OK- I'm alive!
Second only to Sir Paul's magical performances, this was the greatest concert experience I've ever had.
The setlist above IS accurate. I'll give a run down of the day...and try to keep it brief
We were brought in at 5PM, merch booth was already set up and we were able to mingle around the area for about 15 mins. They didn't have any items signed by all the band avaliable yet. So, I decided to wait till later to visit the booth. While we were waiting we could hear the backup band doing there soundcheck, and a few people were getting upset and thinking that we were missing what we paid $$$ for. Our host assured us, none of the official Beach Boys were onstage yet. We could hear the backup band plan as day, and I loved it! They did "Back in the USSR", "Billie Jean", and "The End" (from the Beatles Abbey Road medley)...very cool to hear for this Beatles fan!
Then, we were ushered in, I made sure we were near the front of the group, and walked into the soundcheck to see our four of our beloved beach boys taking the stage. Bruce was talking to the sound guys, David was still setting up, Al gave us a wave and shouted Hey there, how ya doin to the group, and Brian was sitting at the piano, with his eyes shut...Mike was nowhere to be seen! Bruce asked us how many of us watched GMA, and how many watched Justin Bieber! He said they were just getting off the bus and still had their makeup on
He was a real card the whole night.
Soundcheck was very interesting to watch. As soon as Mike walked out, he gave us a brief greeting, and then Brain suddenly awoke or whatever, and shouted "Please Let Me Wonder". Scott Totten got the guys together, like he had to EVERY time...they like to ramble, and it sounded great. Then Brian did the same for Little Honda and It's OK...not really sure why, they certainly did not need work. Then Totten finally cut him off, politely, and said they had to work on some changes to "Isn't It Time", these were lyrically changes...and it certainly took some time to get things down. Foskett was really getting pissed about the lyric sheet he was given...not sure why, Mike just blatantly stared at the sheet through the whole section of the song at the check, and the show that night. Al said he didn't need one, he had it.
Then Totten announced that they wouuld be doing Darlin', and I lost it!
Darian NAILED it at soundcheck, AND at the show. He seemed a little nervous at the check, but it still sounded phenomenal. Mike seemed to be getting a little bored, and mentioned that they were cutting into the meet n greet time, which got the fans riled up.
The Meet and Greet was MUCH better than I had heard, so don't be deceived, I think you just need to know how to work the situation to your advantage. I didn't say it on here, because I didn't want anyone to take my idea
But I made each band member a card, with their face on it, and it expressed my thanks inside the card, with specific song references and everything I would've liked to told them if we had the time. So I got my cards in the order they were sitting (my host didn't notice yet), and as soon as the folks in front of us were done, I bolted up to the end of their line, said Hey Al! and shot down the line handing my cards out...the order went (R-L) Al, Mike,Brian (he let out this enormous shriek of excitement, it was SO unexpected!!!),David,Bruce..and by the time I got to David, the host realized what was going on and sntached them all up, she said she'd give them back afterwards, but I was leary. BUT, her taking the time to re-collect the cards bought me about 30 extra seconds to talk with the boys and I tell ya, it was worth it!!! Bruce talked to me the most. Him and Al swore they had met me before, I explained that I had seen the Mike and Bruce show once, but they still said they knew me!
I wore the blue 50 shirt, avaliable on the site, not the tour, my blue hawaiian shirt, and my beach boys surf board good vibrations box set pin. Mike noticed all this and leaned back and said "Hey Man, nice shirts, I dig the pin too." YES! ONE of them noticed!!!
Then just before the picture was snapped, I patted Brian on the shoulder and said, Brian thank you so much, and he said "oh yeah sure man!" Which was more than I expected.
As we were essentially kicked out, Mike said see ya later, David thanked me for the card, and Bruce pulled me back- shook my hand, and said, thank YOU!
Moral of the story: Make them things and they will talk to you.
So, that was backstage, because soundcheck was done only like 10 mins before the gates opened, so when we were let out from the meet n greet, we ended up back in the waiting area from before soundcheck...perfect time for the merch booth!
The VIP merch that you receive isn't as lame as everyone says. The poster is the best part, probably 11x17, with the five silouettes holding the surf board at the top, it lists al ltheir names has the beach boys logo, and lists all the cities. I'm sorry, but I will not be selling my second poster.
The tote bag is pretty cool, it is black and has the brother records logo. The shirt is sorta lame...plain white, with The Beach Boys 50 logo in Gold. So, I bought the T-Shirt with the pocket logo and the dates, the standard program, and Al's CD signed.
There are more shirts there, than on the site. They were all $30 from what I saw. The program was $20. They had a poster, but it is so lame...I don't know why anyone would buy it. They have a large rubber bracelet/wrist band for $10, it is yellow and has the logo in white. They have the mug for $20 and the keychain for $15...I think that is everything. We asked again about the signed items...they said they would have the 10 for $100 bundle deal at intermission, along with the signed program. I didn't buy either, but my understanding based off others dissapointment, is that all were sold out by the end of intermission...nice marketing Mr. Love
The show itself, started EARLY! Brian walked out to his chair on the not-so-hidden, side of the stage at 7:40...by 7:47, all of the band/boys were on either sides of the stage, and then the announcer started up! So by 7:52 they were out, and started "Do it Again" there is an 11PM curfew at Merriweather, so that may have had something to do with it, they were done at 10:57. Oh, and we scored 2nd row Center stage, DEAD center in front of Mike. Unbelievable.
I'll give brief commentary on the songs...
Do It Again (Fantastic. Has potential to be a corny opener, but is not- at all.)
Little Honda (I prefer Catch a Wave second, but this sounded great too.)
Catch A Wave (Such a full sound, I think the guy next to me was shocked I knew the words and had the range to do Mike's part.
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Hawaii (Another spot on song, Foskett really nails the falsetto. David's lead vox are nice! Sounds like 1963!)
Don't Back Down (Don't really care for this one...but it works in the live setting with the surf songs.)
Surfin' Safari (The place goes NUTS! Standing Ovation, Mike tells us to sit down because they've got a slow one next.)
Surfer Girl (Brian's first lead of the evening, and it sounded gorgeous, no blips or mess ups at all.)
Wendy (A surprise to me! Bruce took the leads and sounded fantastic! I think Mike noticed my lap drumming.)
Then I Kissed Her (Totten's 12-string sounded out of tune, but I think he stopped playing after the intro. AL sounded nice!)
It's OK (A little slow, but a nice rocker for the set and a favorite of mine, Mike and eye made eye contact a few times, I'm certain he was watching me sing!)
This Whole World ( I just LOST it! I thought for sure I wouldn't hear this. I had hands in the air, singing the lyrics, watching Brian, I admittedley teared up during this one.
Kiss Me Baby (Not a favorite of mine...sounded nice tho...gave me time to collect myself after This Whole World.
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Isn't It Time (They need to work out a more obvious intro for Brian. Foskett is doubling the lead with him and Brian came in a bar early, and it was very noticeable, I was afraid they were going to stop for a second. But they made it through, and I loved it overall! Mike staring his lyric sheet down most of the time...)
Why Do Fools Fall In Love? (The accapella at the beginning of this is gorgeous, just simply grand. Reading the other sets, I was put off by a cover, especially sung by one of the other guys in the band, but this is really a great addition.)
When I Grow Up To Be A Man (This one was just funny...AL was laughing quite a bit, we made some eye contact during it.
Darlin' (FANTASTIC! I gave him a standing ovation, and a few followed my lead. Based off soundcheck, it seemed like he just needs some support and encouragement that this is a good idea and it is ok. I'm sure he is intimidated being one of the few non-beach boys that gets a lead.)
Please Let Me Wonder (Brian nailed it. It really sounded like 60's Brian and I loved it.
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Be True To Your School (Mike did the whole down on his knee bit, and I got some hillarious pictures of him, of Al rolling his eyes, and Bruce mocking him. Near the end of the song, I flashed my class ring up, and Mike gave me a point
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Cottonfields (THis went over REALLY well! I guess the sorta-southern Maryland crowd let their country side show...but we're from Baltimore.
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Disney Girls (Beautiful, a highpoint in the evening. I noticed that they've put some extra rest measures at the end of phrases.)
Ballad Of Ole' Betsy (Totten did great with this. My Grandmother's Jeep is nick-named "Betsy", so we love this one.
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Don't Worry Baby (Foskett nails it, crowd goes nuts.)
Little Deuce Coupe (Car medley was EPIC!)
409 (Proof that at least Al read my card to him: I specifically mentioned the solo on 409 to Al, and after him and David finished it, Al looked RIGHT at me, extended his arm and smiled in a "there ya go! type fashion...highlight of the evening.
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Shut Down
I Get Around
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Add Some Music To Your Day (Kodak moment ofthe evening...simply beautiful, brought tears again! Sunlfower has that effect...)
Heroes And Villains (Groooovy, loved all the accapella, especially the SMiLE ending)
California Saga: California (More proof from AL: I specifically mentioned this one and right as it started he did the same gesture to me...Thanks Al!!!)
Sloop John B (Fantastic, Brian encouraged us to clap and even danced in his seat a little bit!)
Wouldn't It Be Nice? (Bruce got us all on our feet, and it was great!)
I Just Wasn't Made For These Times (Vocal Highlight of the evening from Brian! Very touching)
Sail On, Sailor (More wicked moves from Brian
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In My Room (Mike pulled his phone out and waved it to get everyone else to, I was one of the first and he pointed at mine
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All This Is That (I don't care for this one much...but it sounded just llike the record.)
That's Why God Made The Radio (Again- JUST like the record. I caught Totten watching me sing along...he was probably floored that I knew the words.)
Forever (Beautiful tributes, simple beautiful.)
God Only Knows
Good Vibrations (I think this would be better suited as the opener of the encore...but it was still amazing, everyone was on their feet from here, through the end.)
California Girls (Mike's moves...
ANd Bruce's tag at the end was GREAT!)
All Summer Long (A nice unexpected ditty, wasn't sure if it would be played or not!)
Help Me Rhonda (The place went nuts! Very cool moment for me with Mike, when they do the accapella break down and have everyone sing a long, I did Mike's "help Me Rhoooon mow mow mow, parts and him and I were locking on doing that back and forth...TOO COOL!!!)
Rock And Roll Music (I could do without the covers...but these two kept the crowd rocking!)
Do You Wanna Dance?
Surfin' USA (Killer closer for this monster set!)
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Kokomo (This sounded kinda bare...I could really do without it, but it is a real crowd pleaser. Sax solo was killer tho!)
Barbara Ann (Random Blonde Girl came out and started dancing...Brian on bass, got a great picture of him with a grin ear to ear!)
Fun, Fun, Fun (Epic closing. Mike Love did all the moves I was waiting for (Especially the roman chariot race...hiiyah!) I made a sign that siad "Thanks For The FUN! FUN!! FUN!!!" and held that up on the last chorus, Mike looked right at me, pointed, and gave two thumbs up...Perfect way to end this night!)
So if you have not yet seen this show...you are in for a treat...if you don't have tickets...GO MAN GO!!!
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