Concert Review
Bad Company
Tuesday In the Park
Artpark Outdoor Stage
Lewiston, NY
Tuesday August 20, 2019
Review/Photos: Joseph Suto
Tuesday night the highly anticipated return of Bad Company took place at Artpark. The outdoor stage came alive to the sights and sounds of original members Paul Rodgers and Simon Kirke. Joining them were guitarist Howard Leese and bassist Todd Ronning.
The band got things underway with a surprise opener “Running with the Pack”. The title track of their third album had not been played this summer until tonight. “Can’t Get Enough”, “Live For the Music” and “Feel Like Makin’ Love” quickly followed. A very satisfying way to kick off their 75-minute set.
“Movin’ On” and “Ready For Love” both were candidates for song of the night until “Shooting Star” came along by then it was no contest.
Surprisingly the band chose not to play “Electricland” this time around. Other notable songs absent were “Silver, Blue & Gold” and “Good Lovin’ Gone Bad” both stellar songs that haven’t seen a set list in quite a number of years.
The band closed out their set with a few gems such as “Seagull” and a cover of Free’s “All Right Now” before encoring with “Rock ‘N’ Roll Fantasy”.
Rodgers took a moment to acknowledge original guitarist Mick Ralphs by saying was doing ok and he passed along Ralphs thanks to all the fans for all the love and support.
A couple of things that stood out from this show was how well Kirke can still handle a kit and how amazing Rodgers still sounds. This band has never sounded this good and has seemed to age like that aforementioned fine wine. The fans are the ones who truly benefit by having these guys still out on the road performing at such a high level. Hopefully it won’t be another six years before the band comes back to Lewiston.
Opening the show with a short but solid 30 minute set was Steve Rodgers. Steve is Paul’s son and his set featured some songs from his recent album Head Up High. Standouts included “So High” and “Sunshine”.
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Set List
Running With The Pack
Can’t Get Enough
Live For The Music
Feel Like Makin’ Love
Movin’ On
Young Blood
Gone, Gone, Gone
All Because Of You
Seagull
Ready For Love
All Along The Watchtower
Shooting Star
Bad Company
All Right Now
Encore
Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy
