Silverado Showdown delivers sensational return to live music

One of the first industries to fall dark last year, and the most recent industry to reopen in Southern California has been live music. It’s been fifteen months without a concert in sight. Although an increasing number of artists did live-streamed shows, it wasn’t a replacement for a live concert. The energy of the crowd reciprocated by the artists and feeding back and forth is impossible to mimic with technology. 
 
The Silverado Showdown opened its gates at noon on Saturday, May 15, and the weather was perfect. Presumably better than a high school reunion (not that I’ve ever been to one of mine), seeing so many familiar faces, giving hugs, and making friends, made us all feel alive again! 
 
The opening act kicked things off at 12:30, beginning with Greg Antista and The Lonely Streets , a groovy rock ‘n’ roll quartet hailing from Southern California. Lead singer Greg shared a few words of honest reflection with me before hitting the stage, “it’s not always the best thing in the world to open, but playing the first chords of a new era I’m pretty excited. This is the first festival in Southern California. It’s wonderful to be back again!” These guys are a great live act, and their performance was the fix I needed. Their tunes are catchy, and I even got a cd of theirs at the merch booth. 
 
Next up was The Reckless Ones, a three-piece modern rockabilly band that played a good set, and Dave Elliott of Lowlife Soundsystem was on fire with his 45’s, playing Gang War & X on the turntable in between sets. The Delta Bombers of Las Vegas, Nevada followed up and they absolutely blew me away. Native Texan Jesse Dayton spoke on the mic about his contributions to country musicians including Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, and Willie Nelson, as well as his collaborations with horror film director Rob Zombie. From the Salton Sea, an OC favorite, Throw Rag stole the show, and I would have liked to have seen them on stage for more time. Sean Wheeler gave some heartfelt commentary about being 24 years sober as of that very day. And finally, without hesitation,  Nekromantix took the stage and proceeded to kick ass. Of particular resonance for me was their hit, “Gargoyles Over Copenhagen.” So refreshed to experience live entertainment yet again and more to come this Summer!

 

Car Show at Silverado Showdown May 15, 2021
Car Show at Silverado Showdown May 15, 2021
Car Show at Silverado Showdown May 15, 2021

Greg Antista & The Lonely Streets

Greg Antista and The Lonely Streets at Silverado Showdown May 15, 2021
Greg Antista and The Lonely Streets at Silverado Showdown May 15, 2021
Greg Antista and the Lonely Streets May 15, 2021
Greg Antista and The Lonely Streets at Silverado Showdown May 15, 2021

The Reckless Ones

The Reckless Ones at Silverado Showdown, May 15, 2021
The Reckless Ones at Silverado Showdown, May 15, 2021
The Reckless Ones at Silverado Showdown, May 15, 2021

Jesse Dayton

Jesse Dayton at Silverado Showdown May 15, 2021
Jesse Dayton at Silverado Showdown May 15, 2021

 

Jesse Dayton at Silverado Showdown May 15, 2021
Jesse Dayton at Silverado Showdown May 15, 2021

The Delta Bombers

The Delta Bombers at Silverado Showdown May 15, 2021
The Delta Bombers at Silverado Showdown May 15, 2021
The Delta Bombers at Silverado Showdown May 15, 2021

Throw Rag

Throw Rag at Silverado Showdown, May 15, 2021
Throw Rag at Silverado Showdown, May 15, 2021
Throw Rag at Silverado Showdown, May 15, 2021
Throw Rag at Silverado Showdown, May 15, 2021
Throw Rag at Silverado Showdown, May 15, 2021
Throw Rag at Silverado Showdown, May 15, 2021

Nekromantix

Nekromantix at Silverado Showdown . May 15, 2021
Nekromantix at Silverado Showdown . May 15, 2021
DJ Dave Elliott of Lowlife Soundsystems spinning vinyl in between sets
Boogie and the Burrito (Bunuan) in the photo pit, two of the coolest kids I had the honor of meeting and chewing lollipops with at the Silverado Showdown
Beautiful smiling faces at the Silverado Showdown
Sean Wheeler and Eric Melvin of NOFX
More smiles at the Silverado Showdown
Silverado Showdown

Ricky Menice of Taxi TV at Silverado Showdown

 

Nikon D750 portrait reflection in a hubcap at Silverado Showdown.

 

Photos and article by Maggie St.Thomas