Tower Of Power

Tower of Power emerged from the Bay Area soul and funk scene in the late 1960s, built around saxophonist Emilio Castillo. Their signature is clear: tightly written horn lines, a driving rhythm section, pronounced bass parts and vocals that move between soul ballads and uptempo R&B, with touches of jazz here and there. From the club circuit the band grew with early albums like East Bay Grease (1970), Bump City (1972), Tower of Power (1973) and Back to Oakland (1974), while their horn section also became a regular presence in studios and on tour outside the band. Later releases include Monster on a Leash (1991), Soul Side of Town (2018) and Step Up (2020), each time with a focus on collective playing and tight arrangements.

On May 25, 2026, Tower of Power will play at PHIL in Haarlem. The show centers on that East Bay sound: compact riffs that open into short solos, rhythms that feel both tight and loose, and vocals that emphasize the interplay between lead and backing. The set leans on the 1970s repertoire, supplemented by more recent material, with the horn section front and center and guitar, keys and drums forming the engine while the bass holds the anchor. Expect a concert in which groove, timing and ensemble playing set the framework, with songs that build layer by layer and place the band’s interaction at the core.