It took awhile, but the Levon Helm Band finally made it to California soil. Ever since the iconic drummer of the Band returned to performing after a nearly career-ending bout with throat cancer about a decade ago, he’s rarely played beyond the northeast. In fact, he’s rarely even left the grounds of his property in the Catskill Mountains of Woodstock, New York
On July 23rd the mighty middle-finger to-the-establishment collective known as Rage Against the Machine delivered a volcanic set at their first Los Angeles show in ten years, at the Hollywood Palladium. The show’s purpose was to raise funds for Arizona organizations fighting the state’s new immigration law SB-1070. The benefiting organizations include community organizing group Puente, Arizona, as well the Florence Project, providing legal counsel and social services to immigrant communities. By the end of the night, the show raised consciousness of the issue, upward of $300,000, and a few thousand clenched fists.
It was a beautiful way to end the weekend; The Steve Miller Band, Los Lobos, both on the same stage, at one of Los Angeles’ most beautiful venues. Both bands captivated their audiences with their own takes on pop and roots music.
