The Beach Boys concert at Heritage Live Festivals 2025 in Reading, UK
Sun, 20 Jul 2025

Sadly disappointing!
The day started brightly with Buddy Holly & the Cricketers, an excellent tribute performance which warmed up the crowd and had everyone singing along. Lulu followed and, despite my initial concerns, the talented 76-year old gave us a performance well worthy of a headline act. At one point, Little Miss Dynamite was even accompanied by David Bowie (albeit virtually!) for 'The Man Who Sold The World'. Big 'Shout' out to the little lady! David Essex followed with an adequate set full of his 'greatest hits' including 'Rock On', 'Lamplight' & 'Stardust', but with little crowd interaction and some embarrassing 'Dad Dancing'! It was as if he resented being a support act.
Finally the act we had all been waiting for, The Beach Boys featuring co-founder and lead singer Mike Love, alongside longtime member Bruce Johnston and accompanied by a much newer line-up. The recognisable surf music started up and all were ready for a treat full of vocal harmonies and adolescent-oriented lyrics. As soon as Mike started singing, we knew this was a step too far for the band. Sadly, whilst the lyrics are still there, the voice is not what it was, the harmonies have gone and, were it not for the valiant efforts and excellent work of Brian Eichenberger, many more would have joined the steady trickle of audience members leaving the show, preferring to remember them as they were, not as they are.
Perhaps if the sun hadn't gone down on the Englefield Estate, it may not have gone down on the band. Sorry guys, musically fine but, for a band that was built and clever vocals and great harmonies, they are just not there any more.