Los Lobos at Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center in Great Barrington, MA on June 20, 2025
Los Lobos brought their unique multi-genre music performance to the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center in Great Barrington, Massachusetts on June 20, 2025.
Unfortunately mislabeled a Mexican-American rock band, the band’s music is indeed steeped in their traditional Mexican and Latin roots, but also blends influences of R&B, Blues, Zydeco, Tex-Mex, Jazz, Folk, Country, and Jam band, among others.
The band has been dazzling crowds with their impressive musicianship and live performances for over fifty years now, and at the Mahaiwe, it was evident they were ready to rock from the start. After a quick “How ya doin’?” from Rosas (the most vocal during the night), the band played a continuous string of fast moving songs – “Flat Top Joint,” “Shakin’ Shakin’ Shakes,” “Evangeline,” and “Love Special Delivery” – that established the upbeat tone of the night. After a rousing round of applause, and a hearty “Thank you so much” from Rosas, solid rhythm section Lozano and Ortiz established the slow groove set up for “The Valley,” which got some patrons up moving to the music. Someone yelled out “Turn it up!” which prompted Rosas to reply, “Oh, I knew we were in trouble tonight. Well, we’re going to do one in Spanish. For your dancing pleasure, for all you dancers out there” before launching into “Chuco’s Cumbia,” a crowd-pleaser that had many shaking in their seats and others dancing in the aisles. The band got the crowd to clap along while Perez displayed his dexterous strumming prowess on jarana jarocha guitar. The band kept the party atmosphere going with “Will the Wolf Survive?” and then Hidalgo announced, “This goes out to all the youngsters,” before launching into “Come On, Let’s Go,” (the other Ritchie Valens song), and capitalizing on the enthusiasm, he had the audience sing the final verse and refrain.
The spirited vibe of the night continued be felt in some impressive performances of “Dream in Blue,” “Angel Dance,” and “Kiko and The Lavender Moon” (the latter with Hidalgo on accordion). While Perez got behind the drum kit, Rosas cheekily quipped, “Here’s a polka tune, because I hear this is where the polka originated. At least that is what the gas station attendant told us earlier today,” before playing “Ay Te Dejo en San Antonio” (which they sung en español). After a tour-de-force cover of the Grateful Dead’s “Bertha,” the band left the stage, only to be “coaxed” back by the loud and lengthy appreciative applause. The band played a thunderous version of Neil Young’s “Cinnamon Girl” before their ubiquitous “La Bamba” finale, which segued into “Good Lovin’” before returning back to “La Bamba,” which they had everyone sing along with to close the show. As attendees exited, the Rolling Stones song “Miss You” played over the PA, which spontaneously spurred people to sing Mick Jagger’s “Ooo, Ooo, Ooo-Ooo-Ooo” vocal part into the cool Berkshire night and down the street as they dispersed. All in all, a terrific, feel-good night of music.
Los Lobos still consists of Louie Perez (Drums, Guitars, Percussion, Vocals), Cesar Rosas (Vocals, Guitar, Maracas), Conrad Lozano (Bass, Vocals), David Hidalgo (Vocals, Guitar, Accordion), and Steve Berlin (Saxophone, Percussion, Flute, Harmonica, Melodica). Touring drummer Alfredo Ortiz has been with the band since 2021.
For more band and tour information: https://www.loslobos.org/site/
Enjoy our previous coverage here: SHOW REVIEW: Los Lobos at the Kitty Carlisle Hart Theatre at the Egg in Albany
SETLIST:
Flat Top Joint
Shakin’ Shakin’ Shakes
Evangeline
Love Special Delivery
The Valley
Chuco’s Cumbia
Will The Wolf Survive?
Come On, Let’s Go (Ritchie Valens)
Wicked Rain
Dream in Blue
Maricela
Angel Dance
Kiko and the Lavender Moon
Ay te Dejo en San Antonio (Flaco Jiménez)
Volver, Volver
Don’t Worry Baby
Bertha (Grateful Dead)
ENCORES:
Cinnamon Girl (Neil Young)
La Bamba (Ritchie Valens)
Good Lovin’ (The Rascals)
