Cheap Trick Show No Signs Of Slowing Down At Stage AE

For the past few days all I’ve been singing around the house, in the car, and in my head have been the words to “Surrender”.  Cheap Trick’s songs have always been infectious and that is why they have stood the test of time.  The fact that they have been jamming live well after they made Cheap Trick at Budokan one of the best live albums of all time is a feat unto itself and a testament to their musicianship and showmanship (CT has been around since 1975).

Here we are in 2013, and even though drummer Bun E. Carlos is no longer touring with them (replaced by guitarist Rick Nielsen’s son Daxx), they are still amazing in concert and put on one hell of a show.  I certainly did not know what to expect having never truly witnessed Cheap Trick live other than TV and YouTube clips.  I just could not pass up seeing one of my all time favorite guitar players and characters, Nielsen and one of the original cool lead singers of rock n roll, Robin Zander, with all due respect to bassist Tom Petersson who has his own ultra cool happening.  Cheap Trick plays every song you want them too, Rick changes guitars every song and brings out all the crazy funky ones you love to see and throws tons of picks to the fans, and Robin hits every note perfectly while Tom and Daxx hold it down on the rhythm end.  These guys have been rockin’ for pretty much forty years and show no signs of stopping…that’s amazing in this day and age of one hit wonder boys and flash in the pan auto tune fakes.  Long Live Cheap Trick.  (Set List Below)

All photos ©2013  Cheap Trick Unlimited, AWeldingphoto and Pittsburgh Music Magazine

Setlist: Pittsburgh 8/21/2013 Stage AE

Come On, Come On

Look Out

Big Eyes

Ain’t That A Shame

Need Your love

House Is Rockin’

Clock Strikes Ten

Stop This Game

I Know What I Want

Borderline

Sickman Of Europe

The Flame

IWYTWM

Baby Loves Rock

Dream Police (Encore)

Cali Man

Surrender

AUFFY

Goodnight