bring em' back," while pointing at those certain fans. The song is featured on their new album All Sides, which is in stores now.

As the end of the concert neared, O.A.R. called up the opening band to the stage to have them and the crowd join in on the final number, "Help From My Friends" by The Beatles.

This page was originally posted: 9/18/06; 7:41:14 PM.
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