Diehard fans get a fun flashback with Barenaked Ladies

A few thousand fans packed the Empower FCU Amphitheater at Lakeview on Wednesday to see Canadian alt-rock act Barenaked Ladies deliver a high-energy set filled with humor, hits and nostalgia.

But before the headliners took the stage, the evening kicked off with crowd-pleasing sets from Fastball and Sugar Ray — two bands that brought their own early-2000s flavor to the mix, setting the tone for a night full of throwback energy.

Fastball, the alt-rock trio from Austin, Texas, opened the night promptly at 7 p.m. with their original song “Sooner or Later.” Its upbeat rhythm quickly got heads bobbing and the crowd swaying. Their 30-minute set included fan favorites like “Out of My Head” and “Sooner or Later” along with covers such as “The Joker” by Steve Miller Band that drew cheers of recognition from the audience.

During Fastball’s energetic and charismatic early set, fans had a glimpse of the camaraderie formed on tour with BNL’s Kevin Hearn joining on piano while Sugar Ray’s Dean Butterworth filled in on drums following the recent hospitalization of Fastball’s Joey Shuffield. For the set closer, BNL lead singer Ed Robertson popped onstage for a lively rendition of “The Way.”

With Fastball’s final note still ringing, it was time to “fly” with Sugar Ray. At 8 p.m., the four members of Sugar Ray strutted out in matching white suits to the theatrical entrance music that felt straight out of a cabaret — instantly capturing the crowd’s attention.

The Mark McGrath-led band launched into a set packed with hits, including “Someday,” “When It’s Over,” and “Answer the Phone.” But while the music alone was enough to thrill longtime fans, it was McGrath’s effortless crowd work that created an atmosphere that was more like an intimate backyard show. At one point, the frontman accepted a handmade sign from a fan and signed a CD onstage, thanking them with appreciation.

Sugar Ray’s set ran about 40 minutes and closed, fittingly, with their biggest hit, “Fly.” 

By 9 p.m., the amphitheater was buzzing with BNL fans. A 10-second countdown flashed on the screen behind the stage, ramping up excitement before BNL’s four members walked out in a single file line, playing a peppy instrumental intro. The crowd erupted in cheers as they launched into “Gonna Walk”

For 90 minutes, the alternative rock act delivered hit after hit, including “Brian Wilson,” “If I Had $1,000,000,” and the iconic “One Week.” Between songs, they peppered the show with dad jokes, playful banter and a clear love for their fans and for Syracuse itself. Since they’re based in Toronto, the band noted that Upstate New York has always felt like a second home, recalling how Syracuse was one of the first American cities to embrace their music. Bassist Jim Creeggan even gave a shoutout to Happy Endings, a former café in the city.

The performance wasn’t just a greatest-hits reel. BNL also surprised the audience with playful covers of “Pink Pony Club” by Chappell Roan, “Texas Hold ’Em” by Beyoncé and “Babylon” by Lady Gaga. Drummer Tyler Stewart stepped out from behind the kit to handle vocals on a powerful cover of AC/DC’s “Highway to Hell,” which brought the crowd to their feet.

As the band exited the stage, the audience erupted into chants for an encore. After a suspenseful minute or two, BNL returned to perform their upbeat original “Lovin’ Life” and then invited all of Sugar Ray and Fastball back to the stage for a raucous, feel-good cover of Bryan Adams’ “Summer of ’69.”

The night ended with smiles, cheers and laughter as fans watched the three bands, clearly bonded from months of touring, jam together like old friends. It wasn’t just a concert. It was a celebration of the music, memories and camaraderie that defined a musical generation.