August 13, 2022
Mohegan Sun, Uncasville, CT
Rod Stewart performed a fantastic show on Saturday, August 13, 2022 which proves that even at age 77 he still has the energy and professionalism to put on a nearly two hour performance and keep his fans as energized as he and the band were. The night combined young new fans who had never seen him perform right beside those who had gone to many Stewart concerts over his decades long career. This night at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut was one all would remind all that Stewart is still relevant and young at heart.
You can tell that Stewart thrives on performing with a live audience. He frequently held a hand to his heart and made eye contact with those in the audience near the stage. They reciprocated by waving and joining in to the well known songs he brought out in the performance along with those farther back in the audience he couldn’t see but could definitely hear as they joined in singing along to his well know tunes.
The British singer, who has twice been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame started his set with “Addicted to Love.” He had his female backup singers and musicians as dressed in similar outfits that Robert Palmer had used in his original video in the 1980’s.
The back of the stage was covered floor-to-rafters with large screens that displayed images ranging from civil rights protest marches to Celtic football club photos and videos, to photographs of Stewart throughout the years, adding to the spectacle of the carefully crafted performance.
Feeding off of the crowd’s energy, the knighted rocker spent most of the evening smiling and laughing while he delivered an entertaining show that dug deep into his catalog of hits, along with a number of covers.
Stewart still sounded great and he’s paired himself with a talented group of very good musicians who gave great performances on violins, mandolin, guitar, drums and a harp. More than the average band they sang, danced and got the audience riled up with their energy and great costume changes.
The night was filled with hits like “Tonight’s the Night,” and his 1977 chart-topper “Hot Legs,” during which he kicked about a dozen autographed soccer balls into the audience. He’s an avid soccer fan and former pretty good athlete he proved he’s not lost his kicking form, many of the balls he launched landed far back in the arena.
As with many who have been at it as long as Rod Stewart his he fans knew the songs and didn’t hesitate to sing along “You’re in My Heart,” “Da Ya Think I’m Sexy?” and “Maggie May.”
They stretched out “Young Turks,” from his 1981 album to include dancing from his backup singer performing “America” from “West Side Story.”
Stewart did a duet of “It Takes Two” one of his singers, Becca Kotte, who performed wonderfully and had a great many of the audience standing and cheering for their combo.
Stewart was accompanied on stage by 13 musicians and backup singers and change the tempo from up-tempo to emotional delivery of ballads, including “The First Cut Is the Deepest,” and “Have I Told You Lately That I Love You?”
He also has a great sense of humor about the transitions his music has taken over the years. A bank of video screens showed some of his various looks and changes in his appearance, some of which he laughed and shook his head over his choices, though at the time he was wearing them they were in vogue.
Opening for Stewart was Cheap Trick, who warmed up the audience with a set that included several of the rock band’s hits “I Want You to Want Me,” “Dream Police,” and “Surrender.” Not that the audience needed much warming, they were read for Rod from the moment they arrived.
Great concert and Rod Stewart has definitely not lost his edge. The fact that he surrounds himself with a young, energetic and extremely talented group of musicians and singers only makes the night over the top great. You really can’t ask for more in a night of entertainment. I would definitely see him again and I hope he’s not ready to give up touring yet.
More George Bekris photos of the concert can be viewed at https://www.georgebekris.com/Music/Rod-Stewart-2022/
Setlist:
Addicted to Love
You Wear It Well
Ooh La La
Some Guys Have All the Luck
Having a Party
It Takes Two
Forever Young
The First Cut Is the Deepest
Have You Ever Seen the Rain?
Maggie May
I’d Rather Go Blind
Young Turks
Da Ya Think I’m Sexy?
Rhythm of My Heart
Call Me
Acoustic
People Get Ready
Tonight’s the Night (Gonna Be Alright)
You’re in My Heart (The Final Acclaim)
Have I Told You Lately
Hot Stuff
Encore:
Hot Legs
Stay With Me