Review and Photos by Danielle Boise
“What an amazing bill this is with Smash Mouth, Sugar Ray, Gin Blossoms and Fastball. Yes please, yes please.” Matt Scannell
Under The Sun Tour 2013 rolled into Chastain Park Amphitheatre in Atlanta on Saturday August 10th for an evening of ‘90s alt-rock hit makers, Smash Mouth, Sugar Ray, Gin Blossoms, Vertical Horizon and Fastball for an evening of number one hits.
Fastball started the evening off by talking about how much they loved “hotlanta;” especially taking trips to a certain club (The Clermont Lounge) where half naked woman who can smash beer cans with certain body parts entertain the crowd. Fastball performed “Out of my Head” and “The Way,” off of their second album, All the Pain Money Can Buy, which garnered them national attention.
“What a gorgeous place to play here in Atlanta.” – Matt Scannell
The post grunge, alt-rockers, Vertical Horizon took the stage next to perform number one hits, “Lucky One” and “Best I Ever Had (Grey Sky Morning). ”This next song is about losing touch with someone you don’t want to lose touch with. I seem to be very, very good at that.” Scannell stated before demoing a brand new song off the soon to be released Echoes From The Underground, which comes out on October 8 called “Broken Over You.” Vertical Horizon ended on “Everything You Want.”
Scannell ended the evening saying “What a beautiful, beautiful venue this is Atlanta. Thank you. You can download the new single for free on our website, verticalhorizon.com.”
The pending threat of rain held off through the first two sets, but just minutes before Gin Blossoms were set to take the stage the sky fiercely opened and the rain came out to play, but that didn’t dampen the fans spirits or the band.
The power pop, alt-rock hit makers, Gin Blossoms took to the stage next. They started off with “Lost,” “Don’t Change,” “Found Out” and “Until I Fall Away.” In between songs Robin Wilson joked with the crowd. “Every time we play in Atlanta it rains. So the next time Georgia is in a drought they should just hire Gin Blossoms to play, it would solve the problem.” Gin Blossoms finished the set up with “Allison Road,” “Hey Jealousy,” “Until I Hear It From You” and ended on “Follow You Down.”
“Speaking of love, I see a lot of love out here tonight.” – Mark McGrath
With bountiful energy, Sugar Ray took the stage in the manner of the So Cal stuff. They started the set off with “Summertime’s Coming,” “Someday,” “Every Morning” and “When It’s Over.” “There would be no ‘90s without the ‘80s” McGrath stated before doing a fantastic cover of Violent Femme’s “Blister on the Sun.” “Hey beautiful people, we have one more song. This song brought you to us and us to you.” McGrath said before ending on their number hit, “Fly.”
“Let’s play some fucking rock-n-roll here.” – Steve Harwell
Up last was ‘90s sensation, Smash Mouth came out onto the stage full of guster to perform their hits, which included “Can’t Get Enough,” “Morning,” “Come On Come On,” “Diggin’ Your Scene,” “Walkin’ On The Sun,” “You Really Got Me,” “I’m A Believer” and ended on “All Star.”
Under The Sun Tour 2013 was truly an impressive and fun filled night, rain and all. There are only a couple of stops left on the tour this year. If you miss the ‘90s scene, then this is show you will want to see.
Full Photo Gallery of Fastball
Full Photo Gallery of Vertical Horizon
Full Photo Gallery of Gin Blossoms
Full Photo Gallery of Sugar Ray
Full Photo Gallery of Smash Mouth
