The Perfect Last Show... 
Maria May

Alltel Pavilion could not have asked for a better final concert than what they hosted on Tuesday, October 17th.  The Counting Crows and Live, the two popular bands headlining the show, enraptured a large audience with a fantastic performance.  Live, the opening band, had to handle a difficult scenario: Most of the audience was there for the Counting Crows, and therefore somewhat indifferent about hearing them.  But by the end of the first song, a swelling rendition of “Lightning Crashes,” the majority of the crowd was on its feet, and before long, most people were singing along, clapping, screaming, and dancing. 

Edward Kowalczyk, the charismatic lead singer, alternated crooning into the microphone with loud yelling.  He called for audience participation, and provoked whistles and screams with seductive hip gyrations.  To ensure the audience didn’t lose focus, he also threw in some lyrics from another musical genre: rap.  Just when the crowd really got the groove, they were subjected to lines from Eminem’s “I am” during a musical interlude.  Adam Duritz of the Counting Crows also sang a duet with Kowalczyk to one of Live’s songs, which was reciprocated during “A Long December”.  Their musical selections included old hits like “Lakini’s Juice,” “I Alone”, and their latest releases, including “The Dolphin’s Cry,” and even a rendition of country star Johnny Cash’s “I Walk the Line.”  The show, its performers, crowd, and atmosphere were so perfect it was surreal.

Following Live’s wonderful performance, the Counting Crows came on confidently and energetically. The crowd, feeling their vibes, responded by loud and enthusiastic cheering. Unique to this band was a very mellow feeling; not mellow in a sleep-inducing sense, but a powerful sense of serenity that was definitely transferred to the crowd. Everyone was focused on the music and were united by their appreciation of it. The rendition of “A Long December”  was unforgettable. To keep the adrenaline level high, Duritz also threw in a touch of TLC with an excerpt from “No Scrubs” during the encore of “Hangin’ Around.” 

Adam Duritz also voiced political opinions, requesting that people learn more about domestic violence and try to ameliorate the situation, as well as take the time to vote.  He explained that for a country that prides itself in being democratic, there are very few people who actually take advantage of that freedom.  He also said that as world power, the American people have the responsibility to choose a leader who will improve the world’s situation, not just that of the United States. Knowing that he was a role model to many impressionable people, many of whom were just reaching voting age, adding this message universally increased admiration for his values as well as talent among the crowd.

The concert was fantastic, as anyone who was there will agree.  Even people who went to see only one band and had no interest in the other, left completely satisfied.  “It was invigorating,” sums up Sam Hotchkiss, a Cary Academy sophomore.