BoDeans
2007.06.07 Leach Amphitheater, Waterfest • Oshkosh, WI
Sam Llanas, Kurt Neumann, Bukka Allen, Eric Holden, Kevin Leahy
Thursday June 7, 2007
Leach Amphitheater, Waterfest - Oshkosh, WI
Opener: GB Leighton
Despite the threat of storms, we made our way to Oshkosh with few worries. We survived storms/downpours during Waterfest 2005 and if we were going to have a repeat, so be it. But lucky for us, the rain stayed away although the wind was a whole other story.
We arrived early, and enjoyed a few beverages outside the park in a bit of a tail-gate/picnic pre-show party. From there we were lucky enough to hear a bit of soundcheck. Early on it was just Kevin, Eric and Bukka going through a few of the new additions to the setlist. Needless to say we were all thrilled when we recognized Do I Do in the mix. Not to mention the foundation those three guys create is amazing. It's not often you get to hear them do an entire song without Kurt and Sam, but they had us moving, grooving and oh so tingly! Soon after Kurt and Sam must have arrived and as a band they went through Do I Do again before Kurt proceeded to warm up by playing a mix of Stairway to Heaven, Fadeaway and True Devotion. As we were waiting in line they also played First Time and Beaujolais (needless to say we all gasp and begin waltzing in line :) And as if hearing
Do I Do, First Time & Beaujolais in the soundcheck wasn't enough, they also played Willing! Talk about a shock there! It was fantastic! Unfortunately though it didn't make it into the show. And last but definitely not least they finished up with YDGM with Sam singing a few lines of Can't Hardly Wait (Replacements) before going in with the "two boys holding, stars for wishing" line.
Eventually the gates opened, we took our spots of front and enjoyed a fantastic set by GB Leighton. Including their own jumping song (no idea what the title of the song was, but it was a lot of fun!)
We were thrilled when it it was finally time for the BoDeans to come out, and got quite the kick out of the MC's introduction in which he called the guys the "Waukesha Wizards!" A few minutes later, and the guys came walking out with lots of smiles and began a show that went like this:
1. YDGM - Such a pleasure to have Kevin back. He's always so enjoyable to watch and needless to say does a great job as well!
2. Runaway - thankfully this year the 'rain rain rain...stayed away' :)
3. Good Work w/Batman
4. First Time - So glad this has made it's way back into the setlist. Great to hear some newer stuff!
5. Only Love
6. Dreams - a personal favorite of mine and so glad to hear it again!
7. Texas Ride Song - Kurt once again asks us "who wants to jump!" At one point when all four were up front, someone in the front row was trying to tickle Sam's toes (he was barefoot) so he jokingly tried to kick her much like Kurt did to me on NYE! :)
8. Naked - Sam began by thanking us for "coming out in the weather" before saying "don't know how many of you came out two years ago....but it was a lot wetter." Somewhere in the middle of the song, someone near me called out "freetime"....hmmm...wonder who that could have been. ;)
9. Do I Do - two words: HELL YEAH! :) You can't get any better than that!
10. Still the Night w/Sedated - always love how they speed things up and go into Sedated, makes for lots of good times and lots of smiles on and off stage.
11. Stay On - Kurt began by saying "enough of that fun stuff.....here's a song about keeping on, keeping on."
12. True Devotion
13. Fadeaway
14. Closer to Free
-encore-
15. Beaujolais - Kurt introduced this as a "summertime waltz song". It's been years since I've heard this live, but you really can't get any better than this. Simply beautiful. It always creates the perfect atmosphere, especially on a beautiful evening such at that.
16. Idaho
17. Good Things - as always, they end it with a crowd favorite. Everyone singing along, the guys jumping along and Kevin doing what he does best!
All in a all great night. I don't know exactly what it is about that venue, but I just love it. Maybe it's the fact that the guys always sound great there, or being able to get right up to the stage, or maybe because it's just a small festival atmosphere there, or maybe it has to do with the memories of standing front row, soaking wet two years ago. Whatever the case maybe, I hope Waterfest continues to book the guys, because I'll definitely make the trip!
