VetsAid
Various artists
North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre
By DAN MACINTOSH, Photos by PHILIP MACIAS
CHULA VISTA, Calif. – It’s difficult to imagine a better way to honor veterans and Veterans Day than with Joe Walsh and his friends at VetsAid 2023. Yes, the artist mix, which gathered classic rock and alternative acts, looked a little like a group of unusual bedfellows on paper. However, every artist performed admirably, and presented an entertaining way to raise money and awareness of and for our brave veterans.
While every act was worth braving an especially chilly Southern California night, The Flaming Lips put on the best set. Watching Wayne Coyne and his merry men live is a little bit like attending a child’s psychedelic birthday party. The group threw out confetti-filled beach balls that rained down tiny paper pieces when broken, and Coyne was flanked by massive pink robot balloons — that were especially appropriate when the group performed “Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots” (part one and two). A Flaming Lips show is as much a kooky party as it is a concert, and by performing an eight-song set of familiar tunes, it made especially wise use of its brief stage time. All beef, no fat.
Jeff Lynne’s ELO was likely the most anticipated entry on the bill. The guy sitting behind me, for instance, flew with his son from Pennsylvania just to take in this rare live performance. Opening with “Evil Woman,” and closing with a cover of Chuck Berry’s “Roll Over Beethoven,” Lynne gave these in-town and out-of-towners exactly what they came to see.
Backed by a large ensemble that included a string section and backing vocalists, Lynne dressed appropriately in a big, puffy jacket to ward off the cold. Although he was in good voice, one of his backing singers took the lead vocal often — a little too often, though, for fans of the original recordings. Nevertheless, an opportunity to experience “Mr. Blue Sky” live is/was just too good of an offer to pass up.
Walsh closed out the night with a few of his classic rock hits,including opener “In the City” and its setlist follow up, “Life’s Been Good.” Walsh was joined by special guest Stephen Stills, who performed “For What It’s Worth,” the Buffalo Springfield hit. Walsh, who gave a press conference before the concert, appears to be an unlikely charity concert host. However, just give him an electric guitar, and this man creates true musical magic.
The female duo, Lucius, kicked this off this multi-act bill with a set that showcased the pair’s wonderful vocal harmonies, and The War On Drugs followed them with a strong set of Neil Young-esque guitar rock.
None of these participants said much about veterans during their sets. Then again, what more can we all say, but thank you? Instead, they all used their gifts for this great cause.
A little shivering on a cold November night was a small price to pay, especially compared with all our wonderful veterans did for us. Joe Walsh is doing a great thing putting on these concerts, and a night of equally fantastic music was a little bit like frosting on the cake.
