STIR COVE PRESENTS Barenaked Ladies’ Last Summer on Earth 2022 Tour

Barenaked Ladies plays @ Harrah's Stir Cove in Council Bluffs, Iowa on Friday, June 24, 2022. (Photo credit: Dean Birkheimer)

BY DEAN BIRKHEIMER | Go Venue Magazine

“A naked woman in heels is a beautiful thing. A naked man in shoes looks like a fool.” – Christian Louboutin

As I approached Stir Cove, and before going to will call to get my press pass, I made my way to the front of the already lengthy line to chat with Kieth and Elisa. They were first in line, and they told me they were there since 3 o’clock. Not only that, they came from Crescent, Iowa, which is about 2 hours away. The best thing I found out about this couple was, this was their first date. Good for you guys. Here’s wishing both of you good luck and many more rock show dates to come.

With over 30 years as a band, Toad the Wet Sprocket is still touring with the same enthusiasm they had over three decades ago. They played the hits, “Walk on the Ocean”,” All I Want”, “Something’s Always Wrong”, and “Fall Down, but their top song was an Elvis Costello cover of “What’s so funny bout Peace, Love and Understanding.” Despite the lead guitarist out with covid, the band sounded great. The vocals were spot on, and they were a joy to listen to.

I was hanging around the pit area before the show and saw some Gin Blossoms VIP fans coming from the back. They each had little gift bags, and one of those gifts was a flask bearing the band name. I’m assuming it’s to be used to hold Gin. The band’s 1992 album New Miserable Experience had four Top 40 hits, and helped established them as one of the top groups of that decade. “Found out about you” was their song of the night. It sounded amazing, lead and background vocals were perfect. The crowd sang the chorus with impeccable precision. Gin Blossoms could have easily headlined this show as their fan base was in full force and never more so when they played “HEY Jealousy”. This is a band who appreciates and feeds off the fans. They put on a fun show and always leave ya satisfied, but at the same time, wanting more.

Ed Robertson (guitar, vocals) – Jim Creeggan (bass, vocals) – Kevin Hearn (keyboard, guitar, vocals) – Tyler Stewart (drums, vocals). Barenaked Ladies have sold over 15 million albums, had several top 20 hits including “One Week,” “Pinch Me,” “If I Had $1,000,000”, and have had 2 GRAMMY nominations. Known for their hits and incredible live shows, the band has continued to grow for over 30 years. The group recently released a brand-new vinyl, Original Hits, Original Stars. This greatest hits collection includes their iconic “Big Bang Theory Theme,” They are a powerful live act and are mesmerizing on stage. As the songs were played, the crowd became more and more enthralled. The moment the crowd exploded was when they hit us with an Omaha/Council Bluffs rap. “Omaha and Council Bluffs, we are Barenaked Ladies and this is our stuff”. The story about coffee flavored ice cream, that was actually cherry ice cream, was hilarious. “One lick. Two licks, three licks…straight into the garbage.” These guys, are always entertaining and should be seen every chance you get.

SET LIST:
New Disaster – It’s All Been Done – Summertime – Omaha/Council Bluffs Rap – Pinch Me – Gonna Walk – Big Back Yard – Roll Out – Here Together – Odds Are – Live Well – Four Seconds – Man Made Lake – Internal Dynamo – Brian Wilson – Good Life – Looking Up – Big Bang Theory Song – Bass Solo – One Week – If I Had A Million Dollars – Sing A Song/Just A Friend/ Whip It/Tom Sawyer/Whole Lotta Love

ENCORE:
The Old Apartment – Handle Me With Care

Barenaked Ladies

Gin Blossoms

Toad the Wet Sprocket

All images © Dean Birkheimer
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