Bare Naked Ladies

October 25, 2000

This time, the Barenaked Ladies performed at MARS Music Amphitheater (formerly known as Coral Sky Amphitheater). The opening act, Guster, delighted us with their hand percussionist, dynamic harmonies and breezy sound, which mixed well with the cool air sweeping through the amphitheater.

We kept trying to associate Guster with bands we knew, such as Da Da, The Indigo Girls and Rusted Root, but they had a sound all their own. About half way through their performance, I had to use the restroom. It would have been quick, but we ran into some old friends who held us up for about twenty minutes. We could hear pleasant songs in the distance, but would have preferred to be in our seats. Oh well. We liked their music so much that we bought their CD on site.

Meanwhile, after a short break, the Barenaked Ladies burst onto the stage with "Too Little Too Late," an upbeat song from their new album, Maroon. They entered through the mouth of a 2-story head with candy-cane hair. Two lighted balloons bobbed on either side of the stage. Several surrounding video screens displayed animated cartoons, every angle of the band, and often overlays of them both. BNL concentrated on their new album, playing songs such as "Pinch Me," "Sell Sell Sell" and "Falling for the First Time." Classic song highlights include "One Week" and "If I had a Million Dollars." In the middle of their act, they offered to play "every song we've ever written" for their long time fans. We were thrilled and curious at the same time. The video monitors showed the band onstage while an overlay of BNL song titles scrolled down the screen like a 1980's K-Tel commercial. The band then proceeded to play anywhere from a few moments to a minute of every song! It was really cool. Our only complaint (besides our standard dislike of the amphitheater) was that the Barnaked Ladies played too many slow songs. They were all great songs, mind you, but we would have liked to dance more! We actually spent a good part of the concert sitting down.

July 30, 1999

This live pay-per-view event was filmed in Boston. For $19.95, Eric and I paid to view the Bare Naked Ladies show live in Boston. At first, I complained about the fee, but soon decided that it was worth it for such an incredible concert. They played a talented mix of their popular songs (including "If I had a Million Dollars"), some parodies and remixed bits of songs from other popular artists. Highlights included a "Devo" version (white jumpsuits and all!) of Sunfantastic, an audience interaction (which is standard for their shows) involving a girl strumming "You've Really Got Me" while the band played, and an intense bass solo (on a tall upright bass!). There was also a song about beans.

November 1998

We saw them at the Sunrise Musical Theater in Sunrise, Florida - Great show and personable band. Highlights included "Get to Know Your Security Guard" where they interacted with a local concert security guard on stage and let him play guitar for a song. Also, they played their smash hit, "One Week." I wish we didn't have to leave a half hour early, because they hadn't yet played "If I had a Million Dollars."

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