Poison (Click here for that review) is currently touring with Cheap Trick (and Pop Evil) and the tour stopped at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts in Bethel, NY last Friday, June 22, the day after summer officially began.
I've seen Poison about a dozen times and Cheap Trick probably twice that, so I didn't expect any major surprises, just a great night of fun rock n roll.
We started the trek from the parking lot into the venue at about 7:00pm, right about the time Pop Evil took the stage. Maybe I just haven't heard the right stuff by them or maybe they're just not my thing, but I decided to skip them for more pre-show hang time with my friends in the parking lot.
They were ending their set with their lead singer venturing out into the audience at about the time we arrived at our seats after getting through security, hitting the bathroom and checking the merch booth. The crowd inside seemed to dig them.
The pavilion was pretty full in the front orchestra sections as well as in the cheaper seats in the back sections, but it looked like they only sold about every other row in the main middle section (which were a bit steep at $80 to $100). From our seats it did look like a real nice turn out on the lawn probably helped by the great weather on this night.
We settled in, ordered some beers and as the clock struck eight, Cheap Trick strolled on stage and opened with the classic "Hello There" and then gave us a taste of newer material with "You Got It Going On" from last year's "We're All Alright!" album.
Their great cover of The Move's "California Man" was next and then we moved into the 80's for "If You Want My Love" which I always dig hearing.
A big crowd favorite (although not one of mine), their cover of Fats Domino's "Ain't That A Shame", kept everyone cheering.
They rode the applause into their latest single "The Summer Looks Good on You" which most in attendance probably heard for the first time as they played it, but its catchy chorus had folks singing along and it fit the vibe of the night perfectly.
So far it was a solid set and then bassist Tom Petersson did a bass solo followed by their cover of The Velvet Undergrounds "I'm Waiting for the Man" with Petersson on lead vocals while Robin Zander played acoustic guitar all the way over on the side of the stage.
In the past few years this has become a standard in the set. I'm a huge VU fan, but I gotta say, I'm never a fan of this cover and to have a bass solo before it during an hour long opening set just makes no sense. This became a big beer run for much of the crowd.
They did get the crowd back by following it up with their 1988 number one hit "The Flame." While most of the crowd loved it, it's just another of those songs I could never get into, but I totally understand and expect it will always get played.
Now it was time to play the classics to end the set and they started with the always great "I Want You To Want Me." Here's the video I shot of that one.
Next up was "Dream Police" and this set was going just as I expected, pure solid rock n roll, but no real surprises...until the song ended and Rick Nielsen announced Earl Slick would join them.
They kicked into a fantastic cover of John Lennon and the Plastic Ono Band's "Cold Turkey" Here's the video I shot of that one.
The band, including drummer Daxx Nielsen, sounded great.
They also had a rhythm guitarist playing with them all night. I could not find his name, if anyone knows it, please let me know. (Update - I've been informed in the comments it's Robin Zander's son, Robin Taylor. Thanks for the info!)
Earl stayed out for the remaining two songs.
In addition for part of the next one, "Surrender," Rick called out a woman from the side of the stage to sing along a bit.
Not sure if this was just a friend or if this is someone known, but here's a picture of her with Rick. Fill me in.
After starting an hour earlier with "Hello There", the only way to properly end the set is with "Goodnight Now."
The crowd cheered, the band waved goodbye and the house lights came up.
Many of us rushed to the bathrooms and/or beer stalls before Poison would hit the stage and the summer rockin' would continue...
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I've seen Poison about a dozen times and Cheap Trick probably twice that, so I didn't expect any major surprises, just a great night of fun rock n roll.
We started the trek from the parking lot into the venue at about 7:00pm, right about the time Pop Evil took the stage. Maybe I just haven't heard the right stuff by them or maybe they're just not my thing, but I decided to skip them for more pre-show hang time with my friends in the parking lot.
They were ending their set with their lead singer venturing out into the audience at about the time we arrived at our seats after getting through security, hitting the bathroom and checking the merch booth. The crowd inside seemed to dig them.
The pavilion was pretty full in the front orchestra sections as well as in the cheaper seats in the back sections, but it looked like they only sold about every other row in the main middle section (which were a bit steep at $80 to $100). From our seats it did look like a real nice turn out on the lawn probably helped by the great weather on this night.
We settled in, ordered some beers and as the clock struck eight, Cheap Trick strolled on stage and opened with the classic "Hello There" and then gave us a taste of newer material with "You Got It Going On" from last year's "We're All Alright!" album.
Their great cover of The Move's "California Man" was next and then we moved into the 80's for "If You Want My Love" which I always dig hearing.
A big crowd favorite (although not one of mine), their cover of Fats Domino's "Ain't That A Shame", kept everyone cheering.
They rode the applause into their latest single "The Summer Looks Good on You" which most in attendance probably heard for the first time as they played it, but its catchy chorus had folks singing along and it fit the vibe of the night perfectly.
So far it was a solid set and then bassist Tom Petersson did a bass solo followed by their cover of The Velvet Undergrounds "I'm Waiting for the Man" with Petersson on lead vocals while Robin Zander played acoustic guitar all the way over on the side of the stage.
In the past few years this has become a standard in the set. I'm a huge VU fan, but I gotta say, I'm never a fan of this cover and to have a bass solo before it during an hour long opening set just makes no sense. This became a big beer run for much of the crowd.
They did get the crowd back by following it up with their 1988 number one hit "The Flame." While most of the crowd loved it, it's just another of those songs I could never get into, but I totally understand and expect it will always get played.
Now it was time to play the classics to end the set and they started with the always great "I Want You To Want Me." Here's the video I shot of that one.
Next up was "Dream Police" and this set was going just as I expected, pure solid rock n roll, but no real surprises...until the song ended and Rick Nielsen announced Earl Slick would join them.
They kicked into a fantastic cover of John Lennon and the Plastic Ono Band's "Cold Turkey" Here's the video I shot of that one.
The band, including drummer Daxx Nielsen, sounded great.
They also had a rhythm guitarist playing with them all night. I could not find his name, if anyone knows it, please let me know. (Update - I've been informed in the comments it's Robin Zander's son, Robin Taylor. Thanks for the info!)
Earl stayed out for the remaining two songs.
In addition for part of the next one, "Surrender," Rick called out a woman from the side of the stage to sing along a bit.
Not sure if this was just a friend or if this is someone known, but here's a picture of her with Rick. Fill me in.
After starting an hour earlier with "Hello There", the only way to properly end the set is with "Goodnight Now."
The crowd cheered, the band waved goodbye and the house lights came up.
Many of us rushed to the bathrooms and/or beer stalls before Poison would hit the stage and the summer rockin' would continue...
If you're not yet part of our Facebook group, please click the Like button below. You'll always be kept up to date on future posts, have the ability to comment and share all content, and get access to our contests and giveaways! Also if you're a fan of Cheap Trick I've got quite a few other Cheap Trick concert reviews on this site. Check them out!
Click any photos to enlarge them to full screen. Also follow on twitter @MostPeopleBlank Then, of course, as always - Rock on and Enjoy - Paul
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