Chicago and REO Speedwagon teamed up Tuesday night at DTE Energy Music Theatre for not just the tour itself, but a encore performance together to close out the night. Photos/Jamie Limbright
[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he idea of playing a combined set with another band on tour isn’t a novel one for REO Speedwagon; the band did it with its well-publicized tour with Styx a little over a decade ago.
The band is synthesizing again on this summer’s tour with another hit band from the era, Chicago, with Tuesday night’s show at DTE Energy Music Theatre proving to be a satisfying experience for fans of both groups.
REO was certainly a tour de force in concert during its peak over 25 years ago. Its arena rock sound was something to behold live, and you can see that time has inevitably taken a little bit off the band — its opener of “Don’t Let Him Go” is not what it once was, lead singer Kevin Cronin included. But the band wisely leans on its strengths, while Cronin is still passionate and plenty talented.
Cronin referenced playing Detroit as far back as 1973 — the band played venues like Masonic Temple Theatre and Cobo Arena around the time — and preached positive vibes throughout, perhaps sensing that the city was waterlogged in places and could enjoy the good spirits. Like the headliners, the band knows how to give just the right dose of solo interludes. Along with the big ones like “Take It on the Run,” and jammed out in the middle of the band’s 1987 hit, “That Ain’t Love.”
Chicago playing at DTE Energy Music Theatre August 12.
As many hits as REO has had (13 in the Top 40, if you’re counting), Chicago felt right in its place on the bill. The group has had its own changes — Peter Cetera, Danny Seraphine gone — but Robert Lamm and several other originals still remain. What’s more essential is the standard of the current lineup, and the group’s grandiose sound is tight and the vocals are a joy to the ears. Keyboardist Lou Pardini (Bill Champlin) and especially bassist Jason Scheff (Peter Cetera) soar vocally and keep the band’s sound as lively as ever. Even without interplay, the crowd would’ve been on its feet for the set, which included staples like “You’re the Inspiration,” classic ballad “Hard to Say I’m Sorry,” and a stimulating drum and percussion solo involving Tris Imboden and Wally Reyes Jr.
Of course, it culminated with the pair together on stage for a six-song encore, evenly performing a crowd-friendly arsenal of their biggest hits, including the edgier “Ridin’ the Storm Out,” and “25 or 6 to 4.” As to be expected, the two didn’t sound bloated, but full, rich.
The experience, all-in-all, proved to be a great one, and the format for this summer’s tour succeeds wonderfully. For bands that have made plenty of stops to the area since the ’70s, it’s a unique spin that provides incentive to make another trip to enjoy the bands, separately and collectively, which fans certainly seemed to be at DTE.
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Back on the Road Again
Chicago setlist:
Feelin’ Stronger Every Day
Chicago/REO Speedwagon Encore
