Al Jardine - 2026 Tour Thread (Plus Archived 2018-2025)

I just saw Al and the Pet Sounds Band last night in Chicago. While this forum has been a great resource for me over the years, I've been intentionally avoiding most spoilers about the show. I went in knowing we'd get Love You and some other deep cuts, along with the hits. What I left with was a profound excitement about what I hope is the future of this music! RUN, DON'T WALK TO SEE THIS SHOW.

I've seen all the different BB related touring iterations over the years and enjoyed most for various reasons. But I don't think I've ever left a show this excited. For a long time, I wondered what would happen to this music in a live setting once the originals stopped touring. Who would carry on the legacy? Sharing the front line, Darian, Matt, and Rob each taking leads (all more so than in the BW touring days) at times gave me chills. I have no idea if these guys will want to keep doing this when all the original Beach Boys are no longer playing shows, but I sure hope for the rest of us they do. Aside from their fantastic musicianship, there is a genuine love and excitement that infuses each song. You feel it in the crowd.

The band is tight in all the right ways, but also loose and having a great time. Al sounded great! Whatever illness someone mentioned that he was dealing with last year, he sounds much more normal now singing. Not just normal, but GREAT. The crowd loved it and was super into it. Different vibe than BW shows-- more interactive. Everyone was on their feet from the Pet Sounds Suite through the end of the encore!

My only criticism is that Al moves off the mic a lot while singing and that makes him tough to hear at times. It could be a teleprompter placement issue, as I gotta think over the last 60 years Al's developed good enough mic technique, and I've never noticed this before. But honestly, who cares... this was such a spectacular show. Excited to see tonight's show.

SET 1:
Cal Girls
Do It Again
Surfer Girl (Matt lead, Al bridge)
Don't Worry Baby (Matt lead)
Little Deuce Coupe
I Get Around (Matt lead on both Mike and Brian parts)
In My Room
Darlin (Darian lead)
Dance Dance Dance (Rob lead)
Come Go With Me
Sweet Sunday Kind of Love (Darian lead)
Suzie Cincinatti (Matt and Al share lead)
She's Got Rhythm (Matt)
I Can Hear Music (Darian)
Heroes and Villains

SET 2:
LOVE YOU FULL ALBUM SET
God Only Knows
Sloop
Wouldn't It Be Nice
Good Vibrations

ENCORE:
Rhonda
Barbara Ann
Surfin USA
Fun Fun Fun

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