Nick Lowe

On Friday night, Valencia’s Sala Moon turned into a time machine. Nick Lowe, the venerable British master of pub rock and power-pop, took the stage backed by his inseparable partners, Los Straitjackets—the most charmingly raucous instrumental band you could hope for, all surf-guitar swagger, tight rhythms, and lucha-libre masks adding a splash of theater.

From the first chords of “So It Goes,” Lowe set the tone: a slightly more restrained reading than in years past, but dripping with elegance. His voice still carries that mix of vulnerability and conviction that has defined his long, admirable career, and the crowd welcomed him with instant warmth. By the second song, “Went to a Party,” the perfect interplay between his melodic storytelling and the rock-solid pulse of the Straitjackets was already obvious.

The setlist dipped deep into his classic catalog—Rockpile staples like “Heart” and “I Knew the Bride (When She Used to Rock ’n’ Roll)”—interspersed with more recent, contemplative gems from his 2024 album Indoor Safari. Songs such as “Lately I’ve Let Things Slide” and “Love Starvation” proved that Lowe continues to reinvent himself without ever drifting too far from the qualities that made him essential in the first place.

Los Straitjackets enjoyed a spotlight moment of their own mid-concert, taking the stage without Lowe for a blistering instrumental double feature: a Ventures-style “Driving Guitars,” followed by a crowd-rousing take on Shocking Blue’s “Venus” that had the room on its feet. It was a burst of pure musicianship that reminded everyone why their sound is so instantly recognizable and joyously addictive.

When Lowe returned, the mood shifted toward the intimate and emotional. “Trombone,” “House for Sale,” and “Raging Eyes” showcased his gift for blending country, pop, and soul with disarming simplicity. Then came the hits: “Blue on Blue,” the ever-brilliant “Cruel to Be Kind,” and of course “(What’s So Funny ’Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding,” which delivered the emotional high point of the night.

The finale didn’t disappoint: “Heat of the City” and Rockpile’s beloved “When I Write the Book” wrapped the main set with a mix of nostalgia and celebration. For the encore, the Straitjackets stormed back for “Bird Dance Beat,” with Chris “Sprague” taking the lead—an exuberant, almost carnivalesque closer that sent everyone home grinning.

What’s most striking is that at 76, Nick Lowe still radiates a grace and energy most performers half his age would envy. No relic-of-rock theatrics, no indulgent grandstanding—just a man, his guitar, his voice, and the songs that continue to matter.

This was a beautifully balanced show: a celebration of a legacy, a nod to fresh material, and above all a demonstration that experience only sharpens the emotional force of great songwriting. At Sala Moon, Lowe and Los Straitjackets didn’t just play—they guided the audience on a compact but unforgettable journey through decades of pop-rock craftsmanship.

Words and photos: Rhyan Paul