Back in the summer of 2006, Foreigner made their first tentative steps back onto the shores of the UK. It had been 10 long years since Mick and the boys had graced the UK stages and the three shows they played were to test the water to see if there was still a fan base there. The phenomenal success and “Sold Out” signs outside of the venues proved emphatically that we were still here and fans wanted more.
Roll on to 2007 and more is exactly what the UK gets. This time a full-blown 7-date UK Tour covering the length and breadth of the country, including their first ever appearance in Newcastle.
After an impressive one-man acoustic performance by former It-Bites singer/guitarist Francis Dunnery, Foreigner hit the stage running with “Double Vision” and with a real footstomper of a number to get things going, “Head Games” quickly followed and things were warming up nicely on stage.
It wasn’t quite enough, however, for frontman Kelly Hansen who noticed the rather reserved crowd were still seated. As “Cold As Ice” came, Hansen stepped off the stage and proceeded to walk on the backs of the chairs and over the top of the crowd demanding “This is a Rock ‘n’ Roll show; get out of your seats and on your feet!” Not needing to be told twice, the capacity crowd leapt up and the dancing commenced … with Hansen still holding court in the middle of the hall to a delighted and pumped up audience.
Replacing one of the all-time great singers is no easy feat, but Kelly Hansen, the one time Hurricane frontman, has succeeded in doing just that as he has stepped into the shoes of the legendary Lou Gramm with ease. Not content with having a fantastic voice, he is also a consummate showman, twisting and turning across the stage, hurling his microphone stand around and interacting with the punters at every possible occasion. Doubters questioning this man’s talents could not fail to be impressed with such an all round entertaining performance. Hansen oozed class and charisma throughout the show.
Mick Jones, the only surviving original member, has hand-picked an exceptional band. Who can argue with a rhythm section comprised of Jason Bonham and Jeff Pilson, as tight a unit as you’d find anywhere and both contributing to the harder edge and higher energy levels than has been heard in previous incarnations of the band. Pilson in particular seems genuinely thrilled to be playing in Foreigner as he stomped and headbanged his way through the set.
The set list is pretty similar to their prior shows in the UK, with the big hits such as “Waiting For A Girl Like You” and “Dirty White Boy” mixing well with the fan-favorites such as “Starrider,” a real Prog monster if there ever was one that featured the multi-talented Tom Gimbel on flute and Mick Jones sharing lead vocals with Hansen. This was one of the real highlights of the set, giving the band the opportunity to flex their musical muscles.
As the rich tones and delicious melody of AOR par excellence “That Was Yesterday” caressed the senses, Jones glanced over to his bandmates with a look of pride on his face, knowing he has assembled a fine band, giving new life to his creations, and satisfied that the illustrious name of Foreigner is in safe hands.
A rearranged “Say You Will” from the highly underrated Inside Information album saw all band members up to the front of the stage for an inspired 6-part harmony version of the song, and they were soon joined by the 2000 strong Geordie choir.
A fist-pumping “Feels Like The First Time” preceded the kicking powerhouse of “Urgent.” Tom Gimbel’s rasping saxophone solo was a sheer delight to behold. Name one person out there who wouldn’t want to sink to their knees and belt out a sax solo like that. Utterly fantastic.
Ending the main show with arguably the finest AOR anthem of them all, “Juke Box Hero” complete with the “Whole Lotta Love” mid-section, kept the tempo firing full blast to the end.
The band returned gleefully to the stage to perform worldwide mega-hit “I Wanna Know What Love Is” as the crowd joined with band on the chorus. Stirring stuff. By the time the final notes of “Hot Blooded” (possibly Foreigner’s toughest moment) rang out it was all over.
AOR/Melodic Rock/Pomp Rock (or whatever it is you want to call it) is a much maligned music form. When it is performed to such as high standard as this with such a fantastic catalog of material, it is a joy to see. Anyone with even a passing interest in Rock music would not fail to appreciate the sight and sound of one of the genres leading lights in full flow. A stunning performance by a classic band.
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