We're All Getting Too Old for This
by Whiny McGee on 11/25/19Paradise Rock Club presented by Citizens Bank - BostonWhile the two-night run was fun enough (highlights including an encore set of Cars tunes on Friday night, and a fun cover of "Cruel to Be Kind" on Saturday night), the fun is fading as the fan base slouches toward middle age. While the Paradise is a fun venue when you're young, being on your feet for three + hours in order to get a good view of the stage is tough for older folks with stiffer joints and weaker bladders. Though the band does offer a handful of new material (this year it was a Christmas EP), those who have seen them before are quite familiar with their output by now, so it's more of a comforting evening of nostaligia, though having a newer band open (Speedy Ortiz) at least exposes the crowd to some new tunes. I'll always love the band, but I'll be reluctant to see them again unless there's a novel approach to their next performances. However, if you've never seen them, they put on a great show, and you'll probably have a great time. As far as the venue goes, there always seems to be an incident where there's a confrontation in the crowd because a tall guy plops himself front and center, all but obscuring the lead singer, which angers shorter, drunker people. That will probably neer change, though.