CONCERT REVIEW and PHOTOS: The Go-Go's at The Joint
BY JENNIFER CHANCELLOR World Scene Writer
Friday, September 28, 2012
9/28/12 at 1:37 PM
For more photos of the Go-Go's and Thursday night's full setlist, visit tulsaworld.com/barrelhousebeat
The Go-Go's performed a timeless set of hits and quirky covers Thursday night atThe Joint inside the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa.
Setting the casual and laid-back tone early, lead singer Belinda Carlisle kicked off her shoes before the show even started.
Simple, driving punk rhythms were layered with bright pop melodies. The near 90-minute set didn't lack for energy or hits, and reached all the way back to the "How Much More," a B-side to the group's first single, "We Got the Beat," which they also performed.
Carlisle shined most brightly in the sunny but less obvious hits "Stuck in My Car," "Automatic" and "Fading Fast."
The Devo-esque and retrotastic "Cool Places" followed, replete with totally awesome '80s synth keyboard runs, then moved into a modern "Unforgiven," co-written for the band by Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong. That was followed by the surf-punk thrust of "Skidmarks on My Heart."
Fans also went wild as Carlisle's nephew - and a horde of fans - stormed the stage to dance to the group's hit version of The Capitols tune "Cool Jerk."
Carlisle struggled with the heavier vocal lifting in "Lust to Love," but this isn't a band best known for its immaculate live sets. A Go-Go's concert is all about the big beat and the thrill of the ride.
More than anything, the set was fun. Carlisle and rhythm guitarist Jane Wiedlin danced and spun, hopped and ran across the stage at various intervals. Gina Schock, drummer, also left her kit several times and walked to the edge of the stage to greet fans and tell jokes.
Carlisle's distinctive smoky-girlish warble mixed well with Wiedlin's and guitarist and keyboardist Charlotte Caffey's vocal harmonies. Carlisle also sang her solo hit "Mad About You."
Noted bassist Abby Travis impressively filled in for Kathy Valentine of this leg of the Go-Go's tour and added a taut energy to the set. She's recorded and/or played with a range of influential musicians, including Beck, Meat Puppets, KMFDM, The Bangles and others.
Wiedlin joked about the swankiest of their Hard Rock hotel digs, full-size animatronic T-Rexes and livingroom-sized pool tables.
The women were definitely happy to be at The Joint.
Their last visit to Tulsa, years ago, included thunderstorms during the outdoor show -- and hungry swarms of mosquitoes.
Associated Images:
Go-Go's frontwoman Belinda Carlisle dances during Thursday night's concert at The Joint inside the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa. Angela Temple / Courtesy
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