Crypto.com Arena
Los Angeles, Calif.
Sept. 24, 2023
The Crossroads Guitar Festival arrived in Los Angeles for the first time on Sept. 23-24. Held at crypto.com Arena (formerly Staples Center), all proceeds benefitted the Crossroads Centre in Antigua. Eric Clapton co-founded the drug and alcohol treatment facility 25 years ago.
More than three dozen acts performed inside the arena and outside at the Guitar Center Village stage on Saturday and Sunday. The artists spanned a variety of genres, including R&B, rock, blues, jazz, bluegrass, and more.
Concert attendees could browse instruments and products from Fender, Gibson, Martin, Ibanez, Yamaha, and others at The Village. Guitar Center’s Legends Collection Tent displayed famous guitars owned by Clapton and Stevie Ray Vaughan.
Many artists on the Crossroads Guitar Festival bill had some past connection – they either toured, recorded, or appeared together at some point or during a previous Crossroads Festival. That often gave the sets an added sense of camaraderie, which rarely happens at these events.
Actor Bill Murray served as emcee and his deadpan comments were frequently hilarious. Saturday’s lineup featured ZZ Top, John Mayer Trio, Roger McGuinn, Jakob Dylan, Stephen Stills, Gary Clark Jr., The War on Drugs, Sheryl Crow, Jimmie Vaughan, Taj Mahal, Joe Bonamassa, Eric Gales, Samantha Fish, Kingfish, Albert Lee, Judith Hill, Del McCoury, Jerry Douglas and Sonny Landreth in various configurations.
Here’s a rundown of Sunday’s festivities:
After a brief video about the Crossroads Centre, Eric Clapton started his engaging 70-minute set with a tribute to Robbie Robertson, who was initially slated for the Crossroads Festival lineup when it was first announced. Clapton’s top-notch touring group did a rendition of The Band’s rollicking “The Shape I’m In” that boasted a full-bodied sound, while “It Makes No Difference” had some terrific harmonies from Katie Kissoon and Sharon White. Clapton made the sinewy blues guitar licks during “Hoochie Coochie Man” and other songs look effortless, as always. His popular cover of “I Shot the Sheriff” really stirred up the crowd.
A brief acoustic segment in the set brought to mind Clapton’s successful “MTV Unplugged” appearance and album from 1992 since both included “Nobody Knows You When You’re Down and Out” (Chris Stainton was sharp at crypto.com Arena on barrelhouse piano; Nathan East played upright bass), a laid-back version of “Layla” (the LA audience clapped along and roared with approval) and the still touching “Tears in Heaven.”
Stephen Stills guested on his own jubilant ‘70s hit “Love the One You’re With” and sang with clarity. Meanwhile, Stevie Wonder made an appearance on set closer “Crossroads” that apparently even surprised Clapton.
Gary Clark Jr. was in excellent form and paid close attention to fans who loudly professed their affection. The soulful blues rocker delivered some compelling, passionate vocals on opener “The Healing” and “Our Love,” while the poignant personal lyrics to “Pearl Cadillac” (dedicated to Clark’s mother) and “When My Train Pulls In” were highlights.
Los Lobos sounded tight during its solid set, including the lean rocker “Don’t Worry Baby,” a swinging “The Neighborhood” and Richie Valens hit “La Bamba,” which prompted a bunch of audience members to dance and sing. The East L.A. band also brought guitarist Jimmie Vaughan out for a blues cover of Howlin’ Wolf’s “300 Pounds of Joy”; Cesar Rojas and David Hidalgo took turns trading extended solos with the Texan.
“I feel so grateful to be here,” said H.E.R. “I used to watch this event while growing up with my dad.” The acclaimed R&B singer/guitarist (real name: Gabriella Wilson) had four backing vocalists in tow, giving the music a supple harmonic flow throughout. H.E.R.’s father Kenny added electric guitar (and some vocals) during “Hold On” (from 2021 full-length debut Back of My Mind) while John Mayer provided scorching guitar bits. Serious piano ballad “The Journey” displayed Wilson’s dramatic vocal prowess. She also showed off her admirable rock chops amid an exciting cover of Lenny Kravitz’s “Are You Gonna Go My Way?”
A handful of acts played a couple songs at the side of the main stage, including Citizen Cope (who brought out Robert Randolph) and did two of his intense, best known alt-folk tracks from 2004 on acoustic guitar: “Son’s Gonna Rise” and “Sideways.”
Murray reminded the crowd that Sheryl Crow is among the newest inductees into the 2023 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in November. “This is my favorite event,” she said, about Crossroads. “I love how Eric [presents] young [musicians]. It gives me hope for the future.” Crow’s strong five-song set started with “If It Makes You Happy.” She told an anecdote about not being convinced that the film “Cars” would be a hit, before performing “Real Gone,” her soundtrack contribution for it. Working both sides of the stage, she wailed on harmonica. Crow relayed another story about talking to Lionel Richie about the hazard of doing too many new songs in concert but proceeded to do just that with “Cross Creek Road,” a promising, piano-
led midtempo tune about her move to Nashville. John Mayer played guitar during the haunting “My Favorite Mistake.” Afterward, Crow joked, “I don’t think I wanna play that anymore without John Mayer.” They closed with “Everyday is a Winding Road.” Crow was in fine voice throughout, despite having a cold the night before.
led midtempo tune about her move to Nashville. John Mayer played guitar during the haunting “My Favorite Mistake.” Afterward, Crow joked, “I don’t think I wanna play that anymore without John Mayer.” They closed with “Everyday is a Winding Road.” Crow was in fine voice throughout, despite having a cold the night before.
Talk about having energy to spare. Marcus King was a revelation at Crossroads. Bolstered by a three-man horn section, the South Carolina singer/guitarist jump started his set with the ferocious blues/rock of “It’s Too Late,” off his Dan Auerbach-helmed 2022 solo album Young Blood. King immediately got some audience participation going and brought his wife Briley out for a ragged duet of Fleetwood Mac’s “Landslide” – all Southern twang vocals. “We waited all year for this!” exclaimed King, about the festival. Sheryl Crow and her axe man Audley Freed guested on an exuberant version of Delaney & Bonnie’s 1972 Clapton co-write “Comin’ Home.” Here, the brass sound really came in handy and Crow was obviously having a blast.
Eric Gales admitted to being nervous about performing “quite a deep song” such as “The Storm” on the side stage with only an acoustic guitar but it was still impressive. He added a snippet of Blue Oyster Cult’s “Don’t Fear the Reaper” at the end.
Eric Gales admitted to being nervous about performing “quite a deep song” such as “The Storm” on the side stage with only an acoustic guitar but it was still impressive. He added a snippet of Blue Oyster Cult’s “Don’t Fear the Reaper” at the end.
Keb’ Mo’ delivered a fun standout set at Crossroads. The bluesman opened with the infectious “The Worse is Yet to Come,” did some scatting at the end of “Perpetual Blues Machine” and “Government Cheese” featured some whimsical exaggerated backing vocals by his musicians. Mo called Taj Mahal an inspiration. Then the bluesman emerged, pulled up a chair and ukelele to join Mo. You couldn’t help but muster a smile during the sprightly traditional tune “Wild About My Lovin’” and the pair’s loping cover of Sleepy John Estes’ “Diving Duck Blues” as Mo played slide on resonator guitar.
Kurt Rosenwinkel, a contemporary jazz guitarist/multi-instrumentalist from Philadelphia, really elevated his group’s sublime set by bringing Marcus King and Clapton onstage to play guitar on separate songs.
Brazilian jazz guitar duo Pedro Martins & Daniel Santiago who put out the 2017 duo album Simbiose, provided some pleasant, unobtrusive instrumentals. R&B singer Judith Hill joined them on a mesmerizing “How Could We Know” - the breezy new collaboration by Santiago, Clapton, Hill, and longtime Clapton songwriter Simon Climie. The audience absolutely loved it.
Ben Haggard and his six-piece band did a brief, serviceable set of country tunes, including a couple by his legendary father Merle (“Ramblin’ Fever,” “I Think I’ll Just Stay Here and Drink”). The 30-year-old singer/guitarist vocals bore an appealing, slight resemblance to Eric Church and he played a Telecaster at Crossroads that Pa inscribed shortly before passing away in 2016.
Robert Randolph kicked off Crossroads Day 2 in fiery fashion with a stomping “Seven Generations.” At one point, the New Jersey pedal steel guitarist shouted, “Can I get a witness?” (a nod to his gospel roots) and did a sizzling cover of Jimi Hendrix Experience’s “Red House.” He invited blues guitarist Joe Bonamassa onstage for Jeff Beck’s “Freeway Jam” and the two traded solos. It prompted the first standing ovation of the event. Then Randolph invited Eric Gales up to join everyone on another searing Hendrix number, “Foxy Lady.”
Earlier in the day at the outdoor Guitar Center Village Stage, legendary bassist Nathan East played with keyboardist son Noah and Clapton tour drummer Sonny Emory. Their R&B and smooth jazz renditions of classics “Let’s Stay Together” and “Yesterday” went down nicely. “As a community, we’re here to make life a little better…and draw attention to this lovely cause,” said the always-smiling Nathan, before singing “Can’t Find My Way Back Home” in falsetto and bookending it with some scatting. They closed with a sleek take on “Change the World,” which Nathan made with Clapton for the Phenomenon soundtrack.
New York dobro/steel guitar player Cindy Cashdollar (known for her work with Ryan Adams & The Cardinals, Asleep at the Wheel, and others) did a gorgeous instrumental version of traditional tune “Sey Seychelles” from her 2020 album Waltz for Abilene. She was joined by revered Mississippi blues slide guitarist Sonny Landreth, who sang and played some amazing bottleneck on “Jukebox Mama,” off his successful 2003 release The Road We’re On, as well as the Elmore James-popularized blues tune “It Hurts Me Too.”
Santana closed things down Sunday with a late set that ended at close to 1 a.m. with Clapton and John McLaughlin as guests. Molly Tuttle & Sierra Hull and Gustavo Santaolalla also performed on the side of the main stage Sunday.
On Nov. 13, Heritage Auctions will hold the Crossroads 25 th Anniversary Auction of signed guitars and memorabilia to raise funds for the charity. For more information, go to ha.com/7352.
A version of my review originally appeared at rockcellarmagazine.com.
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