Social Distortion, Lucero, Nikki Lane, Drag the River - August 19, 2015 - Festival Pier, Philadelphia, PA

A breezy yet humid evening on the Delaware River waterfront was accompanied by a four band bill, the most acts I've seen at one show, that consisted of Drag the River, Nikki Lane, Lucero, and Social Distortion. Benjamin Booker was supposed to be on the list of performers but unfortunately had to cancel due to scheduling conflicts. It was disappointed as Booker is one of the best young guitarists whose debut album was ranked at #37 on Rolling Stone's 50 Best Albums of 2014.

As we walked in, Drag the River's set had already begun and the sounds of "Wichita Skyline" filled the venue. Drag the River, from Fort Collins, CO, put together an impressive set with mostly laid back songs along with a hand full of songs off their 2013 self-titled album. Although they didn't play what I consider to be their best songs, "The Death of the Life of the Party" and "Ghosts of High School," they did play an electric "Here's to the Losers" and energy filled, fast paced "History With History." As we watched Drag the River, Lucero frontman Ben Nichols decided to mingle with the crowd and we were able to snap a quick picture with him (seen above).  A very good, talented band that I hope to see play again with a new album under their belt.

Country rebel singer/songwriter Nikki Lane was up next and had a tough act to follow. Although a good musician, her lack of energy and stern personality made it hard for the crowd to get into the performance. Despite this, she performed some great songs and saved the best for last as she played the powerful "Right Time" and the Buddy Miller cover "Gasoline and Matches."

As eight o'clock rolled around and the sun began to set, Lucero hit the stage to the delight of the crowd, some of whom only there to see them play. They were very impressive as their swagger stole the stage and the horn section provided a spark that couldn't be matched. Showing their appreciation to the large following that was represented, they played fan favorites "Nights Like These," "Texas & Tennessee" and "Chain Link Fence." Also, promoting their new album, All A Man Should Do, which is to be released on September 18th, Lucero broke out "They Call Her Killer" and "Can't You Hear Them Howl," playing them live for the first time. Their short but sweet set closed with the slow, beautiful, and powerful "Drink 'Till We're Gone." Lucero definitely left the crowd wanting more as a portion of the the crowd chanted "Lu-cer-o, Lu-cer-o" as they left the stage, hoping for an encore.

Before Social Distortion came to the stage, The Rolling Stones' "Gimme Shelter" blasted through the speakers with colorful lights flashing across the stage as a huge back drop fell behind the drum set displaying the album cover that was the main vocal point of the night. Social Distortion was celebrating the 25th anniversary of their self-titled album. Because of this, they started out their set by playing the breakthrough 1990 album straight through in its entirety except for one of the best covers of all time, "Ring of Fire," in which they saved for the encore and the final song. In addition to Cash's "Ring of Fire," Social D played a number of other covers including a tremendous, delicate version of The Rolling Stones' "Wild Horses," Hank Williams "Alone and Forsaken," which appeared on the 2011 album Hard Times and Nursery Rhymes, and another unexpected Cash cover of "Folsom Prison Blues."Besides them playing the full album my favorite songs had to have been "Far Behind" leading into the encore and "Don't Drag Me Down" to kick off the encore. It was a world of a difference to see Mike Ness and company as the headliners rather than the opening act like I did when they opened for the Foo Fighters back in 2011. However, unlike the 2011 show, they didn't play "Bad Luck," "Prison Bound," or some of my favorites "Machine Gun Blues" and "Reach for the Sky." I was also a little disappointed that they didn't play "Mommy's Little Monster" at either show. I guess I will have to see them again to hopefully get that chance to see it live.

It was a great show all around and it could have been even better with Benjamin Booker playing. I expect big things from Drag the River in the future and hope I can see Lucero as a headliner at a later date. Ness is an amazing musician and entertainer who captivates the crowd while being respected by the crowd and his peers. He is truly a nice guy and it showed near the end of the show when he brought two young punks onto the stage and gave them a pep talk about school and learning. He told them that although school is important and that you can learn a lot there, they won't learn as much as they did at the Social Distortion concert on August 19, 2015.

Although the concert was over, the craziest part of the night was still yet to come. As we left the venue and went to retrieve our car that was parked on the street, we found no car and news that our car, along with others, was towed to an unknown location due to road construction and re-pavement of the road. After asking the event staff inside the venue and the construction workers on the street of the whereabouts of our car, we found out that it was relocated about two blocks away. 45 minutes after the show ended, we won the game of hide and seek and were finally back in the car ready to leave the Pier.

Setlist:

Drag the River:
1.  Wichita Skyline
2.  Here's to the Losers
3.  History With History
(Other songs were played)

Nikki Lane:
1.  700,000 Rednecks
2.  Right Time
3.  Gasoline and Matches (Buddy Miller cover)
(Other songs were played)

Lucero:
1.  Women & Work
2.  Downtown
3.  On My Way Downtown
4.  Nights Like These
5.  Chain Link Fence
6.  They Call Her Killer
7.  Texas & Tennessee
8.  It Gets Worst at Night
9.  Tonight Ain't Gonna Be Good
10. Can't You Hear Them Howl
11. Drink 'Till We're Gone

Social Distortion:
1.  So Far Away
2.  Let It Be Me
3.  Story of My Life
4.  Sick Boys
5.  Ball and Chain
6.  It Coulda Been Me
7.  She's a Knockout
8.  A Place in My Heart
9.  Drug Train
10. Cold Feelings
11. Wild Horses (The Rolling Stones cover)
12. Alone and Forsaken (Hank Williams cover)
13. This Time Darlin'
14. Far Behind

Encore:
15. Don't Drag Me Down
16. Folsom Prison Blues (Johnny Cash cover)
17. Ring of Fire (Johnny Cash cover)