Summer has arrived in San Diego, and the outdoor concert season is off to a great start. On June 20, Barenaked Ladies brought their Last Summer On Earth 2023 Tour to the Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre on the San Diego State University campus, and I was lucky enough to be there to cover it for All Music Magazine. The tour lineup for the San Diego show was del Amitri, followed by Semisonic, and then the Barenaked Ladies to close the show. It was a night filled with nostalgia, great performances, and a lively atmosphere that had the entire crowd on their feet. Each band brought their unique sound and stage presence to the b beautiful Open Air Theatre, creating an unforgettable concert experience.
I first heard of del Amitri many, many years ago while on a trip out to Virgina and have been a fan ever since. I know they are probably best known for the hit single “Roll to Me” which was released back in 1995, but still sounds a good live now as it did then. The band was formed back in 1980 and over their history have had members come and go, but the current lineup is really strong and they really did look as if they were having a blast on stage. As a photographer who has covered a lot of music over the years, it really does make a difference when the band is actually enjoying themselves.
del Amitri are:
Justin Currie – Bass, Vocals
Iain Harvie – Guitar
Andy Alston – Keys
Ash Soan – Drums
Kris Dollimore – Guitar
del Amitri Setlist
Next up were Semisonic, a band that I have never seen before, but I have defiantly heard them, and so have you. Their hit 1998 song, Closing Time has become the universal bar closing anthem and they didn’t disappoint the crowd, playing it as the closer to their ten song set. If you didn’t know, the song was actually written to be the final song in their set. It holds up perfectly and everyone in the audience sang along. How could you not?
Semisonic are:
John Munson – Bass, Keys, Guitar, Vocals
Jacob Sichter – Drums, Percussion, Keys, Vocals
Dan Wilson – Guitar, Keys, Lead Vocals
Then it was time for the Barenaked Ladies and the crowd was on their feet and ready. Thanks the the great count down timer displayed as a hourglass on the screen behind the show, we were all eagerly awaiting the start of the set. If you paid close attention to the screen, at times you could glimpse a little animated character fighting in the hourglass sand. It’s these little things that makes the Barenaked Ladies shows just that extra little bit special. There is a great humor woven through their upbeat and incredibly catchy tunes. No I have been a fan of the Barenbaked Ladies for a long time and have been fortunate to have seen them a lot over the years. The first Last Summer On Earth Tour that I photographed was back in 2012 and eleven years later, I found myself singing along, tapping my foot, laughing at the impromptu banter and enjoying a band that doesn’t seem to take anything too seriously… exactly what I want in a San Diego Summer Show.
The setlist covered the big hits like Brian Wilson, If I had $1,000,00, and one of my favorites, The Old Apartment, also with plenty of stage banter and a great impromptu bit referencing the seals down in La Jolla. Yes, there are actual seals that hang out on a beach in La Jolla. I am really glad that the Barenaked Ladies celebrate the Last Summer On Earth every year, it gives me something to look forward to.
Barenaked Ladies Are:
Ed Robertson – Guitar, Vocals
Jim Creeggan – Bass, Vocals
Kevin Hearn – Keyboards, Guitar, Vocals
Tyler Stewart – Drums, Vocals
Encore:
Follow del Amitri Online:
Follow Semisonic Online:
Follow Barenaked Ladies Online:
Alan Hess is a photographer based in San Diego, where he lives with his wife and two rescued boxers.
Alan is currently the house photographer for a large concert and event venue in Southern California where he photographs everything from major musical acts to ice hockey. When he isn’t out taking photographs, he spends his time writing books and is an accomplished photography educator and trainer.
Alan’s images have been published in a variety of places including news papers, magazines, websites, promotional materials, album artwork, and press releases. His clients include The Associated Press, Fox Television, FX Network, USA Network, Hasbro, Framus Guitars, Gibson, The Dead, Picture Group, Photoshop User Magazine, Steel Pulse, Ziggy Marley, and many more.
He is the author of sixteen photography and technology books covering everything from night and low light photography to multiple shot techniques. His books are sold around the world and have been translated in other languages including: Chinese, French, Polish, Japanese, Thai, and Italian.
