I’m not gonna lie, Summer is my least favorite season. However, it’s one saving grace are the abundance of free concerts (especially in LA), and as far as I’m concerned, Summer officially kicked off last Saturday (6/11).
KCRW regularly presents live music and their Summer Nights events truly delivers. Summer Nights brings music out of the studio and into communities across Los Angeles with a series of free, all ages, outdoor shows. From Pasadena to Downtown L.A. to Westwood and beyond, KCRW brings hot bands, live DJ performances and more to stages throughout L.A. – all-ages and ALL FREE.
This year’s series kicked off last Saturday at One Colorado in Pasadena. All those present, including yours truly, were treated to a fantastic night of 70′s-inspired tracks, lush strings, Spanish guitars, some mighty fine cello (courtesy of Mr. Daniel Benson), and some good ol’ fashioned love songs, by the one and only Diego Garcia. KCRW DJ Anne Litt (personally, my favorite KCRW DJ and a very nice lady!) was also present, opening and closing the show, with a live DJ set. As an added bonus, my wife and arrived early and were lucky enough to catch the sound check!
Overall, I wholeheartedly enjoyed this show. Had I paid for this show, it would have been a dollar well spent. The crowd sang along and even got on their feet and danced towards the end. The sound was great and even though the crowd was pretty big by the end of the show, there was still that sense of intimacy that many shows lack.
And at the end of the show, Mr. Garcia left the audience some very good advice — “There are three things you can do for a woman: Love her. Suffer for her. Turn her into a pop song.”
Summer Nights continues June 25th at One Colorado, with Motopony and KCRW DJ Dan Wilcox, and lucky New Yorkers can catch Diego Garcia July 7th at Bowery Ballroom for LAMC 2011.
♫ You Were Never There (Live on KCRW) ♫
p.s. those itching for more free live music, you definitely don’t want to miss this years Make Music Pasadena!
