Foreigner took to the Artpark stage for the final outdoor concert of the 2019 M& T concert series this past Tuesday in Lewiston, NY. Foreigners new lineup for this tour did not include the last original member Mick Jones. Jones has decided not to tour anymore which leaves multi instrumentalist Thom Gimbel as the senior member with 18 years in the band. This is the 4th time the band has played the venue over the years.
There were some pre-show rumblings about Jones not playing, but that seemed to go away with every impending note that was played on this evening. The band played through a relatively short set list that included all of their monster hits. Most notable were “Waiting for a Girl Like You” and “Urgent.” Lead vocalist Kelly Hansen was animated, jumping about the stage and even climbing the lighting tower. The original members may not be with the band anymore but it did not matter to the Artpark crowd. Young and old they were clapping singing and dancing with every song. The band invited the local Artpark Bridges choir on stage for the encore of “I Want to Know What Love Is.” It was a thrill for the young people of the choir to be up on the Artpark stage singing before a large audience.
The show was a sell-out so that is a true testimony to show that no one cares whose in the band but how well the music is coming out of the band who is performing it. It’s true that many classic rock bands are short on original members. It seems not to matter. Foreigner put on a great show and if they come to your area make sure you see them. Original members or not, this band rocks!
Setlist:
Double Vision
Head Games
Waiting For A Girl Like You
Dirty White Boy
Feels Like The First Time
Urgent (Keyboard and Drum Solo)
Juke Box Hero
Encore:
I Want to Know What Love Is (With Artpark Bridges Choir)
Hot Blooded
We would like to thank Dave Wedekindt and Maria Hays from Artpark for the credentials to review the show.
