One of the bands who are synonymous with the 1980’s is the Go-Go’s. They were really the first all female band who made it into the mainstream with hits like “Vacation,” “Our Lips are Sealed” and “We Got the Beat.” The lineup that has been in place for well over 30 years made its way to Casino Rama this past Saturday night (minus bassist Kathy Valentine who broke her wrist right before the tour started, so Abby Travis was called to take her spot).
Coming out to Survivor’s mega hit “Eye of the Tiger,” empowered the ladies to deliver a memorable hour and 25 minute set. The first song performed was “This Town” off of their debut record “Beauty and the Beat.” Vocalist Belinda Carlisle looked and sounded great as she spearheaded the night’s festivities. All the ladies enjoyed taking turns in the spotlight, but no one came off more endearing than drummer Gina Schock. Gina came from behind the drums to tell everyone she had a huge wasp flying around her and proceeded to show everyone as her tech killed it. She did this in a Brooklyn- esque accent and also came out another time to explain why assorted paintings that were around the stage were there, and the meanings behind them. Which most of us still didn’t quite understand.
Charlotte Caffety and Jane Wiedlin teamed up to provide a steady diet of guitar riffs throughout the evening. Wiedlin also remarked how much fun it was for the band to play Carlisle’s solo track “Mad About You” before the band cranked it out. Caffrey also played the keyboards on “Automatic,” Fading Fast, “Cool Jerk” and “Head Over Heels.”
This was my first time witnessing the Go Go’s in a live setting and it was apparent that the show was just as fun for the audience as it was to the Go-Go’s. They were having a blast performing in front of the Canadian crowd and their enthusiasm made for an exhilarating show. They even kept the fun gong by saying they wanted to be “hip” and “in” and performed this summers biggest hit by teen sensation Carly Rae Jepsen called “Call Me Maybe.”
Everyone in the band has outside projects and co-writes on other musicians albums. It is when these girls are together that they are at their best and Saturday night, they proved that point yet again!
Set List:
This Town
Vacation
Tonight
How Much More
Get Up and Go
Mad About You (Belinda Carlisle solo cover)
Lust To Love
Stuck In My Car
Automatic
Fading Fast
Cool Jerk
Cool Places(Sparks cover)
Unforgiven
Skid Marks On My Heart
We Got The Beat
Our Lips Are Sealed
Encore:
Call Me Maybe (Carly Rae Jepsen cover)
Head Over Heels
We would like to thank Jenna Hunter from the Orillia Casino for the credentials to cover the show.
