A little rain didn’t stop the Cochecho Arts Festival Headliner Series on Friday evening. Even though the show was moved to the Dover High School Auditorium due to rain, a sizeable crowd still showed up, many with their dancing shoes, to listen to a night of music with regional legends, Entrain. The indoor venue didn’t faze Entrain or their fans. As soon as the Auditorium lights were dimmed, dozens of Festival goers crowded the front of the stage and danced the night away. The incredible energy in the crowd made for a great 2012 Cochecho Arts Festival Headliner Concert Series finale.
Warming up the stage for Entrain was Anthony Vito Fiandaca, who did an amazing acoustic set for the audience. Bringing out his specific style of playing kept the audience entertained throughout his entire performance as Fiandaca was not phased playing in front of the large crowd. Having to extend his set list by a song or two, Fiandaca was able to improvise perfectly to create a great opening performance prior to Entrain taking the stage.
Around 7:15pm Entrain took to the stage with an incredible amount of energy. Tom Major, drummer and original founder of Entrain, seriously amazed everyone in the crowd with his enthusiasm, humor and of course, musical skill. His beats, timing and energy fueled the entire band throughout the course of the night. Major was continuously doing jaw-dropping drum solos that kept everyone’s eyes glued on him. He had some serious skills and would have done perfectly as a headliner show all by himself!
Sam Holmstock was the trombonist and conga player of the group. Holmstock truly showed his style off complimenting Major throughout the show and giving the crowd that extra beat to dance to. Holmstock, also an original Entrain member, brought the groups style and feel with his music.
Lead singer and guitarist of the group, Brian Alex, could not have performed a better show. Playing his unique guitar riffs set the mood to the night. Alex also interacted with the crowd throughout the night, displaying a good sense of humor and even inviting a concert-goer on stage for an impromptu duet.
Last but certainly not least was Phillip Young, who was featured on the saxophone, but like everyone in the band, also played percussion throughout the night. Young’s soulful playing created a jazzy feel for the group.
The Entrain performance marked the last Friday Night Headliner Show of the 2012 season, but this doesn’t stop the Cochecho Arts Festival from continuing for a tad bit longer. Farmer’s Market Wednesday’s will still be starting at 2:00pm with live performances beging at 4:00pm. Also, Shark In The Park continues Thursday, starting at noon. This week we invite The Smokin’ Loafers to the stage. See you there!
-Christopher Chagnon, Greater Dover Chamber Intern