The Barenaked Ladies Concert in Michigan

The Barenaked Ladies provide one of the most dynamic, energetic shows in the industry. Their live shows are always entertaining and fun, and the one on this evening was no different. Barenaked Ladies played on this June 15th evening at Pineknob, also know as DTE Energy Music Theatre. DTE Energy Music Theatre is located off I-75 at Sashabaw Road, in Clarkston, Michigan. The venue is the nation's most attended outdoor music arena for 16th year, and the setup at arrival shows why. The parking, although a little chaotic and all over the place, provides a quick park once entering in. The walk is quick to the front gate, but the hike to the seated area is a bit longer.

The Barenkaed Ladies are a fun show to watch, and in the past I was not and have not been disappointed. The songs they played are a good mix of tunes off of their new CD and some old favorites peppered in. The set list was as follows:

One Week
The Old Apartment
Sound Of Your Voice
Maybe Katie
Bank Job
Too Little Too Late
Adrift
Get In Line
Be My Yoko Ono
Tonight Is The Night I Fell Asleep At The Wheel
Wind It Up
Angry People
Pinch Me
Powder Blue
Alcohol
It's All Been Done
Brian Wilson
Easy
If I Had $1000000
Lovers In A Dangerous Time
Call & Answer

The crowd, always ready to return the energy that band provides, was ready tonight as well. BNL started out with one of their classic tunes, their most successful pop-radio song "One Week". This had everyone up and dancing and rapping along, especially to the "chickety-china" lyrics. After another favorite in "The old Apartment" The Ladies started in on some new tunes from their newest disc.

"Sound Of Your Voice", "Maybe Katie", "Bank Job" are songs off of their new disc BLAM, also know as Barenaked Ladies Are Me. "Bank Job" is on of my personal favorites, offering the audience a very simple, melodic tune with lyrics that describe a botched robbery and the chaos and guilt that follows. You can tell from those around you that there are "true" fans who know every word, every quip of every song, and then there is everyone else who sings along to the more popular favorites.

Two of those most popular favorites are tunes that the college-age, younger adults really enjoy. Those songs are "Alcohol" and "If I Had $1000000". These songs rally the fans into singing at the top of their lungs and only messing up the words when either of the lead singers, Ed Robertson or Steven Page decide to make up their own words and go totally off into an ad lib.

The banter and ad libs are some of the most fun, they provide the crowd a chance to interact with The Barenaked Ladies on a personal note, hearing about a funny story or moment on the road. Their stage presence is the most noticeable thing about their performance, these guys are all truly comfortable on the stage interacting with all of us in the audience.

Whether they are dancing, playing instruments that range from the drums to bass, the guitar to the accordion, the Barenaked Ladies appear to truly enjoy themselves while performing for us. I would highly recommend a concert with them any chance you get, and this winter may be a chance if they continue to spearhead winter shows based on history.