The Go-Go's

Not to take any credit away from The Go-Gos, but it probably tells you a lot about the extent to which the modern music industry is dominated by men when you consider the fact that the Los Angeles based outfit are the only all-female group in history to top the Billboard charts having played all their own instruments and written all their own songs. Their career has been a staggered one, with an initial seven year run between 1978 and 1985 and a couple of brief reunions in the nineties ultimately followed by a fully-fledged reformation in 1999, albeit with a mildly diffferent lineup, which continues to this day. Whilst they’ve only produced one record since then - 2001’s God Bless the Go-Gos - they remain a popular live act, touring pretty much constantly in the fifteen years since their most recent reconvention. Their setlists continue to lean heavily on their biggest eighties hits, and frontwoman Belinda Carlisle, who has had plenty of solo success in her own right, remains a beguiling live performer, demanding attention with her superb voice and commanding stage presence. They lined up a farewell tour in 2010, but after injury forced its cancellation, they’ve showed no signs of wanting to call it quits.

I saw them in 1999 in Santa Barbara, the opening band was Berlin. They rocked!! I lived in SB at the time, it was a great show, they were all on their game, but I could have done without the 'scat' version of 'Turn to You' (One of the best songs by them!) I understand Belinda does not like the song, but then again, she sang 'I get weak', so she is a bit of a sellout anyway! In any event, I would love to see all the original members playing again, hopefully they will make it to Portland Oregon!

This was an excellent show. They did a good mixture of their songs. They really sounded great and really brought it to their performances. It was nice to be there on Belinda Carlisle birthday and singing happy birthday!