Blues on the Green is an Austin summer staple. Local radio station KGSR presents multiple artists on various Wednesday nights for free throughout the summer at Zilker Park. It’s one of the many musical summer events Austinites have to look forward to. On a beautiful, warm evening, there is no place better to discover or enjoy live music than on Zilker’s lush green grass. On Wednesday, July 7, Austin’s own Alejandro Escovedo took the stage in front of thousands of attendees for what was one of his most memorable sets to date.
In vintage Escovedo form, the rock icon came out swinging with songs from various albums in his popular catalog, including songs like “Chelsea Hotel ‘78” from his most successful release, 2008’s Real Animal. In what is normally a three minute song or so, the live version takes an extra couple of minutes or so to rock the crowd with some extra riffage. Those enthusiastic Escovedo fans up front towards the stage seemed to enjoy singing along to the classic “Castanets” the most.
It’s too bad so many in attendance weren’t paying attention to one of his best sets to date. It’s hard for a rock ‘n’ roll purist to see soccer balls being kicked around, hippy girls hula-hooping and dogs more interested in the rock history being made right in front of them than their owners.
Thankfully, most of those people who there just to be there didn’t discourage Escovedo from coming out for an encore that included the classic-rock sounding “Real As An Animal” and the David Bowie-written classic by Matt The Hoople, “All The Young Dudes.” Only a small select few can touch that song and do it justice, and Escovedo nails it every time. To hear it live in such a beautiful setting was a real treat for all, as it was one of the few rare moments the hula hoopers noticed there was concert going on behind them.
Photos by Carlos San Miguel
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{becssg_c}0|av-100707-zil-escovedo01.jpg|Alejandro Escovedo at Zilker Park| Photo by Carlos San Miguel {/becssg_c}
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{becssg_c}0|av-100707-zil-escovedo03.jpg|Alejandro Escovedo at Zilker Park| Photo by Carlos San Miguel {/becssg_c}
{becssg_c}0|av-100707-zil-escovedo04.jpg|Alejandro Escovedo at Zilker Park| Photo by Carlos San Miguel {/becssg_c}
{becssg_c}0|av-100707-zil-escovedo05.jpg|Alejandro Escovedo at Zilker Park| Photo by Carlos San Miguel {/becssg_c}
{becssg_c}0|av-100707-zil-escovedo06.jpg|Alejandro Escovedo at Zilker Park| Photo by Carlos San Miguel {/becssg_c}
{becssg_c}0|av-100707-zil-escovedo07.jpg|Alejandro Escovedo at Zilker Park| Photo by Carlos San Miguel {/becssg_c}
{becssg_c}0|av-100707-zil-escovedo08.jpg|Alejandro Escovedo at Zilker Park| Photo by Carlos San Miguel {/becssg_c}
{becssg_c}0|av-100707-zil-escovedo09.jpg|Alejandro Escovedo at Zilker Park| Photo by Carlos San Miguel {/becssg_c}
{becssg_c}0|av-100707-zil-escovedo10.jpg|Alejandro Escovedo at Zilker Park| Photo by Carlos San Miguel {/becssg_c}
{becssg_c}0|av-100707-zil-escovedo11.jpg|Alejandro Escovedo at Zilker Park| Photo by Carlos San Miguel {/becssg_c}
{becssg_c}0|av-100707-zil-escovedo12.jpg|Alejandro Escovedo at Zilker Park| Photo by Carlos San Miguel {/becssg_c}