PHOTOS: Pretenders, Lowlight @ Orpheum Theatre 04.01.18
It had been a few years since Chrissie Hynde and company graced Boston with their presence. The crowd erupted when the band came onto the stage, Hynde was donning a pink suit coat and they immediately played one of the newer songs, the title track from Dan Auerbach produced Alone, released in 2016. Her vocals were great and kept true to the sound of the classic hits, not much different if at all from the peak of her career. She dedicated their song “Kid” to deceased founding members James Honeyman-Scott and Pete Farndon. They also played other slightly newer hits like “Boots of Chinese Plastic,” and older classics like “I’ll Stand By You.” Also including a cover by The Kinks “Stop Your Sobbing.”The whole band was tight, drummer Martin Chambers, the only other original Pretenders member from 1978, got his complete cardio workout behind the kit. Lead guitarist James Walbourne had incredible chemistry and added to the at times rockabilly sound the band had. Occasionally neck to neck with Hynde’s guitar and his own. He also shined on the occasional solo. Keyboard player Carwyn Ellis solidified the sound in the back. Their encore was heavy hitting as well, including “Back on the Chain Gang,” Tattooed Love Boys,” “Brass In Pocket,” and “Precious.”
The night opened with Asbury Park New Jersey’s Lowlight, opened the night. The female fronted rock band provided a great opening set. Renee Maskin led the group wearing a wide brimmed black hat, with vocals a little reminiscent of Stevie Nicks. They were a band worth arriving early for. A great show to start the month of April, try to check it out when they come to your city this summer!
