There is a reason why some musicians are considered legends. Most rock bands have their moment in the sun and then fade away. Others continue to rock well into their old age (i.e. The Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney, and Robert Plant). After Sunday night’s Pretenders show it is safe to say Chrissie Hynde should be put on that list.
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The Pretenders
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 Entertainment
Art
The Riviera Theater
Chicago, IL
February 15, 2009
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The Pretenders have been around, in one form or another, for over three decades. And while time may have caught up with Hynde physically she can still rock out on stage like a teenager. The result was an intense, polished show proving that the girl still has it.
One has to respect Hynde’s willingness to play outside of her list of standards. Some Pretenders songs have become such household names that few outside of the hardcore fan base really know of her other work. The crowd on Sunday night was a bit of a mixed bag. Comprised of mostly middle-aged Baby Boomers for many it was a night of nostalgia. But looking around the venue it was hard not to notice the surprising number of teens and tweens at the show. It was hard not to think that somehow the concert counted as “musical education” for many young adults.
Unfortunately, this is where it becomes necessary to rant. While The Pretenders played a top-notch show the audience was far from being on their best behavior. Never, in this reviewer’s history of going to concerts, have I seen a more fiercely territorial group of people. In the standing room only section there were at least three incidents of violent pushing and shoving to get a better view.
One patron actually physically moved me from my spot after I moved in closer. “You were over there you can’t just move up” was his defense. I have been to some pretty hardcore concerts in my time and yet no one there ever acted that rude. Another couple insisted on talking on their cell phones DURING the concert and inviting friends to push other people out of the way so they could get a better, closer spot. “General admission buddy!” the man said as his wife danced to the music blocking the view of at least three people.
While they may not have shown love to each other the crowd certainly showed love to Hynde. After playing an hour and a half set the band came back to play two encores much to the delight of an uproarious audience. Part of the joy of watching The Pretenders play is you are never really sure when the concert is going to end. They approach every song as hard and intense as if it were their last.
Time may have caught up the audience but certainly not with The Pretenders. The music they played is just as relevant now as it was in the early 80’s. Of course having two young guitarists at your side certainly help. Hynde’s bass player and lead guitarist, both in their late 20’s nearly stole the show. Guitarist James Walbourne tore it up so intensely that I could swear I saw a guitar string fly off during a solo. Hynde’s protégé’s are certainly making her proud.
As Valentine’s Day weekend came to a close the crowd reluctantly filed out into the winter cold. Strangely it was outside of the concert that the love was shown as fans found each other and made their way home. Love is many splendored things but rock and roll will save your soul.
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