Fans were even able to palm his head during one of the songs. Stipe came out on stage looking everyone in the eyes intensely, wanting, it seemed, to be understood and appreciated by the audience. The six musicians sounded so solid together that Berry's absence was barely noticeable. Twice, the power mysteriously failed, but the band kept playing, Mills keeping the beat with the veggie-shakers. The band got what they wanted affinity, I guess, with the audience and played over the broadcast time.
Lets have a throw-down.
The Flat Duo Jets had to play an unusually early set to a smaller crowd. They were hauling ass. They were frighteningly tight. Meanwhile, mad-slapping bassist Jack Hanlon was lucky his arms didn't fall off. Heat was more showbiz than the more unpredictable Crowns, and it showed.