Counting Crows and Dashboard Confessional Serenade Michigan Lottery Ampitheatre
Saturday was the perfect night for an outdoor concert in which you could encompass yourself in lyricism, and absorb the intention of the melodies. Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre’s attendees did just that on June 24 when Counting Crows passed through town with special guests Dashboard Confessional.
This tour was super special for both bands. In a press release, Counting Crows frontman Adam Duritz said:
“One of the best things about a life in rock and roll is that we spend it traveling the world playing music. It’s even better when you can do it with one of your best friends and watch them play every night too. Chris Carrabba hits the trifecta for me in that he’s one of my best friends in the world, one of my favorite people in the world, and he leads one of my favorite bands of all time, Dashboard Confessional. Sorry for the terrible pun but hands down, this is going to be the best summers ever.”
Chris Carrabba of Dashboard Confessional said, “Dashboard Confessional could not be more excited to be playing all across America with our heroes and friends Counting Crows. Dreams really can come true!”
According to their press release, the pair have been friends and long-time collaborators for quite some time. “Adam Duritz and Chris Carrabba first met in 2003 at the 17th Annual Bridge School Benefit Concert in San Francisco with Neil Young. Since then, the two have remained close working together both on and off the stage.”
DASHBOARD CONFESSIONAL
All photography by Ami Nicole ACRONYM.
Prior to the band gracing the stage, Adam Duritz of Counting Crows came out to announce the Dashboard Confessional, expressing how much he loves them in the process. With that co-sign, the band assumes the position and starts off the set with “Don’t Wait,” “The Sharp Hint of New Tears,” and “Belong.”
When Chris Carrabba leads the band into “Belong,” he spoke to the audience about sending his kids to summer camp, how he felt he had no responsibilities for the day, and he almost felt 30 again due to his excitement. We’re all growing older, dear friends.
For those of us who have been on the Dashboard Confessional ride since the early 2000s, it was surprising to see that “Screaming Infidelities” was higher up in the setlist than we’d expected. Another shocker: even though “Vindicated” is their biggest streamed song on Spotify, it was the pre-closer to the night, before “Hands Down.”
Check out the setlist here (the setlist is missing 3 tracks, unfortunately!).
COUNTING CROWS
All photography by Ami Nicole ACRONYM.
There was a moment of reflection before Counting Crows opened into “Round Here” as the first track of the night. I spotted frontman Adam Duritz sitting at the base of the drum set, looking out on the crowd before he stood to perform.
The second track was “Hard Candy,” which it’s a more up-tempo sound from the previous track, getting the crowd further engaged, leading them right to “Mr. Jones.” It was a shock to hear that song out of all of them in the 3rd song of the night, arguably being that it’s one of their most popular tracks.
Other staple song hits included “Colorblind,” which was on 1999’s ‘Cruel Intentions’ soundtrack, “A Long December,” and “Big Yellow Taxi.”
Check out the full setlist here (with a song or two missing from the encore).
CATCH THE NEXT TOUR DATE NEAR YOU
June 28 Niagara Falls, ON OLG Stage at Fallsview Casino
June 29 Northfield, OH MGM Northfield Park
July 1 Syracuse, NY St. Joseph’s Health Amphitheater at Lakeview
July 2
July 5 Saratoga Springs, NY Saratoga Performing Arts Center
July 6 Holmdel, NJ PNC Bank Arts Center
July 8 Wantagh, NY Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater
July 9 Bethel, NY
July 12 Columbia, MD Merriweather Post Pavilion
July 14 Gilford, NH Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion
July 15 Boston, MA Leader Bank Pavilion
July 18 Providence, RI Providence Performing Arts Center
July 19 Bridgeport, CT Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater
July 21 Bethlehem, PA Wind Creek Event Center
July 22 Atlantic City, NJ Borgata Event Center
July 25 Selbyville, DE Freeman Arts Pavilion (On-Sale March 24)
July 26 Doswell, VA The Meadow Event Park
July 28 Virginia Beach, VA Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater at Virginia Beach
July 29 Raleigh, NC Red Hat Amphitheater
August 1 Charlotte, NC Skyla Credit Union Amphitheatre
August 2 Charleston, SC Credit One Stadium
August 4 Fort Myers, FL Suncoast Credit Union Arena
August 5 Fort Lauderdale, FL Hard Rock Live
August 8 St Augustine, FL The St. Augustine Amphitheatre
August 9 Tampa, FL
August 11 Alpharetta, GA Ameris Bank Amphitheatre
August 12 Albertville, AL Sand Mountain Amphitheater
August 14 Nashville, TN Grand Ole Opry
August 18 New Orleans, LA Saenger Theatre
August 19 Sugar Land, TX Smart Financial Centre at Sugar Land
August 22 San Antonio, TX Majestic Theatre
August 23 Irving, TX
September 6 Los Angeles, CA YouTube Theater
September 8 Lincoln, CA The Venue at Thunder Valley
September 10 Berkeley, CA The Greek Theatre
September 13 Airway Heights, WA BECU Live Outdoor Venue
September 14 Bend, OR
September 16 Seattle, WA TBD (On-Sale TBD)
September 17 Seattle, WA TBD (On-Sale TBD)
September 19 Bonner, MT
September 21 Boise, ID
September 22 Salt Lake City, UT USANA Amphitheatre
September 25 Morrison, CO Red Rocks Amphitheatre