What a weekend for live music in Edmonton. Friday night had No Means No at the Pawn Shop, Foo Fighters at Rexall Place, The Halloween Bear Bash at Shaw Conference Centre and the Los Lobos at Century Casino. Saturday had Roger Daltrey at Rexall Place, Joan Jett and The Blackhearts at River Cree Casino and Sam Roberts Band at the Jubilee Auditorium. Some tough decisions to make, my choice was the Los Lobos and Leeroy Stagger show Friday night.
Friday night my buddies Hurl, Buzzard and I made our way to Century Casino for the awesome double bill of Leeroy Stagger and the Los Lobos. I have waited for a long time to see a good band at the Century Casion, and finally got to see a show at this very under rated venue. The show was sold out, my guess the place would hold around 400 people. The evening started with Leeroy Stagger opening. This was my third time seeing Leeroy in concert. I have to say, he just keeps getting better each time I see him, his back up band gets tighter and better every time as well. It was Leeroy's 29th birthday, and what better way to celebrate a birthday then opening for the Los Lobos. Leeroy and his band played a 45 minute set playing a lot of tunes from his latest album "Little Victories". Leeroy reminds me of a mixture of Neil Young and Steve Earle, great rock n' roll with just the right amount of grit and excellent song writing.My only complaint about his set, and it's a minor complaint, I didn't much care for Steve Berlin the flute/keyboard player of the Los Lobos sitting in with the band for the last few songs, it just didn't seem to add anything.Leeroy Stagger I am sure made some new fans last night, as the audience seemed to really like him. If you get the chance to see Leeroy in concert, I highly recommend seeing him.
Leeroy Stagger.
Steve Berlin of the Los Lobos sitting in with Leeroy Stagger.
After a short break and step outside for a smoke, up next was headliners from East Los Angeles the Los Lobos. This was my second time seeing the Los Lobos in concert, the first time being in 1997 when they opened for The Hip at the Roadside Attraction Festival. I always said after seeing Los Lobos that day , how I would love to see them play a bar. Well, I finally got my chance Friday night. And they didn't disappoint at all. What an evening of music, the Los Lobos know how to throw a party. They had the whole place a jumpin' and dancin', you couldn't help but have a good time at this show. The band is so talented and look like they are having a good time playing. The bass player Conrad Lozano has got to be the happiest musician, hell person, I have ever witnessed. He was all smiles the whole night and holding down the groove. I got a kick out of just watching him play. David Hidalgo (looking like a mafiaso guy) on lead vocals and guitar and accordion was bang on as well. He has got an awesome voice and can play the guitar like a motherfucker. And of course Cesar Rosas the man with the sun glasses on, on guitar and vocals as well, was excellent, singing in spanish and just being cool. All and all the band was ON this night playing for a couple of hours. This is probably the most fun I have had at a concert in a long time. The beers were flowing the feet were a shuffling and a good time was had by all. I would give this show an 11 out of 10. A great great double bill of music.
Los Lobos.
David Hidalgo.
Conrad Lozano.
Cesar Rosas.
Steve Berlin.
After the show, the members of the Los Lobos came out and met there fans and signed some autographs. It was nice to meet the guys and let them know how much we appreciated and enjoyed the concert. Here is a picture of my buddy Hurl meeting bass player Conrad Lozano, like I say, the man is the happiest person I have ever seen.
My autographed CD.
Los Lobos t-shirt.
Front.
Back.
In concert news... Leeroy Stagger will be playing with John Wort Hannam and Dave McCann as part of the Highway 3 Roots Revue in Edmonton on Saturday December 10th at The Blue Chair Cafe.
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