09-13-2008, 10:24 AM
I went to see Marc Broussard last night with my friend Lisa. We have been friends since 6th grade and she is just about the only friend who loves music as much as I do, she was familiar with Marc and game for a night out.
This was the last show of this season's Lowell Summer Concert Series and it was announced that they extended the series into September this year in hopes of attracting the college students coming back to the area (UMASS Lowell and others) and it worked! Due to rain, the show was moved from Boarding House Park to the Lowell HS Auditorium nearby. I would have loved to be outside under the September stars but will not complain about the rain (praying for those in Ike's path).
The venue was very close to full except for the balcony and I would guesstimate 500-600 in attendance. More about the crowd later.
The opening act was a trio named Spring Standard from NYC. They were "interesting" to say the least. Not my type but got respect from the crowd.
Marc came out and said "Evenin' Ya'll!" and began his set. He said we were going to have fun and all going to party and during the course of his 90 minute set he became increasingly happy, relaxed, rowdy, funky and the crowd wents nuts for him. He was talkative and we loved his New Orleans accent (must have said "Ya'll" a dozen times.) Marc told us that he didn't know what he was going to play (no set list) and folks started calling out tune requests. He said to the "Home" shout out..."We'll do Home later on." A little while later he mentioned not knowing what to sing next and during a lull I shouted "The Beauty Of Who You Are" (LOUDLY) and he responded "We could do that!"
He sat on a small student chair and sang three songs from the new CD which will be released this Tuesday....Keep Coming Back. I cannot give you a set list as I was not keeping a mental note of everything he sang but I have some good quality video to embed for you!
It is very apparent that this man loves him family, his home, and has much respect for his bandmates. The guitar player was performing with them for the very first time (from Boston) but you'd never know it!
I was very happy that Marc did not wear his traditional hat (newsboy or knit cap) because it shades his face...there was no spotlight on him so some of my pics are a bit dark but I loved seeing his face and wild hair. He wore jeans and boots
and strutted/danced around quite a bit.
The Music: I loved this musician before last night but seeing him live has taken it to a much higher level...I respect him so much! He seems like a very sweet man who loved the crowd reaction but did not love being away from his family. His voice was clear and strong, very soulful, he looked like he was having so much fun. He sang my top two faves...the one I "requested" and Gavin's Song (as his encore) along with crowd favorites Home, Love And Happiness, Rocksteady, and Come Around. He highlighted each band member with an intro and solo moment.
The Audience: The biggest surprise of the night was the crowd. They were amazing and it was sooooooo nice to be among fans who loved the music and were on their feet begging for more. The crowd was REALLY into it and not only did they not mind if you stood or moved around for better vantage point, they ENCOURAGED IT! Many fans filled the aisles 3/4 of the way through the evening and at least 50 people came down to stand right in front of the stage for Home. Marc loved it and came right to the edge of the stage and wailed...feeding off the energy and giving it all back. Everyone was smiling, a smattering of elderly and children but mainly 20-50 age range.
There were three women in front of us and in-between the opening act and Marc, they turned and asked me how I learned about Marc's music. They said none of their friends have ever heard of him and wanted to know how I became a fan. I had to mention Taylor Hicks
and the fact that a I would not even know of Marc, Toby Lightman, Anthony Hamilton, and more if not for Taylor and his fan community. Marc told us we were a wonderful audience.
After the show we hung around as the crowd left and many swarmed the merch table. Lisa saw some old friends there and started chatting as Marc came out to the stage to greet fans! SQUEEEEE!
I shook his hand and told him I was a big fan. We got a photo and I thanked him for coming to Massachusetts, to which he thanked me and said he'll be back in Boston in a couple months! He was VERY sweet to the fans wanting hugs, pics, and siggies....he kept saying "no problem at all". He signed my concert shirt in red Sharpie.
This guy is something special! If you like him, please buy his new music next week! I will post lots of media in this thread!!
This was the last show of this season's Lowell Summer Concert Series and it was announced that they extended the series into September this year in hopes of attracting the college students coming back to the area (UMASS Lowell and others) and it worked! Due to rain, the show was moved from Boarding House Park to the Lowell HS Auditorium nearby. I would have loved to be outside under the September stars but will not complain about the rain (praying for those in Ike's path).
The venue was very close to full except for the balcony and I would guesstimate 500-600 in attendance. More about the crowd later.
The opening act was a trio named Spring Standard from NYC. They were "interesting" to say the least. Not my type but got respect from the crowd.
Marc came out and said "Evenin' Ya'll!" and began his set. He said we were going to have fun and all going to party and during the course of his 90 minute set he became increasingly happy, relaxed, rowdy, funky and the crowd wents nuts for him. He was talkative and we loved his New Orleans accent (must have said "Ya'll" a dozen times.) Marc told us that he didn't know what he was going to play (no set list) and folks started calling out tune requests. He said to the "Home" shout out..."We'll do Home later on." A little while later he mentioned not knowing what to sing next and during a lull I shouted "The Beauty Of Who You Are" (LOUDLY) and he responded "We could do that!"
He sat on a small student chair and sang three songs from the new CD which will be released this Tuesday....Keep Coming Back. I cannot give you a set list as I was not keeping a mental note of everything he sang but I have some good quality video to embed for you!
It is very apparent that this man loves him family, his home, and has much respect for his bandmates. The guitar player was performing with them for the very first time (from Boston) but you'd never know it!
I was very happy that Marc did not wear his traditional hat (newsboy or knit cap) because it shades his face...there was no spotlight on him so some of my pics are a bit dark but I loved seeing his face and wild hair. He wore jeans and boots
and strutted/danced around quite a bit.The Music: I loved this musician before last night but seeing him live has taken it to a much higher level...I respect him so much! He seems like a very sweet man who loved the crowd reaction but did not love being away from his family. His voice was clear and strong, very soulful, he looked like he was having so much fun. He sang my top two faves...the one I "requested" and Gavin's Song (as his encore) along with crowd favorites Home, Love And Happiness, Rocksteady, and Come Around. He highlighted each band member with an intro and solo moment.
The Audience: The biggest surprise of the night was the crowd. They were amazing and it was sooooooo nice to be among fans who loved the music and were on their feet begging for more. The crowd was REALLY into it and not only did they not mind if you stood or moved around for better vantage point, they ENCOURAGED IT! Many fans filled the aisles 3/4 of the way through the evening and at least 50 people came down to stand right in front of the stage for Home. Marc loved it and came right to the edge of the stage and wailed...feeding off the energy and giving it all back. Everyone was smiling, a smattering of elderly and children but mainly 20-50 age range.
There were three women in front of us and in-between the opening act and Marc, they turned and asked me how I learned about Marc's music. They said none of their friends have ever heard of him and wanted to know how I became a fan. I had to mention Taylor Hicks
and the fact that a I would not even know of Marc, Toby Lightman, Anthony Hamilton, and more if not for Taylor and his fan community. Marc told us we were a wonderful audience. After the show we hung around as the crowd left and many swarmed the merch table. Lisa saw some old friends there and started chatting as Marc came out to the stage to greet fans! SQUEEEEE!
I shook his hand and told him I was a big fan. We got a photo and I thanked him for coming to Massachusetts, to which he thanked me and said he'll be back in Boston in a couple months! He was VERY sweet to the fans wanting hugs, pics, and siggies....he kept saying "no problem at all". He signed my concert shirt in red Sharpie.
This guy is something special! If you like him, please buy his new music next week! I will post lots of media in this thread!!
)
it was beautiful and emotional. 
Cute pic of you guys too
Bet you forgot you didn't feel good, huh? You look JUST FINE in that picture with Marc. 
I could take another night like last night!