Concert Reports
Michael Franti and Spearhead
08/18/2023, Vina Robles Amphitheatre, Paso Robles
Michael Franti & Spearhead bring their Big Big Love tour to Vina Robles Amphitheatre in Paso Robles ! Group on tour ahead of their new CD "Big Big Love," set for release in November
All Photos: Gary Lambert
Many artists claim to be in touch with their fans but few walk the walk as much as Michael Franti. Franti literally Connects with his audience hands on, meaning he gets off the stage and spreads his love via hugs, high fives and general good vibes. The enthusiastic crowd at Vina Robles Amphitheatre fed off Franti’s genuine love for them and returned it in an avalanche of love and peace.
Hitting the stage with their signature opener “I’m Alive,” ( Life Sounds Like ) Michael Franti & Spearhead connected with their diehard fans in a way few groups can do. “Better” followed which saw Franti make his first trip of the night into the audience, followed by “Good Day for a Good Day,” from the 2022 album “Follow Your Heart.”
Franti and his band turned up the energy as fan favorites “The Sound of Sunshine,” “Life Is Better With You,” and the latest single “Big Big Love” had young and old in the packed Vina Robles crowd singing along to every word.
Look for the new Michael Franti & Spearhead CD “Big Big Love” to drop on November 3
Michael Franti has spent decades peeling back the layers on what it means to be human, how to be the best version of ourselves and how to follow our hearts. Now, the man PEOPLE Magazine affirms as “fueled by optimism and positivity” aims to magnify those concepts enabling us all to apply them to the world around us with the coast-to-coast Big Big Love Tour 2023.
“Big big love represents being able to hold space for the micro and the macro of love,” Franti explains. “Everyone has someone they love, whether it’s their child, spouse, pet or friend. But then there’s holding space to love people of difference – people who are in the midst of war, people where there is pain and suffering. You show up as love, determination and spirit in those places where people really need a caring soul connection to help them heal. That’s what big big love is: holding space for the personal and the worldly.”
Known all over the world for their energizing live shows that foster an invigorating sense of community, Michael Franti & Spearhead embody that attitude as they embark on the Big Big Love Tour 2023, featuring over 50 shows from May to August, including stops at California Roots Music & Arts Festival, Reggae Rise Up and Central Park Summer Stage, along with a highly anticipated return to the iconic Red Rocks Amphitheatre.
This fall, Franti’s Soulshine at Sea Cruise sets sail Nov. 4-8 from Miami, Florida to Costa Maya, Mexico with a lineup featuring John Butler of John Butler Trio, SOJA, Fortunate Youth, The New Respects, Tropidelic and Shut Up & Dance, with more additions to be announced. Soulshine at Sea includes unique curated activities with Franti and his wife Sara as well as soul-renewing wellness opportunities with instructors including Gina Caputo, Sunshine & QVLN, Kate May and more.
Marking Franti’s second voyage with Sixthman, this year they have partnered with Environmental Bamboo Foundation, an Indonesian non-profit organization that promotes bamboo as a sustainable alternative to timber. Money raised throughout the voyage will go towards the foundation’s work to help reduce deforestation while encouraging biodiversity.
About Michael Franti
Michael Franti is a globally recognized musician, activist, hotel owner (Soulshine Bali) and award-winning filmmaker revered for his high-energy live shows, inspiring music, devotion to health and wellness, worldwide philanthropic efforts and the power of optimism. Throughout his multi-decade career, Franti has earned three Billboard No. 1’s with triumphantly hopeful hits “Sound of Sunshine,” “Say Hey (I Love You)” and “I Got You,” as well as six Top 30 Hot AC singles, 10 Top 25 AAA Singles and three Billboard Top 5 Rock Albums.Spearhead’s 12th studio album Follow Your Heart, released in June 2022 and debuted at No. 2 on the iTunes Pop Chart behind Harry Styles.
Deemed a “groundbreaking musician” by Entrepreneur, Franti kicked off the Follow Your Heart World Tour in the spring of 2022, with over 75 shows through the summer, performing at venues across North America including a sold-out show at the iconic Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, Colo. and festivals plays at some of the top U.S. festivals including BottleRock, Summerfest, Wonderstruck, Borderland and Sea.Hear.Now. Franti’s 2023 calendar kicks off with 13 shows in Europe before the band returns to Australia in April, including stops at Bluesfest Perth and Byron Bay. Franti & Spearhead will embark on the Big Big Love Tour 2023 in April 2023, featuring over 50 dates across the U.S. For a full list of tour dates and ticket information, visit MichaelFranti.com.
About Vina Robles Amphitheatre
Welcome to the Vina Robles Amphitheatre, where European Inspiration meets California Character and the stars always shine. Here, two of California's great compositions meet, as exceptional wine and intimate live music are paired to create an unforgettable wine country experience.
The 3,300 seat boutique amphitheatre is nestled on a picturesque, oak-dotted hillside in Paso Robles on California's Central Coast. With its opening in the summer of 2013, the Vina Robles Amphitheatre became one of the largest outdoor venues for arts and entertainment in San Luis Obispo County. Featuring a style reminiscent of the California missions, guests are able to immerse themselves in a unique and intimate concert adventure as they enjoy modern amenities and first class hospitality. The concert season runs from May through November and features top tier acts from around the world in all genres. Various seating options all within 150 feet from the stage, including regular, VIP and general admission lawn seating, make events accessible to anyone in the community. We look forward to sharing our love of wine and the arts with you soon. For more information about the Vina Robles Winery, Click Here
www.VinaRoblesAmphitheatre.com