Retro-soul group The California Honeydrops to play Panida

May 13, 2026

By Ben Olson
Reader Staff

There’s something about soul music from yesteryear that hits just right.

Exemplifying that, Oakland, Calif.-based ensemble The California Honeydrops will play a special concert at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 13 at the Panida Theater (300 N. First Ave.). Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

Formed in the subway systems of Oakland, the retro-soul group electrifies every stage they stand on. They’ve become mainstays at festivals like Byron Bay Bluesfest in Australia, Outside Lands, Monterey Jazz, Lighting in a Bottle and more. They’ve toured with greats like B.B. King, Dr. John, Bonnie Raitt, Buddy Guy and Allen Toussaint.

Led by enigmatic frontman Lech Wierzynski and drummer Benjamin Malament, each member of the band is a virtuoso in their own rite. There’s Yanos “Johnny Bones” Lustig on sax, Lorenzo Loera on keyboards and guitar, Beaumont Beaullieu on bass, Oliver Tuttle on trombone, Leon Cotter on sax and clarinet, and Miles Lyons on trombone and sousaphone.

The California Honeydrops in concert. Photo by Mark Raker Photography

With gusto, these warriors launch through a vast repertoire of original songs and timeless classics, always leaving open space for improvisation — a skill they’ve so finely honed that they have completely abandoned the use of setlists. This means that no two shows are ever the same.

With more than 200 million streams online and a variety of TV and films using their music (Dead to Me, Alaska Daily, Black-ish and more), this ensemble is one you don’t want to miss.

Tickets start at $38 and are available at panida.org. Listen to The California Honeydrops at cahoneydrops.com.