Old school it is...

Remember what I was saying about photo policies at concerts being more relaxed these days? Well, someone forgot to mention that to the peeps at Wild Horse Pass Casino in Chandler AZ. After asking several of the wrong people the photography policy, I was finally told NO CAMERAS WHATSOEVER. The ticket also throws in "no sound recording devices" for good measure. Los Lobos is a very fan friendly band. They're cool with pics, let people set up recording equipment (ala Grateful Dead, Black Crowes), and they even come out to sign autographs and take pictures after the show. So, I was more than a bit bummed having come out with 2 cameras to find out no pictures. If you get clearance ahead of time, you can get a pass (not sure the particulars or restrictions). I go to my seat and a few minutes later, this guy sits next to me with a camera, with a zoom lens no less! He had talked his way by the people at the front and had his camera and no special pass. He took pics for the first coupla few songs before security came over and told him to knock it off. Meanwhile, others were taking pics here and there with phone and hand held cameras. Security did talk to some of those people but not all. I still wasn't gonna push anything. I didn't buy a ticket to get hassled or thrown out over some pics. Music first! By the time they hit the encore though, I thought it was time to sneak some in. Not having time to properly set my camera settings, the pics were pretty underwhelming. Nothing was tightly focused and some were even blown out in the bright spots. This was the best I could salvage from the show and it leaves a bit to be desired (yes, I was sitting that close);

It's a shame, having the opportunity to take some great stage shots with only one row of people in front of me but, what the hell. The main point, as mentioned earlier, was the show, and it was GREAT! I've never walked away disappointed from a Los Lobos show and this night was no exception. They came out with a coupla semi acoustic numbers and then just rolled the rest of the evening. They were joined onstage for a few numbers by Marcos Reyes from War.

I did end up hanging out to talk to the band and get autographs after the show. It was here I got the best photo of the night:

Still groovin'...