Concert Review: Blues Traveler with I'Kona in San Diego
Published July 26, 2006
The opening act for my evening of bayside music, I'Kona, is categorized as Pop/Folk Rock/Acoustic on their Myspace profile, and that's a fairly good description of their sound. Except they kick it up a notch every now and again. Aaron Watene handles the smooth vocals, Ricky Guinto plays lead guitar, Chris Vea adds some great tone on acoustic, and the rhythm section is comprised of Haini Wolfgramm on bass and Ryan Williams on drums.
The band delivered a thoroughly enjoyable six song set featuring "Sunshine," "Fortunate," "Other Side," "How High," "It's About Time," and "Good Time." Not a bad tune in the bunch. This was a perfectly delightful group and I'm glad they were paired with Blues Traveler. Keep an eye open for more on this band in the future. I have no doubt we'll be hearing their name with increasing frequency quite soon.
Now with Blues Traveler, other than hearing their music regularly for years, it seemed silly to pass up an opportunity to see the band in concert. It's not like I avoided them on purpose, it just hadn't been something I thought much about until last year (when they appeared at a post-race concert at the Del Mar Racetrack). Of course, I missed out on the chance to see them at the time, but I made up for it this year by heading down to Humphrey's and getting my first dose of Blues Traveler live.
Between acts, I started talking with some of the people around me. From entire families to groups of fans who decided to spend their vacations following the band, all said they loved the energy and the community the band has developed. And there's some merit to what I heard.
As soon as Blues Travler took the stage, a fairly large group of fans rushed front and 
center. John Popper, the front man for the band, welcomed everyone and promised a good show.
I wish I could say I loved the concert, but I can't. I liked it and had a nice time, but I guess I'd hoped the band would knock my socks off. Instead, the sound was off, with the guitar just barely audible – even during solos. The bass and drums were prominent. Too prominent. Popper's vocals, blues harp, and, for a brief time, his guitar were fine in the mix, but it was rather frustrating as we strained to hear Chan Kinchla play.
- Concert Review: Blues Traveler with I'Kona in San Diego
- Published: July 26, 2006
- Type: Review
- Section: Music
- Filed Under: Music: Blues, Music: Jam Band, Music: Live Concerts, Music: Rock
- Writer: Joan Hunt
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- Joan Hunt's personal site
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Thanks, Gordon Mellen Cougarcamp Hauptfleisch! You're quick on the publish tonight!
When we get to Vegas, I guarantee you'll not miss San Diego one iota. Joe's gonna make you glad you're in Sin City at the moment and nothing else will matter.
Sounds good, but I've changed my name once again--it is now: "Gordon P. Mellen Sean Diddy-wa-Diddy Cougarcamp Sean Puffy Hauptfleisch" Do try to keep up--Okay?
You're such a goofball. Can't wait to spend 5 hours in a hot car with you. I promise to have memorized your new name by then. Of course, you'll probably have changed it already, forcing more work upon my already aching shoulders.
getting the air-conditioner fixed this week. You may be able to brave the elements, but I'm a big baby about these things. Did that one time on my way back to Phoenix in August--I fairly swooned with a case of the vapors, and I had forgotten to pack the smelling salts!
Good review, Joan. That's pretty much the impression I got when I saw them. They played well, the sound sucked, and I left less impressed than I had hoped.
At the time I blamed the sound on the venue which was literally a big field just outside Joplin, Missouri, but with your sound difficulties I wonder if they just need a better tech.
GPMSDWDCSPH, I'm all for air conditioning and comfort. We shall laugh at the elements as we traverse the buckling roads.
Mat, supposedly the sound tech is new. Still, if you can't tell when the sound is off, you need to find a different job.
For me, it didn't matter if I was standing directly in front of Chan or if I was back in row 10 (ah, the perks of new media), I couldn't hear the flippin' guitar. And many others I talked with later said the same thing.
Like the North Mississippi Allstars, I get the feeling Blues Traveler is all about the jam. That's fine...for a while. Jams are only entertaining if they're novel.
Great review Joan, sounds like a cool place to take in a concert. You summed up well how I felt when I reveiwed their 2003 concert DVD
"Thinnest Of Air" a couple of years ago. Good, but not great. I thought, maybe I just need to experience them live, to get a real feel for their show - but now, maybe not.
Nice review, Joan, and that last picture of Popper is too breath taking for words. Talk about capturing more than just the moment, but a small piece of the guys soul.
You already know the story of me taking Josh to see them a month or so ago. At that time I blamed the less than perfect sound on the venue and my own not so enthusiastic take on them as an unfamiliarity with their music, but now your review and some of the other comments got me thinking.
Josh loved both shows he went to though!
Connie, glad you like the pics. There's always more on Flickr, of course.
You know, I understand why so many people like the band, but I can't, for the life of me, figure out how they're forgiven for the sound issues. Seems to me there's a pattern here.
I was at that show! I'd have to agree with you. I'kona was def. the best opening band i've ever seen.
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Good write-up Joan, and I love the idea of using the "Team America" theme as the intro--very inspired. And great photos, too.
Damn I miss San Diego, grumble, grumble...