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Concert Review: Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros charms crowd with uplifting set at the Greek Theatre

By Jessica McQueen

May 8, 2012 11:07 a.m.

Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros
May 4
Greek Theatre
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The stage of the Greek Theatre was illuminated by a large image of a tilted skyline over a vibrant blue ocean Friday night as the members Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros filled the stage with their instruments, which range from guitars and drums to synthesizers and tambourines.

The band played several unreleased songs off its upcoming album “Here,” including “I Don’t Wanna Pray” and “Mayla.” Many of these songs are slower than the band’s previous works but nonetheless promise another feel-good album.

Alex Ebert, the band’s main vocalist, confessed that the band did not even have a set list prepared for the night, but this was anything but detrimental to its performance. The band has 10 members, so a bit of disorder seems unavoidable, but their many sounds were not lost on the crowd.

Ebert was eager to please and interact with the crowd. He entered the pit several times throughout the show and prompted audience members to hug the person next to them before the band played “Carries On,” a song about spreading one love.

During the song “Janglin” (of Ford Fiesta commercial fame), Ebert stopped the song to admire the full moon glowing over the amphitheater. He directed the audience to look up and howl at the moon before continuing the song with a lively crescendo of music and lyrics.

The band then played “Man on Fire,” a slow ballad-turned-upbeat sing-along that will also be found on the upcoming album. The stage was lit in deep red and orange lights, perhaps to match the title of the song, as Ebert sang, “Only one desire that’s left in me / I want the whole damn world / To come and dance with me.” And that’s just what the crowd did. Ebert even descended into the pit to dance with his mother, skipping in the sea of ecstatic concert attendees.

This carefree atmosphere continued as the band led into “That’s What’s Up,” another new, catchy and gospel-influenced single full of handclaps and heavy drum beats. Ebert and Jade Castrinos, the other vocalist in the band, sang to each other as they gazed into each other’s eyes, instilling even more happiness in their audience.

When the band began whistling, the crowd went wild and sang along to the long-awaited rendition of “Home.” It was apparent that many people thought the show was over after this, as hundreds filed out, obviously pleased with the song they were waiting for.

But these people missed out on the best part of the show. While the hit “Home” would be the obvious choice to end the night, Ebert announced that the band was allowed 15 extra minutes of set time.

In keeping with the go-with-the-flow attitude of the night, Ebert opened the nonexistent set list up to audience requests. The band decided to play “Nothing,” yet another new track, and closed the night with “Om Nashi Me,” an appropriate choice as it is also the closing track on its debut album “Up From Below.”

Ebert and Castrinos sat down on the stage together, chanting to the melodic chords struck by the Magnetic Zeros, as they serenaded the crowd. Their soft, symphonic voices were the perfect closing to their feel-good set.

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Jessica McQueen
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