Go Go's - Hilton Theater, Las Vegas, Nevada (9.07.02)
Posted by Pat Brower on 09.09.2002
Do they still have the beat?
What the? I bail on this week’s WWE Velocity Report in favor of the Go-Go’s? Hey, I was in Vegas and Morrisey was sold out so here you go-go.
The Line-Up:
Belinda Carlisle: Vocals
Charlotte Caffey: Lead Guitar
Jane Weidlin: Rhythm Guitar
Gina Schock: Drums
Dominique Davalos: Bass (Kathy Valentine is pregnant and not touring)
This was the second of two nights in LV for the girls and while I wasn’t at the first night, this show was at about 80% capacity, with the far back rows curtained off. I don’t know how many seats are in the Theater but I’d guess it in the 1,000 to 1,200 range.
Right as the show started, someone threw $100 on stage, which I gather was a continuation of the first night’s antics. At that point Belinda said any money collected would go to an animal abuse charity and she stuffed it in her bra. Money then came flooding up. Seriously. Hundreds of dollars. As she kept stuffing the bills in he bra, Belinda said that the bra would, however, stay on and that it would take a LOT of money for her to take it off. At that point my buddy Mike Wall leaned over and said, “Yeah? She took it off for me for $5.95.” Ah, Playboy magazine. God Bless you. And it turns out that the money is really going to support a good friend and fan of theirs named Fred.
The Set List:
Well, I didn’t take notes or anything but you can guess what was played. Here’s what songs I remember from the main show: Vacation, La La Land, Our Lips Are Sealed, This Town, Head Over Heels, Tonite, How Much More, as well as others I can’t recall. They played for about 1:25 including 2 encores. Encore 1 had “Skidmarks On My Heart” and “We Got The Beat” both from 1981’s BEAUTY AND THE BEAT and Encore 2 featured a cover of the Ramone’s “I Wanna Be Sedated” and a song about having some sort of party tonight.
The Heart of the Matter:
Okay so you’ve got all the facts; now how about the opinion? It’s true that I dug the Go-Go’s back in the 80’s but I’ve never seen them live before, even when they were here in Chicago back in March. The show was decent, but that’s about all I can say. Charlotte and Jane have all the energy and the riff back and forth well. Jane, although not quite “crunchy,” seemed to be having the most fun. Charlotte played well but seemed to be concentrating a bit more than expected. Dominique, while being adorable, is also very proficient on bass and even had a small solo that was pretty cool. Gina is more or less of a timekeeper and never really tries to impress anyone with her drum playing, and that’s too bad. And Belinda, well bands are made and broken by their lead singers and tonight was not a good night for her. She was going thru the motions and seemed to be the most bored with their biggest hits; you know the songs the fans most want to hear? She hardly moves around and resorts to catalogued poses for most of the time between lyrics. But the two women who were at the show with us raved about and said that they were “great!” so what do I know?
From The Girls:
Taken from GoGos.com here is what they had to say leading up to these shows:
Kathy:
I am sorry to miss out on the Las Vegas fun, but am happy to report that I am in the last trimester of a healthy and wonderful pregnancy. I leave my role in the Go-Gos in good, competent hands in the form of my most esteemed colleague and friend, Dominique Davalos. I have been very busy and productive the past few months: I recorded 3 new songs with the Delphines at my good friend Gilby Clarke's studio, also, we took the Go-Gos over there one day to record the DoOver theme song that we wrote for the new series. For me, most significantly, I have produced 4 songs for my first ever solo effort which I am very proud of. And hopefully it's ok to say this...the Go-Go's are working on a secret project involving animation... See you soon and thanks for everything you all do to keep us feeling wanted and appreciated!
Charlotte:
I have been multi-tasking like crazy between being a mom, getting ready for the upcoming Go-Go's dates, writing songs, and running Five Foot Two Records!!! The Go's are presently rehearsing with the beautiful and talented Dominique Davalos! Kathy has visited a few rehearsals and it reminds me of how strange it was to do the same thing 8 years ago when I was pregnant with Astrid!!
In addition to the "Do Over" theme that Kathy, Jane and I wrote, Jane and I have written more songs with Keith Urban...keep your fingers crossed that he records one or all of them! I am making a trek to Nashville in October to write with my favorite people there.
And of course Five Foot Two is taking up a lot of my time! Anna Waronker's record, "Anna by Anna Waronker" is doing really well and we are working on the final touches for two releases in November...A re-release of the legendary "Neurotica" by Redd Kross AND The Steve McDonald's Group first release...an EP of 5 GREAT songs (and I have to mention that Jeff co-wrote a few)
I thank every one of you for your continued loyalty!
Belinda (Belinda's message was provided by Left Bank Management):
Belinda's on her way to the States so she can't write personally. She has spent a busy summer, first doing some solo dates in the Far East and then rusticating in rural Ireland with her family and friends who threw her a birthday party in Dublin (which is also where she recorded her vocals for the "Do Over" theme the Go-Go's have just completed for that WBTV show). She's looking forward to reconnecting with the Go-Go's for rehearsals in Los Angeles before their Las Vegas gigs next weekend.
Dominique:
Hey all you gang bangers,
I'd love to mention how much fun it is rehearsing with the girls. It's not work at all. Between all the dirty jokes and the laugh's we are lucky to get a song in . Now I see why Delphines rehearsals are like that. Can't wait to play these great songs live with these wonderful and talented women. I feel very lucky. Vegas is gonna be a blast
Jane:
Thanks to my fellow rock chicks for filling you in on most of what we are doing.
Personally, I spent the summer going back and forth to Costa Rica. I found a house there that I'm in love with, and my sweetheart David found a restaurant to open (he's a chef). We will be living there fulltime as of October 1. Our new town is right on the Pacific Ocean. My house is in the rain forest, and monkeys come right up onto my bedroom balcony!! There are also loads of toucans, parrots, sloths, and pizotes (a type of raccoon that really looks nothing like a raccoon!!). I am absolutely thrilled to have the opportunity to live in such an amazing place. The script for the Go-Go's TV movie is coming along great, and every few days I get an email from the writers asking for info on stuff that happened over 20 years ago! Half the time my last remaining brain cell can't recall events, so I rely on Char, who has a mind like a steel trap! As KV said, we are very excited about our secret animation project, which is getting a great reaction in "The Biz". In other animation news, I have reprised my role as "Dusk the Hex Girl" in the new Scooby Doo movie called "Scooby Doo and the Vampire's Rock". I also wrote a song for the show called "Who Do Voodoo" that will be performed by The Hex Girls. I have been offered the part of musical director and wacky sidekick on a new talk-show. We are just waiting for the studio to approve me, then I'll be able to spill all the beans. The pilot for the show shoots in 3 weeks, and if the show gets picked up, I'll be on TV 5 days a week. Can you stand it??? If this happens, I will be spending about half my time in L.A. and half in Costa Rica. Sounds hectic! Big hug to all our great fans!
Yeah, that may not have had too much to say about the Vegas shows specifically, but it sure padded out this review, so it works for me!
The 411: I know this was in Vegas and all, but this was not a $63 show. A solid $22, maybe, but not worth my $63.
