Canadian pop band the Barenaked Ladies [ tickets ] returned to Tucson, AZ, for the first time in 13 years Monday (12/12) for a sold-out, two-hour holiday show stuffed with Christmas and Hanukkah songs and a collection of hits.

A children's choir from nearby Homer Davis Elementary School kicked off the show at the Tucson Music Hall with two Christmas songs, after which Barenaked Ladies--singer/guitarists Ed Robertson and Steven Page, keyboardist Kevin Hearn, bassist Jim Creeggan and drummer Tyler Stewart--took to the stage. The set, which was designed to look like a living room, featured a gas fireplace festooned with stockings bearing each of the band members' names, a Christmas tree, wreath and furniture.

The band, whose jaunt is dubbed the "Barenaked for the Holidays Tour," joined the choir for acoustic renditions of "I Saw Three Ships," "Hanukkah, Oh Hanukkah" and "We Wish You a Merry Christmas." Page joked that the choir had been on tour with them for a month and were avid "partiers" who indulge in keg-sized juice boxes.

During "We Wish You a Merry Christmas," Stewart emerged to tap dance. “That's the reason why we haven't been here since '92. Tyler wanted to get his tap dancing together," Robertson said.

The kids exited and their risers were removed as the band improvised, winding its way into the dark ballad "Asleep at the Wheel."

The Barenaked Ladies plugged in for the rest of the set, beginning with "Pinch Me," but really hit their stride with "Get In Line," during which Page upped the energy level by tossing the microphone between his hands and jumping in the air, splitting his legs.

Highlights from the show included the Hearn-led "Carol of the Bells," during which he was encircled by cone-like, pink-and-white-striped lights, while the rest of the band was backlit. Later, Page took center stage and sang the beginning of "Brian Wilson" accompanied by acoustic instruments. The band sang the chorus a cappella before launching into a full-out rock version.

Spicing things up, the band picked names out of a Santa hat to decide which member would play which instrument as Stewart sang "Feliz Navidad." Hearn landed on bass, Creeggan on keyboards, Robertson on drums and Page on electric guitar.

Robertson was greeted with applause and whistles when he talked about the band's forthcoming album, due in late 2006. "That's nice to clap before knowing if you will like it or not," Robertson joked.

The Barenaked Ladies showcased one of the new songs, a bluesy ballad called "Sound of Your Voice," with Hearn on vocals.

After two encores, the show ended on a mellow note with "Some Fantastic," a befitting tribute to the night.

Set list:
I Saw Three Ships
Hanukkah, Oh Hanukkah
We Wish You a Merry Christmas
Asleep at the Wheel
Pinch Me
Get in Line
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen/ We Three Kings of Orient Are
Hanukkah Blessings
Brian Wilson
Alcohol
Baby Seat
Sound of Your Voice
Carol of the Bells
Feliz Navidad
One Week
Wrap Your Arms Around Me
Elf's Lament
Conventioneers
A
Old Apartment
If I Had $1 Million
(encore)
Jingle Bells
Call and Answer
(encore)
Some Fantastic