Furthur @ Mizner Park 4/6/2011 Review

Further
4/6/2011
Schmidt Family Center For The Arts at Mizner Park – Boca Raton, FL

Words & Photos by Adam E. Smith
Videos by Cheesehead Productions

If I have learned anything about the South Florida music scene, it is this: never underestimate the draw of a Grateful Dead project. Whether it is a weekly residency by Crazy Fingers, a headlining spot for Dark Star Orchestra at the Garlic Festival or Further taking over Mizner Park, you can bank on two things – a solid turn out and something special happening.

I knew all of this yet I still had it in my head that I could exercise some good karma
and score an extra ticket before show time. This type of delusional thinking instigated a pit stop at the Funky Buddha Lounge & Brewery for a happy hour libation that became plural by default. By the time I arrived on the grounds, things were in full swing. Parking was next to impossible because the valet crews had blocked off entire floors of the deck.

Okay, enough of this, time for plan B.

Listen to the show while your read!

I left the main square and cruised past concert goers and local land marks before settling on a parking deck attached to a friend’s apartment building. I don’t want to walk. This thought serves as a catalyst for more drinks and the recruitment of partners in crime before heading to the show. Things are looking better already. Here we go…

We arrive and are greeted by a vibrant sea of faded tie dye, open containers, smiling faces and a strong sense of anticipation. There are countless fingers in the air. I accept the harsh reality of being shut out. We start exploring and quickly fall into the shakedown on the east side of the venue. It is surprisingly organized and extensive as far as tour vending in Boca Raton goes. I could not help but take note of how this clashed with Mizner Park’s ultra-posh shops and high end bars. In hindsight, the whole event seemed to follow this theme of juxtaposition. Old Deadheads reliving the glory days while their peers honk Mercedes horns at the neo-hippies dancing in the street. It was a realization of the times, but the reality was a positive one nonetheless. I digress…

After one pass down the tents and some necessary haggling we scored the equivalent to a mixed domestic 12-pack. As we strolled and soaked in the rest of the party atmosphere some familiar faces crossed our path, and we killed time catching up. The first chords of “Not Fade Away” boomed from the interior of the amphitheater and we were commanded to take a place on the sidewalk in front of the venue. The police had presumptively set up a series of barricades and temporary fences in an attempt to keep order among the two hundred or so people that would be freeloading outside the venue. Surprisingly enough, this seemed to work.

The crowd grew steadily throughout the first set and the buzz followed suit. The playing was on point and fell in line with the positive feedback I had heard from the tour thus far. Although we could not see past the screened fences I could hear a foreign set of tones ringing out during “Little Red Rooster” and “Lovelight.” I remember reflecting back on previously played “The Music Never Stopped” lyrics, “did you hear what I just heard?” This moment went beyond being a stellar trade of sound between the E Street Band’s Big Man Clarence Clemons and moe.’s second axe-man Al Schneir. It may have also been a nod to the Buffalo veterans for soldiering up and bumping their Culture Room show back a day after Further announced their South Florida gig. Either way, this was one of those aforementioned special moments that I was fated to share in.

The sun had shady dipped and Mizner Park’s lights came alive. The large tower guarded the venue entrance and moved through a sequence of neon lights. An intermission gave room for a breather and discussion of what was to come. I managed to end up on my own for reasons I cannot explain or remember. However, this was short lived. I caught up with a few friends as they examined some crystals from a merchant and also stumbled upon some BLP regulars. Everyone was in an above average mood and rightfully so.

I re-upped on supplies and returned to the south side of the venue. The crowd had managed to grow even thicker and was now a combination of Dead faithful, curious socialites and local young adults. Everyone was ready, and Furthur played right into this. Crowd favorites were combined by way of a string of well-done segues. Police smiled as they observed the interpretive dance moves of those throwing caution to the wind. As this show was a tour closer, the boys returned to the stage for a fitting “Uncle John’s Band” and a nod to the Beatles with “The End” as an encore. Hoots and hollers followed and the energy was electric as the fans inside the venue mixed with those that had been outside. With nowhere else for the energy to go, the shakedown party mode was turned to eleven. I stumbled around a bit until I ran into the Head Cheese. We decided to make the trek to catch some of The Heavy Pets before calling it a night. I did not mind walking at this point. True to form the Pets rose to the occasion and were a fitting night cap for a stellar night at the local stomping grounds.

Set I: Not Fade Away, Mississippi Half-Step, The Music Never Stopped, Just Like Tom Thumb’s Blues, Seven Hills of Gold, Loser, Little Red Rooster*, Turn On Your Lovelight*

Set II: Hard to Handle > China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider, Scarlet Begonias > Eyes of the World, Viola Lee Blues, Death Don’t Have No Mercy, GDTRFB > And We Bid You Goodnight

Encore: Uncle John’s Band, The End

* w/ Clarence Clemons & Al Schnier