As we all know yesterday was what would have been John Lennon‘s 70th birthday and with a music festival such as Culture Collide which brings music and people together, that was bound to be some sort of tribute to the former Beatles and critically acclaimed musician. What we got was even better than we expected. Bambi Kino, an all-star group made up of members Mark Rozzo (Maplewood), Ira Elliot (Nada Surf), Doug Gillard (Ex Guided By Voices) and Erik Paparazzi (Cat Power), have recently recorded a tribute album to the Hamburg, Germany Beatles show from 50 years ago and we were lucky enough to see them play an exclusive set of those covers and more.

There was no doubt that this group was talented considering they all come from different and successful backgrounds. However, the charm of the specific, niche, 60s Beatles sound was wonderfully amplified in the intimate bar room where a small stage was set up. With spectators who varied from age to age, we were all slayed by their Beatles and John Lennon set; Tight harmonies, drumming, and guitar playing did not go unnoticed. Seeing these musicians play this particular set last night was really a treat and we couldn’t have celebrated the life of Lennon in a better way than spending our time dancing with these guys.

***Check more photos of Bambi Kino out in our Culture Collide Festival gallery from Saturday!