Long Beach Symphony brings the soul for upcoming “Pops” show

After covering arts in Long Beach for, gawd, 17 years or whatever, somehow it wasn’t until this spring that I fully understood what Long Beach Symphony Orchestra “Pops” concerts entail. It was the theme that tipped me off: “Disco Fever.” Whereas I’d implicitly presumed “Pops” concerts were simply transliterations of pop/rock songs into an orchestral idiom (as many orchestras have done with The Beatles and Pink Floyd), I couldn’t imagine that working for disco, which rests on the bassy foundation of a four-on-the-floor groove.

So I looked into it (which took all of sixty seconds) and found that LBSO Pops shows have the orchestra on top of the drums/bass/guitar/etc. that make so much pop/rock/disco/etc. go. 

Well, this I had to experience. See, I love to dance, and while maybe not every Pops show is especially dance-friendly, Disco Fever? Please.

That will also be the case on November 2, when LBSO celebrates the “Kings of Soul” at Long Beach Arena. We’re told to expect classics by the likes of Marvin Gaye, Jackie Wilson, James Brown, Otis Redding, The Temptations, Al Green, Barry White, Smokey Robinson, and Curtis Mayfield. 

Although the majority of the people who attend LBSO Pops shows purchase seats at tables spread across the Long Beach Arena floor, even those who buy the cheapest seats (Side Loge – $35) are welcome to spend all their time down on the dance floor. Floors, I mean: there’s one on each side of the stage, plus space in front. Wherever you like, really.

A huge plus for those who like the live experience but find your average pop/rock concert just too darn loud is that, I now know from experience that LBSO Pops shows are right in the sweet spot despite featuring far more instruments on stage than a typical arena concert. It’s loud enough so you’re feeling it bodily, but not deafening. I say this as someone who carries earplugs everywhere: the sound could not have been dialed in any better. 

For food and drink, we brought our own to Disco Fever (no fuss, no muss with security), but LBSO has a set-up so you can have your meal catered by George’s Greek Cafe, Modica’s, or other local options and have it waiting for you upon arrival. 

As for the overall vibe, I was impressed by what a high percentage of people actually got out on the floor and let it flow. Although even at clubs that skew younger most everyone is waiting for someone else to get on the floor first, as soon as that happened at Disco Fever, the floodgates opened, and the dance floors were full for the entire show (though there was always enough space for everyone to get down comfortably). People who know about these shows really do come to dance.

But I’m betting that if I could go nearly two decades in this town without knowing this was happening, I’m far from the only one. Here’s to hoping word gets around, because there’s nothing in Long Beach remotely like it.

“Kings of Soul” takes place Saturday, November 2 at the Long Beach Arena. Doors at 6 p.m., show at 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $35.