O.A.R. incites a revolution in Cary

Fans of jam rock band O.A.R. were out in full force for the band's concert at Koka Booth Amphitheatre in Cary last night.

For those of you not in-the-know, O.A.R. stands for "Of a Revolution." The Maryland-based band has been enjoying its fame with the college-aged crowd since its debut album was released nearly a decade ago.

About three or four thousand fans turned out for the show, part of O.A.R.'s
nationwide summer tour.

The band took the stage around 7:30 and opened with "City on Down" off their 2001 album Soul's Aflame. Throughout the 14-song set they played material spanning their decade-long career, from "Heard the World" off last year's release Stories of a Stranger to "About an Hour Ago" off their debut 1997 release The Wanderer.

Fans proudly sang along as they danced to the music, from the front row all the way to the back of the lawn.

Jack's Mannequin, a southern California-based pop rock band, opened the show. Maybe you've heard their recent single, "The Mixed Tape." While most of frontman Andrew McMahon's stage banter is not fit to publish, suffice it to say he was glad to be in Cary, despite the bleeping hot weather.

Jack's Mannequin will return to the area Oct. 2 when they play the N Club in Greensboro.

[photos by Kevin Norris]