Live Review & Photos: Crosby, Stills & Nash at Civic Theatre, October 1, 2014

Crosby Stills & Nash
Photos by Alex Matthews

Iconic folk rockers Crosby, Stills & Nash played a beautiful midweek set at San Diego’s Civic Theater on October 1.

CSN is of course the legendary supergroup featuring David Crosby, Stephen Stills, and Graham Nash. The trio were near the end of a US theater tour that stretched across the country and culminated on October 4 in Los Angeles. The band’s most recent release, the remastered 3CD+DVD live album CSNY 1974, was just issued earlier this summer.

The large crowd that gathered early outside the venue was a mix of classic rock fans young and old, all waiting to get a dose of the band’s famous three-part harmonies. As always, when you spot legendary basketball star Bill Walton in attendance you know it’s the sign of a great San Diego show. The downtown audience was treated to several long sets of classic hits and rarer cuts from the the various band members’ extensive catalogs.

Highlights of the San Diego show included classics like “Our House,” “Cathedral,” and an extended version of “Deja Vu” featuring inspired solos by every member of their killer backing band packed with studio and touring pros. The group also played a touching version of a song called “Back Home,” a tribute to The Band drummer Levon Helm which also included a nod to the classic “The Weight.”

Crosby, Stills & Nash sounded terrific, and while a handful of songs seemed a bit sluggish early in the evening, their harmonies were rich and vibrant throughout the set. Colorful stage lighting and the fantastic acoustics of the Civic Theater also contributed to a very enjoyable show. San Diego’s many classic rock enthusiasts savored the opportunity to spend an intimate musical evening with this time-honored band.

Photos: Crosby, Stills & Nash at the Civic Theatre

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