Bumbershoot 2010: Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros

Five minutes before showtime, the already packed lawn area at Broad Street Stage was already chanting for Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros to take the stage.  That and the fact that a team of burly security guards were taking their places up front signaled that this was about to be an exceedingly rowdy show.  Twenty minutes after the band’s supposed start time, the crowd’s eagerness increased tri-fold, reaching an exploding point when Alex Ebert and his entourage of a band finally strolled out on stage.  “We’re not even sure all this stuff works,” said Ebert, referring to the sound equipment issues that made the band start late.  Apparently everything was up to par, because the band launched into a rowdy set that immediately had the Ebert hopping down from the stage into the loving arms of his adoring fans.  Ebert already has the physical appearance of Jesus with his long, frizzy hair and beard; he seems to indulge this Messiah-like notion by wearing all-white and acting hippie-like as he skips about the stage with his bare feet.  His fans eat up his on-stage antics, giving him such intense adoration and attention that he could indeed be the next savior for all anyone in the crowd knew.