Michael Franti & Spearhead at Pier 97

Michael Franti was born a biracial child in 1966 in Oakland, California. At the University of San Francisco, Franti met a priest who taught him how to tell a story on paper, and soon he was writing poetry. He purchased a bass at a pawn shop and started creating music inspired by the hip hop, punk, and reggae that was being played on the campus radio station. Franti began his music career in 1986 as part of the industrial punk/spoken word band The Beatnigs. His next band, The Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy, wrote politically charged lyrics that railed against the injustices of the world, set to a fusion of industrial music and hip hop. Franti in 1994 formed Spearhead, whose first album drew more from funk and soul music; later albums included more rock, hip hop and reggae elements. Michal Franti & Spearhead's most recent album is 2013's All People. The barefoot 6-foot-6 San Francisco-based singer-songwriter-guitarist is a vegan, an outspoken peace activist and environmentalist, and a philanthropist with links to several charities.

Pier 97 this evening had a festival spirit. The events began with a late afternoon yoga session, during which Franti played acoustic guitar. The concert portion began with several opening acts who shared his world vision. By the time Michael Franti & Spearhead hit the stage, the party was in full swing. Franti sang hope-filled songs about love and peace, leading his band into a light, bouncy pop mix  that blended rock, classic soul, hip hop, funk, reggae, jazz, folk, reggae, dancehall, bossa nova and Afrobeat, vitually anything that had a happy rhythm. Whether sung accompanied by a solo acoustic guitar or the entire band plus guests, the songs encouraged sing-alongs, and Franti extended choruses often to allow the audience to feel and feed the vibe. Franti sang several songs from the audience pit and throughout the show asked for participation through clapping, waving or singing. His pleas for world peace garnered heavy applause. The good-time show seemed to balance two dimensions; it seemed to have deep social meaning and was also an exciting channel of entertainment.

Visit Michael Franti & Spearhead at www.michaelfranti.com.