To kick off my summer concert series, the most recent concert I went to was The Beach Boys at Greensboro’s brand new, White Oak Amphitheatre on June 5, 2011. This was the grand opening of the White Oak Amphitheatre, which is much smaller in comparison to an arena or stadiums of any sort. However, the venue still held several hundred seats and included general admission lawn seating (where people could bring blankets to sit on). Overall, the event was very crowded, but hard to tell if it was sold out due to the fact that there was lawn seating. I had never been a huge fan of The Beach Boys; I only knew about them from their appearances on the hit television series, Full House. I only agreed to go to the concert because I enjoy live music, plus my grandfather got the tickets for free. Thankfully, I was able to witness a legendary American band truly captivate an audience of all ages, by showcasing their talent, all the while having a good time; thus, proving why they have been successful entertainers for over fifty years.
Sitting in the audience (I was in the lawn section), you are well aware of just how big the stage is. The stage set-up was the one complaint I had with the whole performance. This was because I have attended many concerts and I know what a good stage looks like. One thing it should not like is spacious and empty. The stage was big, but I feel that any major performer should have the means of producing a set design or background image (something!). The Beach Boys, maybe they have a tendency to be simplistic performers, only had a palm tree, standing behind the guitarist and a lamp/lighting figure on the other side of the stage. Other than these two objects, only the band and their instruments appeared on stage. There was no backdrop or extreme set design. The opening band had more to offer as far as stage detail and pizzazz. On the other hand, I was not completely negative about the simplicity of their stage set-up. Because it was so raw, it also seemed more intimate. It was as if The Beach Boys did not care about the fancy backdrops and scenery; they wanted to connect with their audience on a personal level. The lighting was also very low-key and simple. Most of the time it was just a basic spotlight on the band; sometimes the light would change colors to a red or blue depending on the mood of the song they were singing. There was a definite energy in the air that night, as if everyone was feeling the same kind of high. All around young people and old people, were dancing, or “shagging,” to the music. The Beach Boys music is known to be a kind of Surf-Rock/Pop. Their upbeat songs remind me of a Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello beach party song. You cannot help but want to twist your hips to the beat.
Throughout the show, I only counted about five or six songs that I had heard before. Like I said before, my only real association with The Beach Boys was their appearances on Full House, which they performed on several times. However, the songs I did know were very exciting and well-performed. Mike Love, the band’s lead vocalist, has such a soothing tone and distinguished voice, making him stand out from the other members of the band as well as any other vocalist in the industry. Being able to perform well live is talent that earns thriving success. Mike Love proved to have this skill as the lead vocalist, but The Beach Boys also prove to have this talent as a band.
The thing I like most about The Beach Boys is that I have literally never heard anything else like them. When a song comes on the radio and it has close vocal harmonies, an upbeat rhythm, and most likely the lyrics are about surfing, cars, or romance; then, you know it is The Beach Boys. The band showcased their talent right in front of me. I got to see them master the craft of playing the perfect surfer boy, rock sound. Because these guys have been around, and performing together for over fifty years, it is obvious they know how to handle their instruments. Therefore, what I thought really stood out compared other bands was The Beach Boys’ ability to harmonize on close level. If you listen to the chorus of just about any one song in their catalog, you will hear a group harmony. For the songs I am most familiar with, “Surfin’ USA,” “Good Vibrations,” and “Fun, Fun, Fun” all showcase a full group effort a vocal harmonizing. I personally believe this makes the band stand out in the music industry because it helps to distinguish their unique sound.
This live performance had, in general, a good vibe in the atmosphere. With it being outdoors and the only lights were directed to the stage, except for the moonlight; it was a perfect summer night. The Beach Boys’ music is the perfect example of how a summer should be spent: surfing and falling in love. What better way to kick off the summer than with a concert by The Beach Boys? Mike Love seemed to pick up on this energy as he acted as “MC” for the evening, discussing life and telling stories about the band and what certain songs meant. This personalization and connection with the fans truly shows the passion The Beach Boys have for their fans and it also shows that they really must love what they do. Mike encouraged fans to dance and sing along with the band, which they did all night long. This just goes to show that the band really does put forth an effort into their performance. They want you to have a good time at their show and get your money’s worth. But, they also want to thank you for supporting them and their music.
The Beach Boys have been around for a long time. To many, especially young people, their music is either unfamiliar or extremely different than what you are used to. However, The Beach Boys are a legendary American band and do not deserve to go unheard. Their unique sound of Surf-Rock and talent of close vocal harmonies put them into a category all their own. After seeing The Beach Boys perform live, I have gained so much respect for them and I am so thankful I was able to witness the talents of one of America’s greatest bands to date. They thoroughly proved why they have been extremely successful for over fifty years.
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