Mr. Big Photos and Review of the Show in Buffalo, New York

One of the most anticipated shows of the year took place last Thursday night at the brand new Electric City venue in Buffalo. Local hero and legendary bassist Billy Sheehan brought back his band Mr. Big for a sold-out show. This is the first time the band has played in Buffalo since August 2011. It is also the last date in the United States before the band leaves for Europe. The band has been on the Big Finish tour for over a year and it’s fitting that they close out the US leg with a show in Sheehan’s hometown. Mr. Big still consists of original members Billy Sheehan on bass, Paul Gilbert on guitar, Eric Martin on vocals and new drummer Nick D’Virgillo, who took over from original drummer Pat Torpey, who died in February 2018.

The show was billed as An Evening with Mr. Big so there was no overture. There was quite a wait before the band took the stage around 8:15 p.m. to a big ovation. Mr. Big wasted no time launching into “Addicted to That Rush.” A perfect prologue to what would follow the rest of the evening. Next up was “Take Cover” from the 1996 EP, then “Price You Got to Pay.” For the latter, Sheehan played his harmonica role while Martin stood right behind him and played bass. They didn’t miss a beat. For the 4th song of the night, the band started up and played the entire album ‘Lean Into It’ front to back. “Daddy, Brother, Lover, Little Boy (The Electric Drill song)” got the party started and continued through to the group’s biggest hit “To Be With You.” In the middle of it all is my favorite Mr. Big song in “Green-Tinted Sixties Mind.” Gilbert’s tone on this track makes the song resonate for me. Sheehan played a beautiful Yamaha double bass for “Voodoo Kiss” and some of the following tracks. One of my favorite covers of any band is their rendition of Cat Stevens’ song “Wide World.” Once again, they continue to do this song justice and are happy to leave it in the setlist. At times, Martin’s voice cracked. At other times he looked fantastic! I attribute this to normal wear and tear from prolonged driving. Of course, with Sheehan being at home and the crowd hanging on every bass note he hits and words he says. His game still remains extraordinary. He wouldn’t make it out alive if he didn’t go back to his roots and play the song “Shyboy” from Talas’s days. The band all switched instruments on “Good Love.” Sheehan did lead vocals, Martin did bass, Gilbert did drums and D’Virgillo played guitar. One of the highlights of the evening which highlighted the musicality of the entire group. They closed the evening with a fun cover of “Baba O’Riley” by The Who.

Of course, multiple thanks were given to Mr. Sheehan throughout the show. Even the group came towards the end and gave him a big hug. Sheehan noted that this show was one of his favorites and he has performed about a thousand in the area. It meant a lot to him that the band was able to close out this part of the tour in Buffalo. Mr. Big is set to release a new album titled “Ten” on July 12. They also state that this will be the group’s last tour. As we’ve known since The Who announced it in 1982, nothing is off the table and you never know from any band. So far, Mr. Big has put in a worthy performance and if this truly is their last show here, they can all walk away very proud to have left it all on stage.

Setlist:

Addicted to this rush
Take cover
Price you have to pay
Dad, Brother, Lover, Little Boy (Electric Drill Song)
Alive and kickin’
Spirit of the 60s tinged with green
CDFF-Lucky This Time (cover by Jeff Paris)
Voodoo kiss
Never say never
Just take my heart
My kind of woman
A little loose
The path to ruin
To be with you
Wide World (cover by Cat Stevens)
Guitar solo
Colorado Bulldog
Bass alone
Shyboy (Talas cover)
30 Days in the Hole (cover of Humble Pie)
Good Lovin’ (Olympics coverage)
Baba O’Riley (cover of The Who)