The Moody Center in Austin was certainly the place to be on August 18, 2024, as Santana and Counting Crows brought their Oneness Tour to town, delivering a night filled with unforgettable performances, blending the sounds of Latin rock, blues, and alternative rock into a harmonious celebration of music.
The evening began with Counting Crows, who took the stage and immediately connected with the audience through their signature blend of introspective lyrics and dynamic instrumentation. Opening with “Mrs. Potter’s Lullaby,” the band set a nostalgic tone that resonated deeply with the crowd. Adam Duritz’s emotive voice guided the audience through a journey of hits, including the ever-popular “Mr. Jones” and the haunting “Colorblind,” which evoked an almost palpable sense of reflection among concert-goers.
A particularly standout moment was their cover of the Grateful Dead’s “Friend of the Devil,” where Duritz’s vocals shone brightly, backed by the band’s tight, rhythmic interplay. The energy peaked with “A Long December,” where the audience’s voices joined Duritz in a powerful sing-along that felt like a shared catharsis. In a bit of a surprise, Adam let his true “Swifty” emerge with a beautiful rendition of Taylor Swift’s “The 1,” with notable accordion fills on the chorus by bandmate Charlie Gillingham. They beautifully segued into their classic “A Long December.” The band closed their set with “Hangin’ Around” and “Holiday in Spain,” leaving the crowd satisfied and primed for the evenings second half.
By the time Santana hit the stage, the energy in the Moody Center had reached a fever pitch. Carlos Santana, at 76 years young, showcased why he remains one of the most revered guitarists in rock history. Opening with the classic “Soul Sacrifice,” Santana and his band took the audience on a whirlwind tour of his expansive catalog, seamlessly blending older hits with his newer material.
The setlist was a masterclass in musical diversity, featuring Latin-infused rock staples like “Oye Cómo Va” and “Black Magic Woman/Gypsy Queen,” as well as “poppier” favorites like “Maria Maria” and “Smooth.” Each song featured Santana’s signature fiery guitar work, complementing his band’s tight, rhythmic backing.
Between songs, Carlos praised Austin as being more inspirational to him than visiting the Vatican – “with all respect to the Pope…but he can’t play guitar!” He told a story of touring Europe with Wayne Shorter in 1988 and wrapping that up by coming to Austin. The plane experience a rough landing and he felt like he was going to die, stating “If we went through that, then I can do anything!” he was in Austin to play with Bonnie Raitt, the Neville Brothers, and Stevie Ray Vaughan. After that flight, he was feeling “courageous” and “not afraid to die.” So he looks at Stevie Ray and says “You and me! Let’s Go!” Stevie looked at him like “You must be out of your f’n mind!” to which Santana said “I am!” He then shared how Stevie Ray and his brother Jimmie took him to eat at their Mom’s house! It was mutual respect.
The encore brought the night to a triumphant close with Santana’s wife, Cindy Blackman Santana, taking center stage for a jaw-dropping drum solo, showcasing her exceptional talent and adding a thrilling dynamic to the performance. The 007 theme, smartly woven into the encore, was an unexpected bit of fun. The the night ended with the silky guitar sounds of “Smooth,” a song that had the entire arena dancing and singing along, reaffirming Santana’s status as a live music legend.
The Oneness Tour lived up to its name, as both Counting Crows and Santana delivered performances that felt like a collective celebration of music’s power to unite and inspire. Each act brought something unique to the stage, creating an evening as emotionally resonant as it was musically satisfying.
