Review: Barenaked Ladies at the Cambridge Corn Exchange

It was third time lucky for the long-standing Canadian quartet as they finally got to perform at Cambridge’s largest venue having had to twice postpone this gig in support of their latest album, 2021’s Detour de Force.

Band leader and founding member Ed Robertson came out to introduce support act Boothby Graffoe and to thank the audience, noting: “You’ve exchanged your corn to be here, let us provide the music”.

Graffoe, named after the Lincolnshire village of the same name, is a comedian and singer-songwriter who specialises in writing humour-laden songs - and they didn’t disappoint.

His imaginative ditties and witty observations drew a great deal of laughter from the audience. He was also joined by a young man named Liam hitting out a beat on a box and also by Barenaked Ladies’ bass player Jim Creeggan who played stand-up bass on a couple of tracks.

When it was time for Barenaked Ladies to shine, the fun-loving foursome - Ed Robertson, Jim Creeggan, Tyler Stewart and Kevin Hearn - eagerly obliged. Punchy opening number, New Disaster - off Detour de Force - was a great way to kick off the proceedings.

Three songs in, Ed addressed the audience with “Good evening good people of Cambridge!”. He went on to sing the praises of Jack’s Gelato, an establishment close to the Cambridge Corn Exchange known for its ice cream.

“I had the best ice cream I’ve ever had there and it wasn’t even ******* ice cream!” exclaimed Ed, recommending that we all try the rhubarb and rose sorbet. He then proceeded to do a rap introducing the members of the band.

Speaking of the members of the band, what was particularly impressive throughout was to witness what amazing musicians they all are. Ed played acoustic and electric guitars, and later the drums, Jim played electric bass, double bass (with and without a bow) and sang, Kevin played guitars, keyboards, banjo and accordion, and Tyler played drums and also sang - and all with an energy level of men half their age.

Tyler also expertly played the triangle when the four men came out to the front together and sang the wonderful I Can Sing around the same microphone. “For any of you Cambridge University folks, Tyler was playing an equilateral triangle,” noted Ed.

Ed dedicated the very catchy Good Life - also off Detour de Force - to all of the people who had been dragged along to the gig against their will and who were “determined not to have a good time”.

There were elements of various genres in the songs performed and I really enjoyed the country/folk-esque The Township of the King, brilliantly sung by Kevin Hearn and with some lovely harmonies from the others.

Further memorable moments were provided by Brian Wilson, Pinch Me (during which underwear was thrown on stage), the jaunty If I had a Million Dollars (during which Ed got the crowd singing), and the theme song from “comedic TV show” The Big Bang Theory. Speaking of the latter, Ed also recalled a time when Stephen Hawking directly quoted a Barenaked Ladies song lyric.

Following what is probably the band’s best-known tune, the tongue-twisting pop genius that is One Week, Ed signalled out a lady in the audience and observed, “Everyone always thinks they know all the lyrics to that song but this lady here really did - she knows all the parts I forgot!”

The main set ended with Tyler coming out from behind the drums, doing a bit of dancing with Jim and then delivering solid versions of Devo’s Whip It and the Led Zeppelin standard Whole Lotta Love. The group then departed the stage, returning for a two-song encore which included the wistful Light Up My Room from their 1998 album Stunt.

One of the aspects I especially enjoyed about the Barenaked Ladies live experience was just how engaged all four members were. They talked, laughed, joked with each other and with the audience, played softball with cuddly toys and a guitar, and just seemed to love doing what they do - which in turn made for a warmly entertaining evening.

In a recent interview with the Cambridge Independent, Tyler Stewart revealed: “I look forward to seeing my bandmates; it’s actually a pleasure to be in the same room creating things with them”. This came across most emphatically, as did the fact that Barenaked Ladies - now in their fourth decade - put on an amazing show.

For more on Barenaked Ladies, visit barenakedladies.com.

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Interview: Barenaked Ladies return to ‘iconic’ Cambridge venue