Brian Wilson Presents 'Pet Sounds'

Last night was an incredible night as Brian Wilson (of The Beach Boys) took stage at the Terrace Theater in Long Beach. He's on tour celebrating the 40th Anniversary of "Pet Sounds", and one of the final shows of that tour was last night. Anticipation was very high. I mean, it was the Beach Boys for crying out loud. Next to the Beatles, these guys have done more for pop music than any other band or musician out there!

Wilson took the stage along with his orchestra that included 3 guitarists, a bassist, 2 keyboardists, a drummer, a percussionist, and a female vocalist. Oh yeah, it was packed up there. He started off the set after joking a little with the audience about getting a refund if they weren't entertained. As soon as Surfer Girl came on, the crowd just went nuts. For some, it was the first time they experienced these songs live. For others, it was a time to reminisce the sounds that defined their teenage years. No matter what, they all were having a great time.

They got through five or so songs when Wilson introduced none other than Al Jardine onto stage. It was the first standing ovation of the night. The first part of the concert was spent playing a bunch of Beach Boys songs, some of the highlights being 'Hawaii', 'Then I Kissed Here' (the first song after they brought out Jardine), 'The Little Girl I Knew Once', 'When I Grow Up', 'California Girls', and of course, 'Good Vibrations' (Wilson introduced it as the song that made their career). After a quick break, they returned to play "Pet Sounds" in its entirety. I was simply speechless throughout. Incredible, simply incredible!

Where things got really crazy was the first encore. After exiting the stage, they came back on one by one (introductions being made along the way), and ran right into a continuous 5-song set, starting off with 'Johnny B. Goode'. At this point, everyone was on their feet and dancing. Moving through 'Help Me Rhonda', 'Barbara Ann', and 'Surfin' U.S.A.', they ended their first encore with the fun (um) song 'Fun Fun Fun'! They came back out for a second encore after, and ended the night (beautifully) with 'Love And Mercy'.

Setlist:
Surfer Girl
Hawaii
Add Some Music To Your Day
Please Let Me Wonder
Drive-In
Then I Kissed Her
Breakaway
Dance, Dance, Dance
The Little Girl I Once Knew
Do It Again
In My Room
California Saga
Do You Wanna Dance?
When I Grow Up
I Get Around
California Girls
Sail On, Sailor
Marcella
Good Vibrations
[Intermission]
Entirety of "Pet Sounds"

Encore 1:
Johnny B. Goode
Help Me Rhonda
Barbara Ann
Surfin' U.S.A.
Fun Fun Fun

Encore 2:
Love And Mercy

I cannot even begin to express my gratitude for having been able to see these guys. I mean, the Beach Boys for crying out loud! And even though it wasn't all of them, the harmonies were intact, and all the musicians did a brilliant job. Nothing could have made last night better. They're playing a show in Oakland tonight, and if it's not sold out, and you can make it out, I highly recommend doing so. You just can't go wrong!

Beach Boys - Good Vibrations

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