On an evening when the Northern Lights delighted as far south as Southern New England, Los Lobos opened this sold-out performance in Massachusetts with “One Time One Night.” It’s one of the band’s classics, dating back to the veteran quintet’s third album. And while it’s a sobering account of violence in America, instead it felt optimistic on this autumnal Thursday at the lovely old Fall River mill, with the wondrous natural spectacle outside joining in on the fun, dancing in the heavens.

In fact, it was that kind of show, too, from the celebrated East L.A. quintet- a dazzling sonic storm, growing in strength and impact as it unfolded. Ostensibly, it was an appearance as part of the group’s ongoing 50th anniversary tour, but felt nothing like a simple, nostalgic run-through. There was no “La Bamba.” Founding bassist Conrad Lozano was absent because, as fellow founder, guitarist, and singer David Hidalgo explained slyly, Lozano was “somewhere else.” (Hidalgo’s son subbed capably on bass). And the majority of the varied and comprehensive set was covers, culminating with an encore of “Not Fade Away” that slipped into the Grateful Dead’s “Bertha,” reminding of the kinship between these two treasured American artists. One night in America, for sure.

In between, the hallmarks of a Lobos show were properly in place; equal parts rattling under the locomotive guitar work of Hidalgo, Cesar Rosas, and Louie Perez, countered by Steve Berlin arresting air on imperious sax or doubling harmony lines on keyboards. Early, the wolves simmered on “Maricela” and “Down on the Riverbed.”  They heated up further with a rendition of Thee Midnights’ “Love Special Delivery,” in support of the ensemble’s latest LP, Native Sons. Then, got steamy on “Chuco’s Cumbia,” rock-and-rolled on Ritchie Valens’ “Come On, Let’s Go,” and threw back to their roots on “La Venganza De Los Pelados.”

Between songs Rosas teased with Led Zeppelin riffs. Later, they started, for a bar, Jimi Hendrix’ “Voodoo Child (Slight Return),” and inserted Cream’s famed take of Robert Johnson’s seminal “Cross Road Blues,” on the backend of a run of The Temptations’ “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone.” Amidst the always-impressive jamming, there were more constrained moments, too. There was the lush mood-piece, “Kiko and the Lavender Moon,” and the intoxicating sway of the traditional, “Volver, volver,” with Hidalgo indulging on accordion.

By the end, the Lobos looped back to their electric charge of guitars, closing out the two-hour frame with a jumping “I Got Loaded,” a ferocious “Mas y mas,” and the rumble of “Don’t Worry Baby,” before departing the stage. They returned, of course, for their Dead homage, and a final standing ovation from the Fall River faithful. It was all unimpeachable evidence, once again, that one night with Los Lobos adroitly, robustly, and positively encapsulates generations of music, generations of musicians, and generations of time –fifty years and counting- in America.