Review and Photos by Michelle Morrissette Cucchiaro
Santanna photos HERE
Rod Stewart photo HERE
It was Sunday, May 25th and I was in the presence of greatness. I’d traveled to Uncasville, CT to shoot the Rod Stewart concert at Mohegan Sun and that alone would have been awesome enough but I would soon learn that my experience would be so much richer than I had originally anticipated.
I got there early and roamed the floor for appropriate vantage points and took a peek at the stage to try to get a feel for whoever the opener might be. Among other things I saw two drum kits, a few sets of maracas and the expected guitar racks. My curiosity got the better of me so I did what anyone would do, I asked a stage hand. To my surprise and absolute delight I was informed that Carlos Santana was opening for Rod Stewart! Whaaaaaaaaat! How did I miss THAT? Two icons in one night, it doesn’t get any better than that! Sweet!
Santana’s stage was as you would expect it to be and much like his music– A bit darker and earthy with splashes of color. The music was rich. There were beautiful Latin undertones of both sight and sound. There were grooves that took you away and caused your hips sway. He played for 90 minutes straight and showed the fans that he is every bit as deserving of his multitude of Grammy awards than he ever was. After 4 decades of wowing audiences around the world, he shows no signs of slowing down even at 67 years old! Once an icon, always and icon. Rock on Carlos!
A 30 minute intermission was completely necessary to totally transform the earthen glow of the Santana stage and vibe into the whitewashed crispness of the rockin’ Rod experience. A silver lame curtain dropped as Rod’s dazzling darlings and fellow performers took to the stage. As expected, they were equally as gorgeous as they were talented. Clad in turquoise sequined mini-dresses they gave the appearance of sugar coated gumdrops dancing across the stark white stage. Rod’s voice filled the room before he appeared looking dapper as ever in a blue satin jacket. Still sporting those signature tufts of blonde spikey hair, the man simply doesn’t age.
I grew up listening to his music and his voice is as distinct and awesome as ever! He took us on a stroll down memory lane singing fan favorites of every decade since the 70’s. The packed house new all the words and sang along to songs like Forever Young, Reason to Believe, You’re in My Heart and, of course, Maggie May. Hot Legs was a huge crowd pleaser as Rod showed off his own pair of hot legs and kicked dozens of soccer balls out to his adoring fans. Rod rocked the house with a full 90 minutes of melodic mastery so if you get the chance, this show is a must see!! Rock on Rod!!
Santana
Rod Stewart