By JOHN DALY
Álex Lora and El Tri will headline the first of two concert nights this weekend at the Long Beach Grand Prix.
Lora and El Tri perform Friday and on Saturday night, Cold War Kids and opener Moon Tower take the stage of the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center Terrace Plaza. The Terrace Plaza is in front of the Long Beach Performing Arts Center.
Lora celebrates 50 years at the forefront of Mexican Rock ‘n Roll and will perform as headliner of the “Fiesta Friday” Concert.
The most well-known figure on the Mexican Rock scene, Lora has identified with several generations of fans over his career. He continues to write songs and he has produced 50 albums, live and in-studio. Lora has shared the stage with the likes of Chuck Berry, Johnny Winter, The Ramones, The Cult, Sammy Hagar and The Rolling Stones.
El Tri has 10 certified Gold and five Platinum albums with hit songs including “Las Piedras Rodantes,” “Triste Canción,” “Niño Sin Amor,” “Chavo de Onda” and “Qué Viva El Rocanrol.”
In addition to Lora on lead vocals, the band’s lineup includes Chela Lora on vocals, Eduardo Chico on guitars, Oscar Zarate on guitars, Rafael Salgado on harmonica, Lalo Toral on keybords, Alejandro Álvarez fiddle and Felipe Chacon drums.
El Tri’s last performance was at the Long Beach Grand Prix was in 2009.
On Saturday, Cold War Kids will take the stage with opening act Moontower, a local indie-electronic band, at 6 p.m.
Cold War Kids rose to prominence quickly and in 2006 released their first full-length record, Robbers & Cowards. Since then, the band has released five additional albums including Hold My Home, which featured the chart-topping hit “First” in 2015. Other hit songs include “Miracle Mile,” “Love Is Mystical” and “So Tied Up.”
The band’s current lineup includes Nathan Willett on lead vocals and guitar, Matt Maust on bass guitar, Joe Plummer on drums, David Quon on guitar, and backing vocals and Matthew Schwartz on keyboards and backing vocals.
The concerts are free to each day’s race ticket holders. Space at the outdoor stage is limited and will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis. For more information go to the Long Beach Grand Prix website.