Review by Val Tapia
Photos by Fred Kuhlman
Venue: Musical Instrument Museum (MIM) (https://mim.org/ )
Date: July 24th, 2025
Note: Photos are from a prior show. I was in Europe at the time of this concert.
As I entered the 300-seat Music Theatre at the awesome Musical Instrument Museum (or the MIM as it is commonly referred to), I was somewhat surprised to see the amount of equipment on the small stage.
Then again, if you’re Al Jardine, it makes sense given the fact he’s touring with a 10-piece ensemble, if you will, known as the Pet Sounds Band.
Jardine, a founding member of 1960s American quintet The Beach Boys, mentioned early in the 33-song, 130-minute set (with a 15-minute intermission) that the lineup of musicians onstage were “handpicked” by none other than his former bandmate, the late Brian Wilson, who sadly passed away on June 11, 2025.
Commencing the very generous set with California Girls, it would be an evening with nothing but the music of The Beach Boys. Mind you, along with a few cover songs that they arguably made more known, for lack of a better word.
Do It Again followed, with Jardine taking over on lead vocals. At 82 years young, his voice has remained considerably strong for the most part. For Surfer Girl, it was time to share lead vocals with his son Matt Jardine.
To his credit, Matt pulled off something that can’t be easy to do— singing The Beach Boys material faithfully and respectfully.
To that end, personally, I’ve always thought of The Beach Boys as more of a vocal group… as opposed to a band. My opinion, mind you.
Don’t Worry Baby and Little Deuce Coupe certainly put smiles (no pun intended) on the fans’ faces. If I had to guess, it’s fair to say that the average age of the crowd was probably 62– give or take.
I respect that Jardine was willing to put a few obscure songs in the set as well. I was sitting next to a clearly hardcore fan who was “shocked” that the band played Susie Cincinatti (from the 1976 album 15 Big Ones).
I guess one could say the same about two other songs the exceptional Pet Sounds Band dusted off— the Beach Boys’ version of The Del-Vikings Come Go With Me, and an original song, She’s Got Rhythm, from the widely-panned 1978 M.I.U. Album.
In fact, I also heard a few gasps in the crowd when Jardine said they would playing several songs from 1977’s The Beach Boys Love You in the second set.
Before that, they concluded the first set with Heroes and Villains, from 1967’s Smiley Smile. It was a satisfying closer for most of the audience before the band took a well-deserved 15-minute break.
Set two, as Jardine promised, kicked things off with Let Us Go On This Way from Love You. From my vantage point, I could see quite a few jaws drop when, overall, eleven of the fourteen songs were performed off that album alone.
Roller Skating Child and Johnny Carson (yes, it’s about that Johnny Carson good readers) displayed the usual quirky (if not goofy) bent that The Beach Boys are known for. Whether that’s positive or negative is up for interpretation.
Honkin’ Down The Highway got everyone clapping along, while I Wanna Pick You Up slowed things down.
It’s been said that, historically, Love You is more of a cult classic among Beach Boys fans. It’s interesting that Jardine and band would decide to perform a significant portion of an album that was mostly recognized as the critics’ choice, as opposed to the peoples’ choice.
Regardless, Love You is considered a cult classic among many in The Beach Boys’ fan base. It’s fair to say that most in the audience were pleasantly surprised that this album was featured so prominently. To that end, Jardine should be commended for not playing things so safe with their refreshingly long set.
Having said that, it’s mandatory for Jardine to play God Only Knows, Wouldn’t It Be Nice and Good Vibrations, the latter two concluding the main set.
While the audience sat down for the entire two sets, it was time to for everyone to “stand up” (as Jardine requested) for the four-song encore. Pretty hard for the band to ignore Help Me, Rhonda and Barbara Ann. Not to mention Surfin’ U.S.A. and Fun, Fun, Fun to end the night for a very satisfied audience overall I believe.
Speaking candidly, the music of The Beach Boys does absolutely nothing for me as a music enthusiast. Truthfully, I’ve never bought a Beach Boys album in my life. However, as a journalist, there’s no doubting the level of talent that’s there among the band.
Furthermore, Jardine and the Pet Sounds Band do a credible job of recreating songs that mean something to multiple generations of music fans worldwide. In the end, that’s what truly matters in the bigger picture.
What I did enjoy (and respect) most about the show was the fact they played a long set for their fans, compared to many of their contemporaries touring the circuit today.
In short order, I’m sorry, paltry 75-minute so-called “headline” sets by veteran acts do not cut it in 2025– particularly with rising ticket prices. Simple as that— regardless of the type of music they choose to play.
To that end, I sincerely applaud Jardine for finding the right musicians to step up and deliver a set that mixes the hits along with rarely (or maybe never-played) songs. He sets a great example for other “older” artists to follow. I sincerely applaud (and thank) him for that.
The final verdict? Strictly for playing a 33-song set(!), I’ll give Mr. Jardine and the Pet Sounds Band four out of five stars. I’m sure the fans are still smiling. Pun intended.
