Concert Review: Counting Crows - The Complete Sweets! Tour in Highland Park, IL
- Breanna Macomber
- Jun 24
- 4 min read
Setlist
Spaceman In Tulsa
Hard Candy
Boxcars
Mr. Jones
Colorblind
Omaha
Come Around
With Love, From A-Z
Miami
Virginia Through The Rain
Michaelangelo
Friend Of The Devil
Round Here
Rain King
The 1/ A Long December
Encore
Under The Aurora
Hanginaround
Holiday In Spain
To experience life is to experience art. They coexist together and most of the time reflect one another to some degree. To experience the band that was the soundtrack of your childhood, though, was an experience that I wish for everyone. As a kid who grew up in that wild transition from the late 90's to early 2000's, it felt like pop-culture was at an all time high. Between the fashion, television shows, and more importantly the music, it felt easy for me to pick something to latch onto and allow it to become a part of my identity. Counting Crows was one of those bands where their songs will forever unlock childhood memories since their music was not only influencing the charts around this time but also influencing my love for rock music.Â
A band from humble beginnings, Counting Crows consists of band members Adam Duritz (vocalist), David Bryson (rhythm guitarist), Jim Bogios (drummer), Charlie Gillingham (keyboardist), David Immerglück (multi-instrumentalist), Millard Powers (bassist) and Dan Vickrey (lead guitarist.) In 1991, the band began playing shows around the San Francisco Bay Area in and around Berkeley where their followers really started taking shape. Just two years later, in 1993, their album August and Everything After was released launching them into the industry with songs like "Mr. Jones" and "Round Here" quickly becoming radio station staples.Â
Gaslight Anthem, the openers for Counting Crows got the crowd warmed up performing an hour long set and were actually introduced by frontman Adam Duritz. Occasionally you can see Duritz poking his head from around the speakers, smiling at everyone having a great time. When Counting Crows comes on stage, they jump right into it with one of their new singles "Spaceman In Tulsa." This song started the concert off on a high note - giving the audience a taste of their new music before jumping into their song "Hard Candy." This song comes from their fourth studio album when the band had really found their sound and seemed really comfortable. Duritz's storytelling capabilities shine through so many of his songs, especially the ones performed at this concert but the way he approached "Hardcandy" song made it feel brand new. The same could be said about the song "Colorblind." Growing up, this song was always too emotionally mature for me but listening and watching it as an adult was very different. In a nutshell, it was poetic, performative and gentle. At the end of the song, Duritz sings, "I am fine"Â which felt personal and more vulnerable than I was expecting.
Two highlights of the nights came from the band behind the sound of Counting Crows. Where Adam Duritz is incredibly unique in his power to express fresh emotions in a song that is 26 years old, the band behind him are some of the most incredible musicians. The first person to highlight is Charlie. Charlie plays keys in the band but also the accordion which single handedly give Counting Crows their unique sound of an "old-timey Americana" sound. Charlie's solo in the beginning of "Omaha" switched the concert from a rock/pop concert to a folk one. Not many rock bands can hold the space for that but in this case, Charlie's talents feels like garnish on an already well-oiled machine. The other highlight is the band's ability to switch from high energy fun music, to acoustic and sensitive on the flip of a dime. At one moment, during the song "When I Dream Of Michaelangelo," their drummer Jim pulled out a book that was mic'd up and played that. Whether it was a moment that sparked from forgetting an instrument or not, the band made it work and showed their incredible musicianship. Being able to adapt and think outside the box is what makes Counting Crows so amazing.
The band has never been shy when it comes to covering songs, in fact, they played two amazing covers during the show. The first one, "Friend Of The Devil, " originally performed by The Grateful Dead is such a well known cover of theirs that the crowd that had been sitting most of the night got up and started singing along. The other cover shows the band's nod to the musicians that we're seeing in the news all the time - "The 1" by Taylor Swift. I think it's always nice when musicians who have been in the industry for quite some time are able to acknowledge the talent that is rising before our eyes. Duritz at this point in the show takes a moment to be alone at his piano to cover this song before ending their setlist with "A Long December." The song he covered by Taylor Swift felt like it was made for him as it has the same existential love behind the lyrics which just further proves how well Adam knows his music.
I always love when bands have some sort of through-line throughout their discography. I noticed that Counting Crows has one common phrase that comes up from the beginning of their career to this most recent album and it's the idea of believing. In "Mr. Jones," (help me believe in anything,) "Sundays," (I don't believe in Sunday's and I don't believe in anything at all,) "A Long December," (There's reason to believe,) and now in "Under The Aurora," Duritz hits us with "Maybe I could believe in one thing" which feels like he's coming around to the idea of believing. It feels that with every show, every song and every break the band takes, maybe they're one step closer to figuring out this answer. For me, I believe that to experience life is to experience great art. I believe that Counting Crows are the pinnacle of what it means to create exceptional art. If you have the chance to see them, then it'll be the experience of a lifetime.
Written By Breanna M.
FOLLOW COUNTING CROWS: