Concert Review
Rick Springfield
John Waite
Wang Chung
Paul Young
Saturday July 5, 2025
Artpark Outdoor Amphitheater
Lewiston, NY
Review/Photos: Joseph Suto
The past few years Rick Springfield has dabbled into the tour package world with the theme that all the artists came into prominence at some point during the 1980s. This year he brought Paul Young who toured in the 2023 package, Wang Chung who have appeared in many 80’s package combos and the legendary John Waite. Waite not only had his solo career blossom in the 80s, but hit big with supergroup Bad English before the 80’s came to a close.
Springfield took to the stage with a thunderous applause. There was no doubt who the crowd came to see. The former General Hospital star had captured the hearts of many back in the 80s and that affair of the heart still carries on to this day with many fans.
Springfield’s set is a lot shorter when he is on one of these type of packages as opposed to a full headlining set but he managed to satisfy all of his fans. Of course he played the usual plethora of hits like “Love Is Alright Tonight”, “Love Somebody” and “Don’t Talk To Strangers” but also “World Start Turning” the song he wrote about depression.
“I am a U.S. Citizen for two reasons” Springfield proclaimed. “I love this country” and the second reason is I wanted to be able to be called for jury duty.” Springfields wry sense of humor has endeared him to many and he is one of the true ambassador from the 80s.
John Waite has had quite a career. As previously mentioned Waite’s biggest commercial success came in the 80s but it was in the late 70s when he had some success as the bassist and lead vocalist of the British rock group The Baby’s. The Baby’s managed three top 40 hits on the U.S. Billboard charts and had moderate success until they disbanded in 1981. From there he went solo had the #1 Smash “Missing You”.
Waite did a fabulous job constructing the set list. Picking from all his eras featuring two number ones and classic Baby’s songs like “Head First” and the uplifting “Back On My Feet Again”. Waite’s band featured bassist Tim Hogan, guitarist Kyle Cook who also plays in Matchbox Twenty and drummer Alan Childs.
Wang Chung took to the stage second and performed a short but efficient set featuring all their biggest hits. Jack Hues and Nick Feldman met in the late 70s before forming Wang Chung in 1980. The band really took off with 1986’s Mosaic which reached gold status. That album helped to elevate them to this day where they are still known for the two top 10 smashes “Everybody Have Fun Tonight” and “Let’s Go” along with classic song “Dance Hall Days”. Needless to say they played all three during their six song set. The crowd sang along like it was 1986 all over again.
Paul Young also opened the tour for Rick Springfield back in 2023. Young known for his number one U.S. smash the Daryl Hall penned “Every Time You Go Away” played a short four song set. Young has had a monster career and some huge hits in his homeland of England. While he has some extremely hits in the U.S. as well he played Live Aid at Wembley Stadium back in 1985. He used members of Springfield’s band to perform his set. Overall Young was a good choice to set the tone for the evening.
One look at Springfield up on stage you would never think he was 75 years old. He still looks and sounds like he has for the past twenty years. He is like an energizer rabbit with how he keeps going. There always seems to be exceptions to the rule. There are many artists still touring these days nearing or into their 80s. Springfield is another who appears that will keep going as he truly enjoys being up on that stage. Todd Rundgren just played Artpark a few days before and he is another who seems to be in the same boat as Springfield. Hopefully we will get a few more visits to town before either one calls it a career.
Rick Springfield Photo Gallery
John Waite Photo Gallery
Wang Chung Photo Gallery
Paul Young Photo Gallery
Set Lists
Rick Springfield
I’ll Make You Happy
Affair of the Heart
I’ve Done Everything For You
Living In Oz/Bop Til You Drop/Souls/Two Tickets to Paradise
What’s Victoria’s Secret?/What Kind of Fool Am I/Rock of Life (medley)
Love Is Alright Tonight
World Start Turning
State of the Heart
Don’t Talk To Strangers
Love Somebody
Human Touch
Encore
Jessie’s Girl
John Waite
Change
Midnight Rendezvous
Every Time I Think Of You
When I See You Smile
Missing You
Head First
Back on My Feet Again
Whole Lotta Love
Wang Chung
Fire in the Twilight
To Live and Die in LA
Let’s Go
Dance Hall Days
Should I Stay or Should I Go
Everybody Have Fun Tonight
Paul Young
Some People
I’m Gonna Tear Your Playhouse Down
Come Back and Stay
Every time You Go Away
