Toronto, Canada – Nothing quite says summer in Canada like outdoor rock concerts. Since we don’t get the warm weather year-round, the summer concert is a completely different feel than the typical arena shows on the cooler (and colder) months. The longer days provide a feel of extended life, and long life allows us to reflect on what has been. It won’t always be rosey, but when a band that has been forever loved, (well, at least 46 years loved), comes to town, the less than desirable times are forgotten. You’re thrust into the moment, and everything is great!
In 1976, three musicians in the Big Apple banded together to form one of the iconic rock bands of our time. Half a year later, Foreigner released their debut self titled album to huge success. The album stayed on the charts for a full year and the rest, as they say, was history! For 46 years, the band has been alive and well, despite the fact that the only remaining member has been original founder Mick Jones. And even with that, Jones is not a fully active touring member, only appearing occasionally as the band plays live.
On July 6, 2023, Foreigner launched their “Historic Farewell Tour” in Alpharetta, GA. Like most farewell tours, this last go around for the band will see them on the road for an extended period, carrying over into 2024. But on July 25, the band made their final stop ever in Toronto, Canada at the city’s most iconic summer venue, Budweiser Stage. With support from Canadian rock icons Loverboy, the Toronto gig also saw support from another band called Deraps.
Deraps
With founding members from Quebec, Canada (Jacob Deraps – lead guitar/lead vocals) and Australia (Josh Gallagher – drums), Deraps was formed in 2017. Having released their debut album just one year ago, the band has hit the big stage in Toronto, supporting legendary bands Loverboy and Foreigner.
There is an immediate feel of Van Halen from the trio that also includes bass guitarist William Lachance. As it turns out, Jacob has been featured in the official Van Halen News Desk for his uncanny ability to belt out Van Halen tunes as if he were a founding member of that band. Looking like a rock band with their spandex, and shirtless drummer, Deraps blew the ears off my better half who was in attendance for this one. After my coverage of the band, she made sure to let me know how loud the band was.
Loud? Spandex?? Rock and Roll? How could you go wrong???
Loverboy
From Canada’s west in Calgary, Alberta, Loverboy came onto the scene at the start of the 1980s with their debut release Loverboy in August of 1980. Having released 9 studio albums, the band has had a tremendous career and are regarded as one of Canada’s greatest bands of all time. With hit song after hit song, the band has sold millions of albums worldwide. These are the things that great concerts are made of, so I was a little disappointed last summer when I missed the band’s opening set for the Styx show I covered here in Toronto last year. Toronto traffic is well known as one of the worst in the world, but on that night last year, it resulted in my late arrival at the venue, and thus, missing the band’s act. So I was a little excited to catch them in support of Foreigner, and I was expecting a great show.
The band opened their set with their 1987 track “Notorious”. As I looked up at drummer Matt Frenette and saw the energy, excitement, and engagement in his eyes and body language, I thought ‘This is going to be a great set!’ From this point, the band rolled out hit song after hit song in their 10 track list. Songs like “Lucky Ones”, “The Kid is Hot Tonight” and “Turn Me Loose” are all well known hits that had the crowd singing along, and lead singer Mike Reno really hit his stride and range with the Top Gun Soundtrack featured “Heaven in Your Eyes”.
With the crowd on their feet dancing and singing along with the Canadian music icons, it was a fantastic set, that was just getting us primed for the main event.
Foreigner
I’m not certain why, but I am always amazed at the energy that some bands bring to the stage. It’s definitely eye opening to see a “young” band bombing around the stage, but when it’s a band that has dudes in their 50s and 60s, I just somehow can’t help but be shocked. As Foreigner hits the stage with their lead-off track “Double Vision”, lead singer Kelly Hansen appears on the drum riser at the back of the stage, and sets things on fire with a high jump off the riser onto the stage below. We’re off and running.
The sound is absolutely amazing, Hansen’s vocals are strong, and the energy from the stage is contagious. Toronto is a very pretentious city (sorry folks, but it’s a fact). Go to a Toronto Maple Leaf hockey game and you can practically hear a pin drop. More related to this event, I have seen MANY arena shows over the past 15 years, and to see fans up on their feet is sadly, a rarity. I simply do not understand it. But I didn’t have to ponder those thoughts on this hot summer evening as the Boomers and X’ers were ready for a great time.
As the band transitions into “Head Games” and “Cold as Ice”, I get real Steven Tyler vibes from Kelly Hansen in regard to his stage presence. It’s so cool to see this 62-year-old rocker bringing the goods for the band’s last hurrah.
After the band jams out their 5th track, “Dirty White Boy”, the 6 members line up across the front of the stage, seated, for a 3-song acoustic set. Even drummer Chris Frazier comes from behind the kit to beat on a cajon (box drum). It’s actually a cool break from the energy of the opening stanza. It really allows the band to showcase their gentler side, and highlights the musicianship of all its members. The harmonies during “Girl on the Moon” are spectacular. The acoustic break also provides an opportunity for Hansen to highlight the band’s comradery, and to introduce them:
Luis Maldonado – Rhythm Guitar/Backing Vocals
Chris “The Razor” Frazier – Drums
“Shoeless” Bruce Watson – Rhythm and Lead Guitar/Backing Vocals
Michael Bluestein – Keyboards/Back Vocals
Jeff Pilson – Bass Guitar/Keyboards/Backing Vocals
Kelly Hansen – Lead Vocals
The 3rd track of the acoustic set starts with a solo by Maldonado, and the band rolls into “Say You Will” that immediately gets the crowd on their feet again, clapping along with the beat, and more great vocal harmonies from the band. This rolls into the last chapter of the evening, with the tempo picking up, and the crowd happy to stay alive during the rest of the show.
The balance of the evening treats the fans to keyboard solos, drum solos, spectacular stage lighting, and ahead of the smash hit “Jukebox Hero”, Kelly Hansen appears on a platform high above the crowd. It was such a cool visual that had the whole venue buzzing. There were quite a lot of younger audience members here which was another very cool thing to see, but most of the demographic were older folks, and they were loud as hell. But as I always say, that is payback for a band that is killing it up on stage. Not always the case here in Toronto, but for sure on this night, the fans were happy to give back as much as they were getting.
As the show wound down, Hansen shares the decision for the band to call it quits. The band didn’t want to go out in a shitty way. It was so important for them to go out in the best way possible. He thanks the fans for allowing the band to be a real live band, playing real live shows and proudly announces “You have warmed our hearts and have made us ‘HOT BLOODED’” Fire balls erupt on stage, and the band plays their last song ever, in Toronto, Canada.
I bumped into many people I know at this show. Friends of my son, a cousin, neighbours, and work mates. In chatting via Facebook, or in person the next day in the office, everybody had the exact same take. The show was fantastic. Even better than expected in some cases. While I understand the desire to go out on top, in this case, there just seems like so much more to give. And it makes me wonder…. ‘Have they made the right decision???’
Setlist
Double Vision
Head Games
Cold as Ice
Waiting for a Girl Like You
Dirty White Boy
Acoustic:
When It Comes to Love
Girl on the Moon
Say You Will
Feels Like the First Time
Urgent
Keyboard Solo
Drum Solo
Juke Box Hero
Encore:
I Want to Know What Love Is
Hot Blooded
Foreigner Online
Website|Facebook|Twitter|Instagram
Show Date: July 25, 2023
