It's been more than 22 years since The Replacements played its last show. Still, anyone who knew them should have figured they wouldn't get sentimental. The band last played together in Chicago during 1991.
"Hello. For 25 years we had a wardrobe debate," vocalist Paul Westerberg said in his opening remarks to the crowd. "Unresolved," he concluded.
The Minneapolis-based alternative band played on Sunday at Riot Fest in Toronto, the first of three touring locations for the music festival. The band, which became an influence for '90s alternative via its disregard for protocol, wasn't out to make new fans with its set. Westerberg wore a Montreal Canadiens hockey jersey, supporting the rival of the hometown Maple Leafs, and occasionally forgot the words to his own songs, ad-libbing as he went. Included in the setlist were some off-the-wall covers, such as Stephen Sondheim's "Everything's Coming Up Roses" from the Musical "Gypsy."
Riot Fest will make two more stops, in Chicago and Denver. Although The Replacements are notorious for shrugging off expectations, some are still surprised that the group hasn't scheduled a show in its hometown of Minneapolis, which has fueled rumors that the band is planning a tour behind closed doors. No word yet. For now, check out the setlist for its Toronto gig below.
1 Takin' a Ride
2 I'm in Trouble
3 Favorite Thing
4 Hanging Downtown
5 Color Me Impressed
6 Tommy Gets His Tonsils Out
7 Kiss Me On the Bus
8 Androgynous
9 Achin' to Be
10 I Will Dare
11 Love You 'Til Friday
12 Maybellene (Chuck Berry cover)
13 Merry Go Round
14 Wake Up
15 Borstal Breakout (Sham 69 cover)
16 Little Mascara
17 Left of the Dial
18 Alex Chilton
19 Swingin Party
20 Can't Hardly Wait
21 Bastards of Young
22 Everything's Coming Up Roses
23 IOU
