The Go-Gos
Warfield Theater
May 13, 2025
Photos by Raymond Ahner
After two weekends at Coachella, and just prior to a show in Las Vegas before the Cruel World Festival, The Go-Go’s returned to San Francisco for the first time in just over three years, playing a sold-out show at the historic Warfield Theater. The Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame members proved to the crowd that it was worth the wait though, playing a high energy show that brought out all of their hits.
Taking the stage to the Ethel Merman version of Irving Berlin’s “There’s No Business Like Show Business” playing over the PA, the Go-Go’s wasted no time, immediately jumping into one of their biggest hits, “Vacation.” The five core women of the group were all energetic and smiling as they effortlessly made their way through both “Tonight” and the classic “How Much More.”
The Go-Go’s were definitely in high spirits this evening, and they all interacted not only with the crowd, but with each other. After a few miscues during “Fading Fast,” the band aborted the song and started over, but it most certainly didn’t stop them.
Belinda Carlisle took a moment to acknowledge the legendary San Francisco punks Penelope Houston of the Avengers and Jello Biafra, while Jane Weidlen dedicated “Unforgiven” to Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong.
Of course, no Go-Go’s show would be complete without their two biggest hits, and the band did not disappoint, playing both “Our Lips Are Sealed,” and “We Got the Beat,” which had most of the packed venue dancing in the aisles and clapping along.
After leaving the stage briefly, the gals returned, belting out “Fun With Ropes” (which they dedicated to the late Clem Burke) before wrapping up the evening with “Can’t Stop the World.”
By the time it was all said and done, it was quite apparent that even after 45 plus years as a band, they still have what it takes to put on a spectacular show.
