When our 8-year-old daughter heard of our plans for the weekend, she scolded me. “We’re driving two hours so that you can go to a concert? And then we’re driving back tonight? That’s the silliest thing I’ve ever heard.”
I wish I had a crystal ball to show her the teenage years where she would try to explain the logic of concert-going. Instead, I just laughed.
Shangri-La Music through the One2One Network arranged free tickets for me to bring a guest to see One eskimO in concert. My kids, my guest and I piled into the car and headed to Raleigh.

This summer, the British band–comprised of singer/songwriter Kristian Leontiou, drummer Adam Falkner, bassist Jamie Sefton and guitarist Peter Rinaldi–opens for Michael Franti’s tour.

Some readers may be familiar with One eskimO’s hit “Kandi” or “Hometime,” but the self-titled album is a must-have.

One eskimO – “Kandi” edit from Shangri-La Music on Vimeo.

The multiple layers of the band’s music is admirably reproduced on the stage–even if it involves Jamie Sefton’s creative (yet low-key) contortions while he plays two instruments at a time. The band take up their positions, staggered across the stage. Because of the distance between each band member, one would think the four don’t get along. Until you note their synchronicity and unity. The music flows, with each member an integral piece of a well-oiled machine.

One eskimO tunes are infectious enough to draw a Raleigh crowd to an outdoor venue to brave an intermittent rain (which bordered on heavy rain at times). And, having brought a guest unfamiliar with One eskimO’s music, I know the band worked concert magic–especially with the lead singer’s light and mesmerizing voice. Even without knowing the band’s music before the show, my guest was as entranced as I was by the end of the show.

When we had a chance to meet with drummer Adam Falkner and guitarist Peter Rinaldi after the show, they had an easy humor and affection for each other. We discussed the band touring America for (I believe this is their third time…) and the feeling of being on planes or shops and hearing their music being piped in. We briefly talked about how tricky it is to re-create some their studio effects on the live stage. If there had been any difficulties, they have hidden them well–and with good humor and a smile.

It was a smooth and enjoyable performance–complete with a backstage fan who couldn’t contain himself. He crept out onto the stage “wings,” letting go with freeing gyrations. The Raleigh crowd, which increased the closer it became to Franti’s performance, joined in dancing to the distinctive One eskimO sound and life’s journey lyrics.

Creatively, the band has also used its CD as the narrative for videos developed (see above), which have gone on to receive their own critical acclaim.

“It’s a bit of a life’s journey, really. I think for any artist, ideas naturally come from parts of what’s going on in their own lives. It’s just about taking those parts and putting a different twist on them,” Kristian Leontiou writes on the band’s website.

As One eskimO’s popularity grows, one day I look forward to traveling to Raleigh again for their concert. Then I’ll take along my daughter to the concert so she can understand that the journey is well worth the miles traveled.

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