NOSTALGIA AT IT’S BEST W/ BRIAN WILSON AT BASS CONCERT HALL – AUSTIN, TX
By: Anna Exinia
AUSTIN, TX – It was a gorgeous and lively Tuesday night at the Bass Concert Hall. Concertgoers of all ages filled the lobby as they mingled and patiently waited for the show to begin. The night opened up with Sixto Rodriguez, also simply known as Rodriguez. He walked on to the stage with nothing but a guitar in one hand and his hat in the other. In seconds the room was filled with an exquisite sequence of guitar riffs and his rugged but fluidity vocals. He led the crowd in a number of songs that talk about life, love, and politics. The crowd cheered and head nodded as they quickly recognized one of his most infamous songs, Sugar Man. Rodriguez brought a subtle and gratifying entrance for the main performer of the night Brian Wilson.
As Brian made his way to the piano, none other than Al Jardine, fellow bandmate and cofounder of the Beach Boys quickly followed. The band broke into a melodic version of Our Prayer with high energy that was surprisingly present the entire night. They played many songs that paid tribute to their earlier days with the beach boys as well as newer songs from Wilson’s No Pier Pressure album. Songs like Sail Away and Runaway Dancer showed a definite beach boys vibe, but with a more soft and sophisticated tone. During the last few minutes of the event Brian Wilson took to the mic to thank all his band members and audience that helped bring the night alive. As we thought the night was coming to a close, they surprised us by belting out with not 1,
2, but a 6-song encore with Help Me Rhonda, Fun, Fun, Fun, and Surfin USA just to name a few. The crowd quickly sprang out of their seats as they danced, swayed, cheered, and sang along to the music. In that moment, I gazed upon the audience and realized that many of the people here were being transported to the exact time this music touched them. It was a nostalgic phenomenon. Wilson ended the night with one of his most lyrical songs to date Love & Mercy. If you have yet to grab tickets to his tour, the next stop will be at The Mann Center, Philadelphia, PA on June 29, 2015. I promise you will be in for a great ride through time.
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