LETTUCE - REVIEW & PICS

Review by James Laffin, Pictures by Lauren Armanie & Doug Potoksky

If you happened to hear that Lettuce was up next on the West stage, and you were expecting another amazing rock band like the past several acts, you were at least partially right. The group wasted no time opening with two back-to-back lengthy instrumental pieces that automatically induced an infectious bop n' sway into all who heard it. I found myself motionless for a good while, laying back on a grassy slope with eyes closed just taking it all in.
What I learned was that this band is tight. Really, really tight. Dual horn players effortlessly hitting funky solos in perfect synchronicity, a lead guitarist that truly knows how to speak through his instrument... The bass kept the rhythm rock solid absolutely without fail, accompanied by exquisite drum lines, and the keys added the perfect final touch of drones and feeling, rounding out the act to a well-oiled musical machine lacking nothing, in my humble opinion.

And as you can see from the pictures above - they also had some special guests sit in on their performance. First up, Derek Trucks made an appearance to jam with band soon followed by Susan Tedeschi, & Oteil Burbridge who busted out a supercharged version of Curtis Mayfield's "Movin' On Up". Nigel Hall also lent his mean set of pipes to the mix for a song or two.
With a late night set planned with these guys tonight, stop by for a smooth blend of funky, jazzy rock from Lettuce. I promise you won't be disappointed.