311 – The Strand – Providence, Rhode Island – 10/27/2017
Over twenty-five years into their career 311 still cannot easily be defined into a singular genre of music. Reggae, Ska, Rock, Rap and Alternative soundscapes all run deep within their music, much like the relationships the band shares with their die hard fan base.
Currently out supporting their twelfth studio release, the critically well received Mosaic, 311 showed no signs of slowing down as they played a career spanning twenty-three song set to a near packed Strand in Providence, Rhode Island this past week.
311 typically play more expansive outdoor venues, so long time fans of the band surely relished the opportunity to see their Omaha, Nebraska heroes play such an intimate club venue.
The performance came off extremely personal and proved to be high tempo from the first song played, “Don’t Stay Home,” off of the band’s third studio release, 1995’s self-titled 311 to the swan song on the evening, “Creatures (For A While),” from the 2013 LP, Evolver.
311 is one of those bands that isn’t afraid to feature new music on any of their tour cycles and this past week in Providence only cemented that sentiment. as the band played seven tracks off of the recently released Mosaic.
Most acts more than two decades into their career often throw in an obligatory two or three new songs into any set list, that when played, typically serve to do nothing but slow the pace of the performance down.
However, in 311’s case their fan base not only welcomes the band’s new music, they thoroughly embrace it. Countless fans throughout the course of the evening could be seen singing every lyric of songs such as “Too Much Too Think” and “Perfect Mistake,” two of Mosaic’s stand out tracks.
Even when playing the more expansive 20,000 seat outdoor venues 311 doesn’t typically roll out an elaborate stage production and their performance in Providence followed that script as well as the band performed with a fairly simplified stage set up that didn’t go much beyond some intricate lighting at times.
Instead 311 tends to focus more on the quality and diversity of their music, the positive energy that permeates throughout the entire band and the deep connections they share with their fervent fan base to help drive their live performance.
Because of this 311’s shows always come off feeling less like a concert and more like a gathering of like minded friends who’ve come together to celebrate love, life and pursuit of sublime live music performance.
Whether you’re a long time fan of Nick Hexum, Doug “SA” Martinez, Aaron “P-Nut” Wills, Tim Mahoney and Chad Sexton or if you just recently jumped on the 311 rocket ship matters not, all are welcome.
The band continues to generate quality studio recordings while always delivering transcendent live performances that only serve to further bind 311 to their vast mass of global devotees.
311’s show at the Strand in Providence, Rhode Island, if anything, proved that if anyone thinks this band is riding off into the proverbial sunset of their careers, well as Judas Priest once said, “You’ve got another thing coming.”
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All Writing & Photography: Robert Forte
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