I was largely influenced by Carlos Santana during my upbringing, alongside a few other artists, yet for some inexplicable reason, I had never witnessed him perform live. This changed when the iconic musician graced The Forum in Inglewood, CA, on August 28th. Over the past fifty years, Santana has profoundly influenced the musical landscape, leaving an indelible impression on every generation since the late 1960s. Regardless of your age, you may recall his memorable performance at Woodstock in 1969; or perhaps you became acquainted with his jazzier style, or you grew up watching the “Maria Maria” music video on MTV. I had heard that his performances are consistently exceptional, and I can confirm that I was not disappointed. He still possesses remarkable talent.
However, my evening began on a challenging note, as the newly opened Intuit Dome next door was hosting a sold-out event, resulting in a chaotic commute and parking situation. Fortunately, I was able to secure a good seat for the third song of the opening act, Counting Crows, which happened to be their well-known hit “Mr. Jones."I am familiar with their debut album, August And Everything After, so I was pleased to find that it comprised 33% of their setlist. I observed a considerable number of attendees dancing and singing enthusiastically while rocking Counting Crows t-shirts. The band, which originated in San Francisco—much like Santana—delivered an impressive performance and effectively engaged the audience.
A little after 9:00 PM, the lights dimmed, and a video began to play on a large screen above the stage. Featuring images from Woodstock, along with clips from previous performances, the video provided a succinct overview of Santana’s illustrious career. As the video continued, the musicians took to the stage, and a resounding applause greeted Carlos Santana himself.
The band commenced with vigor, performing three tracks from the legendary self-titled debut album released in 1969: “Soul Sacrifice,” “Jingo,” and “Evil Ways.” Each musician had the opportunity to showcase their talents under the spotlight, with each solo performance surpassing the last.
