I had never even heard of B.A. Johnston until this past month when I learned he was coming to town. For a mere five dollars I saw him perform at Sergeant O’Flaherty’s pub with the Dazzlebrights and Richard Kreuger, and my outlook on life has improved ever since.

     Richard Krueger opened the night with an all acoustic set. He managed to make his single acoustic guitar rock pretty hard. The Dazzlebrights were the next band to perform and they did not disappoint. They played for just under an hour and at one point Eva went into a facemelting guitar solo that I would have liked to see more of. While both these acts played great it would have been impossible for any act to not be overshadowed by the phenomenal performance of one B.A. Johnston.

     I enjoy B.A Johnstons albums but with their lo-fi uality I did not know how it would translate into a live performance. Sparkler in hand, Johnston stormed the stage to the Rocky theme with his Hamilton Tiger Cats flag draped over his head. It was at this moment that I knew the audience was going to witness something special. Accompanied by only his Value Village keyboards and beat up acoustic guitar, B.A. Johnston played his quirky nerd anthems that are familiar to anyone who grew up in a small Canadian town. A few of his standout songs were “Sleepin With My Walkman” and “Your Roommate's a Couchetard.” The former, he explained, was about “your roommates fuckin, and my roommate is my mom, imagine that pleasant lullaby every night.”

     While the songs were entertaining on their own, it was B.A. Johnston’s showmanship that really set the tone of the night. It was high energy and in your face. He describes himself as a “fat lazy chud” so it was a surprise to see him jumping all over the place, climbing on the bar, and at one point running out the door while still singing. It was no doubt hot dancing around in his child sized snowsuit that he said his mom bought him to come to Prince George, so he was topless by the third song. Johnston is like a fat, sweaty, white version of James Brown. His dance moves were incredible, filled with an interesting variety of crotch thrusts and fist pumps.

     The setting of the show was definitely intimate, there were no more than 30 people in the crowd, but I would not have it any other way. It allowed B.A. to interact with the crowd and jump into a few peoples laps seductively. He finished off his set with a few back to back “campfire” acoustic songs. B.A. unplugged, literally, as he simply strolled around the audience with his acoustic guitar, serenading various groups of people.

     B.A. Johnston redefined for me the role of entertainer. This was definitely the best live concert I have ever seen, and most likely ever will see. If B.A. Johnston ever comes to Prince George again, I hope you all go check him out because I guarantee you will walk away from the show with a feeling of gratification.