Cheap Trick’s 21-song set featured an incredible selection of the band’s best-known songs from an era when they were at the top of their game and dominating the FM airwaves.
Early in the show, Rick Nielsen acknowledged a fan from Japan in the fifth row that was at her 187th Cheap Trick show. Robin Zander dedicated “Lookout,” to her, a cut that appeared on the band’s iconic “At Budokan,” album, a show that the Japanese fan attended.
The show featured a healthy dose of cuts that appeared on “At Budokan,” including “Big Eyes” and “Need Your Love,” a song that was one of the evening’s highlights. Even though drummer Bun E. Carlos is gone, the songs still sounded the same as they did over thirty years ago.
The band’s current drummer, Daxx Nielsen, is the son of guitarist Rick Nielsen. I saw him with the band two years ago, soon after he took over drumming duties. In two years, he has been able to integrate his sound into the band rather than trying to mimic Bun E. Carlos’ style.
Daxx’s dad still sounds and looks much the same as he has since the band’s inception. Rick’s performances are always filled with funny stage antics, flying guitar picks and a wide array of guitars. One of the guitars Rick played was obtained from Jeff Beck, it appeared to be a 1950s era yellow Fender Telecaster.
There were plenty of highlights, but my personal favorite was Robin Zander’s vocal performance on “The Flame.” I have seen them perform the song at least fifteen times and never heard Robin sing it better than he did Saturday night.
Throughout the night, the audience cheered wildly and crowds formed in the aisles so that people could dance. The song selection was fantastic, even though it did not include any songs they recorded beyond 1988’s “Lap of Luxury.”
Seeing Cheap Trick continues to make me wonder why the band is not in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. They have toured virtually nonstop for over thirty-five years and unlike many bands from their era, their performance skills have not deteriorated one bit, and in some ways, they continue to get better.
Setlist:
Way of the World
Hello There
Big Eyes
I Can’t Take It
If You Want My Love
That 70s Song
On Top of the World
Lookout
Don’t Be Cruel (Elvis Presley cover)
Need Your Love
Tonight It’s You
She’s Tight
I Know What I Want
Stop This Game
The Flame
I Want You to Want Me
Dream Police
Encore:
California Man (The Move cover)
Surrender
Auf Wiedersehen Goodnight
Photos by Gus Griesinger.
We would like to thank Tony Astran from the Seneca Niagara Casino for allowing BackstageAxxess to review the show.
