Seeing Foreigner Live Is Urgent

Even lightning looming on the horizon couldn’t scare away the thousands of truly dedicated fans on a balmy night in West Palm Beach, Florida

As part of the Renegades and Juke Box Heroes, Foreigner brought out some of the biggest hits of the heyday of the Sunset Strip, big hair and true rock and roll. In the last several years the 80’s metal scene has seen quite a resurgence. With shows like “Stranger Things’ ‘ with its 80’s setting to the Broadway Musical “Rock of Ages’ ‘ featuring several of Foreigner’s hits, it’s easy to see how these songs transcend generations.

Closing out the night as the JukeBox Heroes they are, Foreigner rocked the Ithink Amphitheater so hard the storm on the horizon seemed to break for them. There was a short pause for lighting in the distance, but the system that was on the radar didn’t really show up until just past the end of the set. This season, and I don’t want to jinx it, has been delightfully uneventful in regards to multiple delays and cancellations. The down side is the heat. Most of us were exhausted. It didn’t seem to slow the band down at all.

From beginning to end they hit the stage hard. Jeff Pilson, though wearing a knee brace, was jumping around and enticing the fans into a frenzy. Once they were off their feet, they never sat down. He is one hell of a motivator. He just soaked in the energy of the crowd and gave it back to them ten fold.

Kelly Hansen’s voice was spot on. His performance was exhausting to watch. Honestly in the South Florida heat in July, I don’t know how anyone gets through an entire one hour and twenty minute set without collapsing. I barely make it through my three songs in the pit, and I’m not under the hot lights and running around on the stage singing either. What a showman.

This entire tour is filled with huge performances. The people have been doing this for a long time. Consummate professionals who love what they are doing. One of the reasons I chose to split these articles into three separate reviews was motivated by the fact that all of these artists are legendary in their own right and deserved more than just a paragraph or two. The songs have stood the test of time and the band has survived it as well.

Luis Maldonado is the perfect compliment to Bruce Watson. Their chemistry on stage is plainly visible. It is a symbiotic relationship of riffs that give the perfect energy base to every song. I love watching them play together. It isn’t often you see two guitarists spend time on the stage together and get the vibe of “it’s not just for the camera”. These two genuinely seem to want to own the stage together and it shows.

Rounding out this powerhouse of a band is Keyboardist Michael Bluestein who looks as if he is having the time of his life tucked toward the rear of the stage across from drummer Chris Frazier. The two of them sometimes appear they are just along for the ride, but it is important to note heavy drums and keyboard are the backbone of anything during the time when these monster hits were written. They are phenomenal musicians and maybe a bit overlooked because they are always behind the big action. I want them to know I enjoyed watching them and their interaction just as much. A big highlight of the evening was the performance of “I Want To Know What Love Is” with the West Jackson Middle School Choir.

Foreigner is entering an era few bands have the distinction of claiming. Nearly 50 years of music with multiple multi-platinum hits. They haven’t stopped yet and I don’t think they should< even though they claim it is their farewell tour. They would be terribly missed. One thing for sure, they can walk away saying they left it all on the stage with no regrets.

CONNECT ONLINE:

https://www.foreigneronline.com/

SETLIST VIA SETLIST FM:

1. Double VisionPlay Video
2. Head GamesPlay Video
3. Cold as IcePlay Video
4. Waiting for a Girl Like You(Song began after a small delay due to technical difficulties.)Play Video
5. Dirty White BoyPlay Video
6. Feels Like the First TimePlay Video
7. UrgentPlay Video
8. Drum SoloPlay Video
9. Juke Box HeroPlay Video
10. Encore:
11. I Want to Know What Love IsPlay Video
12. Hot Blooded