It was a night of freedom, funk and unity.
People of all ages, ethnicities and walks of life came to together Nov. 21 to get down to George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic at the Tally Ho in Leesburg. All 600 people in the crowd couldn't help but dance to the grooving bass lines, driving guitar solos, flaring horns, powerhouse vocals and intense drum beats.
"Once that baseline drops, your legs start moving and you just can't stop," said John Ballos of Point of Rocks, as he stood in line to get into the much-anticipated show. "When we saw P-Funk was coming we had to get the tickets. We got them right away because we knew that it would sell out fast."
Ballos was right. The show sold out over a month in advance, a record for the Tally Ho, according to its owners.
The timeless appeal of funk brought out baby boomers and millennials alike. There were even families enjoying the show together.
"It's cool to be able to enjoy the same music as my parents," said Tristan Taylor of Leesburg, who came to the show with his mother and father. "Especially when it's awesome music."
The crowds were eager to see the first-class world tour make its stop in Leesburg, and Clinton did not disappoint.
It was like a funk musical. The stage was filled with a menagerie of supreme talent and Clinton conducted the music like an ingenious mad scientist, strutting around the stage signaling for more horns here, a solo there.
The master of funk didn't even have a set list.
"He just calls them like he sees them," said one of the music collective's crew members after the show.
The night started out with his famous entrance anthem "Mothership Connection."
The music jammed its way into various genres from there. Hip-hop rap breakouts, acid rock guitar solos and spine-tingling R&B serenades complimented the funk classics.
While the songs were recognizable, each was delivered with a fresh 21st century take.
When the crowd looked like it couldn't dance any longer, Clinton slowed it down. He gave a poignant spoken word soliloquy over a gospel piano number.
He talked about love, faith, togetherness and making a difference. The audience shouted back in agreement, like a loyal congregation.
Clinton picked right back up again for an awe-inspiring rendition of "Atomic Dog."
The crowd went wild, jumping up and down and dancing like there was no tomorrow.
The performance was a jubilant celebration of funk that the Town of Leesburg won't soon forget.
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