Over view of the concert The concert I choose to attend was “Ben Ottewell of Gomez / David McMillin of Fort Frances” at Berkley College of Music. Berkeley hosts more than 1,500 concerts and events at different venues on campus. The venue was Red Room, Cafe 939, Berkley College of Music I went to the event with a group of friends and the tickets cost just $15. The performance was to begin at 8.p.m. and we were all excited to see Ben Ottewell live on stage. Ben Ottewell is the lead vocalist and guitarist for the rock band Gomez, and his infectious melodies make one join in. The band has taken pop to a new level and has certainly improved over the years, playing their soulful music to their fans that they love the most.The Environment The Red Room at Cafe 939 is really impressive and embraces all styles of music such as hip-hop, avant-garde, rock, jazz, folk, and a lot more. The club carries a 200-capacity and showcases music and performances on a regular basis (About the Red Room at Cafe 939 206). A dozen known names have performed her. The venue boasts of top-quality sound and creates a dazzling experience for fans and artists alike. The superb performance on the stage and the excited crowds on the floor make a magical connection. We reached the venue at about 7.45 and were seated within no time, waiting for the excited evening to unfold. The crowd was dressed comfortably in casual clothes but maintained a professional appearance. The concert hall was not too big and was sufficient to house the excited young audience. The seating arrangement was comfortable, and the ambiance was electrifying. Everybody was super friendly, and there has a great time. The event began right on time, and there was a loud cheer from the crowd when Ben Ottewell came on stage with his band. The Band is made of Ben Ottewell and Tom Gray for vocals, guitar, Paul Blackburn for bass, guitar, Olly Peacock at drums and d Ian Ball for vocals, guitar, harmonica.He and his counterparts were dressed casually in jeans and shirts and looked very comfortable on the stage. Ben took the stage and sat in the center surrounded by his counterparts.The Music The vocalist and guitarist for the rock band presented his intense guitar solos, and his voice is really unique and intense. The crowd went wild when he sang from his latest record, “Rattlebag.” He truly has an amazing collection of poems about salvation and sanctuary. Those infectious melodies and bluesy riffs soon made everyone join in, and we were all singing and having a great time. The concert was truly entertaining, and it was fantastic the way the band connected with the audience. After listening to him live on stage, we came to realize as to why he is so well known for his distinctive voice and aptitude for moving guitar solos. The band played those beautiful acoustic tunes such as "Shapes and Shadows," “Blackbird,” and "Take This Beach." The crowd wanted the band to sing some of the old favorites from albums such as “Liquid Skin” and “In Our Gun.” Ben and his band were only too happy to oblige and sang songs like “"Ping One Down,"1000 Times,"Fill My Cup,”” Hangover,” and a couple more. He also sang from his first solo record, “Shapes & Shadows” which was more low-key and acoustic driven than the band Gomez. One can say it was more mature and thoughtful. However, it was a mixture of songs from his new album “Rattlebag” that were the highlight of the evening as the songs were melodious, soulful, and fresh. The band has many great songs and on several occasions, the crowd joined in when the band played their favorite songs.Performance The music was just right, neither too loud nor too soft. The band was well coordinated, and their music was wonderfully rich. The notes and rhythm were right, and the band was able to bring about a much inner feeling. The band was confident and enjoyed the evening as much as its audience. They knew what kind of music was just right for the young college crowd, and they were fully prepared for it. There is no mistake that they left their mark with their music. The band's performance was really moving, and those by inspiring acoustic and guitars extend hope and promise. Listening to him felt like this was not a voice of this world. The audience was transferred to a different world, and I felt that the music could just go on and on the whole night. Ben’s finesse on the guitar, the unique voice match the strength of his songwriting.
General reactions It was a truly a magical performance by the band and evening to remember. I was very impressed with the quality of the event and music that was played to great perfection. There is no denying that Gomez is a great band and are very talented. It is apparent the way they touch their musical instruments and are truly passionate about their music. This is what make them and their music great. I had heard the band before but this was the first time I heard them live. It was truly a very moving experience. They are much better when heard alive. I have been to other concerts, but this was a special event. First, I have always been a fan of Gomez, and I was listening to them live for the first time and at a great venue with fantastic acoustics. Gomez has always been a favorite band with me, and they really put on a killer live show. The music, the audience and the venue made for an amazing experience that is simply unforgettable.
Works Cited
"About The Red Room at Cafe 939.” berklee.edu. 2016. Web. 23 March. 2016.
