Concert Review: Tank and the Bangas (The Grey Eagle)

BY JILL POOLE

Tank and the Bangas brought all the joy to The Grey Eagle on Wednesday night in a set that combined music, spoken word, and life inspiration. This was like going to church - if going to church was affirming, energetic, and positive. Tank Ball has an unique relationship with a crowd - when she strides onto the stage with her brilliant smile and eyes that seem to connect every person in front of her - you know the show is going to be special.

The Grey Eagle crowd, as always, was enthusiastic - dancing and singing (or shouting) along - it’s always a great place to see live music. With the stage only a few feet high, the audience is so much closer to the band than we often are. The night really felt like an exchange of positive energy between the band and the crowd. And the crowd was there for it all.

The first 4 songs, “Jealous”, “Whole World”, “Hot Air Balloons,” and “No Invite” were from Tank and the Bangas’ latest album The Last Balloon. One of the crowd favorites was a medley of “Who’s in Charge/They Don’t See/Run My Check.” The last song was “Rhythm of Life” and as the last notes faded and the band left the stage - no one in the crowd moved - waiting for the encore of “Roller Coasters.’ It was such a joyous experience and watching the positive energy of a very happy crowd as they left was a great end to the night.

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JILL POOLE

It’s Christmas. I think I was 7. And there’s an album with my presents. The Everly Brothers Greatest Hits. I was hooked - I still have that record and a few more. On my 16th birthday, I got a job just to buy a real stereo, and more records. I still have all that “vinyl” as we call it today, and my 1977 Advent speakers connect to a Sonos system now.

When I was younger I had a love-hate relationship with live shows but it’s all love now. And I always watched the photographers in the pit. (And tried to take the perfect shot myself on an increasingly capable iphone) But for the last few years I’ve had an actual camera again and it’s so much better.

I want people who couldn’t BE there, who couldn’t get up to the stage - I want them to see what I saw - to feel what I felt.

You can’t hear a photograph, but sometimes... if it’s a good shot - it’s almost as if you could.

Read Jill's posts here.