When Vicci Martinez brought out the snare drums, fans of the NBC talent competition “The Voice” knew what was up.
The Washington-based spark plug was going to replay one of the key moments from the show — a cover of Florence and the Machine’s “Dog Days Are Over.” Fellow finalist Beverly McClellan joined her, snagging two snares of her own. They got cheers before they had a chance to tap their drumsticks.
“This was a crazy song I did on the show,” Martinez said.
The duo, obviously friends even off-camera, closed out the 23rd annual Bayfront Blues Festival on Sunday evening at Bayfront Festival Park. Martinez had a spot on the bill before she eased through the televised competition all big voice and cardiovascular-ly inclined. McClellan was added to the lineup last week. Both had just finished a tour featuring the show’s finalists.
McClellan, the bald and tattooed multi-instrumentalist, opened the show with a mix of covers, original songs and big personality. At one point she diddled out the theme song from “Peanuts” on the keyboard, getting big laughs. Martinez followed, sticking to mostly original songs and at one point expressing that she was grateful that she was back with her own band playing her own music. Combined, the finale lasted well beyond the time slot and Martinez seemed willing to play until someone cut the power.
JoEllen Nelson and her 10-year-old daughter, Sophie, came down to Bayfront Festival Park specifically to see fan favorites from “The Voice.”
“Beverly had a really strong voice and I like how Vicci is so talented,” Sophie Nelson said.
Ashley Yehling of St. Paul would have been at bluesfest regardless of the lineup — but the Martinez and McClellan finale drew her in close to the stage.
“Normally I just sit back there,” she said, gesturing into the distance.
Yehling said she doesn’t usually watch reality TV, but “The Voice” caught her attention. Admittedly, she was Team Dia Frampton when the show aired. But Martinez was also one of her favorites.
The Fredrick family of Kettle River hasn’t watched the show, but they do have a tradition of checking out Sunday’s bluesfest lineup. They had not heard of Martinez and McClellan before Sunday.
“We’re trying to decide what to download when we get home,” Kim Fredrick said.
Julia Allshouse of California was one of the first in line for a meet-and-greet at the merchandise tent after the performance. The finale was a surprise to her, although she had watched “The Voice” and was a fan of Beverly.
“Her attitude,” she said. “She’s a normal person. She’s dorky on stage. She doesn’t want to be quiet up there.”
McClellan threatened to steal the show before it started. She borrowed Martinez’s band and performed Sublime’s “What I’ve Got,” and Etta James’ “The Rock.” She busted strings on her guitar and was so exuberant it seemed she would burst out of her heavily inked skin. After her guitar went kaput, she made for the keyboard.
Martinez, who has started work on an album that probably will come out in the fall or early winter, snuck a couple covers into a mostly original set. She played “Jolene,” the Dolly Parton song that she claims as one of her favorite performances from “The Voice.” She also did Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep.”
But the one that brought down the house was “Dog Days Are Over” and, as on the show, Martinez leapt around the stage earning a nickname from at least one fan.
“They should call her ‘Crazy Legs Martinez,’ ” Fredrick said.
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