I was really excited for this show since I have only seen Cheap Trick a couple of times years ago, Which may be why it seemed like an eternity to get on stage, but from the opening chords of “Hello There” the rest of the night went way too fast. Next they did “The Summer Looks Good On You” from the new album.

After “Elo Kiddies” Rick Nielsen thanked everyone for coming, and then they dug deep and did “Lookout” and  “Big Eyes” both from their self-titled debut album. Afterwards Rick commented about having a lot more songs.  Then Daxx  Nielsen did a drum solo before going into their cover of “Aint That A Shame.”

Rick then went on about how this is only the third or fourth show since the Covid lockdown and they may be a little rusty. I think they blew the rust off before they even started. He threw in a few blues riffs before starting “California Man.”

The crowd (and I) really liked the new song “Boys & Girls & Rock ‘n Roll” from the new CD Another World. Next was one of my favorite songs “Need Your Love,” and they dimmed the lights and put a spot on Robin Zander,  giving it a even more  of a haunting feeling.

Rick made a point of introducing his son Daxx  on drums and Robins’ son Robin Taylor Zander (who is  filling in while Tom Petersson recovers from heart surgery).

Some of the best light shows of the night were during “Downed,”  “Light Up The Fire” and “Baby Loves To Rock.”

There was another classy run of songs with “Voices,” (after which Rick Nielsen commented about how lucky he is to work with his favorite singer for so long), “I Want You To Want Me” and “Dream Police.” That last one got the audience to light up the phones and dance along.

One big highlight was seeing the Cheap Trick guys receive the key to the city from Loves Parks’ mayor (which Rick said was a “get out of jail free” card) and Robin giving a shout out to his old high school. “Surrender” became a big sing along, and then they closed out the night with “Auf Wiedersehen” and “Goodnight”.

Cheap Trick still has a lot of energy and  puts on a great show. The new songs fit in really well with the older material.

This review is available in book (paperback and hardcover) form in Music Street Journal: 2021  Volume 4. More information and purchase links can be found at: garyhillauthor.com/Music-Street-Journal-2021.