What a great night!
I knew nothing about Los Straitjackets except that they played surf music. I had never been to Free Range Brewing, even though I've driven past it a million times, let alone seen a show there. But I talked Mike into checking in out, and we were glad we did.
Aqualads kicked off the night at 9pm. It's been 17 years since I saw them open for Reverend Horton Heat at the Visulite (the first time we lived in Charlotte). I remember liking them then, and tonight was no different. They put their spin on the surf-rock sound and were a good warm up for Los Straitjackets.
Free Range Brewing use a back room for the bands, with a 6 inch raised stage. Nice and intimate - which worked out well with the crowd size. The dressing room is a curtained off area next to the floor, which Los Straitjackets came bursting out of. They greeted and high-fived the crowd before getting on stage and demanding applause. Which the crowd were happy to oblige. I don't know if it was the sharp black suits, the uniform guitars or the Mexican wrestling masks, but the band were a step above from the very first note. Really simple choreography during Casbah early in the set, broken Spanish audience interaction and a sense of fun the band were having infected the crowd. Each song saw everyone inch closer to the stage to feed off the energy and fun that the band were having. The end of each song saw the band bow and congratulate each other and command applause, and when an audience member shouted a request (I think the song was called "Champagne"), the band were more than happy to oblige. Space Mosquito and the Game of Thrones theme were 2 other highlights. When Los Straitjackets finally left the stage, after an hour and a half, Mike and I decided we hadn't had that much fun at a show in years.
But it wasn't over. A 2 song encore of The Batman Theme and Tequila sent everyone into a frenzy. An awesome way to finish a great show. Can't wait til Los Straitjackets come back again.
Los Straitjackets
The Crap Facts:
This is my 448th concert.
Free Range Brewing is my 123rd venue I've seen a concert in.
This is my 78th concert in Charlotte.
This is my 88th concert in North Carolina.
This is my 251st concert in the USA.
This is my 2nd Aqualads concert.
Los Straitjackets are the 516th band I've seen.
