Santana @ Dos Equis Pavilion – Dallas, TX

May 11, 2023

Santana
Dos Equis Pavilion
Dallas, Texas
Photos and article by Artur Barkhman

The evening started off with anticipation of a thunderstorm. I was hoping to be under the amphitheater’s roof before the show and the rain started. Once by the stage, I looked around and saw that most of the audience have gathered up on the lawn. The seated sections were also slowly getting filled.

First on stage were Arc Angels, a super group from Austin that was formed in the early 1990s. The band consists of Chris Layton (drums), Doyle Bramhall II (vocals, guitar), Charlie Sexton (vocals, guitar) and Eric Holden (bass). All the members of the band have connections to Stevie Ray Vaughan. The set was kicked off with “Paradise Café”, followed by a funky “Good Time” and “Always Believed in You”. Next was a tribute to Stevie Ray Vaughan – “Sent by Angels”. The whole set was from the band’s debut album, except a Muddy Waters cover – “She’s All Right”. People were slowly filling up the venue, dancing and enjoying the music.

Arc Angels Setlist

Paradise Cafe

Good Time

Always Believed in You

Sent by Angels

Spanish Moon

Shape I’m In

She’s All Right (Muddy Waters cover)

Living in a Dream

Too Many Ways to Fall

Headlining the long-awaited show, was a multiple Grammy Awards winner and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer – Carlos Santana and his band of extraordinary musicians. The man that collaborated with and influenced countless musicians throughout his incredible career.

I was introduced to Santana’s music by my parents when I was 12 years old. Later in life, I found out that he lived in the same city as me. I was very lucky to meet Carlos Santana in 2005. My best friend owned a clothing store and Mr. Santana shopped there a few times. I showed up at her store one of the times he was there. He signed a CD sleeve for my mom and a few things for my friend’s aunts. I was speechless the whole time because I was standing next to a legend! You can’t tell that he’s a legendary rock star just by looking at him unless you know who he is. The man is very nice and down to earth.

The set was started earlier than originally planned because the storm was getting very close. The lights in the venue were dimmed and a video showing a few different native tribes was up on a huge screen, followed by footage from Woodstock. The band got on stage and opened the set with “Soul Sacrifice”. The whole amphitheater was packed and as soon as the band started playing, everyone in the crowd got up and cheered. The cheers got louder when Carlos Santana got on stage. “Soul Sacrifice” followed straight by “Jingo”, “Evil Ways”, “Black Magic Woman/Gypsy Queen” and then “Oye Como Va”, the crowd was up on their feet, dancing and feeling every note of every song. The vocal duties were divided between Andy Vargas (vocalist, multi-instrumentalist), Ray Greene (vocalist, multi-instrumentalist) and Benny Rietveld (bass). A very cool and crunchy bass solo by Benny Rietveld followed “Everybody’s Everything”. Then Carlos introduced Tracy Blackman-Schulze to the audience, a vocalist with an incredible, powerful voice, who is also his sister-in-law. The band kicked off a three-song medley – “Ain’t No Sunshine” (Bill Withers cover), “Venus” (Shocking Blue cover) and “The Game of Love”. The crowd loved it all! Next, Carlos introduced Orianthi, an amazing guitarist from Australia who has worked with a few world known artists. The band, together with Orianthi, kicked off a four-song set which included “Hope You’re Feeling Better”, “Put Your Lights On”, “Corazón espinado” and “Maria Maria”. During “Put Your Lights On”, the venue lit up with thousands of cell phone flashlights. That was an incredible sight which gave me goosebumps. Once the band kicked off “Corazón espinado” and followed it by “Maria Maria”, the crowd started dancing by the stage, in the isles, next to their seats and the lawn, not one person remained seated! At this moment I was missing my wife. As the set was winding down, the band played the last few songs including “Are You Ready” (The Chambers Brothers cover), at the end of which the crowd got a technical and exciting, extended surprise drum solo from Cindy Blackman Santana, who is an awesome drummer and Carlos’s wife. The set was finished off with everyone’s favorite “Smooth”. The screams and whistles from the crowd were deafening. The band thanked the crowd and left the stage for the night.

The energy at the amphitheater was incredible the whole night and seeing thousands of people enjoying the music was a sight to see. I am very thankful that I got a chance to cover this show, and at the same time, I am sad that I haven’t had a chance to see Santana live in all the past years.