It’s been a lot of years since the band The Pretenders have played Buffalo. Lead vocalist and focal point of the band Chrissie Hynde did make an appearance with a side project back in 2010 called JP, Chrissie and The Fairground Boys. Either way it’s an event when either Hynde or The Pretenders come to town. Making an off date appearance while on tour with Stevie Nicks, the band played before a sold out Town Ballroom crowd.
The Pretenders also include original drummer Martin Chambers along with newcomers pedal steel player Eric Heywood, lead guitarist James Walbourne and bassist Nick Wilkinson. Coming out in a tight, hip length pick tuxedo jacket, Hynde sported a different look with blonde hair verses her traditional dark. Hynde is known for her cocksure attitude and it was on full display for the Buffalo crowd. After getting the audience riled up with The Pretenders “Message of Love,” Hynde told the crowd “this was the first place we ever played as a band.. isn’t that right Martin?” Then Hynde asked if anyone in the crowd was there. When a few people raised their bands she jokingly said “really?? fu*k off” (while laughing). We knew right then and there Hynde was locked in. Not only attitude wise was she locked in but her voice was too. Any question to whether she can still hit the notes, you just had to listen to “Hymn to Her.’ That song was perfection.
Hynde really dictated tempo throughout the set. She would start and stop the beginning of songs at times. She looked at Chambers in a way waiting for him to say “are you ready to go yet?” As Chambers was gearing up to start a song, Hynde jokingly said that it was weird to look out and not see scarves and hats in the front (Regarding the Stevie Nicks fans.)
It should be noted that this was a no cell phone show. No one was allowed to take any photos or videos. It may seem idiotic by today’s standards but it was actually refreshing to enjoy a show without worrying about your cell phone or someone else’s.
The band is in support of its 10th studio effort titled “Alone” which was released on October 21, 2016. Hynde would say we have to play a new track here and there throughout. The songs really intertwined through the set very well with The Pretenders classic songs. 5 songs off of “Alone” were played and Hynde’s voice sounded as good on the new tracks as they did on songs from the classic catalog. It was one of the best vocal performances of the entire year I must say. She slayed it! They also dedicated “Kid” to former member Jimmy Honeyman-Scott.
This was only 1 of 3 off shows from the Nicks tour so Buffalo really got a treat. Great work by the promoters for pulling it off as it turned out to be one of the gems of the year as far as concerts go for sure!
Setlist:
Alone
Gotta Wait
Message of Love
Private Life
Let’s Get Lost
Hymn to Her
Down the Wrong Way (Chrissie Hynde song)
My City
Holy Commotion
Kid
Chain Gang
Stop your Sobbining (The Kinks cover)
Death is Not Enough
I’ll Stand by You
Mystery
Middle of the Road
Encore:
I Hate Myself
Tattooed Love Boys
Brass in Pocket
We would like to Jake Whitener from Big Hassle for the credentials to review the show.
