Last night, I was at a concert here in Bend, Oregon, with expectations set on seeing Citizen Cope, but it was an experience far beyond what I anticipated. I was there primarily for Citizen Cope, a band I’ve always enjoyed, but I walked away with a newfound appreciation for Bombargo and, most unexpectedly, Michael Franti.
The evening kicked off with Bombargo, a band hailing from Saskatchewan, Canada, and they certainly lived up to their promise: “Good Time, Guaranteed.” Their energy was infectious, and they had the whole crowd engaged from the get-go. It’s rare to see an opening act captivate an audience so completely, but Bombargo managed to turn the entire venue into a dance party. If you ever get the chance to see them live, don’t pass it up—they’re definitely worth it.
Citizen Cope took the stage next, and they were everything I’d hoped for. They played some of my favorite songs, including “Sideways,” and it was just as soulful and powerful as ever. A nice bonus this…