Thu 7/18
The Rock Hall’s summer programming includes a series of ticketed concerts by some intriguing touring bands. But as usual, it also showcases local bands for free on its big plaza stage. It presented a powerful double bill headlined by LoConti, a young seven-piece ensemble rooted in classic rock sounds given a contemporary sheen, featuring two strong lead vocalists, and two equally strong guitar players, along with sax and keyboards, creating a full, forceful sound. While the band is relatively new, it’s not unknown: in the past year and a half, it’s been one of the most rapidly rising bands on the local music scene. And no, the familiar name LoConti —the late Henry LoConti founded the Cleveland Agora in 1966 — isn’t an accident. The lead guitarist/vocalist, Henry LoConti III, is his grandson.
Opening the show was a band we were unfamiliar with called Slag Genie, but the quarter turned in a terrific performance of aggressive but intensely melodic rock with strong prog rock influences.
We can’t help but wondering what the woman in the audience in the ‘Let’s Go Brandon” T-shirt will do with that shirt now.
View the PHOTOSTREAM here.
1100 Rock and Roll Blvd, Cleveland, OH 44114