Joan Jett and The Blackhearts performed at Artpark’s “Tuesday in the Park” concert series this week in Lewiston, New York. It was the second concert of this year’s series and plenty of die hard Joan Jett fans packed the area in front of the stage. At 7:59 PM a simple black and white “Joan Jett and The Blackhearts” sign rose from stage level to lighting level, serving as the backdrop for the evening. A moment later, dressed in black from head-to-toe (aside from the red shoelaces in her sneakers) and brandishing a black Gibson, Joan Jett hit the stage running with “Bad Reputation.”
The crowd was singing along and the cheering got louder as “Cherry Bomb” began. Joan’s voice and her guitar playing were as strong as ever as she rolled through hit after hit and even treated fans to a couple of new tunes from an upcoming album called “Unvarnished.” Joan announced the new album as she introduced “Soulmates to Strangers.” Following her latest song, she went on to mention her first band, The Runaways, and performed the first song she ever wrote “You Drive Me Wild.”
Joan kept the talk to a minimum, but did make a point to reach for a fan who was holding up a sign about Joan Jett skipping school. Joan bent down, handed out a guitar pick and commented that the sign was a good one. During “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll,” Joan beckoned the crowd in the back of the park to join in as the chorus was overtaken by the audience. She wrapped up the set with “I Hate Myself for Loving You.”
The band returned for an encore featuring the song “A.C.D.C.” and Sly and Family Stone’s classic “Everyday People.” In between the final two songs, Joan Jett introduced The Blackhearts and showcased each band member. Joan Jett and The Blackhearts put on a solid performance complete with punk heavy hooks. It was an hour and 15 minutes of glorious fun that took me back to my teen years. Rock on!
Set List:
Bad Reputation
Cherry Bomb (The Runaways)
Do You Wanna Touch Me (Gary Glitter)
Victim of Circumstance
Soulmates to Strangers
You Drive Me Wild (The Runaways)
Make It Back
Fragile
Love Is Pain
TMI
Hard To Grow Up
Naked
Reality Mentality
I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll (The Arrows)
Crimson & Clover (Tommy James & The Shondells)
I Hate Myself for Loving You
Encore:
A.C.D.C. (Sweet)
Everyday People (Sly & The Family Stone)
We would like to thank Erica Gerard from PMK BNC for the review ticket.
