LIVE REVIEW + PHOTOS: Hootie & The Blowfish, Barenaked Ladies, Collective Soul in Boston, MA (06.21.24)
It was a dark and cloudy Friday in Boston, rain was imminent, but no one was sure when. 90’s vibe was in full effect as a stacked lineup of popular rock bands celebrating their 30th year (or there about) were set to play Fenway Park. I must mention, this show was initially a hard decision for me to make. I already had tickets to another show playing literally 10 minutes away from where I live, and not just some random band, one of my favorites: The Expendables (from Santa Cruz, CA). Killer band I have been seeing for years, and I know basically all of their songs and have even partied with on the first 311 Cruise out of Florida way back in 2011. However, finding out from Live Nation that I could shoot and review Hootie & The Blowfish (which would have been amazing if they were the only band playing) – but also Collective Soul and Barenaked Ladies. Edwin McCain was playing too, but I’ll be honest, I’ve already heard him plenty back when I was a wedding DJ assistant back in high school (“I’ll Be”, probably one of the most overused wedding songs of the 90s and early 00’s). I remembered loving Hootie’s songs back in the day and had to remind myself how many songs of theirs I knew so I started their best-known songs list on Amazon Music. It’s wild how many great songs they had made; banger after banger after banger. The decision was obvious. Plus, this would be my first time shooting a show at Fenway, which was definitely intriguing. The last time I saw them play was with The Spin Doctors (another huge favorite of mine and the band that popped my concert cherry) in Stamford, CT way back in…I don’t know, a while. A Google search doesn’t even remember. Plus, Collective Soul totally rocks and I definitely wore out my CD of Barenaked Ladies’ album Stunt from overuse.
Up first was Collective Soul. Everyone I spoke to about this show mentioned that they were absolutely the reason for coming out to see this lineup. They played an excellent but relatively short set. Collective Soul got into the favorites “Heavy” and “Shine” within the first few songs and they certainly did not disappoint. They have such an iconic 90’s rock sound. My friend who had just visited from Maine, who’s formative childhood years also stemmed from this period, was joking a day prior to the show that if you had to sum up the bands that took over that period of time, Collective Soul’s anthemic “Ya!” in their song “Shine” would probably be it. Outside of their big 3 radio hits, “Heavy,” “Shine,” and “December” (which was equally joyful and mesmerizing) they broke out into a really fun cover of AC/DC’s “Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap,” which I hadn’t seen them do before and was scintillating.
Barenaked Ladies I had never seen before so they were certainly a fun addition to this packed lineup. For the record, this was also a slightly different lineup from the original formation – the backup singer (Ed Robertson) is now the lead singer, having replaced Steven Page in 2009. They took the stage with a setlist that effortlessly blended their iconic hits with fresh surprises, showcasing why they remain one of Canada’s most beloved bands. Opening with “The Old Apartment” they instantly transported the audience back to the band’s early days. Particularly of note was Barenaked Ladies’s production, with video boards displaying witty imagery behind them. A lot of funny but simple clip art to drive home their lyrics throughout the songs: a smiley face, a hot dog, a thumbs down, a little girl crying with dog wearing a crown, a mouse sleeping on a pillow… Their playful interaction with the audience highlighted their charm and ability to connect effortlessly with their fans. Introducing newer tracks like “Gonna Walk” and “Lovin’ Life,” they proved they are as relevant today as ever, blending their trademark wit with a modern edge. The inclusion of the “Big Bang Theory Theme” drew a massive response, showcasing their versatility and knack for creating memorable tunes. I also have no idea how they remember the lyrics to that one. When you have a chance, sit down and read the lyrics to the full song while trying to sing along, it’s tough. Of course, no Barenaked Ladies show would be complete without their biggest hits. “One Week” had everyone singing along at full throttle, while “If I Had $1000000” became a collective celebration of nostalgia and humor. The medley “Vampire / Flowers / As It Was / Take On Me / Climb Ev’ry Mountain / So Long, Farewell / Rock of Ages” was a delightful surprise, demonstrating the band’s eclectic influences and their ability to blend multiple genres into a cohesive musical journey.
After a rather lengthy rain delay at Fenway Park, and time spent talking shop with the other photographers there for the show, it was finally time for the main event: Hootie! On a warm summer night in 2024, this iconic venue provided a perfect backdrop for the band to showcase their enduring charm and musical prowess, spanning decades of hits and unexpected covers. Opening with a soulful rendition of “I Go Blind,” originally by 54-40 (a cover, who knew?), the band immediately transported the audience back to the ’90s with their trademark blend of rock, pop, and country influences. It’d been quite a while since I had seen them play, and oh man – Darius Rucker’s voice was still smooth as butter. Hootie had the crowd on their feet from the start, singing along to every word of classics like “I Will Wait” and “Time,” each song evoking memories of carefree days and heartfelt emotions. The inclusion of “For What It’s Worth,” originally by Buffalo Springfield, added a poignant touch to the setlist, resonating with the timeless themes of social change and unity. The energy peaked during “Hannah Jane” and “Let Her Cry,” where the band’s infectious energy filled the stadium, reminding everyone why their music remains so beloved after all these years. The medley of “Old Man & Me / Mo Money Mo Problems / Big Poppa / Old Man & Me” was a delightful surprise, seamlessly blending their own hits with iconic hip-hop samples. Further elevating the evening, there was a guest appearance with Edwin McCain joining them on stage for a soulful rendition of “Solitude,” originally by McCain himself, creating a heartfelt moment that resonated with longtime fans and newcomers alike.
Closing out the night with an encore that included a moving rendition of “Alright,” a Darius Rucker solo hit, Hootie and the Blowfish left Fenway Park echoing with applause and cheers. Their cover of “Losing My Religion” by R.E.M. was a fitting tribute to their influences, with Rucker mentioning how glad he was that one of his favorite bands had just recently gotten into the song writing hall of fame. Their rendition of “Wagon Wheel,” originally by Bob Dylan in his Billy The Kid sessions in 1973 with Pat Garrett then covered many years later by Old Crow Medicine Show and then popularized by Darius Rucker, brought the evening full circle with its blend of folk and country flavors. The set ending “Hold My Hand” was a huge crowd pleaser and a highlight of the night. Before playing it, Darius Rucker told an interesting story about how they found a new drummer for their band right before writing their biggest hit record. He said he came into the audition with a song. The band was like, “Oh, a drummer wrote a song…OK, Let’s hear it…And it sounded like this” – at that point they launched into the song. It was like the sound hadn’t changed at all since they released Rear View Mirror (man, what a great album). After about a minute (since the show was already past their venue curfew), Hootie came back out for a delightful cover of Interstate Love Song (I’m a huge huge fan of STP so I certainly did not mind). It was the first time I had actually heard Rucker sing this and was pleasantly surprised. “Only Wanna Be with You” ended the night, lighting up Fenway while everyone sang along. Hootie hasn’t skipped a beat, and even through the rain, clearly this was where it was at.
Photos – Hootie & the Blowfish, Barenaked Ladies, Collective Soul at Fenway Park in Boston, MA on June 21st:
