Pop : From Blues-Based Riffs to Norten~o, Los Lobos Deliver an Intense Set

Whenever Los Lobos make their annual foray to the Greek Theatre, the evening takes on the warm, communal feel of a homecoming--and Saturday’s performance was no exception as the groundbreaking Los Angeles band turned in a typically freewheeling set that alternated between high-voltage jams and spirited norteno sing-alongs.

On last year’s “Colossal Head” album, Los Lobos crafted a darkly atmospheric party vibe that melded the band’s trademark roots rock with venturesome avant-pop. On Saturday, however, the group played it close to the vest, favoring intensity over finesse.

Where material on “Colossal Head” is heard through a scrim of analog production, Los Lobos gave key songs a more focused attack and even indulged in some appealing, if meandering, guitar interplay. The evening was top-heavy with roadhouse grit, as guitarists Cesar Rosas and David Hidalgo tore through blues-based shuffles such as “Don’t Worry, Baby” with giddy abandon.

But it was norteno that the crowd came to hear, and Los Lobos delivered in abundance. The band locked into a gently galloping groove on the acoustic numbers, then cranked the intensity level a notch on traditional two-steppers such as “Anselma” and “Corrida #1,” peppering their vocals with shout-outs to East L.A. The crowd responded in kind, singing along with the band and waltzing in the aisles.