If you saw The Replacements in concert during the 1980s, there would be two likely outcomes. They would either be too drunk to complete an entire show (or sometimes even a single song), or they would quite simply be the best band on the planet.
With two shows already under their belt on the “Back By Unpopular Demand Tour,” The Replacements have proven that they are, once again, the best band on the planet. The tour started with a perfectly imperfect show at the Paramount Theatre in Seattle before a triumphant return to Portland.

Young Fresh Fellows opened the show with their high energy, frantic stage show. With NASA space suits, cowboy and fur hats, Young Fresh Fellows gave us no choice but to love every second of their performance. They are one of the most fun bands to watch perform live and set the stage for The Replacements.
Taking the stage of the Crystal Ballroom in Portland to “Surfin’ Bird” blaring over the loudspeakers, the band opened with “Takin’ A Ride” from their 1981 debut album Sorry Ma, Forgot To Take Out The Trash. A stunned crowd quickly realized the goal of the night was to break the “Portland curse” that contributed to the alleged worst Replacements show in history at the Pine Street Theater in 1987.
There is always time for joking around at a Replacements show, but the band has matured in a good way. Bassist Tommy still plays with the same energy he had as the 11 year old he was when he first picked up a bass guitar, and singer Paul Westerberg still sings with the reckless abandon he has always exhibited. Westerberg wore a plain white T-shirt with the letter “H” spray painted on the front, with an “O” on the back.
During “Hangin’ Downtown,” Westerberg led a Blues breakdown titled “Whole Food Blues” about wandering the Whole Foods market in search of a protein shake to keep his “girlish figure.” It was a good four to five minutes long but felt like a natural interlude to “Hangin’ Downtown.” As fans yelled out requests for cover songs later, Westerberg joked, “If you keep yelling out for covers, you’re only going to get more blues.”
So often The Replacements appear to be carefree on stage, as if chaos fuels the set, but Westerberg became visibly frustrated after forgetting the opening verse and guitar solo to “Sixteen Blue.” During “I’ll Be You,” Westerberg couldn’t tune an off-pitch string on his guitar, so instead of stopping the song to tune, he ripped the string off of the guitar and continued playing before flipping his monitor and ripping the cords out in frustration.

The first half of the show was an undeniably powerful and tight punk rock set. The final two Replacements albums, Don’t Tell A Soul and All Shook Down, are often criticized for being overproduced and for sounding too glossy on record. The gloss was stripped away and blended in perfectly with the band’s early material. “Kissin’ In Action,” an outtake from All Shook Down, seamlessly followed “I’m In Trouble” (the band’s first ever single) while also veering into a ten second clip of “Iron Man.”
A cover of the theme song from Green Acres found its way into the set with guitarist Dave Minehan singing Eva Gabor’s portion about big city living. Also covered was “My Boy Lollipop” by Millie Small. Westerberg sang it true to the original without ever cracking a smile, even though it followed the anthem “Bastards Of Young.”
Being in Portland, it seemed like they would feel obligated to play the apology song “Portland.” They did, but it was more innovative than obligatory, as the first two verses of “Talent Show” pivoted into “Portland.” The chorus of “It’s too late to turn back, here we go/ Portland. Oh no” was screamed at the top of the crowd’s collective lungs.
Westerberg apologized to the city for what should be the final time after finishing the medley with a snippet of “Nowhere Is My Home,” a classic outtake from 1985’s Tim.
To begin the first encore, Westerberg appeared alone on stage with a 12 string acoustic guitar for “Skyway.” The band joined him midway through “If Only You Were Lonely,” which Westerberg seemed to be a bit upset about, and the band admitted they were unsure if he wanted them to jump in for that song.
The poignant “Left Of The Dial” was executed perfectly, nearly brining a collection of middle aged punk rockers to tears. Someone in the crowd hurled three Voodoo Donuts and what looked like a piece of pizza onstage during the song. Tommy Stinson was intrigued by the Cap’n Crunch donut and took a bite while playing. His verdict: “Pretty good.”
After “Alex Chilton,” the lights in the Crystal Ballroom slowly began to turn on, but the stage lights remained dark, giving fans a glimmer of hope that the band might possibly come back for one more song. As the road crew shut off amps and gather guitars, the crowd grew louder, begging for more. Suddenly, the crew began walking faster, turning all the amps back on. The Replacements resurfaced for a loud, fast, and powerful “IOU,” a perfect ending to a perfect set.

Many of Westerberg’s songs are about alienation, not fitting in, or simply being bored. Through these classic songs, he has created a home for all of the “Bastards Of Young” who have ever shared similar feelings of solitude. The songs are instantly relatable because Westerberg himself used to be an average guy working as a janitor who would hide in the bushes outside of the Stinson house while the band that would one day be The Replacements practiced. Eventually he worked up the courage to play with them, and the rest is history. A drunken, often sloppy history, but history nonetheless.
For the doubters who may think The Replacements are either too old, or that the reunion doesn’t count because drummer Chris Mars chose not to partake, guitarist Dave Minehan and drummer Josh Freese are no longer replacement Replacements. They are the failsafe anchors who have filled the large shoes vacated by founding members Bob Stinson and Chris Mars, as well as former guitarist Slim Dunlap who is in long term care at the hospital following a debilitating stroke.
The Replacements should have been the biggest band of the ‘80s, but with every chance they received, they shot themselves in the foot and missed the first rung on the ladder of success.
Westerberg was focused and unforgiving of mistakes all night. There were no stage decorations or a fancy light show. The music was all that mattered. This is how Rock and Roll is supposed to be.
Click here to see the full setlist
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Gallery • 4 Photos

Paul Westerberg plays “Skyway” during the first encore at The Crystal Ballroom. Photo: Brett Wright