Brian Wilson 2016 Tour Thread (Pet Sounds 50th Anniversary Tour)

[bonnie bella]

Check out Blondie rocking it out! 

https://youtu.be/zCZLAgFAhIY

[kiwi surfer]

Snap. Corrected, as above.

Audience taken by surprise don't you think?

I was downstairs and heck yes, the collective gasps all around me when Matt started DWB were quite staggering. I heard Matt several times in the late 80's and early 90's and I don't think he's lost anything.

[bonnie bella]

Listening to the audience reaction that clip says it all.

Blew me away.

[SurferDownUnder]

Listening to the audience reaction that clip says it all.

Blew me away.

He absolutely nailed it, I've always preferred him over Foskett (not saying Foskett was anything to scoff at of course)

[The_Holy_Bee]

Hi guys, Funky Pretty and Kiwi Surfer have it pretty much covered but a couple of my own reactions to last night's show:

I thought Brian was, indeed, pretty relaxed and into it (for Brian). I last saw him at the very end of the 2004 Smile Tour, when they did comedy bits with the band in the first set and any onstage banter from Brian seemed scripted and occasionally reluctant. Last night, as he and Al struggled to define 'In My Room' and 'You Still Believe In Me' (settling, in the first instance, for a 'very pretty rock ballad' and, in the second, as somewhere between a 'ballad' and a (soft?) rock ballad) his comments seemed much more natural and unrehearsed. A lot less of what one of the band members once described to me as Brian's 'Sinatra moments' - 'Oh YEAH!'s and 'Rock ON's - and the trademark arm movements were comparatively restrained. Compared to twelve years ago, Brian seemed to me much more comfortable - and indeed, quite keen on - being recognised as the leader of the band, the man in the centre of things. 'Probably the best song I ever wrote', he confidently announced before singing (beautifully, though the closing round got a bit muddled) 'God Only Knows'.

This said - and perhaps because of a renewed (post-2012?) sense of place and purpose on the stage - I thought I felt a couple of moments of tension in Brian when other players pulled focus. During Blondie's strutting and soloing, for instance, Brian went quite slack; and this isn't just a result, I think, of his physical manner when not singing or playing the keys, because during the two Pet Sounds instrumentals he stayed much more erect and alert, appearing to engage with the music even while not actually playing on it. And there was a strange, slightly manic laugh during the opening verse of 'Don't Talk' which I thought might have been a reaction to a lack of applause to his previous (very committed) vocal on 'It's Not Me'. (It wasn't that the audience didn't enjoy the number, it just segued directly into 'Don't' and people weren't sure if they were meant to applaud. Same thing happened to Al at the end of 'Wake the World'.) A couple of the hand offs from Brian to Matt for the high parts seemed a bit terse too, but this was probably just a result of it being the first concert of the tour, and will be smoothed out in coming weeks. (Speaking of which, Brian did do a couple of lines in WIBN, I think the beginning of the bridge.)

But that stuff is nothing, really. When Brian was good (and he very often was, and sometimes very good), I thought he sang with a confidence and verve and sensitivity that exceeded what I heard from him over a decade ago. 'I Just Wasn't Made for These Times' was hugely moving. His rock and roll voice on 'I Get Around' was great. 'Heroes' - with Bicycle Rider! - was astonishing. GOK, as I said above, was spine-tingling in places, and 'One Kind of Love' and 'Love and Mercy'' genuinely beautiful. And the band, of course, was incredible as always, not only musically but in the pure love they showed to each other, Brian, Al and Blondie. Jokes and grooving and hugs throughout. A particular favourite moment: Nelson's grinning glee as he squeezed the bicycle horn at the end of 'You Still Believe in Me'.

Let's put it this way: I'm That Sort of Person who loathes 'Barbara Ann' with all of my being. After two hours in the company of these amazing musicians, I was singing along and jiving like a maniac to every 'Ba-Ba-Ba'.

EDIT: Oh yeah, and wanna follow what others have said before me: both Jardines were, of course, phenomenal.

[bonnie bella]

One for you Funky Pretty.  Wish I'd got the whole song

https://youtu.be/igVmT7Zy0aw

[SurferDownUnder]

Let's put it this way: I'm That Sort of Person who loathes 'Barbara Ann' with all of my being. After two hours in the company of these amazing musicians, I was singing along and jiving like a maniac to every 'Ba-Ba-Ba'.

EDIT: Oh yeah, and wanna follow what others have said before me: both Jardines were, of course, phenomenal.

Exactly the same re Barbara Ann, possibly my least favourite BB song. One Kind of Love, L&M and Don't Talk were sung with such strong conviction from Brian it was beautiful. He really did seem to be trying to make a great start to the tour!

[Andrew G. Doe]

My utter loathing for "Barbara-f******-Ann" is well known in these circles, and eclipsed only by my hatred of that twat Morrissey.

[J.G. Dev]

Tour merchandise up on BW.com

http://brianwilson.shop.livenation.com/store/

[NOLA BB Fan]

It's so exciting hearing the reports from Auckland, from the "young'uns".

Now on to Australia, where it's turning to Monday now. Learning the differences in time zones from US Central Time-  18 hours difference from Auckland, 16 hours from Byron Bay and Sydney. He goes on around 18.45 today (Monday)

Keep the reports coming. Looking forward to seeing them next month. Will even happily endure 'Barbara Ann'!

[The LEGENDARY OSD]

It was everything I'd ever dreamed. Brian was amazing, Al was back in 1965, Matt blew the roof off. I am now an official Blondie disciple. Nothing can top that ever. For those curious aside from Pet Sounds they played:

Wake the World
Honkin Down The Highway
Funky Pretty
Wild Honey
In My Room
Don't Worry Baby (Matt)
Shut Down (Al)
Little Deuce (Al)
Barbara Ann
All Summer Long
California Girls
GV
Heroes and Villains (Bicycle Rider)
Our Prayer (Opened the show, I wept)
Love and Mercy
Surfin USA
One Kind of Love
I Get Around
 

This is the band that should be called The Beach Boys. They play BB's music and 3 of the core guys are there. It's not a BW solo show, not with Al and Blondie there, and they're not playing BW solo tracks.

  Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhh yeahhhhhhh!

Oops - how did I miss that quote!?  Thanks OSD.  This band is glorious - saw them last July.  I can't imagine anyone coming close.  And I'm serious.  Look at all the actual BBs who still have talent and make music on this stage, with the family organic sound - gorgeous vocals.  I'm thrilled with this and can't wait to see all the shows I booked.

Ain't Nothin' Like The Real Thing, huh Deb?? Now, about that license...

[Ang Jones]

Three Beach Boys and a Beach Boy's son. It's not THE Beach Boys but it's the closest we can get.

Thanks to those who've posted reviews!

[SMiLE Brian]

I need to see this tour!

[Pretty Funky]

Tour merchandise up on BW.com

http://brianwilson.shop.livenation.com/store/

Wow! In Auckland the program was $20 and the poster $10 I believe. (About 15 and 7 US)

SurferDownUnder. Row S dead centre. Could see Brian's foot tapping.

Bonnie. Thanks again for the clips.

Holy Bee. Yes it was a bit of a work in progress on the night, but as someone else said it was proof that this was a real band and not some backing track. I loved it as those guys switched instruments between songs and called out 'l'm not ready yet' or 'Wait' as they moved around.
Not sure about the comment about Brian and Blondie. Looking at clips from past shows he looks disinterested during WH etc but he is still on the tour so who knows?


We knew how good Matt was but I think when Al introduced him most in the audience thought 'Aawwww how nice, he's got his son with him. Oh and he's aloud to sing a song too. Ain't that cute....' until they realised 'Holy Crap...This guy CAN sing!

[Pet Sounder]

Is there still going to be a Chicago show?

[Debbie KL]

You know, I was so absorbed I didn't even notice the rest of the audience!

Yes, thanks again, Bonnie.

[Debbie KL]

Tour merchandise up on BW.com

http://brianwilson.shop.livenation.com/store/

Wow! In Auckland the program was $20 and the poster $10 I believe. (About 15 and 7 US)

SurferDownUnder. Row S dead centre. Could see Brian's foot tapping.

Bonnie. Thanks again for the clips.

Holy Bee. Yes it was a bit of a work in progress on the night, but as someone else said it was proof that this was a real band and not some backing track. I loved it as those guys switched instruments between songs and called out 'l'm not ready yet' or 'Wait' as they moved around.
Not sure about the comment about Brian and Blondie. Looking at clips from past shows he looks disinterested during WH etc but he is still on the tour so who knows?


We knew how good Matt was but I think when Al introduced him most in the audience thought 'Aawwww how nice, he's got his son with him. Oh and he's aloud to sing a song too. Ain't that cute....' until they realised 'Holy Crap...This guy CAN sing!

You know I love you guys, but I kind of think that there's one thing that's obvious - the mutual respect that Brian and Blondie have for each other, as they've stated publicly, and with the fact that Brian hired Blondie to do this tour after touring with him last year, and that Blondie - a very "in demand" guy - agreed to do it.  If Brian didn't love what Blondie does, he wouldn't have him in his band, and if Blondie didn't love what Brian does, he has lots of other offers.  I said it several pages back, but I'll repeat it, Brian often sits "stone faced" when he's listening to music because he's listening and that's how he looks when that happens - he's serious about music.  I've seen him listening to his favorite records doing the exact same thing.  It's him. 

[wilsonart1]

Thank You Debbie!

[♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇]

Tour merchandise up on BW.com

http://brianwilson.shop.livenation.com/store/

Wow! In Auckland the program was $20 and the poster $10 I believe. (About 15 and 7 US)

SurferDownUnder. Row S dead centre. Could see Brian's foot tapping.

Bonnie. Thanks again for the clips.

Holy Bee. Yes it was a bit of a work in progress on the night, but as someone else said it was proof that this was a real band and not some backing track. I loved it as those guys switched instruments between songs and called out 'l'm not ready yet' or 'Wait' as they moved around.
Not sure about the comment about Brian and Blondie. Looking at clips from past shows he looks disinterested during WH etc but he is still on the tour so who knows?


We knew how good Matt was but I think when Al introduced him most in the audience thought 'Aawwww how nice, he's got his son with him. Oh and he's aloud to sing a song too. Ain't that cute....' until they realised 'Holy Crap...This guy CAN sing!

You know I love you guys, but I kind of think that there's one thing that's obvious - the mutual respect that Brian and Blondie have for each other, as they've stated publicly, and with the fact that Brian hired Blondie to do this tour after touring with him last year, and that Blondie - a very "in demand" guy - agreed to do it.  If Brian didn't love what Blondie does, he wouldn't have him in his band, and if Blondie didn't love what Brian does, he has lots of other offers.  I said it several pages back, but I'll repeat it, Brian often sits "stone faced" when he's listening to music because he's listening and that's how he looks when that happens - he's serious about music.  I've seen him listening to his favorite records doing the exact same thing.  It's him. 

My daughter does the same thing...I asked her about it, and she was like 'cause I get inside the music, that's why...it's like I go somewhere else, just me and the music'.

[The_Holy_Bee]

Pretty Funky, Debbie - I definitely felt Brian was very happy to have Blondie on tour with them. If he wasn't, after all, why would Blondie be? It was only during the extended guitar soloing I suspected any tension, and absolutely that's just my interpretation. Very probably wrong.

Also, I thought Blondie was absolutely brilliant as well. Really dug 'Pretty Funky', which I didn't expect. Should have mentioned that above.

[Debbie KL]

Tour merchandise up on BW.com

http://brianwilson.shop.livenation.com/store/

Wow! In Auckland the program was $20 and the poster $10 I believe. (About 15 and 7 US)

SurferDownUnder. Row S dead centre. Could see Brian's foot tapping.

Bonnie. Thanks again for the clips.

Holy Bee. Yes it was a bit of a work in progress on the night, but as someone else said it was proof that this was a real band and not some backing track. I loved it as those guys switched instruments between songs and called out 'l'm not ready yet' or 'Wait' as they moved around.
Not sure about the comment about Brian and Blondie. Looking at clips from past shows he looks disinterested during WH etc but he is still on the tour so who knows?


We knew how good Matt was but I think when Al introduced him most in the audience thought 'Aawwww how nice, he's got his son with him. Oh and he's aloud to sing a song too. Ain't that cute....' until they realised 'Holy Crap...This guy CAN sing!

You know I love you guys, but I kind of think that there's one thing that's obvious - the mutual respect that Brian and Blondie have for each other, as they've stated publicly, and with the fact that Brian hired Blondie to do this tour after touring with him last year, and that Blondie - a very "in demand" guy - agreed to do it.  If Brian didn't love what Blondie does, he wouldn't have him in his band, and if Blondie didn't love what Brian does, he has lots of other offers.  I said it several pages back, but I'll repeat it, Brian often sits "stone faced" when he's listening to music because he's listening and that's how he looks when that happens - he's serious about music.  I've seen him listening to his favorite records doing the exact same thing.  It's him. 

My daughter does the same thing...I asked her about it, and she was like 'cause I get inside the music, that's why...it's like I go somewhere else, just me and the music'.

Billy - Bingo!  You got it.

[srv1303]

Longtime lurker, first time poster.

Going to the Vegas and SF shows. Beyond excited. Thanks for the video links, July 1st can't come soon enough!

[HeyJude]

Is there still going to be a Chicago show?

July 16th, Pitchfork Festival.

[SurferDownUnder]

http://imgur.com/zvzYS9B

http://imgur.com/CBVlQdS

This is what my T-Shirt looks like if anyone is interested!

[SurferDownUnder]

Also a top down view of the stage set-up I took

http://imgur.com/iS0YG9R