After four years, Guster made a return to the Beacon Theatre in New York City on Saturday, November 25. Billed as “A Night of Music & Comedy,” opening the show was comedian Chris Fleming who indeed provided the “Comedy” aspect of the night, followed by a whopping 24-song set by Guster.
Prior to their New York City show, Guster finished a series of early Fall Tour dates and the guys have been on “Dad duty” as Lead Singer Ryan Miller said from the stage, while adding it was “nice to get a chance to be a rock star for one night again.”
Full disclosure, this was my first Guster show, I knew nothing of the band other than the name, didn’t know any of their songs or hits for that matter. Musically, they were great, very tight on stage, all rotating instruments in a very impressive way, at times a full drum kit along with a full percussion station, bass and guitar players constantly switching, as pretty much every single band member sitting down at the keyboard for a song.
The crowd was really interesting as well, a mix of old and young, couples and even parents with their little kids, all singing along to pretty much every single song. Also admirable, was everyone stood up the minute the show started as if they knew what was coming. The band announced a new album that’s done and coming out in 2024, and even played a new track from it “Black Balloon”.
In order to keep things fresh, which as a first-time Guster concert attendee I appreciated, they broke the setup and mid-set embarked on a “Campfire” set, only two mics, seated at the lip of the stage they did six acoustic songs, all of which were fantastic, as the entire crowd sat down and sang along in true campfire style. Complete with a cardboard cutout of a little campfire and lighting to match.
Guster – Beacon Theatre – Saturday, November 25, 2023
Setlist: Diane, The Captain, Center of Attention, Mind Kontrol, Backyard, What You Call Love, Black Balloon, Communication (improv jam), Gangway, Manifest Destiny, Airport Song, Empire State, I Spy, Satellite, The Beginning of the End, Stay With Me Jesus, Happier, Amsterdam, Don’t Go, Come Downstairs and Say Hello, Do You Love Me, Mona Lisa, Terrified, Barrel of a Gun
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