The sound of retro rock filled the Rion Ballroom in the Reitz Union as Dr. Dog performed Tuesday night as the headliner of a free concert sponsored by RUB Entertainment.
The psychedelic rock band from Philadelphia treated a crowd of about 400 to several songs with a ‘60s feel from their five full-length albums. Dr. Dog, whose music blends sounds from classic rock and R&B, was greeted with loud hollers from the crowd.
RUB Program Coordinator for Programs and Events Dianna Lampitt said Dr. Dog brought a unique style of music they knew would attract members of the community.
“It’s very different from what we’ve had in the past,” she said. “But there’s definitely a niche for this kind of music here in Gainesville and the surrounding areas.”
Orlando bluegrass-folk band Goodrich & The Die Tryin’s opened up the show and was followed by Gainesville pop-rock group The Boswellians.
There were about 150 audience members at the beginning of the show, with more trickling in as the two opening bands played. The crowd more than doubled in size before Dr. Dog began. Lampitt said they expected the large turnout before the event started.
“We voted on bringing them here because they are quite popular,” she said.
UF sophomore Emon Abtahi said he had been looking forward to the concert since he knew RUB was hosting the event.
“When I first heard about the concert, I couldn’t wait to go,” he said. “Dr. Dog just has such sick music. I love it.”
The bands played on an elevated stage decked out with an arsenal of amplifiers, microphones and guitars. Four curtains made to look like stained-glass windows adorned the stage as audience members stood listening to the music with feet tapping, heads bobbing and hands clapping.
Dr. Dog released its first album, “The Psychedelic Swamp,” in 2001. Since then, the band has released five critically acclaimed albums and appeared on the late-night shows of Conan O’Brien, David Letterman and Jimmy Fallon.
Abtahi said that although the band’s name sounds funny to him, he is all about their music.
“I think Dr. Dog is funny because it sounds like a dog is practicing medicine,” he said. “But even if a medically advanced dog was playing this music, I would listen.”
