Foreigner Rocks Las Vegas

One of the best things about living in Las Vegas is the music. Unlike most towns that get primarily the major headliners, Vegas has so many venues that just about everyone still making a living playing music passes through here at some point during the year. In three years in Sin City, I’ve seen Tantric, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Taylor Dayne, Burning Spear, Luis Miguel and Liz Phair (three times). Work and travel forced me to pass on opportunities to see Sting, Rush, Willie Nelson, Gretchen Wilson, Juanes, Henry Rollins and many, many others.

Last night, my Dad and I made the long trek across town to Sunset Station to see FOREIGNER. I expected to enjoy myself listening to some old favorites. I’d heard Lou Graham was no longer the front man, so I expected to enjoy Mick Jones’ guitars and tolerate whoever had been plugged in to replace Graham. Man, was I in for a surprise.

Though the set was short (only 14 songs), the show simply rocked. We had great seats so the music was never muddy and you could see how much passion these guys had playing. The only truly original member of the band is Jones, and it quickly became clear that he IS Foriegner. Jones’ blistering, creative, intricate guitar work and arrangements defines the band’s sound.

The rest of the band is immensely talented as well, particularly Kelly Hansen. Hansen replaces Lou Graham as the band’s frontman. He hits every note Graham did and brings kinetic energy as a showman. As a result, the show was the best concert I’ve seen since Springsteen and E-Street on The Rising Tour in 2002.

The Eagles and other Foreigner contemporaries have gotten richer touring to cash in on a wave of 70s nostalgia. Most reports say that these reunion tours are tepid and lackluster … at best. In contrast, Jones has injected Foreigner with a mix of young, raw talent and proven bandmates. The result is electric.

In short, see these guys if you can.