I have to work tomorrow otherwise I’d have been on it.

How was the Austin show?

Bummer.  Sorry you have to work.

The Christmas show is really good.  They do the material justice, and, having attended that Kansas City show back in November, I’m pleased to report that Brian sang much more and was much more interactive with the audience, even doing his “Thank you! Please be seated” response to a post-song standing ovation.

Hi all,

I just got back from the Austin Christmas show.  It was amazing!  I had also originally planned to attend Monday’s show in San Antonio, but now cannot make it. 

If anyone on the board wants my tickets, please PM me.  I am offering them for free.  I have two seats and a parking pass.

After these are claimed, I will reply to this post and then mods can feel free to delete this thread.

Thanks a bunch!

One assumes that the demand and interest in Pet Sounds that was generated by the Love & Mercy biopic, as discussed in this 2016 Billboard article, continues into 2019.

https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/7263743/brian-wilson-pet-sounds-tour

Thank you for the reports. I too feel that Brian truly does want to be on the road, and his diminished mobility has to be affecting him and not just physically. I like the idea of Al having a mini-set too. Unlike some, I think Brian continuing to tour is a good thing as it will keep him active. I don't think making him more sedentary is the answer, as I don't think that will be good for his spirits. Just my feeling, and I could be wrong

I don't think it's wrong for Brian to keep doing shows. As long as he wants to do it and people are willing to pay, no worries. I just feel bad that he's struggling with the back stuff, and it's clearly bumming him out and changing the whole scene around him. My mother dealt with chronic pain, and it's horrendous. Part of me wonders if Brian shouldn't find some theater close to home and just do regular shows there, like Chuck Berry used to do in St. Louis. Or possibly just set up residencies at various places so he wouldn't have to travel as much.

Realistically, though, I would be surprised if there's much more sustained touring after this fall. And it's not just me saying that.

I remember Howie Edelson laying out several years back how a Las Vegas residency for the BB reunion lineup would have been ideal for keeping the thing together and running smoothly. That'll obviously never happen anytime soon. Such a set up would potentially be good for Brian. But I don't know if there would be the same demand (from venues/promotes or ticket buyers) for a year-round or multi-month residency from Brian in Vegas.

But it's something they might be well-served to look into. Vegas would keep the show to 80-90 minutes, and a regular residency would allow them to slowly rotate around the setlist more and more. They could even rotate in special guests more. Al and Blondie would be obvious. But maybe work David Marks back in for select shows. Bring in both Jardine kids and/or the Wilson sisters. Kind of a revolving ongoing version of that Venetian show for PBS a few years back.

A way to get around the promotor question would be for Brian to have his own permanent venue a la Phil Lesh's Terrapin Station, which itself was based on Levon Helms's Midnight Rambles.  This is all pie in the sky to be sure, but a permanent venue that could become a tourist attraction, not far from Brian's home, and host similar acts when Brian, Al, et al. are not in residence.

Yeah, I can say definitively, from conversations with those in the know, that Brian is dedicated to doing these shows and very much wants to be on the road. Now, I'm not sure that translates into being anything but bored stiff with full performances of Pet Sounds, but he does want to be onstage.

Ah, sorry, I missed where you said this is definitive information.  I'm glad he wants to tour  

Personally, I am okay with the ambiguity of whether Brian is bored with PS, whether it's too hard to sing, whether it's him creatively reinterpreting the material, or any combination of the foregoing.  Though if it were a case of reinterpreting, it would be cool to tweak the arrangements a little to match.

I also like the idea of a setlist that varies from night to night, like the band learns a pool of tunes and then they make the setlist before the show.  On the other hand, there are people who are seeing Brian for the first time, so they're going to want to hear the hits.  I saw people around me who each lit up when the band played "their song," and you can bet it wasn't "Add Some Music" or "Feel Flows"  

Long time, first time, etc.

I was at the KC show last night too.  Drove up from Oklahoma.  I'm glad that I did.

This was my fifth time seeing Brian (C50, one off greatest hits show in Tulsa, NPP, PS 50), so, like you said, when he did sing, I thought he did quite well.  I especially got a kick out of "Salt Lake City."

You didn't explicitly outline it Wirestone, but as your helpful vocal credits post indicates, Al subbed for all of the songs Brian usually encores with.  He kept pointing at all to take the leads before each song.  I kind of chose to focus on the fact I was getting to hear Al sing leads I'd never heard before than whatever was ailing Brian.  I think you hit the nail on the head though.  He must be in terrible pain.  I would imagine this affects his signing in terms of stamina, ability to hold notes, etc.

FWIW, the audience in my section seemed to greatly enjoy the show regardless of Brian's participation.  In these situations, I always worry about what the casual listeners are going to think and that's usually what affects my mood, if anything.  I left the show resigned that I caught Brian on a bit of an off night (albeit nowhere near as bad as other nights I've read about), and with happy memories about how great the great parts were.

I did overhear an older woman dressed like she had gone to the symphony say to her party in the elevator on the way out, "I had no idea how I'll he is," or something to that effect.  I cringed a little, but it felt in poor taste to engage in a conversation about it.  

I am going to continue to catch shows as I can as long as I can until there are no more to catch.  I hope the end is later rather than sooner.  Like you, I am going to assume Brian wants to tour, as I have no reason to believe the contrary.  I do hope his pain subsides.