If any band deserves to take to the stage to the sound of The Clash’s “Know Your Rights”, it’s The Long Ryders. Hailing from California (though none of its members were born there), the grandfathers of alternative rock and the fathers of New American Rock (yes, in capital letters), the band led by Sid Griffin are still going strong after releasing their third LP since the members reunited to tour again in 2014, following their definitive split in 1987.
Sid Griffin of The Long Ryders, Sala Upload Barcelona 2026 – Photo taken by Meritxell Rosell for Indieofilo©
Although it might not seem like it, the latest album, High Noon Hymns (Cherry Red, 2026), was the star of the show. Most veteran bands can’t claim that, as they can barely squeeze a couple of new tracks into their setlists of past hits when playing live. Following the classics “Final Wild” and “Seasons Change“, on which Stephen McCarthy showcased his elegant vocals and guitar skills (you can find him on The Jayhawks‘ tours and on some of The Dream Syndicate‘s recordings), no fewer than five new songs were seamlessly incorporated into the set. These represented an LP that flew off the merchandise stand after the concert. The romantic ” (How How How) How Do You Wanna Be Loved? ”, the lovely “World Without Fear”, “Stand a Little Further in the Fire”, the festive “Four Winters”, and “Down to the Well” that was pure Paisley Underground, with Griffin on the twelve-string Rickenbacker and McCarthy delivering the lyrics with feeling.
The Long Ryders, Sala Upload Barcelona 2026 – Photo taken by Meritxell Rosell for Indieofilo©
There was also time for the charismatic Griffin to silence the overly talkative audience while bassist Murry Hammond (also of the Texan band Old 97’s) performed the challenging “A Stitch in Time” and reaffirmed his legacy with a couple of his early hits: “Ivory Tower“, originally sung by Gene Clark — “they told us we were copying The Byrds, so we invited their singer to feature on our first album“, Griffin confesses with a laugh — and NRBQ‘s cover of “I Want You Bad“.
Sid Griffin of The Long Ryders, Sala Upload Barcelona 2026 – Photo taken by Meritxell Rosell for Indieofilo©
The spectacular encore, featuring a cover of Bob Dylan’s “Forever Young” (also included on their latest LP) – “one of the last great Americans”, according to Griffin –, was sung along to with great enthusiasm by everyone in the audience, who were undoubtedly closer to retirement than their teenage years. His most cherished anthem, the catchy and upbeat “Looking for Lewis & Clark“, left us smiling and with ringing ears and aching muscles we’d long forgotten we had.
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