Concert Review: The Beach Boys

THE WOODLANDS, Texas –– Market Street was a sea of baby boomers in Hawaiian shirts and colorful, plastic leis Friday to see the masters of summer fun: The Beach Boys.

The band’s 50th Anniversary Reunion Tour stopped by the Pavilion (even Tommy Bahamas had an hour and half wait at a relatively early time in the afternoon.)

As soon as ticket holders got inside the Pavilion’s gates at 6:30 p.m., ecstatic fans rushed to the merchandise table to buy as many expensive T-shirts as possible. Despite the overpriced shirts, the Beach Boys sold their new CD for only $5. On top of the awesome bargain, there were 50 CDs that were previously signed by the band with gold ink markers. Those who bought one of the 50 signed CDs were able to go back stage and meet the Beach Boys after the concert.

During the hour and a half wait for the beginning of the concert, guests were treated to an array of 60's music from artists such as Creedence Clearwater Revival and The Zombies. Periodically, an announcer came onto stage encouraging guests to purchase the new Beach Boys CD.

The lights throughout the Pavilion turned off at about 8 p.m. as the aged Beach Boys steadily took the stage. The Beach Boys began playing songs such as "Do It Again", "Little Honda", and "Catch A Wave". Although these first songs were lesser known to the crowd, fans were more concentrated on the visual effects and solid harmonies that the Beach Boys were able to still pull off. Such energy from the honey moon of opening songs was redirected into two classic crowd pleasers: "Surfin Safari" and "Surfer Girl".

As beach balls flew through the air, much of the crowd stood up and danced, while many others chose to stay seated. During the concert, the Beach Boys informed the crowd that the show would be split into two parts with an intermission in between. Before the end of the first act, the Beach Boys wrapped up with timeless classics such as "Little Deuce Coupe", "I Get Around", and "Don't Worry Baby" before sending the crowd into an explosion of applause.

In between the first and second act much of the crowd got up in an effort to buy food and drinks or even use the valuable time to use the restroom. After a 15 to 20 minute intermission the Beach Boys discretely took the stage again for almost 19 more songs.

From "Sloop John B" to "Wouldn't It Be Nice", you name it, The Beach Boys played it. Throughout the second set, lightning was seen in the distance and reports of a thunderstorm nearing the pavilion clearly drove off some of the crowd sitting in the uncovered lawn seating. Although some left as it began to lightly sprinkle, the majority of fans sitting on the lawn continued to stay and enjoy the hits that The Beach Boys continued to play.

By the end of the 19 song set, the crowd awarded The Beach Boys with their approval as rain began to fall at an alarming rate. The pouring rain drove many out while the Beach Boys surprisingly took the stage one last time for an encore to remember. Beach Boy fans sang to the classic "Kokomo" followed by the doo-wop single "Barbara Ann" and closing with "Fun Fun Fun".

As the rain continued to pour, the crowd continued to cheer for their Beach Boys. For that Friday night, The Beach Boys were consumed by the energy of the crowd and the crowd was consumed by the energy of the Beach Boys. It was a serene night to see such a historic and famous band reunite and play together for adoring fans in The Woodlands. That night, the Beach Boys had transformed a rainy and damp evening into sunny west coast celebration.