Al Jardine & The Pet Sounds Band @ Thebarton Theatre, Adelaide 27/6/2026
Al Jardine & The Pet Sounds Band made a classy return to Adelaide to celebrate the music of Brian Wilson and The Beach Boys. Songs of ‘Girls, Cars, Surfing, The Beach’ represented an era which seemed much simpler than today but also served as a subtle reminder of the legacy and impact that these songs have created and will continue to create for many years to come. Classic songs stand the test of time and just seeing the joy that these classics brought to Adelaide fans was a wonderful thing. Old fans, young fans, new fans, casual observers… it didn’t really matter, we were all here for two hours of amazing music in the iconic Thebarton Theatre taking a trip down memory lane. It is a shame that more people weren’t there to experience this and get their fill of nostalgia.
When you have a catalogue of hits like this there was absolute no need for pyros, fireworks and an arena light show as the music did all the talking. Tip of the hat to Al Jardine at eighty three years young still has that wry wit and showmanship we all love and backed by a ten piece band aptly called The Pet Sounds Band led by the marvellous Darian Sahanaja they are an elite force. Walking out to stage Al said “this pick is warped, I can’t go” jokingly cranking up the hit machine with California Girls and Do It Again. It was smiles all round hearing these timeless classics.
Boasting a thirty-six-song set list, no intermission, there wasn’t much time with extended chats between songs keeping things moving although the comment “no one told us it wasn’t summer, we’re all layered up” got a few laughs. It wasn’t just the hits either going well deep in to the back catalogue making even the most die hard of fans extremely pleased… well I was! Catch A Wave, Hawaii and Surfer Girl followed by the sublime Don’t Worry Baby and Little Deuce Coupe. I Get Around was absolute gold and even the subdued In My Room was a special moment. Al’s son, Matt Jardine, was described by Al as “my Brian Wilson voice” so it is no surprise with his vocal stylings that Brian Wilson and The Beach Boys had rubbed off. He sounded fantastic and what a selection of music to work with.
The Ronettes cover I Can Hear Music was amazing then going out west 1855 style with Heroes and Villians. It was great to hear songs from the gem of an album The Beach Boys Love You representing a new era for the band. One standing was Johnny Carson complete with choreography and despite its relatively simple moves Al said ‘it took a minute to learn’. “Let the rubber hit the road” on Honkin’ Down The Highway, Good Time, Ding Dang and Solar System were great inclusions from that album.
Representing another era again and celebrating the sixtieth anniversary of the iconic album Pet Sounds was a healthy selection from that album. In short, incredible! This is one of those must own albums and the selection of songs played is one of those ‘oh my’ moments. God Only Knows was emotive and tugs at the heart strings. I could just picture the legendary Brian Wilson there playing it. Gems and staples Wouldn’t It Be Nice and Sloop John B were stellar getting the crowd singing a long raising the roof off The Thebbie with set closer Good Vibrations. The encore saw “the dance floor open” topping off the night brilliantly with Help Me, Rhonda, Surfin’ USA and Fun, Fun, Fun. Phones were out to capture and savour this moment. As we all walked out in to the cold night air there was a collective feeling that nostalgia is a wonderful thing and we all had experienced something quite wonderful.
Live Review By Rob Lyon