A bra-slinging, Guster-mingling Barenaked Ladies night in San Diego

Marking the first day of summer with a slam dunk of 90s bands is quite a way to start. At least, that was the case for me, heading into the trifecta of Barenaked Ladies with Guster and Fastball at San Diego State’s Open Air Theater (or whatever corporate name it’s called now) on June 20th! Being a Friday night with sunny skies (a shift from the June gloom we’ve been experiencing), it truly felt like summer had started off in full-swing.

And now to just set the vibe against the soundtrack of my youth.

Up first was Fastball — you know, the one’s behind “Out Of My Head” and the mega radio hit “The Way”. Guster, up second, even took a moment to comment how the latter is “a perfect song”. Having their All the Pain Money Can Buy CD growing up, I was singing every word to “Sooner Or Later” and “Fire Escape” as Fastball went through their opening spot. After ending with “The Way”, the guys headed all the way up the laborious staircases to treat attendees with a surprise meet-and-greet, signing vinyls and taking photos with fans at the merch booth. How humble is that?!

After pitching Fastballs came a changeup (it’s baseball season, c’mon now) with Guster— a more jazz-meets-jam band. Not as radio famous as Fastball or BNL, I was unaware of their prowess beyond the song “Satellite”, which gained traction in the mid-2000s off their Ganging Up on the Sun LP. But, apparently, the funky band of brothers has been in the business since ’91, flying completely under my radio-based radar for far too long; I say this after having them completely and utterly blow my freaking mind that Friday night.

Not only is frontman Ryan Miller
HIL-AR-I-OUS, the whole group is as talented as it gets.

I’m obsessed with the percussionist Brian Rosenworcel, banging away bare-handed at speeds and precision beyond comprehension the entire time, while founding member and guitarist Adam Gardener switched off on lead vocals.

But, hands-down without a doubt, the best moment of Guster’s set was when Miller jumped offstage — with a WIRED mic, no less — to run through the arena high-fiving, shaking heads, and even startle some patrons who weren’t paying close enough attention. Miller, running deeper into the stands, had to have his mic cord continue to be fed slack; it was ridiculousness that you just had to witness for yourself… It was one of the most epic things I’ve ever seen in the countless concerts I’ve been to.

Closing with a crescendo of humor and harmony, Guster left the stage to thunderous applause to make way for the main act. After a brief intermission, Barenaked Ladies — taking the stage in a slow-marching, single-file line — was here to party like it’s 1999. It was a sensory spectacle, with visuals on a screen behind the boys following along to song lyrics, which was particularly fun to watch during the song “Pinch Me”… that is, till a woman in the audience slingshotted a pink bra onto the neck of Kevin Hearn’s guitar.

Bull’s eye! Lead singer Ed Robertson joked about how “that’s going to look great on YouTube”.

God, I hope someone filmed it better than we did!

Between fun banter and brilliant musicianship, the Barenaked Ladies went through their set with hit after hit in between new music. Yes, the band is back in action with their latest album, In Flight! From 91’s “Brian Wilson” to 98’s “It’s All Been Done” to 2021’s “Big Back Yard”, the Barenaked Ladies haven’t missed a beat (keeping their signature wit and whimsy in tact, no less).

Seriously, I underestimated the extent of talent these boys brought to the stage. I feel that, although the radio might’ve moved on from these guys, Barenaked Ladies have only gotten better over the years. Cheers to legends of modern alt music!

Photography by Kristy Rose

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