ARROWFEST!!

The drive up to Lake Arrowhead is beautiful and serene. During the 7000 foot climb you look around and notice how green it is, how tall the trees are, how you are leaving the craziness of civilization behind and are entering the calm peacefulness of mountain life. You roll down the window, take a deep breath, think "this is a great place to unwind, relax". I would bet one of the last things you are thinking of when you pull into quaint Lake Arrowhead Village is "what a great place for a rock show". The quiet beauty of Lake Arrowhead does not lend itself to rowdy rock and roll. Yet, every year Lake Arrowhead hosts a summer music festival with bands from all genres of music. Saturday night it was Lights turn and they made the most of it! Shortly after they hit the stage, the serene quiet getaway spot of Lake Arrowhead Village was transformed into a rock and roll party! This wasn't your usual rock and roll party. No dingy club, no groupies, no wee morning encores. It was a lakeside rock and roll party out among the trees with beautiful (not freezing) weather and fresh (not smoggy) air.

Like any party, there was music at this one and it was rocking! When the band hit the stage and opened with the high-energy "Escape", it didn't take long for people to come out of the shops and restaurants to hear what was going on. Once they heard the music, they stayed all evening. That can be attributed in no small part to the ability of lead singer Juan Del Castillo to captivate an audience. The ability to entertain and hold the interest of an audience is the mark of a great front man and Juan has been blessed with that gift in a big way! His amazing voice and its remarkable similarity to Steve Perry's are what draw people in but that voice along with his charisma and easy-going charm make him stand head and shoulders above the rest.

Even the best can't go at it alone and Juan is assisted in keeping the melody by Jeff Vincent. When you are playing the music of a band as loved as Journey, comparisons are inevitable. To that end, Jeff has some big shoes to fill in those of Jonathon Cain. During his solo Saturday night, Jeff proved he is more than capable in filling those shoes. Believe it or not, Jeff's ability to play those lush keyboard melodies Journey is known for isn't his only talent. He also shares vocals with Juan on "Just The Same Way" and definitely holds his own. That song has become a crowd favorite!

Jeff and Juan aren't the only vocalists in the band. In fact, one of the things that make Lights so unique is that all members of the band sing. "I'll Be Alright Without You" is one of Journey's more jazzy songs and a song that, I imagine, is not easy to pull off. Lead by the always steady and grooving rhythm section of Casey McNerney and Michael Thompson, this song highlights the bands incredible ability to harmonize! This is a new song for Lights and one of the many bright spots in the show!

Most parties have dancing and this one was no exception. With seating at a minimum, the space in front of the stage was transformed into a dance floor. Couples young and older were dancing to the ballads such as "Open Arms" and "Faithfully". Even the kids got into the action, jumping up and down and playing inflatable guitars to the rockers "Anyway You Want It" and the eternally popular "Don't Stop Believin". By the end of the third, yes third, set, very few were in the seats and the "dance floor" was packed! The band was more than obliging to their new friends on the mountain, playing favorites "Wheel in the Sky" and "Don't Stop Believin" again. The crowd loved it the second time more than the first!

Music and good times weren't the only way Lights made their mark on Lake Arrowhead.
After the show was over, the band hung out and took pictures or signed things for anyone that asked. This made quite the impression on Gilbert Acosta, an employee of the Village. He mentioned to the Street Team that many bands play at the annual music festival but none of them have the humility and kindness that the guys in Lights have. He mentioned that he never saw a band hang out and be so nice to the public like that. I overheard similar comments a couple of other times, and not just from the giggly girls who got their pictures taken with Juan! J Talent is one thing but when it can be backed up with a respect and love for the crowd, new fans are made and the long time fans come back show after show.

My friends, Saturday wasn't just another night in tranquil Lake Arrowhead. It was a rock and roll party that included dancing and a whole lot of fun! The night was made complete with the music of a group of talented musicians who truly love to play and respect who they play for. That is a combination that is hard to find but we fans are lucky we have it in a band called Lights.