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| ALO @ Bruns Amphitheater (Photo: Sean Reiter) |
ALO celebrated the return of live music to the beautiful Bruns Amphitheater this weekend as the home of Cal Shakespeare hosted two sold-out concerts - the first under the stars on Saturday and the final under the sun on Sunday. Presented smoothly by “Paper Moon Presents,” Saturday’s show saw the East Bay-raised shiny, silver-clad band putting the gas pedal on new songs off their 2023 release appropriately titled Silver Saturdays.
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| ALO @ Bruns Amphitheater (Photo: Sean Reiter) |
Comprised of high school mates Zach Gill (keyboards), bassist Steve Adams and jam band guitar hero Dan “Lebo” Lebowitz, along with drummer Ezra Lipp who has performed with a huge number of artists and bands. Indeed, the three high school mates had attended their class reunion in the East Bay the night before and spoke glowingly of the time they’d had. “It’s an opportunity for the reconciliation of old you and the new you,” said Gill.
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| ALO @ Bruns Amphitheater (Photo: Sean Reiter) |
ALO’s show saw large levels of improvisation arise from the outset – opening with “Speed of Dreams” off the 2012’s Sounds Like This. The song’s vocals belonged to Gill on the opener and while his voice was the primary lead throughout, all the musicians took turns at the lead mic. “Plastic Bubble” saw Gill break out his laser-shooting ukulele (take that Ace Frehley) as he dove into “Push” from 2015’s Tangle of Time.
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| ALO @ Bruns Amphitheater (Photo: Sean Reiter) |
Before taking his first turn at the mic, Adams was celebrated for his team winning the Walnut Creek softball league (after a winless season the year before) with Gill referring to him as the champ. Lipp then added that his team “Here for the Snacks” was headed to the kickball championship before singing a sparkling rendition of “Keep on Giving, Jane” off the new album. Lipp’s ability to provide wide improvisation on percussion while taking on lead singer duties is unmatched among the Bay Area scene and the new song saw him demonstrating all his skills.
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| ALO w/ Two Runner @ Bruns Amphitheater (Photo: Sean Reiter) |
Opening band Two Runner (more to come on that duo) joined the band for a rollicking cover of The Rolling Stones’ "Dead Flowers" with Lebowitz’s guitar wizardry being nicely matched by Emilie Rose’s fiddle and Paige Anderson’s acoustic guitar. As the sun fully receded and the hills that surround the Bruns dimmed, the lighting took flight and the music began to be stretched further and further. As songs turned into extended jams, the band celebrated the East Bay’s famous The Pointer Sisters with a guitar-heavy version of “I’m So Excited” that brought a first set energy peak to the crowd and saw Lebowitz show the song could be turned inside-out with his fabulous solo. The first set closer of “The Legend of Renault” saw a giant inflatable rise to the left of the stage that wowed the crowd and drew Lebowitz like a magnetic force to solo next to it in perhaps the night’s most memorable moment. “Renault” would stay up for the rest of the show.
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| ALO w/ Two Runner @ Bruns Amphitheater (Photo: Sean Reiter) |
After a short set break, ALO returned by the second set. Highlights included the new songs “Oil” and “Sparrow” getting a chance to hit the open road back-to-back. After discussion of the night before reunion, the band appropriately launched into a cover of Simple Minds “Don’t You Forget About Me” with Lebowitz’s solo taking the song through a full launch into the stratosphere. The soaring version of “Maria” with Gill’s strongest vocals and piano of the night saw the band and crowd’s energy reaching the night’s highest with the band kicking into what sounded like a jam of the chorus from REO Speedwagon’s “Roll with the Changes” tossed in.
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| ALO @ Bruns Amphitheater (Photo: Sean Reiter) |
Lebowitz issued a heartfelt thanks to both the audience and the incredible weather reminding the audience “Let’s appreciate what we’ve got, because we now know how quickly it can go away." The amazing lighting and sound, beautiful venue, outstanding weather and smoothly presented night one concert made sure everyone could share in the sentiment. The band then opened the encore set with a cover of Elton John’s “Rocket Man” that seemed a perfect fit on the night’s East Bay reunion vibe.
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| Two Runners @ Bruns Amphitheater (Photo: Sean Reiter) |
Opening the show was Two Runners an Americana-style duo of guitarist/banjo/singer Paige Anderson and fiddle player/singer Emilie Rose. The duo from Grass Valley / Nevada City wowed the crowd – taking it from a somewhat meandering interest to a celebration of their songs. Highlights included “Devil’s Rowdy Dow” – a high-energy tour of the hills. The slightly early for the sky “Red Sunset” and a terrific song about small town life called “Burn It to The Ground.” The duo will be back at Moe’s Alley in Santa Cruz on November 2nd and are well worth a trip to the beach.
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