G. Love & Special Sauce spill 30 years of ‘Lemonade’ all over San Diego

G. Love brought the Special Sauce to San Diego’s premiere big-little venue Belly Up on Friday, February 26th — a venue tucked away in the upscale coastal neighborhood of Solana Beach. Starting off the night right was Karlos Paez of the B-Side Players, stating “the root of all pop music is African. As the band’s lead vocalist, trumpet player, and founder, Paez has been laying down the funk since 1994. Addressing the packed Belly Up crowd, Paez continued:

“Our sound acknowledges that.. That’s why the music is so soulful…”

“We’re playing the ancient beats that came from Africa to create reggae, son, Afro-beat, and funk, and mixing ‘em all together.” And let me tell you, they did just that. The night felt like a simmering musical gumbo, drawing rich influences from Latin America and the Caribbean. Hints of cumbia, reggae, reggaeton, salsa, Afro-beat, funk, rock, and jazz all swirled together — topped with a bold dash of political fire. Karlos Paez‘s track “Nuestras Demandas” came through with fierce Spanish lyrics that carried the spirit of rasta culture, La Raza pride, and Zapatista resistance to the forefront, sparking a feeling of collective empowerment in the room. The band also reimagined beloved classics like the “Hotel California” by The Eagles and Bob Marley‘s “Could You Be Loved”. Needless to say, we were pumped and ready for more after a hearty “adios!” from Paez and his band.

For those who might not know, G. Love & Special Sauce is currently celebrating the 20th anniversary of their album Lemonade, a record that’s now widely considered as the one that skyrocketed G. Love to a household name. To commemorate it all, the band kicked things off with the appropriately titled “Banger”. From there, G. Love and his saucy players worked through much of the Lemonade album, mixing in a handful of crowd favorites from other eras, as well, like “I-76″. Long-time fans who packed the house were loving the intimate setting, with G. Love interacting with attendees like long-time friends, even introducing the slinky, slow-burning track “Weekends Are for Making Love” from his newest record, Ode to R.L..

With a grin, G. Love dedicated it to all the parents in the room, which earned plenty of laughs from the crowd.

G. Love also loved the small venue vibe, expressing gratitude to his fans by saying that without people coming out to support live music, bands like theirs simply wouldn’t exist. He thanked the crowd repeatedly and even mentioned he’d be hanging around after the show. The energy stayed easygoing all night, as the audience swayed along to favorites like “Holla!” and, of course, “Cold Beverage”. They wrapped things up with the lighthearted, feel-good tune “Rainbow”, sending everyone out the door grinning ear-to-ear.

There’s something incredibly easy about enjoying a G. Love & Special Sauce show. It’s the kind of experience that feels both familiar and refreshingly timeless. G. Love’s blend of hip hop swagger, bluesy guitar work, and soulful grooves remains as infectious as ever, proving that sometimes all you really need is a tight band, a stack of great songs, and a crowd ready to soak it all in. You DON’T want to miss your opportunity for the best night of audible therapy ever if G. Love comes to a town near you on their anniversary run of Lemonade!

Photography by Franny Zehler

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