Despite at least five confirmed tornadoes and a microburst of nasty weather, the show went on as planned Wednesday night, July 17th at SPAC in Saratoga Springs. Making good on their name, Rain: A Tribute to the Beatles, not only weathered the storms, but delivered a surreal night of nostalgia and note-for-note precision that had fans both young and old twisting and shouting for more.
Hitting the mark with spot on impersonations of the Fab Four – from the iconic haircuts and replica outfits, to the playful mannerisms and distinct personalities, the career retrospective performance encapsulated everything music fans know and love about The Beatles, arguably the most important and influential rock n’ roll band of all time.
Transporting fans back to the heyday of Beatlemania as Rain, the acclaimed tribute band took the Broadview Stage at SPAC by storm shortly after 7:30pm. Dividing up the show into distinct eras of The Beatles, the throwback party kicked of with “Please Please Me” from the 1963 debut album of the same name. After working their way through “ I Want To Hold Your Hand” and a pair of love songs that included “This Boy” and “P.S. I Love You,” Rain transitioned into the A Hard Day’s Night portion of the show.
After an exciting rendition of “Can’t Buy Me Love,” fans were treated to some lesser-known cuts like the surf-rock inspired “Roll Over Beethoven,” “Tell Me Why” and “I Should Have Known Better.” Briefly pausing to welcome the audience to the show and inviting them to sing along with the next song, a poignant version of “Yesterday” had the entire pavilion on the cusp of tears.
After an entertaining video package chronicled The Beatles rise to international superstardom, the show then entered the iconic “Shea Stadium” era of Beetlemania. Featuring a distinctly harder edge than earlier in the night, songs like “I Feel Fine,” “Day Tripper,” and “Drive My Car” sounded just as good today as they did nearly sixty years ago. While I personally found it hard to sit during this part of the show, fans needed reassurance that it was “OK” to get up on their feet for the next number, “Twist and Shout.”
Rain would break character a bit after “Eleanor Rigby,” by introducing the mysterious “5th Beatle” lurking in the back of the stage, their version of legendary record producer George Martin, who played all the string and horn parts via keyboard. Prominently featured on the potent “In My Life,” the first half of the show came to a close with “Got to Get You into My Life.”
After a brief intermission, things were about to get a little weird in Saratoga. Entering the experimental/psychedelic era of The Beatles, from the moment the opening chords of “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” filled the air, the audience was spellbound. Now dressed in vibrant Edwardian military officer outfits, Rain both looked the part and sounded it. Flowing directly into “With a Little Help From My Friends,” the lysergic loving anthem “Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds,” and “Lovely Rita,” the transitions between the early mop-top era, the psychedelic phase, and the mature later years were seamless, showcasing the band’s versatility and deep understanding of the Beatles’ evolution.
Rain’s meticulous attention to detail was evident in every aspect of the show, from the authentic period costumes to the spot-on Liverpudlian accents. Each band member perfectly embodied their respective Beatle, not just in appearance but in musical prowess and stage presence.
One of the standout moments was their performance of “A Day In The Life.” Featuring all the complicated bells and whistles of the original, Rain pulled it off flawlessly. The chilled out “Flying” instrumental went largely unappreciated, but fans got back into it for the remainder of the Magical Mystery Tour portion of the show that included stellar renditions of “Penny Lane” and “Strawberry Fields Forever.” Complete with vibrant visuals throughout, the multimedia aspects of the show added an extra layer of immersion, with historical footage and colorful animations enhancing the live performances.
While not necessarily a “pavilion only” show, the somewhat relaxed security allowed most fans inside, leaving only a handful of people to linger on the lawn. Perhaps that’s why I felt so seen when Rain played “Fool on the Hill” and “Come Together” as I made my way across the notorious slope. “Get Back” was the lone song played from the Let It Be album, while “Revolution” and “The End” closed out the second set to a bittersweet ovation of gratitude.
The setlist was a well-curated journey through the Beatles’ illustrious career, featuring beloved hits and deep cuts alike. Rain’s musicianship was impeccable. The harmonies were tight, the instrumentation was faithful to the original recordings, and the energy was palpable. When the band returned to the stage for the obligatory encore, the crowd couldn’t resist singing along to the ever appropriate “Give Peace a Chance” and finally the show closer “Hey Jude,” creating a communal experience that felt both nostalgic and celebratory. A vivid and heartfelt homage to the Beatles, it was a night of pure musical joy and a chance to relive the magic of one of the greatest bands in history.
Rain (Beatles Tribute) | July 17,2024 | SPAC | Saratoga Springs, NY
Set I: Please Please Me, I Want to Hold Your Hand, This Boy, P.S. I Love You, Roll Over Beethoven, A Hard Day’s Night, I Should Have Known Better, Can’t Buy Me Love, Tell Me Why, Yesterday, I Feel Fine, Day Tripper, Drive My Car, The Word, Eleanor Rigby, In My Life, Got to Get You Into My Life
Set II: Sgt. Pepper’s Loney Hearts Club Band, With a Little Help From My Friends, Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds, Sgt. Pepper’s (Reprise), A Day in the Life, Flying, Magical Mystery Tour, Strawberry Fields Forever, Penny Lane, I Am the Walrus, The Fool on the Hill, Tomorrow Never Knows, Come Together, Get Back, Revolution, The End
Encore: Give Peace a Chance, Hey Jude
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