The B-52’s A Blast As Farewell Tour Winds Down In Chicago

“Thank you!” said B-52’s vocalist Kate Pierson on stage Friday at Chicago Theatre. “It’s a pleasure being here in Chicago. This is a party. We are a party band!”

Over the course of their more than 45 years – and 20 million albums sold – few bands have embodied the idea of fun quite like new wave sensation The B-52’s, almost single single-handedly responsible for jump starting an entire genre of music.

Friday night on stage in Chicago – the first of two sold out engagements during the group’s current farewell tour – one which wraps up appropriately over three nights November 11-13 in Atlanta – original members Kate Pierson, Cindy Wilson and Fred Schneider reminded fans just what the band remains capable of in the live setting, putting forth a ferociously fun affair after opening performances by KC and The Sunshine Band and DJ Cummerbund.

Following an introductory video starring actor, comic and SNL alum Fred Armisen, and a DJ Cummerbund set which worked in everything from R.E.M. to Tom Tom Club, the B-52’s tore into “Private Idaho,” from their 1980 sophomore effort Wild Planet, performing as a seven piece group.

“Thank you, Chicago! Welcome back,” said Schneider, soon doing the swim during “Mesopotamia,” a track which saw Wilson add additional percussion, Pierson leaning forward commanding the crowd, as all three original members shuffled together first to the left and then to the right.

“This is important…” mused Wilson introducing “Give me Back my Man.” “This is one of my favorite songs and Fred plays the hell out of the glockenspiel!” said the singer. “I just wanted to say that.”

Nary a backing track to be found Friday night, Pierson accompanied the track with live percussion of her own, pulsing bass powering the new wave rocker. Schneider pointed to his left, playfully threatening Pierson with his glockenspiel striker, the singer pointing back with the shaker in her right hand.

“And now for another one of our world famous love songs…” joked Schneider, setting up “Strobe Light.” “Like everything we’ve done so far… except maybe ‘Mesopotamia.’”

Over the course of 75 minutes on stage in Chicago, the B-52’s drew from six of their seven studio albums, the top 10 charting, quadruple platinum 1989 release Cosmic Thing an easy highlight.

Two of that album’s strongest came back to back in Chicago, Schneider departing for a moment as Wilson and Pierson did the heavy vocal lifting, gorgeous harmonies on display during the lovely “Deadbeat Club.” Terrific drummer Sterling Campbell (Soul Asylum, David Bowie), sprinkled in a hint of the Ronettes (“Be My Baby”) late in “Roam” immediately following.

Schneider soon returned, ripping into the lead on “Dance This Mess Around,” adding Cowbell to Wilson’s percussion as famous dance scenes from the history of film ran on screen, imagery of everything from Napoleon Dynamite and Borat to Saturday Night Fever and Austin Powers appearing during the performance.

“Knock a little louder, Chicago!” came the familiar, albeit slightly amended for the occasion, request from Schneider, cowbell in hand, as the B-52’s headed for home with one of the all-time great party anthems in “Love Shack,” the dynamic “Rock Lobster” still in their back pocket as the band returned from encore.

“To our dear fans: we love you!” read the video screen as the raucous Chicago crowd called the B-52’s – one of the longest ongoing snubs in Rock and Roll Hall of Fame history – back to the stage. “Thank you for 45 years of love and support.”

Following the premiere of their latest single “Unconditional Love” by DJ Cummerbund, KC and The Sunshine hit the stage for a 45 minute performance, a disco time machine which set the stage beautifully for the new wave assault soon to follow.

11 musicians and four dancers offered up a clinic in boogie, reminding fans that once upon a time, KC and The Sunshine Band charted six top 10 singles in America as one of the most successful disco acts ever.

“Here we are with the B-52’s for their farewell tour,” remarked founding singer Harry Wayne Casey. “But I’m not farewelling yet!”

KC and The Sunshine Band got rolling with boogie as a mission statement, “(Shake Shake Shake) Shake Your Booty” giving way to “Boogie Shoes,” “I’m Your Boogie Man” following shortly thereafter.

“I’m so excited to be here! Are you ready for the B-52’s?” asked Casey rhetorically, setting the stage for one of the final scheduled B-52’s concerts. “I’m 71 years old now. What the heck happened?” he continued, engaging, affable and fun throughout the group’s 45 minute opening set. “Gettin’ down is easy… Up? Not so much.”