Marc Roberge of O.A.R performed at Elliott Hall of Music Thursday.
By John Egan Staff Writer
O.A.R. wants their audience to leave feeling high, said Marc Roberge, lead singer at last night’s near-full concert in the Elliott Hall of Music.
Students danced in place and moved as best they could amongst the constraining concert hall seats, calling lyrics back to the stage and waving their cell phones in the air.
"I like them, it has a sublime feel to it," said Joy Aaring, a freshman in the College of Liberal Arts who had only heard a little of the band before. "I’ll probably pick up the Sixers’ album too."
O.A.R. took the stage singing "Missing Pieces" to a screaming audience, who sang with the chorus and jumped to the bass. The concert continued with a cover of Pearl Jam’s "Release," where the group was backlit by deep blue stage lights as Roberge attempted the powerful vocals of Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder.
"I enjoyed it, definitely liked O.A.R.," said Will Swaboda, a junior at Lawrence Central High School who traveled an hour with three of his friends to see the show. "They sound just like on the CD."
The show opened with an enthusiastic and powerful first set by Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers. It felt like a night at the Neon Cactus’ cozy Rusty Bucket as the crowd sang and swayed to Kellogg’s band’s cover of Billy Joel’s "Piano Man."
Ari Hest gave an impressive performance as well, winning over a crowd that initially questioned his more introspective lyrics and rhythmic tunes. His final song, "They’re On to Me," was well received and the audience cheered as O.A.R.’s saxophonist, Jerry DePizzo, jammed and soloed along.
