Co-op Live, Manchester
Thursday, 19th June 2025
Like many people I feel that the word ‘Legend’ is used so much that it can, and often does, lose all meaning, so I try and avoid using it. After all there are plenty of acts that have the accolade thrust upon them, who are here today, shining brightly, but I’m equally sure will be gone tomorrow leaving just a disappointing star that stopped giving off light and is ignored by most people. However, in the case of Carlos Santana, I am more than happy to break my own rule and proudly give him that ‘Legendary’ label. Having been in bands since he was 12 years old, formed the Santana Blues Band in 1966 and having played at Woodstock he deserves accolades for not only talent, creativity but also his longevity.
With his first tour in seven years, along with my never seeing him in concert before, when I got the chance to see him live I didn’t hesitate. After all, at 81 he might not be touring for much longer and some bucket list bands have to be seen or the regret of missing them would be there forever. So, despite me not being a great fan of the overpriced (£15 for a single tot of Johnny Walker whisky and £6 for a small container of chips!) and crowded cattle market feel that is the Co-op Arena in Manchester, I went in eager anticipation of a mind blowing show and I was not disappointed.
Due to an ongoing heart condition and ill health that has seen him collapse on stage in America and cancel other gigs on his world tour, he was seated for most of the concert but, despite that, he was still an imposing figure in his black cowboy hat and black leather trousers. But his lack of wild movement on stage did not restrict, or detract from, his guitar playing. Like someone playing a melodic chainsaw he delivered his distinctive sound with a casual skill that made it look so easy and natural, but after 60 years if he made it look difficult there would have been something wrong. Throughout the show, from Toussaint L’Overture to Smooth, there was no let up to his playing and the rest of the band added to the energy that emanated from the stage like a sustained sun burst full of lights, colours and sound. It is not easy being so hot and yet so cool at the same time but the band managed it with aplomb.
With a career so long and full of great music I am sure that it would have been too much to expect all my favourites to have been included. Samba Pa Ti, Dance Sister Dance and Let the Children Play were conspicuous by their absence but there were many other hits, along with less familiar tunes, to ensure that the concert was more than just a nostalgia festival delivering a simple and lazy greatest hits show. After all anyone that fit classics such as Jingo, Black Magic Woman and Europa into their setlist is hardly likely to disappoint.
There were a couple of solo sections that I suspect were there to allow Carlos to have a break, off stage. The first was a bass solo which was enjoyable and demonstrated the skill and talent of Benny Rietvled, but it did seem to be a tad over indulgent and go on for a bit too long. I am sure that could have been replaced by others in the band playing more recognisable hits, even if Carlos was not on the stage. Then there was the drum solo from Cindy and I am sure that, being his wife this interlude was a certainty. But ignoring those distractions it was a night to remember with the audience standing up and dancing away to the infectious African/Latin rock rhythms, making it feel disrespectful and boring if anyone tried to sit down or not sway to the music as it seemingly entered bodies and took over souls. All this was enhanced by a percussion section that, on their own could have been a band in their own right; infectious rhythms that were hard to ignore.
On vocal duties, Andy Vargas and Ray Greene gave exceptionally powerful renditions of the songs with the relatively more modern songs, Maria Maria, The Game of Love and Smooth being the most striking but even the older songs were delivered with energy and a freshness that made them seem as if they had been recorded recently, rather than decades ago. Two sets that sped by and left me feeling like it had only been twenty minutes rather than almost two hours of music. I might never get the chance to see Santana again but I am certainly glad that I got the chance this time.
And, one last thing, I think I need to mention something that, thanks to the relative youth and good health of the TPA reviewers, it is not something that gets mentioned on a regular basis. However, in this instance, I think it is a case of credit where credit is due and worth a few words. I go to quite a few concerts with a disabled friend and most venues, but not all, go out of their way to accommodate wheelchairs or at least ensure that the disabled person can enjoy the concert without too much discomfort or difficulty. However, despite me not being a fan of the venue, the Co-op Arena and its staff could not have been more friendly, accommodating and helpful. As we waited to enter, by the disabled access door, in the sweltering summer heat, chairs were provided for those that needed to sit down, cans of water were freely distributed and they made my disabled friend feel like she was a queen about to be escorted to the Royal Box, taking time to have a laugh and joke, despite being busy getting ready for the opening of all doors.
As we were allowed in just before the rest of the crowd we were able use the lift, get to the correct level and be in place before the rest of the crowds turned it into an obstacle course, ensuring that I didn’t have to try and maneuver a cumbersome chair around people who were more interested in looking for their allocated seating block than looking where they were going. It could be said that the staff were just doing their job but I felt that they were going the extra mile to make my friend and all the other disabled there feel at home. It is venues and attitudes like that that should be recognised and if you have ever been wary of taking a disabled loved one to a concert maybe this will assure you that it doesn’t have to be a logistical nightmare and can be enjoyed by everyone.
SETLIST
Toussaint L’Overture
Europa (Earth’s Cry, Heaven’s Smile)
Batuka
No One to Depend On
She’s Not There
Everybody’s Everything/Benny’s Bass Solo
Game of Love
(Da le) Yaleo
Put Your Lights On
Corazón Espinado
– Intermission –
Soul Sacrifice/Cindy’s Drum Solo
Jingo
Incident at Neshabur
Black Magic Woman/Gypsy Queen
Oye Cómo Va
Maria Maria
Foo Foo
~ Encore:
Video Intro
Evil Ways
Smooth
MUSICIANS
Carlos Santana – Guitar, Vocals, Harmonica
Cindy Blackman Santana – Drums
Andy Vargas – Vocals
Benny Rietvled – Bass
David K Mathews – Keyboards
Karl Perazzo – Percussion
Paoli Mejias – Percussion
Ray Greene – Vocals, Trombone
Tommy Anthony – Guitar, Vocals
LINKS
Santana – Website | Facebook | YouTube | X | Instagram
