At PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, NJ on July 19, 2024
GRAMMY-winning Rock and Roll Hall of Fame guitarist Carlos Santana alongside GRAMMY and Academy Award-nominated rock band Counting Crows are on the road together for the Oneness Tour 2024 this summer. On July 19th they came to New Jersey to perform at PNC Bank Arts Center. Fans from across the state braved the dreaded Friday evening shore traffic on Garden State Parkway and packed the amphitheater for this amazing and high-energy filled performance.
Written by Andris Jansons
While the setting sun still hugged the stage, Counting Crows came on with a somewhat melancholic Hard Candy followed by St. Robinson in His Cadillac Dream. Things got livelier as a fan favorite Mr Jones rhythm filled the theater. To me this was a most recognizable song as well and must admit that as someone who mostly listened to band in their early days, I was ashamed of not recognizing vocalist and songwriter Adam Duritz without his early day dreadlocks.
The band was playful and relaxed. Adam was soft spoken when addressing the fans and the whole set felt like a poetry evening with some classic and beautiful sounding music. Other notable songs to me were Jon Mitchell cover of Big Yellow Taxi and A Long December.
Counting Crows Links
See Full Photo Gallery of Counting Crows performance Here
Carlos Santana is widely recognized as one of the finest guitar virtuoso the world has ever seen. His show would prove any non-believer or doubter wrong just after the one composition. From the moment Carlos set on the stage, he simply ignited the air with his beautiful and rhythmic guitar sounds.
Each composition was electric, with a wide array of instruments used making each one of them special. Of course, one instrument is more important than others – drums. Cindy Blackman Santana a virtuoso jazz and rock drummer is Carlos’s wife, who proposed her on stage during the concert back in 2010. Carlos was stationed just in front of Cindy’s drum set and cheered her on after the drum solos. It was truly a heartwarming sight.
As I was too young or not even born yet, I am not as familiar with Santana early music. To me the biggest love story was his 1999 album Supernatural. It was a massive collaboration with modern day popular artists that included but not limited to Rob Thomas, Eric Clapton, Eagle-Eye Cherry, Lauryn Hill, Dave Matthews, Maná, Everlast and CeeLo Green. This set included four songs – Corazón Espinado, Maria Maria and two of my absolute favorites Smooth and Put Your Lights On.
Quite frankly I believe I have already praised Carlos and his band’s performance a lot or even a bit too much. Though I don’t think any of what I have said does any justice to this show, it is simply one for the lifetime to witness.
Santana Links
See Full Photo Gallery of Santana performance Here
The tour has reached it’s summit and will continue for the next month and will end on September 2nd in Phoenix, Arizona. Get your tickets while you can HERE.
Sun Jul 21 – Wantagh, NY – Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater
Tue Jul 23 – Mansfield, MA – Xfinity Center
Wed Jul 24 – Syracuse, NY – Empower Federal Credit Union Amphitheater at Lakeview
Fri Jul 26 – Milwaukee, WI – American Family Insurance Amphitheater – Summerfest Grounds
Sat Jul 27 – Maryland Heights, MO – Hollywood Casino Amphitheater – St. Louis, MO
Mon Jul 29 – Morrison, CO – Red Rocks Amphitheatre
Tue Jul 30 – Morrison, CO – Red Rocks Amphitheatre
Thu Aug 15 – Fort Worth, TX – Dickies Arena
Sat Aug 17 – Houston, TX – Toyota Center
Sun Aug 18 – Austin, TX – Moody Center
Wed Aug 21 – West Valley City, UT – Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre
Sat Aug 24 – Auburn, WA – White River Amphitheatre
Sun Aug 25 – Ridgefield, WA – RV Inn Style Resorts Amphitheater
Tue Aug 27 – Mountain View, CA – Shoreline Amphitheatre
Wed Aug 28 – Inglewood, CA – Kia Forum
Fri Aug 30 – Chula Vista, CA – North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre
Mon Sep 02 – Phoenix, AZ – Footprint Center
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