They shared the stage with such rock bands as Pop Evil and Poison.
Cheap Trick (comprised of such iconic musicians as Rick Nielsen, Tom Petersson and Robin Zander) kicked off their Jones Beach set with “Hello There” and “You Got It Going On,” where they instantly lured listeners in their show. Equally impressive were “California Man” and “Long Time Coming.” Zander sported a shirt that read “Music has Value,” and he and his band-mates interacted well with the Jones Beach crowd, thus making them feel at home.
One of the highlight songs of the night was their killer version of “The Flame,” as purple lights dimmed from the stage. They immediately broke into “I Want You to Want Me,” where the fans were reciting the lyrics verbatim.
During “Dream Police,” the words dream and police displayed on the giant televised screen, and they nailed the tune. Another stand-out performance was their live rendition of “Surrender,” where they managed to get their fans on their feet, and sing along with them. They concluded their show on a fitting note with “Goodnight Now,” where Rick Nielsen brought out his Hamer Five-Neck guitar.
Cheap Trick praised Pop Evil for being an “excellent band,” and they expressed their love and gratitude to their audience. “We love you guys. We are proud to be here tonight everybody. See you down the road,” Zander said.
The Verdict
Overall, Cheap Trick played hit after hit at the Jones Beach Theater, and they were able to introduce their music to a younger generation of fans. They continue to be like fine wine, where they age graciously, and their music is still relevant, distinct and timeless. Their live set, which lasted exactly one hour, garnered an A rating.
To learn more about Cheap Trick and their touring schedule, check out their official homepage.
