Singer-songwriter Brian Ripps served as their opening act, and he was able to deliver, thanks to his well-received, acoustic set. His vocals were reminiscent of American Idol winner David Cook, and his rendition of “Fields of Gold” was sublime.
REO Speedwagon began their set with “Don’t Let Him Go,” which was met with a roaring response from their New York fans. They continued with the upbeat and fun “Music Man,” while they showcased their soft and delicate side on their hit ballad “Take It on the Run,” where the stage was graced in blue lights, and they incorporated it as a crowd sing-along towards the end.
“Keep Pushin'” was more rocking, and lead singer Kevin Cronin shared the story behind the inspiration for his piano-driven song “In Your Letter,” as orange lights dimmed on the stage. He noted that it was based on an experience in being a member of “the church of rock and roll.”
Cronin praised The Paramount for being an “amazing and awesome” venue, and he stressed their excitement for performing tonight in New York.
Their smash song “Can’t Fight This Feeling” was sheer perfection, and the majority of the audience member’s iPhones were up in the air, filming this classic REO Speedwagon hit.
Other noteworthy tunes were “That Ain’t Love,” “Tough Guys,” “Time for Me to Fly,” “Back on the Road Again” and yet another crowd favorite, the closing song “Roll With the Changes.” For their encore, they returned with their chart-topping single “Keep On Loving You” and “Ridin’ the Storm Out.”
The Verdict
Overall, REO Speedwagon’s show at The Paramount garnered 4.5 out of 5 stars, and their music proved to be as relevant and fresh as ever.
For more information on REO Speedwagon and their tour dates, check out their official website.
