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The Experience Music Project was
filled to capacity with hundreds of sweating, screaming fans
waiting to catch a glimpse of their favorite artists.
Celebrity videos reaffirming the need to protect one’s self
against HIV/AIDS from artists like Salt ‘N’ Pepa and TLC and
amusing AIDS Awareness commercials made us think seriously
about the real possibilities of contracting AIDS. MTV made
sure that the point of the concert came across to all in
attendance.
Wow, what a great show! We had some hot guitar playing
mixed with some riled up freaks workin’ it. What am I talking
about? Only the coolest concert to hit Seattle in months. The
lineup included the humorous Dave Matthews, the ever-sweet
Michelle Branch, and the wildly insane Missy Elliott.
The show started off with sex-Ed music video clips and was
hosted by Jackie and Bender from KISS106’s infamous morning
show. They kept the crowd in line and focused on the issue of
the event.
Michelle Branch was up first. She rocked the stage,
performing behind a large puzzle pieced red AIDS ribbon. She
was fierce with her guitar and vocals. The 19- year-old,
Branch performed hits from her current platinum plus debut
album, Spirit Room. Dressed in the normal teenage attire -
white tank top, blue jeans and boots, Michelle strummed away
on here guitar, making beautiful music for the crowd to hear
and feel. She brought with her, a full live band to back her
up and together they belted out jams onto the 30 x 50foot
screen at E.M.P. During the middle of her set, Michelle gave a
brief speech on the necessity of protecting yourself, when
having sex. Michelle kept on jamming away, until it was Dave’s
turn, her contribution to the show made it somewhat magical
and left us mystified.
A little tipsy but always humorous, Dave Matthews was
up next. Before entering the stage, the crowd clapped,
whistled and cheered in unison, “Dave, Dave, Dave…!” It was
Dave Matthews all alone, with out his band but with his guitar
and microphone in hand. He took control of the stage.
Onlookers went absolutely crazy for Matthews. Before, during
and after his set, he mentioned that he had a little too much
wine to drink and began telling us little funny side jokes, to
get us to loosen up and in the mood. Dave serenaded us into a
calm and drowsy, melodic state with the four or so songs that
he played. He also amazed us with his high vocal range on one
particular song. During “Crash in to me”, the video played
simultaneously on TV’s on the stage and the digital screen,
which added to the already soft and pleasant mood of the
crowd. This was a new sound for many of the teens in the
audience but from what they saw and experienced, they noticed
that Dave was really sincere, talented and funny.
Last but certainly not least, was the star of the show.
The wacky and innovative, Missy “Misdemeanor” Elliott came to
get her freak on. Missy and her crew: DJ and producer,
Rockwilder, her dancers, and hype-man, worked it out on stage
in their matching yellow and black Adidas velour suits and
Kangol hats. While performing, chart topping hits like, “She’s
A Bitch”, “Get ur Freak On”, and “Work It”, her dancers both
male, female and kids, showcased their undeniable and
remarkable skills.
Missy made sure that we knew to protect ourselves from
diseases. So to insure that, she threw out condoms and
t-shirts that read, “If you get ur freak on, make sure u work
it with a condom”, into the audience. Missy also dedicated a
portion of her show to everyone who knew someone who passed
on. She played Aaliyah’s “Rock the Boat” while the audience
held up lighters, cell phones and 2ways in the air, to signify
their love for the lost. Missy then gave us another hot encore
performance of “Get ur Freak on” and “Work It”. It’s very rare
when you see Missy Elliott perform and she did only as Missy
could do. The crowd ate her up like candy. This was a wild and
energetic performance that left everyone wanting more and not
wanting Missy to go but her time was up. In fact it was up 30
minutes prior to her leaving. So she had to say goodbye and
leave us. But the memories from the show and the AIDS
Awareness will stick with us forever. This was yet another a
great event with an even greater cause.
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