The B-52s
December 14, 2024
Athens, GA
Akins Ford Arena
Review by Joseph Hett
The B-52s Put On A Whale Of A Show In Inaugural Akins Ford Arena Concert In Athens
It was officially the opening weekend for the state-of-the-art Akins Ford Arena at the Classic Center complex in Athens, Georgia. On Friday night, the Athens Rock Lobsters were victorious. Then on Saturday night, the ice hockey team’s namesakes played to a capacity crowd.
The B-52s had the privilege to play the much anticipated inaugural concert 
at the arena. Fans from all over made the trek to see Athens’ own play this historic show.
Calvin Orlando Smith came out wearing a graduation cap and gown. Smith held a quick membership ceremony to welcome everyone to the Deadbeat Club. A video package played that featured Fred Armisen with The B-52s mascot, Clawdia, going over rules for the show.
The backing band started getting setup on stage as The B-52s (Kate Pierson, Cindy Wilson and Fred Schneider) made their grand entrance wearing their signature colorful outfits. They got started with the cosmic harmonizing “Planet Claire.” Schneider used a walkie-talkie as a musical instrument. He would go on to play on several gadgets throughout the evening.
Schneider greeted the crowd, “Hello Athens and people from every part of the country. We’re the B-52s and we’re so excited the hockey team…named the Rock Lobsters…won last night!” Pierson then started up and took us back in time with “Mesopotamia.”
Wilson got to sing lead with “Give Me Back My Man” while Schneider appeared to play a glockenspiel. A rocking guitar riff got things hotter for “Lava.”
“Is That You, Mo-Dean?” continued the outer space theme. Schneider exited the stage leaving Wilson and Pierson to sing a string of songs.
“Alright, this is a song about us in Athens, Georgia from when we first started out some years ago. How many of you are from Athens? How many have come here from other places? Thank y’all for coming out to see us. How many have been to Allen’s? Remember Allen’s? Alright, this is a true story and it’s called ‘Deadbeat Club,’” Pierson said before they went into the aforementioned song.
They continued with 1979’s “52 Girls” and the fan-favorite “Roam.”
Schneider came back out playing the role of a party crasher before “Party Out of Bounds.” He had an Athens Rock Lobsters jersey hugging him as confetti rained down.
The B-52s kept the party going with “Dance This Mess Around” and “6060-842.”
Pierson’s signature “hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo” really got everyone grooving for “Private Idaho.”
After the band introductions, “the world’s greatest party band” took us to the “Love Shack.”
They started the encore with the upbeat “Pump” – from 2008’s “Funplex” album.
Schneider pronounced, “Now let’s go to a beautiful beach, the beach in our minds…wherever that is.” And that meant it was time for the epic “Rock Lobster.” When Schneider said the lyrics “here comes Clawdia,” the B-52s lobster mascot and co-founding band member Keith Strickland, armed with a cowbell, made their way on stage to close out the song. More confetti (“God’s dandruff” as Schneider quipped) rained down. Pierson closed the show by saying, “Thanks for coming out tonight to see us in this beautiful new stadium. We love you Athens, Georgia…all of you!”
It is a momentous occasion whenever the hometown the B-52s play in Athens. The show went on without a hitch, which is rare since this was the first concert and second major event held at the arena. The Akins Ford Arena could help draw inspiration to other cities building new arenas like in Augusta, Georgia. Athens will now become a major hub for entertainment thanks to the new Akins Ford Arena.