Annual New Year’s Eve in Long Beach a Wild Party
By DONNA BALANCIA
Lucky concert-goers rang in the New Year in Downtown Long Beach with St. Paul and the Broken Bones putting on a wild performance and adding a final exclamation point to a turbulent 2016. ( st paul broken bones )
St. Paul and the Broken Bones bring rock and roll to a new level. On this New Year’s Eve, frontman Paul Janeway sported a shiny gold leopard suit, and boogied, howled and even rolled around on the stage floor to the delight of thousands of onlookers. This is gonna be one heck of a 2017!
St. Paul and the Broken Bones Rip it Up
Hordes of fans of the band pushed front and center to see the antics of the flamboyant and passionate singer. St. Paul and the Broken Bones have been around for a few short years but have made a lasting impression with their new album Sea Of Noise. The band played most of the songs from the September release and performed “Moonage Daydream” in tribute to David Bowie, who passed away last January 10.
The song was a reminder of how many notable musicians died during 2016, but this night was an effort to put the past behind and think of a positive new year.
Party People and DJs
“We’re really looking forward to 2017,” said concert-goer Angela LaMarca. “We want great things this year and tonight we’re starting the New Year right right here in Long Beach.”
The bands making the night special were the electronic-style group Big Data, Salsa beat Boogaloo Assassins, rock and rollers Delta Bombers, the popular Citizen Cope and DJs Cut/Copy, DJ Taharba, DJ Sizwe and DJ Paul V.
DT Long Beach a Perennial New Year’s Favorite
Downtown Long Beach is a perennial favorite New Year’s Eve destination for those in Southern California and beyond. Denise and Rick came from Laguna Nigel, but took a hotel room to play it safe.
“We got lucky, but we were committed; we were going to come out regardless of the weather,” said Denise.
Clear Skies and Cool Weather
The rainy weather was a threat, but miraculously, Saturday’s downpours gave way to clear skies by the time the impressive lineup of bands took their respective stages.
Big Data, the New York band, made its statement and on its set list was the hit, “Dangerous.” A few fans said they were following the band around for the last two years. Wives of the band members enjoyed their time away from the Big Apple for New Year’s, as temperatures have been brutal back East.
Listen to Big Data on Soundcloud
Boogaloo Assassins Keep the Salsa Rythm
Boogaloo Assassins got the crowd hopping with the band inviting the non-dancers to the front to keep warm. Their lineup is dynamic and the big band style is appealing to the salsa and non-salsa lovers alike.
Citizen Cope, known for his hit “Sideways,” impressed with his dynamic bluesy style and a streetwise voice that is unique in its gravelly style. Cope, whose real name is Clarence Greenwood is no stranger to the world of music, having written for Santana, Dido and others. More to come.
The Delta Bombers opened the night on the main stage with a rockabilly-punk rock style that brought drew the crowds. The Delta Bombers are Christ Moinichen on vocals, Andrew Himmler on guitar, Gregorio Garcia on bass and Kirk Highberger on drums. This is a riveting band that knows how to open a party. Check out their video for “Lock The Door.”
No Glitches with Big Data
Big Data was a crowd favorite, infusing their act with pre-recorded robotic-like instructions and commands that made social commentary in between songs. Lizy Ryan and Alan Wilkis are the heart and soul of this “paranoid” electronic-style band who have enjoyed some success in the two years they’ve been together. Seems they’re not fond of the direction some of the information gathering companies are going — they’re pretty brash and in your face about it.
New Year’s Eve in Long Beach has been going many years, but what makes it special is pretty simple: Cool people, great restaurants and super food and bev vendors. While there were some complaints about traffic, most everything flowed smoothly with event veterans at the helm, including Knitting Factory and Swinghouse Studios. Check it out next year.
( st paul broken bones #stpaulandthebrokenbones st paul broken bones big data citizen cope)
