Here they are, nine necessary know-abouts for the week ahead. It’s the Auld Lang Syne B9:
➤ There’s nothing particularly New Year’s Eve-related about Los Lobos, the East Los Angeles rock band that has become emblematic of Chicano music and culture in the U.S. But I can’t think of a more joyful way to slough off the old year and welcome the new one than to see Los Lobos as they perform live at the Rio Theatre on New Year’s Eve. Los Lobos has spent close to 40 years now firmly in the national spotlight with their muscular and resonant music that includes rock, blues, Tex-Mex, country and Mexican folk forms like ranchero, cumbia and norteño. But these guys — David Hidalgo, Louis Perez, Steve Berlin, Conrad Lozano and Cesar Rosas — have a history with Santa Cruz County as well. The band’s long record of periodically visiting the area began way back in an epic show in 1989, shortly after the Loma Prieta earthquake. The band had just recently hit stardom, thanks in large part to their cover of the Ritchie Valens hit “La Bamba.” And they came to play at a makeshift stage at Watsonville High School in a show put together by the legendary Bill Graham, all to help a city with a sizable Latino population pull itself out of disaster. Many locals have never forgotten Los Lobos for that act of altruism. Longevity, integrity, artistry, these guys have it all.
➤ There’s probably nowhere that country singer-songwriter Jesse Daniel would rather be to welcome in a new year than in Santa Cruz County. Daniel is a proud native of the San Lorenzo Valley, so much so that his latest recording is called “Son of the San Lorenzo.” He’s made his background in the Santa Cruz Mountains his muse and his inspiration. He comes to The Catalyst on New Year’s Eve to see in 2026 in his hometown.
➤ Bay Area blues fans don’t need to be sold on Tommy Castro. The San Jose-born guitarist has been a pillar of the blues scene throughout Northern California going back to the 1990s. Castro has played Santa Cruz so many times he should probably get honorary resident status. He and his band the Painkillers bring their soulful sound to Felton Music Hall to color New Year’s Eve a shade of blue.
➤ The Flynn Creek Circus is right in the middle of its holiday run of shows at the Capitola Mall, most days through the end of the year. But it’s reserving New Year’s Eve for its risqué, punk-rock adults-only show that adds a bit of sizzle to the spectacle. The show this year is titled “The Bridge,” and features a troll, a goat, a wolf and other surprises.
➤ Reggae, dancehall, Afrobeat, it’s all there at the big New Year’s Eve bash at the Hotel Paradox on Ocean Street in Santa Cruz. It’ll be loud when the clock strikes midnight, and the best part? No cover.
➤ James Durbin and his band The Lost Boys are going all 1980s on us for New Year’s Eve. The event at The Inn at Pasatiempo is being billed “A Miami Vice Neon Night.” I’m guessing sunglasses at night and white sports coats for the guys, big hair and pastel frills for the gals.
➤ The Alex Lucero Band is a well-known group of entertainers in town, and my guess is that they’ll really be bringing it on New Year’s Eve with their mix of Motown, classic rock and more. It’s all about dancing at Chaminade.
➤ Moe’s Alley usually plays it pretty casual, but on New Year’s Eve, Moe’s is encouraging people to come dressed to impress. The music goes on all night long with Jive Machine, Florature and Coffee Zombie Collective in a local band bash.
➤ And, finally, perhaps the best New Year’s Eve tradition on Santa Cruz stages isn’t on New Year’s Eve. Just as they’ve done for several years now, the White Album Ensemble, the legendary Santa Cruz-based Beatles tribute band, plays two shows leading up to New Year’s Eve, on Monday and Tuesday, at the Rio Theatre. If you haven’t yet experienced WAE, and you love the Beatles, forget Dec. 31. These are the dates you should focus on.
