The marquee of the Fox Theater in Oakland was just beginning to light up the night as the sun was setting on a beautiful west coast Saturday. The stage was set for the String Cheese Incident to close out a three night run and support their most recent album Song in my Head. Fans from far and wide converged in the Bay Area, making these shows feel as much like a family reunion as it did a “Cheese” show. For years, the Colorado based band of brothers have “incidentally” blown the minds and ears of their faithful with intensely energetic rhythms and virtuous musicianship, and on this night, they delivered!
After two other wild nights, the band was ready to prove that they had gas in the tank to drive this run home. In a seemingly appropriate move, the band opened with “Song in my Head,” the title track from the forthcoming album. “Birdland” was the next tasty treat offered up and the night was beginning to flow, totaling almost 14 minutes with a tightly woven jam which led into “Sometimes a River” and then to a spirited trio of “Yo Se” “Shine” and “Bolly Munster,” which closed the set with a bang. “Shine” clocked in at 19 minutes and had the crowd washed in colorful lights. Set break was dominated by groups of friends finding each other, relocating in hopes of prime dance space, hugging, taking “family” photos and eager speculation on what they might play next.
If first set was the appetizer, than the second set would be the Meat and “Cheesy” Potatoes! The band launched into “Texas” and we were off. Billy seemed to have fun recounting the crazy time had in the Lone star State as the band was warming up. Next the band’s sound shifted to an electric/pop/funk take on “Kinky Reggae”, and the “Joyful Sound” and “Drums” were heavily saturated with Keith Moseley’s bass, alongside Michael Travis and Jason Hann lending dubstep infused accents allowing fans to bounce and swerve throughout the venue. After what seemed like a collective breath, Mr. Scott Law was brought to the stage and as his microphone was set up for him to take lead vocals/guitar, he received warm hugs from the band members. He counted in the band and dropped right into a funktastic romp through the Bay Area legend the Grateful Dead’s “Shakedown Street,” brining the crowd to a fever pitch with funky exuberance! The energy stayed high with “Way Back Home” which benefited from the raucous’ crowds help on the chorus. Closing out the set was the third offering from the new album, “Colorado Bluebird Sky,” which allowed the boys to do a little “picking and grinning” and bring us on home!
The applause and love between the band and the fans was apparent, and rang loudly throughout the Fox Theater. Not only did the band reward the fans with a 20 minute encore of “Here to Stay” and “Just One Story” but they sliced just a little more off the Cheesecake with a tear through “Sitting’ on Top of the World” with special guests Scott Law and Marty Yitalo (New Monsoon). As the night ended musically, the brightly colored throngs of fans spilled out into the Oakland streets and for a moment were truly “On Top of the World.”
– Jay Coyte
[all photos courtesy of Brian Spady Photography – For a full gallery of photos, check out Spady Photography on Facebook]
