In June 2021, acclaimed rock band Rival Sons captured the raw, unfiltered energy of live performance during a two-night showcase on Catalina Island, California. Originally streamed via VEEPS, these special shows brought the band's signature rock and soul to fans worldwide, many still at home due to COVID-19 lockdowns. Now, for the first time, both nights will be available for viewing on YouTube and for streaming across digital audio platforms, allowing fans to experience the band’s spirited performances from the historic Catalina Casino.
To record A Pair of Aces: Live from Santa Catalina Island, Rival Sons set sail from Los Angeles and Long Beach, crossing to Catalina with all their equipment and crew aboard a friend’s yacht. On May 19th, 2021, the band recorded Part One: Before the Fire in the Casino Ballroom, followed by Part Two: Rival Sons EP in the historic theater on May 20th. The decision to revisit these early records in such a stunning setting marked a milestone for the band, as Jay Buchanan reflected: “It was an amazing experience to channel the energy of these songs and play them live in the spaces we’d dreamed of. It’s a raw look at Rival Sons playing just for the love of it.”
Rival Sons’ A Pair of Aces: Live from Santa Catalina Island (Part 1) premieres on YouTube and audio platforms on November 22nd, with Part 2 following on December 13th. Both performances feature enhanced versions of fan-favorite tracks such as “Tell Me Something,” “Get What’s Coming,” and “Soul.” Fans can pre-save Part 1 HERE and RSVP to the YouTube premiere HERE.
Rival Sons’ groundbreaking performance venue, the Catalina Casino, has been a fixture on the island since 1929, built by the Wrigley family. Rival Sons’ guitarist Scott Holiday expressed the thrill of playing in such a storied space: “I’ve always thought the casino would be a perfect place to play, and getting to bring our music into those rooms was everything we’d hoped for and more.”
A Pair of Aces: Live from Santa Catalina Island Track Listings
Part 1 – Before the Fire (November 22nd)
Tell Me Something
Lucky Girl
Memphis Sun
Angel
Pocketful of Stones
The Man Who Wasn’t There
Pleasant Return
On My Way
I Want More
Flames of Lanka
Nanda Nandana
Part 2 – Rival Sons EP (December 13th)
Get What’s Coming
Torture
Radio
Sleepwalker
Soul
Sacred Tongue
About Rival Sons
Known for their uncompromising, no-frills rock ‘n’ roll, Rival Sons bring a raw and honest approach to their music. Their catalog, spanning albums like Pressure & Time, Great Western Valkyrie, and Feral Roots, has garnered critical acclaim and two GRAMMY® nominations. With powerhouse performances alongside legends like Black Sabbath and The Rolling Stones, Rival Sons continue to push rock music forward with their own label, Sacred Tongue Recordings, and groundbreaking albums like DARKFIGHTER and LIGHTBRINGER in 2023.
