Blues Traveler By Todd McFliker December 1, 2024 Blues Traveler – 30 Years of Four Tour By: Todd McFliker | Photos: Larry Marano The memorable Blues Traveler performance on Saturday, November 16th at Revolution Live in Fort Lauderdale was an absolute blast. Since getting together in 1987 in Princeton, New Jersey, the band has become known for their intimate concerts, including lengthy jams by frontman and harmonica virtuoso John Popper. On their Celebrating 30 Years of Four tour, the boys recreated the deeper cuts from the beloved album that turned them into world famous rock stars. Following Cody Dickinson of North Mississippi Allstars warming up the stage with his West Coast boogie-woogie soul, Blues Traveler kicked off their nostalgic set with Four’s up-tempo track “Stand.” “It’s great to see you again Fort Lauderdale. We’ve missed you,” said Popper. “But enough of my yacking. What do you say, let’s boogie.” The crowd erupted during the group’s breakthrough hit, “Run-Around.” Other tracks off the album included “Freedom” and “Crash Burn.” Cody Dickenson returned to the stage to play a washboard with his fingers during “Brother John.” The undeniable highlight of the evening was “Hook,” the Billboard hit that Blues Traveler was performing when I proposed to my wife at a show in Port St. Lucie back in 2007. Fort Lauderdale concertgoers also savored the Top Ten single “But Anyway” from their 1990 self-titled debut. Throughout a number of extended improvisational jams, the talent enjoyed an onstage chemistry. Warms smiles were exchanged, as each musician played off of the other, impressing fans with creative solos. Toying with his harmonica, the passionate Popper clenched his eyes, tilting his head up as he sang the heartfelt ditties to hundreds of spectators. Laying down rhythms, the ever-grinning guitarist Chan Kinchla connected onstage with his brother, bassist Tad Kinchla, as well as percussionist Brendan Hill. Folks sang and danced along to the lively instrumentals and colorful light show. Timeless and diverse covers included everything from “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” and “War Pigs” to a bit of “Mary Jane’s Last Dance” and “Hot for Teacher.” Every cover supplied an unexpected thrill as the crew ventured into various genres, infusing them with their distinct style of blues. These renditions showcased Blues Traveler’s adaptability and contributed to a festive atmosphere. Rather than just revisiting the past, the 30 Years of Four tour celebrated the enduring charm of a cherished album performed affectionately onstage by a lively team of artists. The Celebrating 30 Years of Four trek will wrap up on the 90s Cruise that will be setting sail January 31st out of Tampa. In a recent press release, Chan reflected on the three decades since the release of Four. “Blues Traveler is not just a band; it’s a lifestyle,” he said. “Blues Traveler is our life’s work. It’s enabled us to do so many other things. This little tribe we built in New York during the late Eighties has survived all the way through—plus or minus some dearly departed brothers and sisters. It has empowered us to be creative, make people happy, and travel around spreading some good vibes.” Share It!
