Review and Photos by Fred Kuhlman
Promoter: Danny Zelisko Presents (https://www.dannyzeliskopresents.com/ )
Venue: Celebrity Theatre (https://celebritytheatre.com/ )
Date: Sunday September
Tour: Farewell Tour
If you grew up in the late 60s there were probably 2 TV shows that you looked forward to each week. The first was Batman and how he would survive the cliffhanger from the last week’s show. The other show was The Monkees. For 2 years (1966 to 1968) each week we would get to see these 4 crazy guys in outrageous situation. As a highlight each show they would sing one of their great songs. The Monkees were Micky Dolenz, Michael Nesmith, Peter Tork and Davy Jones. Initially all four would only sing the songs. After a while they pressured the producers and network to actually let them play the songs. There is a movie on Netflix that chronical their rise and struggles (remember this is a movie and might not be 100% accurate).
This tour is to commemorate 55 years of Monkeemania. They list it as “A magical night of music: All the hits, deep cuts & Fan favorites”. Only Micky and Michael are still alive. Davey Jones passed away in 2012 and Peter Tork in 2019. Both Micky and Michael have come full circle and now only sing the songs. They had a 6-piece band with 2 backup singers with them.
For those unfamiliar with the Celebrity Theatre, it has a round stage that rotates and the audience sits around it. After they sang the second song, “Last Train To Clarksville”, Micky told the crowd that the stage would turn after a few songs to the next location. Micky said he had very bad motion sickness and could not stand having the stage rotate. So, about every 4 songs they moved the stage ¼ turn. The show consisted of 2 sets that each lasted about 1 hour. Between some of the songs, they would sometimes explain something about the next song.
They not only did some of their biggest hits, but some of the lesser-known songs that Michael wrote. They end the main set with “(I’m Not Your) Steppin’ Stone” and “Daydream Believer”. The audience was standing, dancing and singing along. They did a 2-song encore and finished with “I’m A Believer”. The audience at one point got their cell phones out and turned on the light and swayed with the music. It was funny watching some of them trying to figure out how to turn the light on. Based on the cheering and comments after the show, the audience really enjoyed the show.
I had a great time at the show and really enjoyed hearing this music from my childhood. If you loved the TV show or their music, then I would highly recommend this concert. Check out their website for future tour locations and dates.
Website: https://www.monkees.com
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonkees
Photo by Fred Kuhlman, All Rights Reserved
The Monkees Setlist: (Album/Cover)
Set 1:
Good Clean Fun (The Monkees Present)
Last Train To Clarksville (The Monkees)
The Kind Of Girl I Could Love (More of the Monkees)
Different Drum (Michael Nesmith wrote, performed by Stone Poneys)
Sunny Girlfriend (Headquarters)
Mary, Mary (More of the Monkees)
You Just May Be The One (Headquarters)
For Pete’s Sake (Headquarters)
The Door Into Summer (Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd.)
Randy Scouse Git (Headquarters)
Love Is Only Sleeping (Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd.)
Birth Of An Accidental Hipster (Good Times!)
St. Matthew (Missing Links, Volume Two)
As We Go Along (Head)
Circle Sky (Justus)
Pleasant Valley Sunday (Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd.)
Set 2:
Porpoise Song (Head)
While I Cry (Instant Replay)
Me & Magdalena (Good Times!)
Papa Gene’s Blues (The Monkees)
The Girl I Knew Somewhere (B Side of “A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You” Single)
Tapioca Tundra (The Birds, The Bees & The Monkees)
Steam Engine (Missing Links, Volume Three)
Auntie’s Municipal Court (The Birds, The Bees & The Monkees)
What Am I Doing Hangin’ Round (Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd.)
Goin’ Down (B Side of “Daydream Believer” Single)
Sweet Young Thing (The Monkees)
(I’m Not Your) Steppin’ Stone (More of the Monkees)
Daydream Believer (The Birds, The Bees & The Monkees)
Encore:
Listen To The Band (The Monkees Present)
I’m A Believer (More of the Monkees)
