Lagwagon and Cigar rocked the Monday night

October 13th, at the Teatro Flores

At what point did Lagwagon go from a dive like Cemento to playing in a theater like the one in Flores? We don’t know for sure, but I don’t think anyone in the crowd on Avenida Rivadavia seemed to mind.

Cigar was facing their Argentinian audience for the first time, and they left everything on stage to satisfy their fans with a super-energetic and passionate show.

But of course, most people were in Flores to see the return of the champions of hardcore. Joey Capo’s band came out to dominate the stage amidst a maelstrom of balloons that served as scenery when the California band kicked off with “Violins.” The band is a clockwork, and they revel in the enthusiasm of their audience. Joey pulls the strings, and the Praetorian Guard of giants (Dave Raun on drums and Chris Flippin on guitar) escorts him along with bassist Joe Raposo and guitarist Chris Rest.

The audience is entertained by various balls that bounce back and forth over their heads, and Lagwagon comes out swinging with “Violins.” Behind them, an austere stage set with a black backdrop emblazoned with the band’s name, like every stage. What matters here is the communication between the group and the audience, and that warmth is what fuels the night. And of course, in the land of world champions, the songs from the stadium are a must, and Lagwagon warmly welcomes them.
Between the band’s extroverted joy and the audience’s uproar, the show is a torrent of songs sung along to and enjoyed by everyone. The inclusion of the classic “Everything Turns Gray” by fellow Californians Agent Orange is the cherry on top, and the final touch comes with the introduction of “The Kids Are All Wrong,” followed by the mega-classic “May 16.”

Tired and happy, the night brings us back to the reality of everyday life. But how wonderful it is to know that, even if it’s just a Monday, we always have music at our fingertips to help us forget about our routine. Thanks, Lagwagon, don’t wait too long this time!

Photos by Eliana Fernandez

Review by Rodrigo Cardozo

Produced by California Sun Producciones and Hellnoise Booking

Press HP Prensa