Photos and text by Paul Goodman.
Grabbing a whiskey at the downstairs bar before the show, I couldn’t help but overhear this conversation:
Dude hunched over bar: “Is Ozomatli a jam band?”
Dude tending bar: “I don’t really know. I just feel like jam bands take too long to get to the point of the song, you know?”
Well, they lucked out … Ozomatli is not a jam band, after all, and got RIGHT to the point when the eight-man band burst onstage at 11:30 p.m. They made local reggae/dancehall opener Lionize look downright geriatric. In Lionize’s defense, Ozomatli is known for their onstage presence; a film crew covering the show Thursday night had NINE cameras in the house, and the producer told me before the show he was concerned about keeping up with the band onstage.
Lionize’s burly frontman, Nate Bergman (keys dangling from his belt; must be nice to play with a national act in your hometown), had surprising vocal range and the band hit their marks throughout the strong set.
Lionize’s rock-infused reggae beats are more dancehall than roots, and served as a good warm-up for Ozomatli.
Within seconds of hitting the stage Ozomatli had the entire club shaking. If it wasn’t sold out beforehand, it sure felt like it. The band expertly demonstrated its range, leading the audience through a series of different genres from cumbia to hip hop to reggae to funk and on, and on, and on.
Guest performer Chali 2na (of Jurassic 5 fame) popped out periodically, reminding the crowd that his lyrical prowess remains intact. 18 songs later, I have to believe that everyone in the packed house got what they paid for.
now that is some great access BYT. sweet shots
March 13, 2009 at 5:54 pmburly = sexaaay
March 13, 2009 at 6:34 pmsweetness.
March 13, 2009 at 7:29 pmNice photos. It was definitely a great show.
March 14, 2009 at 9:50 amRad photos by Paul Goodman. He’s definitely and up-and-comer in the DC photog scene.
April 24, 2009 at 12:07 pmYes. They reflect the true reality. Photos by Minnesota are quite rad as well. Now the more I think about it, even Fits is not that bad.
April 24, 2009 at 1:30 pm
yeah right phish played 16 songs in their first set on friday.
March 13, 2009 at 4:25 pm