Santana performs at Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre in Tinley Park on June 29, 2024.
At first glance, Counting Crows and Santana may not seem like the most obvious bands to become tour-mates, but when you look at their musical resumes it becomes clear that they compliment each other nicely in showcasing the vast range of popular rock music. Joining forces for the Oneness Tour, the Grammy-winning artists each delivered a crowd-pleasing setlist with hits from their illustrious careers during a highly-anticipated performance at the Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre in Tinley Park on June 29.
Counting Crows –Adam Duritz (vocals), David Bryson (guitar), Charlie Gillingham (keys), Dan Vickrey (guitar), David Immerglück (guitar), Jim Bogios (drums), and Millard Powers (bass) – kicked things off with an opening set that covered everything from 1993’s August and Everything After to their more recent material. Duritz’s tuneful melodies and earnest lyrics on songs like “Mr. Jones,” “Rain King,” and “A Long December” proved to create an ideal sonic experience to take in on a beautiful summer night at the Chicago area open air venue.
Counting Crows perform at Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre in Tinley Park on June 29, 2024.
Even die-hard Santana fans, who may not have realized just how many hits the Counting Crows have penned over the years, swayed and sang with the timeless music. The band also threw in a couple of delightful covers including “Friend of the Devil” by the Grateful Dead and Taylor Swift’s “the 1.”
Led by the incomparable guitarist Carlos Santana, Santana – which currently includes Andy Vargas and Ray Greene on vocals and Cindy Blackman Santana on drums, among other talented musicians – took the stage in a percussive whirlwind. The signature blend of Afro-Latin-blues-rock fusion that the group and its legendary frontman have honed for 50 years quickly inspired fans from the seats to the lawn to stand-up and dance.
Carlos explained that while he has his own take on the genre, he intended to follow the advice given to him by Miles Davis, that when you’re in Chicago you play the blues. Classic hits like “Evil Ways” and “Black Magic Woman” allowed room for rhythmic jams while the opening number, “Soul Sacrifice,” found the whole band – led by Carlos’ distinct guitar – cooking as each member’s unique flavor served to enhance the joyful song.
Santana performs at Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre in Tinley Park on June 29, 2024.
With the band’s 1999 album Supernatural – which is among the best-selling releases of all-time – celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, it was no surprise that it was highlighted throughout the night. “Maria Maria” and “Smooth” set the stage for two of the biggest sing-along moments of the group’s headlining set.
Through very different styles of rock music, Counting Crows and Santana have both harnessed the power of performance to bring people together for a joyful experience. The Oneness Tour serves as a reminder that pairing diverse sounds, and different audiences, leads to unique moments of fellowship.
Check out photos of Counting Crows and Santana performing live in Tinley Park below and click here to pick-up tickets to future tour dates. More information about upcoming shows at Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre can be found at LiveNation.com.
(Photos by Laurie Fanelli)
