Chrissie Hynde took the Los Angeles Pretenders faithful through a 25 song performance that was a true historic look back at the band’s greatest hits, as well as several tracks from their newest album, at the time, Loose Screw. The new album featured many tracks performed including the touching “The Losing” and the opening number “Lie to Me.”

The band are not what one would call entertainers as there is little in the way of onstage antics and even the light show is sublime. Chrissie would rather hear her music do the talking. She plays “Biker,” dedicated the late Joe Strummer of the Clash, with the same determination that she gives the songs “Fools Must Die,” “Up the Neck” or “Rebel Rock Me.” Both the band and the crowd, however, come to life when the Pretenders slam out their classics including “Back on the Chain Gang,” “Kid,” “ Tattooed Love Boys,” “Precious,” “Middle of the Road” and “Brass in Pocket.”

Not often thought of as a great live band, the Pretenders actually are a very tight unit. They play what they play, the way they play it, very well. This is a good band led by a true iconic female figure in rock music.

Check this one out for a groovy concert filled with some of the best the 1980’s had to offer.