Concert Review
Tom Keifer Band
LA Guns
Friday September 5, 2025
Agora Theater
Cleveland, OH
Review/Photos: Joseph Suto
Two bands whose roots trace back to the glorious 1980’s appeared on a bill at the historic Agora Theater in Cleveland Friday night. Tom Keifer brought his band to town for the first time since a 2013 date out at the old Peabody’s Down Under. This show marked just the second appearance for Keifer in the city with his solo band.
The Agora was decked out in an unusual manner as chairs were lined all around the general admission floor areas where people usually had to stand. Occasionally the venue uses that kind of setup and it seems to work out much better making ample room for fans to move around as opposed to having everyone crowded at the front of the stage area.
There are many artists from Keifer’s era still out putting on solo shows these days. While many of them simply rely on their past hits only, mainly because their solo material is not memorable and are doing it for the nostalgia. With Keifer, not only is he playing the Cinderella hits and gems but he keeps his show fresh by still playing solo material. He even opened with “Touching The Divine” a track from his 2019 Rise album. He played four solo songs in all.
This 90-minute set showcased Keifer at his best at the age of 64. It was easily the best show I’ve seen him play in over 20 years. He sounded absolutely amazing especially considering all the issues he has faced over the years with his voice.
His band has remained the same as it has been over the past few years and included guitarist Tony Higbee, bassist Luis Espaillat, drummer Jarred Pope, keyboardist Kory Myers, and vocalists Savannah Keifer and Tanya Davis. This band is as solid as a band can be as they delivered the Cinderella songs with authenticity.
The roar of the crowd was heard throughout the night. This run of dates started about a week ago and the band appears to already be in mid tour form. This is the time to see them. Scenes of jubilation and celebration seemed to be the theme of the night. It was a performance to remember, one that those in attendance will not soon forget.
Tom Keifer Gallery
LA Guns Gallery
LA Guns opened the show with a blistering 45-minute set that not only took one back in time but also showed the crowd what they have currently been up to. Mixing in their classic cuts like “Never Enough” and “Over The Edge” beside newer material like “Speed” and “Like A Drug” was the perfect combination.
The fresh, raw material was played with robust perfection by the legends from the Sunset Strip. For guitarist Tracii Guns it came so naturally and without breaking a sweat. Phil Lewis hasn’t lost a thing vocally and definitely kept the crowd into the set by saying “Hello Cleveland” a few times as they roared back in approval. Joining them were bassist Johnny Martin, guitarist Ace Von Johnson and drummer Shawn Duncan. This version of the band has been together now since 2022 and they have simply been on fire as a live unit.
The band is touring for their latest effort Leopard Skin making it their fifth release in the last eight years. This is one band who clearly needs to be headlining and playing a full 90-minute set nightly so they can play songs from their full lengthy catalog that rarely get to see much live action.
Tom Keifer Set
Touching The Divine
The More Things Change
Coming Home
The Death of Me
Bad Seamstress Blues/Fallin’ Apart at the Seams
Rise
Nobody’s Fool
Solid Ground
Night Songs
Somebody Save Me
The Last Mile
Don’t Know What You Got (Till It’s Gone)
Shake Me
Shelter Me
Encore
Gypsy Road
With A Little Help From My Friends
L.A. Guns Set
Cannonball
Electric Gypsy
Sex Action
Over the Edge
Like A Drug
Speed
I Wanna Be Your Man
Lucky Motherfucker
Never Enough
The Ballad of Jayne
Rip and Tear
