I saw the Derek Trucks Band and Santana with my sister, brother-in-law, and two friends at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, MD, last night. The show was awesome. We had been wanting to see Derek Trucks, who is the nephew of Butch Trucks, drummer for the Allman Brothers Band. Last year they didn’t tour in the States at all that we could find…just Europe. Ed, my brother-in-law found that they were playing at Merriweather and snapped up some tickets. Santana was certainly an added bonus.
April is certainly the earliest I have gone to a pavilion concert. It was good that we had pavilion seats because there was a light rain/mist going on all day. I think that we are having a cool and damp spring. Yesterday was no exception. The temperature never got over 50 degrees and there was a light breeze. We really had to bundle up to stay warm but it was well worth it.
Derek Trucks opened up starting right on time at 7:00 PM. They managed to get in seven songs in 50 minutes or so. You can see the playlist here. I sensed the end was near so I jammed off for a much needed bathroom break. The set did end while I was making my bladder gladder. I came out and there were 100 guys standing line. Merriweather’s restroom facilities suck and always have!
Santana, who has been around for years, but I have never seen, was unreal. I am not sure what those around me thought but, to me, as good as Derek Trucks was, he just seemed to be dwarfed by Santana’s performance. Santana hit his mark at Woodstock while Derek picked up the guitar at 9 and was playing with the Allmans at 11. He started the Derek Trucks Band in 1994. I think that Santana just has a bit more experience…
Derek sat in on a few Santana tunes and certainly held his own though. It was all very impressive. Look here in the not too distant future to check out Santana’s set list. Overall, another great show which was a great way to start off the concert season. BTW, if you are going to Merriweather, I recommend parking in the Columbia Mall parking lot. It is only short walk across Little Patuxent River Parkway to Merriweather and it is a lot easier to get out of after the show.