Photographer’s notebook: It was a blazing night of hot music at Cargo Aug. 3 to close out Reno’s Hot August Nights. The Stone Foxes opened the show with a super high-energy set of their unique rock, blues and roots music. Brothers Shannon and Spence Koehler formed the Stone Foxes in 2008 in San Francisco and their sound is very tight. Shannon started the set behind the drums as the band laid down some serious jams. He then jumped out front as lead singer, playing his harp and imploring the mostly seated crowd to get up and dance. Shannon even leaped off the stage to get the fans involved. Everyone responded and danced to the hot original tunes.
Headliner Jonny Lang showed that he is all grown up with a versatile performance that showcased his searing guitar solos and powerful vocals. The ladies in the crowd were yelling, “I love Jonny!” Lang just released his first artistic achievement through his own label SayRai Music, “Fight For My Soul,” which features textured arrangements, gorgeous vocal melodies and expressive guitar playing. Lang played with his own touring band: drummer Barry Alexander, bassist James Anton, rhythm guitarist Akil Thompson and keyboardist Dwan Hill. Hill had a bottle of “Funk Spray” that he used to cool down the band during the hot individual jams.
– Conrad Buedel
