Vertical Horizon & Stroke 9 perform to an interesting mix of concert-goers
COREY HARTMANN
Scene Movie Critic
From Notre Dame Students to high schoolers, everyone at Stepan Center on March 1 seemed to enjoy themselves. Vertical Horizon and Stroke 9 held a concert that helped people put faces to the performers of those songs they always hear on the radio. It also gave everyone attending a chance to hear some other material from the two great bands.
The night started out strong with the local band Radford taking the stage at the Stepan Center. Radford got everyone's head bobbing but didn't have too much crowd reaction. Stroke 9 was next on stage and was probably the highlight of the evening. Hailing from San Francisco, Stroke 9 is enjoying the popularity of their hit "Little Black Backpack" gracing the airwaves across the country.
Lead by singer Luke Esterkyn, Stroke 9 jammed for close to an hour, playing songs like "City Life," "Washin' & Wonderin'" and "Tail of the Sun." Closing with the crowd favorite "Backpack," and saying how much they enjoyed being in South Bend, Stroke 9 left and had many fans wanting more.
Talking to many people after the concert (including that nice police officer that is sending me to Res-Life) concert-goers believed that Stroke 9 did a better job than Vertical Horizon. Much of that had to do with the two styles of music that the bands played. Stroke 9 has many songs that are faster and more upbeat so the fans can dance, while Vertical Horizon has slower, more melodic songs.
Vertical Horizon soon took the stage and was happy to have the crowd vibe from Stroke 9's performance. Playing new and old material, Vertical Horizon helped show South Bend why they are becoming so popular, especially with the college-aged crowd. Having a sound similar to that of New Radicals, Vertical Horizon played songs from their new album, Everything You Want, and a couple old tunes from Running on Ice and Live Stages. "Best I Ever Had," "You're A God," "We Are" and "Send It Up" were just a few of the songs from the major label debut album. "Candyman," "Angels Without Wings" and "The Man Who Would Be Santa" were songs played from their sophomore release.
Ending with "Everything You Want," Vertical Horizon left the stage only to hear the Notre Dame student body and all the little kids there with their moms put their hands in the air and scream like we do right before every kickoff at a football game.
All around, the show was decent. Even with the security guards being so rude and not letting any fans dance or do anything. Even with the lead singer of Vertical Horizon strutting the Billy Corgan haircut. Even with half of the teenagers from St. Joseph's high school at the concert. Even with those security guards trying to kick people out for folding up some chairs.
All Scene Stories for Tuesday, March 7, 2000
