Foreigner Rocks the Washington State Fair

Foreigner at the Washington State Fair (Photo by Mike Baltierra)

Judging by the sold out arena at the Washington State Fair in Puyallup, WA, classic rock is alive and very well.

Foreigner, who are into their fifth decade, have been crisscrossing the county bringing their “The Hits On Tour” to sold out venues.  

The band, which is made up of Kelly Hansen (vocals), Thom Gimbel (rhythm guitar / sax / keyboard), Jeff Pilson (bass), Michael Bluestein (keyboard), Bruce Watson (lead / rhythm guitar), and Chris Frazier (drums), – sadly founding member and lead guitarist Mick Jones was not present – brought a familiar set list (hence the name Hits On Tour) and concentrated their song selection around their first five releases – Foreigner, Double Vision, Head Games, 4 and Agent Provocateur.

Opening their set with the ever popular “Double Vision,” the sold out crowd was already on their feet and singing along with Hansen. “Head Games” came next and then an extended version of “Cold As Ice,” which saw Hansen leave the stage and run down the center aisle to the back of the arena and then back to the stage.

Foreigner played the ever so popular and fan favorites which keep their fans coming back for more. “Waiting For a Girl Like You,” “Dirty White Boy,” “Urgent,” and what is without a doubt, the bands most iconic anthem, “Juke Box Hero,” which had everyone playing their air guitar and rocking out.

Foreigner finished off their solid, albeit short, set with “I Want To Know What Love Is” and “Hot Blooded.”

Opening the evening were another fan favorite from the 1980’s and 1990’s – San Francisco’s Night Ranger – which is currently comprised of Jack Blades (bass / vocals), Brad Gillis (guitar / vocals), Kelly Keagy (drums / vocals), Keri Kelli (guitar), and Eric Levy (keyboard).

They opened the night with “(You Can Still) Rock in America,” which had everyone fist pumping and head banging along to this song that was once in heavy rotation on MTV’s “Headbanger’s Ball.”

The band played other hits from their catalog including “Sing Me Away,” “When You Close Your Eyes,” “Don’t Tell Me You Love Me,” and “Sister Christian.”

It was an awesome show and a great night for nostalgia and classic rock. Let’s hope the Washington State Fair keeps up their trend of booking hard rocking, solid acts!

Foreigner Set List
Double Vision
Head Games
Cold As Ice
Waiting For A Girl Like You
Dirty White Boy
Feels Like The First Time
Guitar Solo
Urgent
Keyboard and Drum Solo
Juke Box Hero
Encore
I Want To Know What Love Is
Hot Blooded

Night Ranger Set List
(You Can Still) Rock In America
Four In The Morning
Sing Me Away
Night Ranger
High Enough (Damn Yankees Cover)
When You Close Your Eyes
Don’t Tell Me You Love Me
Sister Christian