RANCHO MURIETA, CA (MPG) - Even triple-digit temperatures couldn’t keep classic rock fans away from the Lake Clementia Amphitheater on Aug. 1, where Entertainment, Theater & Culture for Rancho Murieta’s Titans of Rock concert had concertgoers singing, dancing and calling for an encore.

Although Sacramento reached 102 degrees earlier in the day, ETC board members said the amphitheater became comfortable after the sun slipped behind the hill.

“While it was a warm August day, once the sun sets behind us it’s always comfortable in the grassy bowl near the water,” ETC Vice President Jane Rosetta said. “It was a beautiful summer evening for some classic rock.”

ETC President JT Turner said attendance closely matched ticket sales, despite concerns that the daytime heat might discourage concertgoers.

“There may have been a few ticket holders who decided to stay home because of the extreme heat earlier in the day, which would certainly be understandable,” Turner said. “But overall, we were very pleased with the turnout and the number of people who came out to enjoy the evening.”

The Southern California-based tribute band, managed by Rancho Murieta-based Hip Entertainment & Events, treated the audience to more than 90 minutes of classic rock spanning several decades. According to the concert program, the group recreates arena-style rock performances with songs from the 1960s through the 2000s, featuring music by artists ranging from Led Zeppelin and the Rolling Stones to Pearl Jam and U2.

Lead singer Brett Copeland immediately connected with the audience.

“We’re the Titans of Rock, and we are so happy to be here on this beautiful Saturday,” he said. “You probably already know it, but wow, are you blessed to live in this beautiful countryside.”

The band opened with Jimi Hendrix’s “Purple Haze” before moving through an eclectic mix that included songs by the Rolling Stones, Creedence Clearwater Revival, The Doors and Metallica. One of the night’s biggest surprises came when Copeland asked whether the crowd wanted to hear Metallica’s “Enter Sandman.” The dance floor erupted as fans enthusiastically sang along to the heavy metal anthem. Afterward, Copeland told the audience it was the best crowd participation he had ever heard on the song.

Throughout the evening, Copeland mixed humor with audience interaction, joking about the weather, complimenting Rancho Murieta residents and encouraging requests as the band selected songs on the fly. When the scheduled performance ended, the audience wasn’t ready to leave. Turner returned to the stage to tell the band that the crowd wanted one more song, prompting an encore of Hendrix’s “Fire.” 

After the concert, Copeland praised both the venue and the audience.

“I couldn’t have been more surprised and more pleased by the beauty, exteriorly and interiorly,” he said. “I hope they invite us back someday... We loved being here.”

Turner said the enthusiastic audience mirrored the comments he has continued to receive since the concert.

“I thought the band’s performance was fantastic,” he said. “Their energy was amazing, and the crowd really seemed to feed off of it. The feedback I’ve received since the concert has been overwhelmingly positive. People loved the energy, the musicianship and especially the nostalgia of hearing so many songs that brought back memories.”

The evening also highlighted ETC’s broader mission of supporting local arts. Before the concert, Turner introduced Rancho Murieta Fine Arts Association artists Pam Szemesi and Rebecca Reilly, who invited morning arrivals who were laying out their blankets to add brushstrokes to blank canvases. During the day, the artists transformed those community contributions into finished paintings, which were awarded via a drawing during the concert. 

Turner also recognized local sponsors, thanked volunteers, presented volunteer Jeanette Edward with a gift basket from Rancho Murieta Health Club and entertained the crowd by launching T-shirts into the audience with a cannon.

Rosetta said incorporating the artists into the event reflected ETC’s ongoing commitment to the arts.

“We are so happy to continue our partnership with the Rancho Murieta Fine Arts Association and keep the arts alive in our community,” she said. “Having Pam Szemesi and Rebecca Reilly with paint supplies added lots of fun to the morning crowd waiting to set down their blankets, and lots of people contributed to the canvases. The finished products were just wow!”

Turner agreed that adding local artists strengthened the event.

“One of ETC’s missions has always been to support the arts and provide opportunities to showcase talent within our community,” he said. “Being able to incorporate local artists into an event like this gives them additional exposure while also adding another dimension to the experience for our attendees.”