On March 30, Best Fest honored one of music’s greats the Beach Boy’s Brian Wilson with Brian Fest. Wilson could be seen sitting to the side of the stage for the entirety of the three-hour show. The concert benefitted the charity “Sweet Relief” that provides assistance to musicians who are struggling to make ends meet. About 1,300 fans of all ages came together to hear renditions of songs by Brian Wilson.
Legends like Boz Scaggs, Doyle Bramhall II, Al Jardine, Heart’s Ann Wilson and Wilson Phillips were amongst the performers. Newer acts such as Devendra Banhardt, Local Natives, Kesha and Sebu Simonian from Capital Cities, who did a great rendition of “Help Me Rhonda,” also made an appearance.
The always gracious and show stopping the Flaming Lips covered “Good Vibrations” commencing a large gold balloon that read “We Love You Brian” to crowd surf. Norah Jones sang “God Only Knows” and the audience reciprocated by singing her “Happy Birthday.”
Boz Scaggs and Doyle Bramhall II killed it on guitar and vocals during “Sail On Sailor” as did Best Coast’s Bethany Cosentino and original Beach Boy Al Jardine with “Don't Worry Baby.”
The Brian Wilson biopic “Love and Mercy” starring Paul Dano and Elizabeth Banks is set for a theatrical summer release.
Text by Franceasca Seiden. Photos by Paula Tripodi
*Disclaimer: The words expressed in photo blog reviews do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Music Connection Magazine.
