Harry and the Potters/ Minneapolis Public Library/ 7.10.06

Who's your favorite Wizard Rock band? That's right, it's Harry and the Potters, which is generally made of two brothers, one playing Harry (year 7) and one playing Harry (year 4). The older one plays guitar and sings, and the younger one plays keyboards (and sax!) and sings. About Harry Potter. For this tour they were joined by Bill Weasley (part werewolf) on drums. They rocked.
For those of you who have never been to a rock show at a library, it was in an auditorium, not in the stacks. Sort of like a school auditorium. Similarly filled with high schoolers. Not so similarly filled with high schoolers who wanted to be there, who made their own fan t-shirts (such as: RIP Albus Dumbledore) and who were crowded into aisles and stairs until people had to make sure they weren't being a fire hazard. And, let me tell you, it was hot.
You may think it's silly to go see a band who is singing songs about a bunch of books written for kids and maybe young adults. You may think it's silly to watch kids rock out to songs about the power of love (Harry and the Potters' new album is called Harry and the Potters and the Power of Love) and the power of friendship. You may think it's silly. I think it's totally awesome. Think about it. Where else can you get 16 year olds being totally un-ironic about how love conquers all? Where else do people really seem to believe in the power of rock to save the world? The last time I got that I was watching Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure. And that's not really the same thing as being in a room full of people singing, is it?
Harry and the Potters are all about the fans, and all about the energy. And their songs are good too, and rather catchy. You should check them out on MySpace, where all new bands can be found. Both of the Harrys made it out into the audience at least once during the show, the younger one played sax around the entire auditorium during one song. They jumped up and down, they sang like they meant it, the younger one (who is maybe 18 and totally adorable) made impassioned speeches about how great friends are and how you have to stick it to the man. Man, I had a great time, even if it made me feel really really old. And then they stayed after the show for a really long time and sold CDs and shirts and signed things and had their pictures taken with everyone.
We need more bands like this. Bands who really love their fans, who tour wherever, who play in libraries, who talk about love and peace and rock and roll.
Harry and the Potters also have one of the best song titles ever: Voldemort Can't Stop the Rock.
Well said, boys. Well said.

(full disclosure: I am in my own Wizard Rock band, but everyone in the know claims Harry and the Potters as an influence. And so do I.)