Casino Connection Nevada

Party People

by Staff

There are a number of bands on the “must see at least once” list: Bob Dylan, the Stones (if you can swing those ticket prices), Eric Clapton, B.B. King and Roger Waters come to mind immediately.

Often left off that list—largely because of being a somewhat obscure band—is Ozomatli.

The six- to 10-piece band from Los Angeles plays funk, rock, hip hop, salsa, dub, reggae and anything else they feel fit. Among those in the know, an Ozomatli concert is so much more than a musical performance and often times erupts into a drunken dance party that always ends too soon.

They’ve been legendary among college concert-goers for years, but have been enjoying a little more popularity recently thanks to increased media attention and several high profile performances, including the 2000 Democratic National Convention protest concert in L.A.

Band members have described their sound as what a person would hear driving down Sunset Boulevard with the car stereo off and the windows rolled down. Given that, the poolside venue at Hard Rock couldn’t be a better fit for the band’s May concert.

Ozomatli plays poolside at the Hard Rock Hotel May 30 at 9 p.m. Tickets are $20 and $200.