CONCERT REVIEW: Pretenders, London Guiness Fleadh
- Joann D. Ball
While the superb Viva El Amor (Warner Bros.) is substantial evidence that "they don't make 'em like they used to," the Pretenders' live dates this summer have hit that point home harder than ever. Touring in support of the new record, the band played some warm up dates in Ireland before the first festival gig of the season at last month's London Guiness Fleadh.
Taking the stage at the end of a music-filled day that also included incredible sets by Elvis Costello and Van Morrison, the Pretenders reinvigorated the hometown crowd with its hits laden hour-long set. Opening with a diesel-powered version of "Popstar" and then smoothly segueing into the classics "Message of Love" and "Talk of the Town," it was clear that the new material is a chip off the old block. The crowd turned "Back on the Chain Gang" into a massive sing along of British football stadium proportions, and enthusiastically greeted "Human" which soared to new heights courtesy of Adam Seymour's sizzling guitar solo.
Acknowledging the band's past, band leader Chrissie Hynde took a moment to dedicate "Kid" to late original members James Honeyman-Scott and Pete Farndon. Moving forward to newer material, The Pretenders then moved forward to newer material, playing a heartfelt "I'll Stand By You" followed by the upbeat "Don't Get Me Wrong" which Hynde dedicated to her husband on their anniversary. Changing the song's tempo at midpoint, the band delighted the crowd with a jazzy "Van Morrison version" and dedicated the night's performance to legendary singer. The band then finished the rousing set with scorching versions of "Night in My Veins" and "Middle of the Road."
For the much-demanded encore, The Pretenders chose "Stop Your Sobbing" and "Brass in Pocket" the two songs which launched the band's career two decades ago. And they brought the London Fleadh to a memorable end by recruiting musical conteporary Elvis Costello to join them on a stellar cover of the Nick Lowe-penned classic "(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding."
Stateside, audiences were treated to the similar high-energy sets during the Pretenders' stint on the Lilith Fair and at a number of solo gigs across the country. The Lilith Fair perfomances were extremely well received, reintroducing the band to older concert goers while garnering a whole new generation of fans. Having completed the promotional tour for the new record, The Pretenders will play a series of dates in the UK and the rest of Europe before returning to North America for a proper headlining tour later this year. In the meantime, American fans old and new can look forward to seeing the band on VH-1 "Storytellers" and in a few other special features aired on the video network.
