Phillyist Playlist: Counting Crows at the Borgata

About a year ago—the last time we saw Counting Crows (MySpace)—we lamented the too-short sets Counting Crows play on their frequent co-headlining tours. (Last summer was with Maroon 5, but this Phillyist has also seen them on double-bills with Live and The Goo Goo Dolls.) The band has too much strong material, and they're too excellent of performers, to play only for a little over an hour.

So we're both excited and disappointed in the concept that Counting Crows has taken on for their current summer tour, The Saturday Night Rebel Rockers Traveling Circus and Medicine Show, which hits the Borgata on Friday. The Traveling Circus tour sees Counting Crows team up with their friends Michael Franti & Spearhead (MySpace) and Augustana (MySpace) in a format where all three groups—plus any special guests who may happen to be in town—on stage together, performing together. They'll each play some of their own material, there will be covers, and they'll be collaborating on each other's songs as well. No "opening act," no "headliner," but a hodgepodge of eighteen musicians playing with and off of one another for a night. So we won't get the two-plus hour Counting Crows set that we very much long for. But, it's an engaging concept for a concert, Counting Crows are one of our favorites, and Michael Franti especially has a strong reputation as a performer and a loyal following. So we're very optimistic that the trip to Atlantic City when the Circus is in town will be time well spent.

Counting Crows, with Michael Franti & Spearhead and Augustana
Fri., 8/28/09
8:00 p.m., all ages
The Event Center at the Borgata, One Borgata Way, Atlantic City (map)
Tickets: $65-$85