The first time I saw Chrissie Hynde was on an episode of the hit comedy Friends. Her voice instantly grabbed my attention when she sang. Years later, I finally saw her band, The Pretenders, open for Guns N’ Roses at MetLife Stadium. That show made me a lifelong fan of the bands. Almost a year later, The Pretenders made a triumphant return to the metropolitan area at The Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank New Jersey, on Saturday, July 13.
The Jersey Shore is mostly known for its famous boardwalk and The Stone Pony but tonight, The Pretenders opened their show just north of the famous club at the beautiful Count Basie Center for the Arts. The 98-year-old venue was the perfect place to host the first night of the tour. The sold-out crowd was eager to get inside from the warm summer weather and see this legendary band. Between solo dates, the group is also slotting as special guests of The Foo Fighters on their summer stadium tour.
The quartet, fronted by Hynde strutted on stage and jumped right into their first song of the night, “Losing My Sense of Taste” off their newest record, Relentless. The band sounded tight and hungry. Hynde has recruited some top-notch musicians to surround herself with on stage. Hynde’s voice is also one of the best voices I have ever seen live – and I’ve seen 78 concerts. Once she began singing that very first lyric, it took me back to sitting on my couch as a kid in middle school as Hynde sat opposite Lisa Kudrow’s character, Phoebe Buffay strumming guitars in Friends. At times in rock and live music in general, people are skeptical about whether a singer is singing. I can tell you that Hynde and the rest of the band are playing live rock and roll music.
Ever since the show was announced, I had been eagerly waiting to see them. In a giant stadium like MetLife Stadium, the acoustics aren’t always up to par and you’re at a roofless venue so sometimes, the overall sound isn’t great. Seeing the band at The Count Basie Center for the Arts was a gift. The smaller, intimate venue was perfect. There wasn’t a bad seat in the house and the overall acoustics were top-notch.
Joining Hynde on guitar was James Walbourne. He perfectly complimented Hynde’s guitar playing. Hyndes’ guitar playing is more rhythmic while Walbourne’s solos are melodic and catchy. Throughout the show, Walbourne stalked around on stage and flashed his guitar around as he veered towards the front.
Joining Walbourne and Hynde included Dave Page on bass and Kris Sonne on drums. Hynde looked to be having a great time on stage as she never stopped smiling. In between some songs, she would poke fun at Sonne and humbly thank the audience for coming out to the show. Her calm and fun vibe brought an easygoing vibe to the audience in return.
Sometimes a true rock and roll leader doesn’t need to be over-the-top flamboyant. Sometimes, they don’t have to do much to be considered an amazing frontman at all. For Hynde, she doesn’t have to do much to be cool. At the show’s start, she graced the stage wearing an awesome pink coat and by the night’s end, she strutted off again in her leather boots. She and the rest of the band let the music do most of the talking. That’s why they didn’t need a fancy stage setup or backdrop. The stage consisted of their speakers, some lights and the drum riser, that was it. The band was so together and in sync that all four stole the show.
The audience would scream at the top of their lungs after each song concluded. Even before the show started, fans lined up against the walls on either side of the lower seating area to stand and get better looks at the band. At the start of each song, fans would jump out of their seat and dance to the tune. Even members up front who were wealthy donors to the theatre thunderously applauded the band after each song. The crowd was slightly more rowdy than what I would expect a Pretenders crowd to be. Regardless, they gave the band the attention they deserved. The band then delivered a memorable show.
Throughout the 21-song setlist, some fans were hoping they would play some of their smash hits like “Brass In Pocket,” “I’ll Stand By You” and “Back on the Chain Gang.” Even though they didn’t play any of those tunes, they still played amazing songs from their historic 46-year career. Fan favorites like “Junkie Walk,” “My City Was Gone” and the semi-ballad “A Love” were all played to the audience’s delight.
At the end of some concert reviews, I always say that you should check out the band if they come into the area. When I say you must see The Pretenders, I’m not lying. They put on such a magical evening. From the music to the overall show, there’s nothing that didn’t disappoint. It was perfect. The band was energetic and playful and the audience in return was great. If this band rolls into your area as the headliner, go see them. If The Foo Fighters are in your city, go early and see The Pretenders. This band is legendary and their music is great. Spend one night of your summer with this band, you will not regret it.
The Pretenders are:
Chrissie Hynde – Lead Vocals/Guitar
James Walbourne – Lead Guitar/Backing Vocals
Dave Page – Bass/Backing Vocals
Kris Sonne – Drums/Backing Vocals
Setlist:
1. Losing My Sense of Taste
2. A Love
3. Turf Accountant Daddy
4. Hate for Sale
5. Kid
6. Precious
7. The Buzz
8. My City Was Gone
9. You Can’t Hurt a Fool
10. Don’t Cut Your Hair
11. Domestic Silence
12. Private Life
13. I Think About You Daily
14. Biker
15. Vainglorious
16. Time the Avenger
17. The Wait
18. Boots of Chinese Plastic
19. The Phone Call
20. Merry Widow
21. Pack It Up
22. Stop Your Sobbing (The Kinks cover)
23. Junkie Walk
24. Tattooed Love Boys
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My love for live music started with my first concert ever, Guns N’ Roses back in 2016. Since then, I’ve been able to capture photos of some amazing artists like Alice Cooper, Judas Priest, Ace Frehley, and Post Malone. I am based in New York/New Jersey and go to school in Connecticut majoring in Journalism and I am always looking for the next concert to attend.
