Concert Review
Tom Keifer
Stephen Pearcy
Vixen
Tag’s Summer Stage
Big Flats, NY
Saturday July 8, 2023
Review/Photos: Joseph Suto
The Live and Loud 2023 tour touched down on Big Flats, NY at Tag’s Summer Stage Saturday evening. This show featured Stephen Pearcy, The “Voice Of Ratt” and the talented Vixen on a one-off bill from the normal tour package that has Winger and John Corabi at most shows. All of these bands have played Tag’s before so they knew the type of atmosphere and crowd they would be playing to. It was mostly just a show that had nothing but hits and songs that most knew the words to.
Keifer took to the stage with a quick run through “Life was Here” from his latest album Rise which came out in 2019. From there Keifer resurrected the Cinderella song “Hot & Bothered” making it the first time he played it on a solo tour . “Heartbreak Station” which had not been played for a few tours also made a reappearance.
The cool thing about Keifer that sets him apart from other singers from his era is that actually plays solo material during his sets. Tonight was no exception as he also played “Solid Ground” one of the standouts from his first solo album The Way Life Goes as well as “The Death of Me” from Rise. While songs from his solo album won’t become household songs, he has a decent solo catalog that is deserved to be heard. The fact he also has mixed in different Cinderella songs into his set helps keep the set fresh not only for his fans but for the band as well.
Considering this was the third show in as many nights, Keifer started off a little strained vocally. By mid-set his voice seemed to get stronger as the show went on finishing on a solid note. After all Keifer has been through with his voice over the years, one can be thankful that he is still out there giving 110%. Many others may not have persevered the same way Keifer has. Let’s hope we get another album very soon followed by another tour. The past few tours show Keifer is still enjoying being able to play in front of his solid fanbase. He also plays it smart by taking along bands from the same era as Cinderella giving the fans a solid evening of entertainment. Keifer is regarded as one of the best songwriters from the era. The plethora of hits and the crowd singing along to every word is a testament to that claim.
The Voice of Ratt, Stephen Pearcy seemed to have the most fun up on stage. The smile on Pearcy’s face right from the start of “Wanted Man” told the story that the crowd was in for a great night. It was a big party and Pearcy brought the goods and the right attitude. He also brought a different looking band that previous versions of his solo band. Of course longtime guitarist Erik Ferentinos and bassist Matt Thorne were there. The band also included guitarist Johnny Monaco who previously played with Enuff Z’nuff. The big surprise of the night was seeing none other than Will Hunt on drums. Hunt has played with many artists including Evanescence, Device and Slaughter to name a few.
Pearcy delivered a gem of a set featuring all Ratt classics he did mix in a few songs he rarely plays. The lone downside was the lack of solo songs as well as nothing from Arcade the band Pearcy had some success with in the nineties. On the upside we got a rare play of “I Want A Woman” from Reach For The Sky which was added for this tour. Other highlights included “Slip of the Lip” and “Back For More”. Pearcy ended with the song that one would expect him to end with in “Round and Round”.
Opening the show was Vixen who we just saw a few months back at Del Lago. Vixen once again put on a solid show which helped set the table for a great evening of music.
Set Lists
Tom Keifer
Life Was Here
Hot & Bothered
Heartbreak Station
The Death Of Me
Bad Seamstress Blues/Fallin’ Apart At The Seams
Coming Home
Nobody’s Fool
Solid Ground
Night Songs
Somebody Save Me
The Last Mile
Shake Me
Shelter Me
Encore
Don’t Know What You Got (Till It’s Gone)
With a Little Help From My Friends
Gypsy Road
Stephen Pearcy
Wanted Man
I’m Insane
Slip of the Lip
Way Cool Jr.
Lovin’ You’s A Dirty Job
You’re In Love
Lay It Down
Lack Of Communication
Sweet Cheater
You Think You’re Tough
Body Talk
I Want A Woman
Back For More
Round And Round
Vixen
Rev It Up
Waiting For The Big One
How Much Love
Cruisin’
Cryin’
Runnin’ With the Devil/I Want You To Rock Me/Still of the Night (Medley)
Edge Of A Broken Heart
