Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros

Edwarde Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes are certainly magnetic. When they walk onto the stage and begin to play the first few notes of a song, all of your attention is focused on them and from then on it's hard to pull away. They're one of those bands that know how to captivate a crowd and put on a memorable show you'll talk about for years afterward. I think Alex Ebert's beard has soul-stealing powers or something, with the way a crowd can't take their eyes off of them. I'm not sure, all I know is I'm not staring into that thing for too long. Seeing eccentric bands is the best because they are always doing something different, whether it's wearing a bunch of crazy clothes (I want to see them come onstage one day wearing those giant empty barrels- who do I write to for this?), playing strange instruments you've never seen, or throwing fake moustaches into the crowd (I hope). You can always expect the unexpected and leave with more excitement than you came in with. The indie-folk wackiness that is Edward Sharpe will have you dancing, singing, laughing and begging for encores. I absolutely love the chemistry on the stage when they perform "home", and you can also hear the whole crowd singing along with it and just feel a part of the whole. There is no greater feeling than getting lost in the chaos of a crowd. This band is definitely one of those bands that has it all- good music, excellent stage presence, and a sweet beard.

American indie folk band Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros have been critically and commercially celebrated since their beginnings in 2007. The stomping folk sound and characteristic vocal has won them droves of fans and they continue to flock to the popular band's live show.

They have not scored great commerciality in the UK yet their reputation is cult-like as their devoted fan base continue to sell out when the band comes to town. With a live set up often surpassing ten musicians onstage, the sound that is produced is obviously quite large. From the moment the beating drums of 'Better Days' begins, the crowd clap along in time as Alex Ebert and Jade Castrinos take centre stage, ready to conduct their audience.

They lead them through mass sing-alongs on 'That's Whats Up' and 'Man On Fire' and ask them to sway wildly during a Crash cover. It is the finale of 'Home' that requires no instruction as the audience take over for this fan favourite and support the band with a 1000 strong choir. An endearing and passionate live act, I cannot recommend Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros enough.

Usually I'm drawn to shows from artists that I'm familiar with, that wasn't the case with Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros. It was a spontaneous decision to see them at a small venue in Kent, Ohio at a folk festival. 100% can I say from the second they took the stage, I was hooked with their welcoming hippie spiritual enthusiasm. The entire experience had the band and the audience in what I would call for lack of a better word a trance. Everyone including myself felt like we were at,"home" when they played the song,"home". I almost felt like the audience took on the spirit of the band. Edward was a cross between Jim Morrison and as strange as it might sound, Charles Manson, only because he could so easily draw his audience in. I can't remember a show that I walked away from that left me feeling so free. Their music turned me into a fan. I loved that they interacted so organically with the audience, by actually going out with them and making them participate almost like they were a part of what was happening on stage.

The show altogether was a dream come true. Many members of red butte bring their families along to enjoy the atmosphere in which the clean amphitheater brings. All performers had amazing stage presence, and knew how to make everyone on the stage and in the audience feel important. You can always tell when an artists is truly enjoying what he/she is putting out, and there is no doubt Alex Ebert (lead singer) loves what he does, and who he does it with. The band as a whole, knows how to complement each other and that's what makes a show have a better feel. This was the first show I went to that did not have any setlists, they just went with the flow and made it work. I recommend you see Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros whenever they're in your home town.

With inherently charismatic front man Alex, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros were merrily mesmerizing. Their live energy was infectious, the crowd dancing and clapping, and singing along. The performance was not tired repetition of what is on the studio albums, instead songs wander in and out of the framework and meander into each other creating the organic journey of sound that I was hoping for from the show. Alex has the art of performing with the crowd rather than in front of it, taking anyone willing along for the romp! The jam at the end with a final deconstructed nod to "Home" closed the show in a beautiful satisfying bit of bliss that made a park show feel every bit a summer music festival. Magic!

Great Band but I think it could have been a better show . They did too many unfamiliar long songs that seemed to go on forever, they could've been jams but hard to tell. I heard just a few songs that I recognized from their albums. They could've played more of their popular songs and cut back on the very long songs. We left early because the music seemed repetitive and it appeared they weren't going to play the songs I know and love like, Hot Coals, Uncomfortable, Wake up the sun etc
When I listen to their albums I don't feel the music is repetitive.

Good stuff.. The show definitely started later than advertised, which was a pain in the ass.. But as always, they delivered a great, fan interactive show.

This review must be thirty words? That's a dumb rule and this will be my last then.

Such an amazing show! They always out do themselves and the new music sounds so good! I've been reminiscing all day! Can't wait for the album to be released! Hopefully they will grace us with their presence again this year!

It was awesome! The opening band Harriet, was not very good... But Edward Sharpe was amazing. He gave the mic to someone in the audience and they turned out to be an incredible singer. All around awesome show!!

The opening act was an open mic. They played for one hour. No encore. None of their hits. It was not a cheap ticket, and I spent more time in the coat check line than listening to music. Disappointing.