The Moody Blues break out the classics at Pechanga

SWRNN.com By Kerri S. Mabee Hard to believe, but the iconic, wonderfully symphonic Moody Blues are still rocking hard, despite nearly 50 years in the music industry.And after their energetic performance before a sold-out crowd on Friday night at Pechanga Resort & Casino, it’s easy to see why so many still love the Moodies and revere them as one of the all-time great classic rock bands. See more pics here Featuring three of group’s earliest members – Justin Hayward, Graeme Edge and John Lodge – the band proved they still had it with strong, pitch-perfect vocals, a fierce rumbling bass and a beat that never quit. A standing ovation greeted the artists from the outset and then sprang up after nearly every tune from many in the front rows of the Showroom Theater. From there, there was building crescendo of excitement as each song brought some new favorite tune. Just a few songs into the concert, the audience was working itself into a fist-pumping, shoulder-swaying state with “Steppin in a Slide Zone” belted out by Lodge. Shortly after, performing the beloved “Tuesday Afternoon” against a backdrop of vintage photographs, there was clapping and swaying. Then, the audience erupted into dance with “I Know You’re Out There Somewhere,” that continued intermittently throughout the theater and the rest of the show. It had to have been something of a rush for the group to look out on so many faces, singing, dancing, given over to the music. That was most apparent when 70-year-old Edge descended from his drummer’s perch to tap the energy and jubilantly rock the house with “Higher and Higher.” In the two-hour plus set, fans were treated to all of the group’s biggest hits from a broad range of albums, performed with familiarity so that the crowd could sing along. And sing they did. Especially with such fan favorites as “Your Wildest Dreams” and the much-anticipated, much-loved “Nights in White Satin.” Many fans stayed on their feet, cheering for more at the concert’s end. The Moodies obliged – twice. The Moody Blues are set to perform a second sold-out concert at 8 p.m. on Saturday at Pechanga Resort & Casino.