February 12, 2002

Wilson, Brian : London Royal Festival Hall

Tonight, he opened his heart and let all the good vibrations come out...

Given the fact that Brian Wilson's done more drugs than Aerosmith, Motley Crue and the Rolling Stones
Never mind the fact that this concert is the most amazing, emotionally affecting musical event that NME - and pretty much everyone else here tonight - has ever seen. Just ask Bobby Gillespie, Kevin Shields, Richard James, Gruff Rhys, Roger Daltrey or Elvis Costello, all of whom were seen drying their eyes during the intervals.

The second of a four-night residency at the Festival Hall, tonight's set is a dream for even the most casual Beach Boys or Brian Wilson fan. For his die hard fans, it's more like a personal audience with the Lord Of The Universe. It also represents perhaps the most successful rock 'n' roll rehabilitation of all time.

The first third of the show is a selection of Brian's greatest songs, taking in everything from happy go lucky Beach Boys anthems like 'California Girls' to the dark 'Till I Die' to a jawdropping run through 'Heroes And Villains'. His backing band - which includes LA's Wondermints and long-time collaborator Andy Paley in its ranks - know each song inside out, five part harmonies and all. You can feel the care and love they've put into recreating
Instead of playing piano, Brian sits stoically at his Yamaha keyboard and acts out the lyrics to the songs with his hands. Each time he mentions the sun, he points to the sky, each time he mentions the surf he waves his hand, each time he sings about love, he touches his heart.

After 'Pet Sounds', it's back to the Beach Boys' early back catalogue with rousing, stand-up clap-along versions of 'Help Me Rhonda', 'I Get Around' et al. After loping off into the wings with a wave of his hand, he returns with his band to give us a beautiful accapella version of 'Love And Mercy'. There's not a dry eye in the house.

To think that the last time Brian Wilson appeared on a stage in London back in 1996, it was to mime along uncomfortably to a Status Quo song. Tonight, he opened his heart and let all the good vibrations come out. A week later, we're all still buzzing.

Andy Capper