The Beach Boys – Treasure Island Resort and Casino – Welch MN – November 15th 2019

The Beach Boys at Treasure Island Casino 11.15.19 By Danny Sigelman

For nearly 60 years, the Beach Boys have been an American tradition for their feel good Rock ‘N’ Roll, hot rod, surfing and beachcomber staples and anthems. Along the way the band has evolved and morphed in several directions. Depending on the era and which members constitute the lineup, they’ve maintained and been fulfilling the task for bringing their legacy of hits and pop standards to audiences all over the world.
While the band’s legendary studio auteur and chief song craftsman, Brian Wilson has famously ventured on his own through the years, Mike Love has kept the Beach Boys boat afloat managing lead singer duties for six decades strong. Longstanding Beach Boy, Bruce Johnston continues to carry the torch in the current incarnation with a solid backing band that includes Love’s son, Christian on guitar. Most of the members probably weren’t even a zygote in the womb when these famous tunes were originally released but they certainly bring the energy and music to life. The audience – from babies and all the way up to Mike Love’s age of 78 – at Treasure Island Casino were on their feet all night.
Pleasantly, Love’s voice is still very much in tact as he strutted back and forth, flirting with audience members and welcoming throngs of women towards the stage to boogie down and bask in the sheer delight of the Beach Boys countless hits. Trading vocal duties among the band members was key to deliver the treasured harmonies that make the Beach Boys songs such a treat, a highlight of which was Christian’s take on “God Only Knows” that had audience members canoodling and dancing arm in arm in the aisles.
“Don’t Worry Baby”, “Wouldn’t It Be Nice”, “Sloop John B”, “Don’t Worry Baby” and “California Girls”- which the band amended as “Minnesota Girls” for the last chorus – all served as wonderful audience sing alongs. A nod to Love’s friend George Harrison for a newer song “Pisces Brothers” and the subsequent Beatles’ “Here Comes the Sun” added some nostalgic variety.
Truthfully, for a Friday night with one of the longest running bands in American history, a lot of fun and unbridled joy was had by all. But if only to witness the bevy of septuagenarians rabidly pogo-ing to the Ramones’ “Rockaway Beach” – which the Beach Boys pulled out near the end of their set – the night was all the more absolutely worth the drive.
Setlist:
Do It Again
Catch a Wave
Surfin’ Safari
Surfer Girl
When I Grow Up (to Be a Man)

Be True to Your School In My Room
Don’t Worry Baby
I Get Around
Pisces Brothers
God Only Knows
Sloop John B
Wouldn’t It Be Nice California Girls
Here Comes the Sun Help Me, Rhonda
Do You Wanna Dance? Barbara Ann
Rockaway Beach Surfin’ U.S.A. Kokomo
Good Vibrations Fun, Fun, Fun

photos by Tommy Sommers