Saturday’s Ezra Ray Hart concert at Packard Music Hall wins the award for the funnest concert before the smallest crowd.
Fewer than 300 people showed up for the show, leaving a lot of empty seats.
The concert brought together the leaders of three bands that were big in the ’90s: Mark McGrath of Sugar Ray, Kevin Griffin of Better than Ezra and Emerson Heart of Tonic.
And despite the meager crowd, the three played it with full energy. Especially McGrath, who is the ringleader.
Anyone who has seen him knows that McGrath is a showman who can dole out hilarious between-song banter with the best. But in Ezra Ray Hart, he also has a great right-hand man in Griffin, who usually played the set-up man.
They made light of the paltry showing by blending it into their shtick. “We limited the audience to 200 tonight, so you guys are very lucky to be here,” McGrath said.
“There are 2,000 angry people outside trying to get in,” Griffin added.
The tour is billed as a holiday and ’90s music affair, and it was. But it definitely was not limited to their own music, or even music from that decade.
The few holiday tunes were along the lines of the Beach Boys’ “Little St. Nick” and Wham’s “Last Christmas.”
The trio meddled with many pop songs, delivering them in snippets or going full bore, like Rod Stewart’s “Do Ya Think I’m Sexy.”
The small crowd had a blast during the two-hour set (with no opener), and so did McGrath, who hopped into the seating as soon as it ended to talk with fans.
Warren actually is special to him, and the stage felt familiar. One of the first places Sugar Ray ever played was Packard Music Hall, he said.
Package concert tours with bands that were well-loved in the past generally do well. This show was a winner, but it got lost in the holiday season shuffle.
This Weekend
Here is a look at some Thanksgiving weekend highlights:
Holiday Haunt at Penguin City: The teams from Nightmare in Niles, Penguin City Brewing, Dead Ink Apparel and Rebel Rescue Ranch have blended two holidays – Christmas and Halloween. The ballroom at Penguin City has been turned into a festive maze but with eerie decor, sinister surprises and encounters that blend Halloween thrills with Christmas cheer. Spooky local vendors and a visit from Krampus will add to the experience. It’s $5 to get in. The event will take place from 7 p.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday, with a kid-friendly no-scare show from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.
“Brier Hill”: The world premiere of this film written and directed by Jimmy Taaffe of Struthers gets two screenings; 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday at Main Street Theatre in Columbiana. Click HERE for details.
Debby Boone: The vocalist known for her 1977 smash “You Light Up My Life” brings her holiday show to Packard Music Hall at 7 p.m. Tuesday. Click HERE.
For a complete look at everything going on in the Mahoning Valley, check out The List.
Pictured at top: Kevin Griffin, left, and Mark McGrath, right, perform during the Ezra Ray Hart concert at Packard Music Hall on Saturday.
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