Monday Night Live in Detroit
By Janet Shafer
HLN Today Reporter
Meadowbrook Music Festival; Clarkston, MI; July 20 - A few old friends dropped by after work Monday night to jam and have a good time. Some new friends came along too...
After coming to the Detroit area since the band first began, Huey Lewis and The News felt like old friends coming by after work to jam. It was a hot and muggy day, but the setting at the Meadowbrook Music Festival was a perfect place for old friends to meet. Huey told the audience that they would play some "old songs, some new songs, some not so old songs, some really old songs, and some ancient songs," which brought out a roar from the excited and energized audience.
Jackets came off, shirts were unbuttoned, and sleeves were rolled up as the band began an almost 2 hour set. Huey introduced his bandmates of "147 years" before they sang the expected a capella songs. They sang "60 Minute Man" to the delight of all. The men were asked to watch the reaction of the women in the audience to the song. The word of the day was jam as the band listened to and took suggestions from the audience for songs.
Interacting with the crowd throughout the night, Huey and the News won
over new fans 
and
made the old fans remember why this band is liked so much. Johnny and
Bill noticed a young girl in the audience who was brought to the concert
by her parents. They smiled, waved, and talked to her at times throughout
the evening. During the beginning of the encore, an out of control fan
started to cause some trouble in the crowd. Huey stopped talking, Bill
came off his drums, and Sean and Chris turned toward the place where the
person was sitting. Not wanting to spoil the evening for everyone else,
Huey asked if anyone had a problem asking the man to leave. The audience
roared its approval, and then the engery was back. The encore was on with
solos featuring the individual News Brothers, soon followed by old favorites
for the crowd to sing.
The new friends they brought were a San Francisco-based band called "Box Set." Those who came early were treated to a sound check by the band, which included the band members coming out and talking to those lucky enough to be there then. They played high engery, catchy songs that had everyone tapping their feet, clapping their hands, and singing long after they had finished.
Yes, some old friends came by after work Monday night to jam and they brought some new friends along. The old friends just happen to be named Huey, Johnny, Chris, Bill, and Sean, and play in a band called Huey Lewis and the News.
