Canada’s biggest band finally return after a 3 year absence to the UK, after seeing their opening night I damn well hope we haven’t got to wait another 3 years.

Founded in 1988 the Barenaked Ladies have sold over 10 million records and have recently released their latest and in my opinion best album to date, “Everything To Everyone.” Their current tour is a collection of greatest hits and some of the new stuff from the album…it’s one hell of an evening out that’s for sure!

Lets begin at the beginning, if you don’t know the Barenaked Ladies let me say to you, “Chicken of China the Chinese Chicken, you have a drum stick and your brain stops ticking.” Now do you know? Of course they were massive here for the brilliant summer anthem “One Week,” but there is so much more to them than this. If you don’t already own a copy go out and get their greatest hits, and enjoy some music brilliance…oh and get the new album as well you’ll love it.

Right sales pitch out the way (I’m not on commission or anything honest guv!) the ladies stormed onto the stage at The Colston Hall with boundless amounts of energy and enthusiasm as they rocked their way through a 2-hour set. Starting off with Maybe Katie from the latest album, they danced and jumped around the stage like crazy loons, and boy did the audience love it.

Highlights of the evening were a heart rendering, hairs on the back of the neck version of War On Drugs sung effortlessly and hauntingly by Steve Paige. Then there was the uplifting and fantastic acoustic version of One Week, a brilliant sing-a-long to If I Had A Million Dollars, and unbelievable live versions of Upside Down, It’s All Been Done, Another Postcard and Pinch Me. This is the only band I’ve heard that sounds as good live as on their albums, possible even better. Seeing them live is the only way to truly experience how talented they are, and how good the music actually is.

Lead vocalists Steve and Ed got the crowd jumping, dancing and laughing with their antics. I can’t remember laughing so much at a concert in all my life, and that’s where the majority of the enjoyment comes from. You laugh, you have fun and you leave with a massive grin, it’s one fun evening out. From their mad capped dancing, to on the spot raps they constantly own the stage and have the audience in the palms of their hands. A terrific chat about the @t Bristol Centre, and the fact that the extra t isn’t needed, was material strong enough for a stand-up comic. Kevin, Tyler and Jim didn’t let the main guys take centre stage though as they chipped in and came into their own during certain numbers.

This truly was the gig of a lifetime, if you know the bands stuff you will adore every single singing along second, if you don’t you’ll love every single learning the words second. You cannot help but have fun, see some exceptional music being played by an astounding group. Do not miss The Barenaked Ladies, buy your ticked now…going to a concert will never be as fun again.

5 out of 5

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Catch the rest of the tour:

April 

27^th – Bristol Colston Hall
28^th – Southampton Guildhall
29^th – London, Carling Hammersmith Apollo 

May

1^st – Glasgow Carling Academy
2^nd – Aberdeen Music Hall
4^th – Dublin Olympia
5^th – Manchester Carling Apollo
6^th – Birmingham Carling Academy

Tickets are on-sale now at a price of £18, except for London (£22.50/£20) and Dublin (Є30)  

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