Posted by It has often been said, “If the music’s too loud, you’re too old.” These days, however, it sometimes feels like if the music is real, authentic, and rooted in musicianship, then somehow you’re considered out of touch. That thought crossed my mind during Los Lonely Boys’ recent performance at The Space in Westbury, NY.
Playing before an enthusiastic but modest crowd of roughly 600 fans in a venue that appeared about three-quarters full, the Texas trio delivered a masterclass in Texican Rock & Roll and electric Blues. While the audience that did attend was fully engaged and appreciative throughout the night, the turnout itself was somewhat surprising considering the quality of the performance. It left me wondering whether the show simply lacked adequate promotion or whether this market just isn’t particularly Blues-friendly.
Regardless of attendance, the Garza brothers took the stage with something to prove, immediately launching into a fiery rendition of Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Born on the Bayou.” From that opening moment, the tone for the evening was firmly established—and the energy only intensified as the set progressed.
Frontman and guitarist Henry Garza effortlessly melted faces with a series of blistering guitar solos, while JoJo Garza anchored the sound with his signature six-string bass grooves and soulful vocals. Youngest brother Ringo Garza held everything together behind the drum kit, bringing both precision and personality to the performance—at one point even playing with a drumstick clenched in his mouth.
Although stage banter between the brothers was minimal, the musicianship spoke volumes. The set featured plenty of improvisation and spontaneous moments, including an impromptu instrumental version of The Champs’ “Tequila,” which had the crowd enthusiastically shouting along at all the right moments.
For me, the standout performance of the night was “Oye Mamacita.” Judging by the sea of fans who rose to their feet, I certainly wasn’t alone. The extended jam stretched close to ten minutes and showcased everything that makes Los Lonely Boys such a compelling live act: passion, chemistry, groove, and exceptional musicianship.
As with all great concerts, the evening seemed to end too soon. Naturally, the band closed with their biggest hit, “Heaven,” sending the crowd home satisfied. There was no encore, and the set lasted approximately 75 minutes, yet somehow it never felt incomplete or shortchanged. Of course, I would have gladly listened to another hour of music, and judging by the smiles on the faces exiting the venue, most of the audience felt the same way.
One thing was certain as fans filtered out into the night: the music definitely wasn’t too loud.
Long Island Sounds 