Gettin' Nekkid
Yesterday, Fig and I went to the Barenaked Ladies concert at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium. As always, the Ladies put on a great show, with this one having some extra Holiday flava since they mixed in some tunes from the Barenaked For The Holidays CD into their set. The stage was dressed like a living room during Christmastime, complete with Christmas tree and stockings hung with care over a giant fireplace (you can make out a wreath and Christmas Tree in one of the pictures), and the show started off with a children's choir from Orange County singing some carols with the band.Overall, it was a great show, with a set list mapped out by Jim Creeggan that didn't disappoint - Pinch Me, Brian Wilson, If I had a Million Dollars, Old Apartment, and of course One Week, were all played, interspersed with Christmastime (Oh Yeah), Jingle Bells, I Have a Little Dreidel, and other Holiday classics. Steven Page sounded amazing, although his voice did crack during his operatic rendition of Silent Night during one of the longer, higher notes, to great comedic effect when the band just stopped playing and looked at him. During one of the encores, in which Steven sang Break Your Heart, I don't think I've ever heard him sound better; his voice is getting a raspier texture as he gets older, and it suits the material well. Ed Robertson sounded great too, and is a real pro at talking to us in the crowd and keeping us entertained throughout the show and his improv'd rap was, as usual, really clever and funny. Kevin Hearn on keyboards was great and his voice sounded sharp on Christmastime (Oh Yeah). Whenever I hear his voice I always think, man, I've gotta pick up his album (apart from BNL), but then I forget. Jim Creegan on bass chose to sing Spider In My Room. Was good. After the first hour or so as people got tired of standing and bopping to the music and started to sit down, Tyler Stewart on drums got up to lead the crowd in a spirited version of Feliz Navidad, and got people back on their feet.
I think I've seen BNL in concert at least seven times (at least five with Fig) and they never disappoint or get boring, partly due to the fact that they keep their shows loose and improv a lot of the banter between songs and genuinely seem like they're having a good time. I remember seeing them in small venues, like the Universal Hard Rock when they were up-and-coming, and then at huge places, like the Universal Amphitheatre after One Week catapulted them to fame in the States. Recently they've been playing to smaller audiences, and although they can rock out at times, their style is really more personal and friendly, which is better suited to more intimate settings like the Civic Auditorium.About halfway into their set, Steven let us know the band has been working on a bunch of new songs for the next album and personally, I can't wait. Steve's side venture, The Vanity Project, was good but it was no Barenaked Ladies album, which are always quality and something to look forward to. Ed sang a song from the upcoming album (called Easy, I think) which was very chill and lovely. Very Adult Contemporary pop, but good. I'm sure when they tour for that album, I'll be there again – Fig and I gotta get into the first five rows for that show; we've been getting progressively closer to the stage each time BNL comes to town and I think next time we'll (at least) break the 10 row barrier. Then it's on to the pit.
1 Comments:
Sounds like a great show! I'm bummed I missed it. BNL has to be my favorite touring band, so much fun and musically delicious! I think I've seen them about 7 times myself...including one very special show I didn't even have to buy a ticket for...hmmm, which one was that....
Post a Comment
<< Home