CONCERT REVIEW: THE GO-GO's Live - Northampton MA

It is hard to believe, but thirty years ago, a band danced in a water fountain on MTV, becoming one of the most memorable groups of the 1980’s. That was the Go-Go’s.

Thirty years later, after albums, breakups, solo careers, “Behind the Music” specials, reunions, etc, they are back together and touring.

Last night, they appeared at the Calvin Theatre in Northampton.

And they sound better than ever.

Confession: The Go-Go’s have, since that video, been one of my favorite bands of all time. Their debut album “Beauty and the Beat” I still consider to be one of the greatest, most perfect pop albums ever recorded. I was also a big fan of Belinda Carlisle’s solo work. And, last night was the first time I saw any of them live.

Maybe it is just early in the tour, but I have never seen a band seem to have as much fun performing on stage. Bassist Kathy Valentine seemed to be smiling through the whole thing. While Belinda Carlisle was always (rightly or wrongly) thought of as the leader of the group, it was guitarist Jane Wiedlin who did most of the song introductions. Gina Schock was amazing on the drums as usual, with Charlotte Caffey (who along with Jane wrote many of the still classic songs) alternating between guitar and keyboards.

Opening with “Vacation” the band sounded fantastic throughout. With “Beauty and the Beat” being reissued in a 30th anniversary edition, with a second CD of an early live performance, most of that album was played. The band played “This Town”, “Lust to Love”, “Tonite” “Automatic”, and more, all sounding great. They played just as many Rolling Stones covers (“Mother’s Little Helper) as Belinda solo songs (a Go-Goized “Mad About You”). They also played more recent Go-Go's songs, including "Has the Whole World Lost Its Head" from RETURN TO THE VALLEY OF THE GO-GOS and "Unforgiven" from GOD BLESS THE GO-GOS.

They closed out the almost 90 minute set with “Our Lips Are Sealed” and “We Got The Beat” returning for two encores that included “Head Over Heels” which still has some of the greatest keyboarding of the 1980s.

Opening act the Dollyrots were a very good pop-punk trio signed to Joan Jett’s Blackheart Records. I wasn’t familiar with them, but will be picking up their CDs.

The Go-Go’s will be traveling this summer (tour dates here), including an appearance this Friday on Good Morning America.

If you get a chance to see them, do not miss it.