Even with New England hosting two of the biggest shows of the summer with Metallica being in town for 2 sold out shows at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough and Def Leppard in town on Monday at Fenway. Tonight was no ghost town in Boston as Cheap Trick played at MGM Fenway in the midst of all the chaos.
Cheap Trick an American Rock band from Rockford, IL was the only performer of the evening. They played an entire set themselves with no opener. The band was formed in 1973 by guitarist Rick Nielsen, bassist Tom Petersson, lead vocalist Robin Zander and drummer Bun E. Carlos. Their work bridged elements of ’60s guitar pop, ’70s hard rock, and the emerging punk rock sound, and would help set the template for subsequent power pop artists.
As the lights dimmed and the crowd roared, Cheap Trick took the stage with the energy of a band half their age. Opening with the classic “Hello There,” they immediately set the tone for the night – this was going to be a no-frills, high-octane rock and roll show. Once on stage Lead singer Robin Zander announced to the crowd that tonight was a special night. We have some very special guests in the building tonight. The crowd cheered and started looking around to see if they could see any famous familiar faces around.
Zander’s vocals were as powerful and clear as ever, effortlessly hitting every note with the same passion that has made him one of rock’s most enduring frontmen. Rick Nielsen, the band’s iconic guitarist, was a whirlwind of energy. He tore through solos with a mix of precision and flair that had the crowd cheering at every turn. His playful interactions with the audience, including throwing picks into the crowd and brandishing his five-neck guitar, added an element of fun to the performance.
The setlist was a perfect mix of hits and deep cuts, with something for every fan. Staples like “I Want You to Want Me” and “Surrender” had the entire venue singing along, while deeper tracks like “He’s a Whore” and “Downed” showcased the band’s versatility and musicianship. Tom Petersson’s 12-string bass solo during “I Know What I Want” was a standout moment, reminding everyone of the band’s technical prowess.
Before the song, “Baby Loves To Rock,” Zander announced to the crowd that they had a Boston legend that was going to help them sing the next song. The crowd roared and out from the side of the stage appeared Gary Cherone, from the Legendary band Extreme.
Drummer Daxx Nielsen, filling the big shoes of Bun E. Carlos, kept the rhythm tight and driving, anchoring the band’s sound with a steady beat that never wavered. The chemistry between the band members was evident, a testament to their decades of playing together.
The encore brought the night to a climax with a rousing rendition of “Clock Strikes Ten,” complete with flashing lights and a frenzied crowd, “Surrender” and closing with “Goodnight,” As Cheap Trick was leaving the stage to thunderous applause, leaving the audience buzzing with the thrill of what they had just witnessed, some fans noticed off to the left of the stage Kirk Hammett from Metallica and Spencer from Ice Nine Kills were posing with pictures with Rick Nielsen. They were posing with his five neck guitar and Kirk even tried to play it. This left the fans in awe of what they were experiencing at that moment.
