Before I even got in the building, it looked like something special was going at the Grand Sierra Resort. Parking was a challenge and when I walked into the building the line of people waiting to get into the theater stretched all the way to the doors at the north end of the building beyond LEX ( a long freakin’ line).
Sammy has a huge ‘circle’ of fans, unique in their dedication to the cause. That cause is to fill the theater and have a hell of a good time. Sammy has more than one band lineup, but they’re almost the same. This one was The Circle, featuring Michael Anthony on bass, Vic Johnson on guitar, Jason Bonham on drums, and of course, Sammy.
Even though most of the concert goers were frequent flyers, I did talk to a couple of people who said it was their first Sammy Hagar show. It’s good to see he is still recruiting new fans fifty-two years into his career. This was the first show of the tour which is supporting their new album that comes out May 10th, Space Between. This is the first album by The Circle and his first new release in 5 years. They played several songs from the album (* see below), and they all fit right in with the sound and style you would hope for and expect to hear.
This show had all the earmarks of a good old rock and roll concert – it was loud, the stage setup was great, there was tequila and whiskey on stage and the lighting was awesome. Sammy and Michael Anthony were chummy all night, Vic was killing the guitar licks, Jason was thunderous on the kit, and Sammy smiled, smiled, smiled! The enthusiasm was through the roof. Most of the time a majority of the crowd was on their feet. One of my favorite songs of the night was a tribute to Jason Bonham’s father, John – Led Zeppelin’s Rock n’ Roll. It was fantastic!
If you have never been to a Sammy Hagar show and you love rock and roll, I highly recommend it. Take some earplugs if you are sensitive to high volume, and wear comfortable shoes, because you will probably be on your feet most of the night.
RIGHT NOW – somebody is wishing they had gone to this show.
SET LIST
- Trust Fund Baby*
- One Way To Rock
- Three Lock Box
- Poundcake
- I Can’t Drive 55
- Can’t Hang*
- The Seventh Seal
- Finish What You Started
- Right Now
- Devil Came To Filly*
- Chump Change*
- Rock Candy
- Why Can’t This Be Love
- Rock n’ Roll
- Heavy Metal
- Mas Tequila
- Eagles Fly
- When It’s Love
- Affirmation*
(*from their new release ‘Space Between’)
