Live: Barenaked Ladies – Hammersmith Apollo – March 30th
Going with a support artist who’s not only a comedian, but whose main song is called “Baseball playing spider” is always going to be a risk for the headliner. However, Barenaked Ladies pulled it off, with Boothby Graffoe’s sense of humour being more or less the same as the Ladies’, and provided much amusement to pass the time before the headliners arrived.
Time soon flew, with the help of Boothby’s tales of the name change at Leeds (“The people at Leeds Uni got their name wrong, and put Barenaked People. The board read: “BNP” – we sold out faster than any other venue ever played by the Barenaked Ladies!”), and many memorable tunes. Witty, Boothby coped with hecklers by putting them down: when one guy commented that he was wearing the same T-shirt as the night before in Leeds, Boothby looked at him and said, “Well I’m not following you around…!”
8:50 rolled round surprisingly quickly, and BNL plunged straight into “One Week”, before moving straight into “The old apartment”, both of which sent the crowd into a frenzy, deciding to forfeit the “take it slow to get into the swing of things” route.
Much of the evening focussed around their hits rather than their new double CD collection, Are Me / Are Men, pleasing much of the audience. However, one of the highlights of the evening was “Angry People”, which featured a great theatrical dance routine, not at all cheesy, and is featured after the jump.
Steven Page took the opportunity to show off his voice during “Maybe You’re Right”, showing just how good musically great BNL are: they’re not just about the entertainment.
Then they finished off their set with a set of classics, mixed in with “Easy”, the biggest single from “Are Me” / “Are Men”, and easily one of the most radio friendly. Encore was the obligatory “If i had a million dollars”, complete with ready meals on stage, and audience perfectly singing along. Suprising knowing how little they’re known in the UK.
So, what does all this mean? BNL are one of the best live bands to see: absolutely amazing both musically and entertainment-wise. Go see them.
Were you there? Buy the CD here, or check out my videos and pictures after the jump.
One Response
16th April 2007
Thanks for the clips of the Ladies – was at the Glasgow Carling Academy and thought their dance routine was hilarious – great to see it again!