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Review: Rod Stewart shows his age in Tampa, but leaves more than 12,000 fans in bliss at Amalie Arena (w/photos + setlist)

So, it happened; I was angrily called a “fuddy duddy” during Saturday night’s Rod Stewart concert by a gabby group behind me who took offense with my request for them to keep the conversation level to a volume level just a tad lower than what the headliner on stage was projecting. The point at which Stewart delivered what sounded like a poignant, fond recollection of the experience he and ex-Faces bandmate Ron Wood shared when recording the blues standard popularized by Etta James, “I’d Rather Go Blind” for his 1972 album Never A Dull Moment was obliterated by the VERY LOUD reading of Stewart’s biography from a smartphone in the row behind me.

While the show was happening.

I’d love to tell you what he said…but sadly, I was only able to pick out bits and pieces of his intro thanks to the incessant conversations that were occurring begin me.

Playlist: Listen to every song Rod Stewart and Cyndi Lauper played at Tampa's Amalie Arena on July 8

Nonetheless, Rod delivered an absolutely flawless, heartfelt rendition of the rarely-performed tune which, for me, served as the highlight of the night…despite the non-stop conversations that occurred in my immediate vicinity for the bulk of Rod’s 90-minute set…and for the duration of Cyndi Lauper’s fun hour-long opening set, too.

I’ll be the first to support the notion that a rock show is the place to let down your inhibitions, let loose and go crazy…but annoying non-stop chatter in my ear about the quality of the venue’s popcorn or a rundown of the headliners romantic relationships and the ages of his children is not exactly my idea of concert recklessness. It’s just plain annoying.

There’s my fuddy-duddiness again I suppose…

Anyway…the 72-year old British rock star still knows how to entertain a crowd — and there were more than 12,000 gathered in his same at a sold out Amalie Arena. One of the best and most alluring frontmen in rock for the last (almost) fifty years is a true pro. While not as spry or vigorous onstage as in his heyday, Stewart still possesses the power to illicit cat calls and spirited reactions from females of all ages when he as much as hints at removing his blazer or shaking his ass. His vocals are a bit more subdued and he can’t hit the high notes his gravelly, unmistakable voice once reached — and that’s OK, too. Stewart never gave in or threw in the towel during Saturday’s robustly attended show at the Amalie Arena. He has always been and remains a flashy, over the top, dynamic performer, and age hasn’t changed that…it’s just slowed him down a bit.

Starting with a smoking version of the 1984 horn-laden rocker “Infatuation” was a great choice. A large band consisting of two drummers and a percussionist and a bevy of beautiful, stylish backup singers got things off to a rollicking start as Rod appeared in a silver jacket, white jeans and his trademark spiky, rooster hairdo in full coif as he strutted around the stage for the opening number.

From there, Rod took the largely enthusiastic crowd through a journey of his long career and delivered some comical anecdotes along the way. Playing before an impressive wall of multiple high-definition screens that beamed images and real-time footage of the band and passionate audience members singing along to every song, the night had an air of celebration and joy to it. A duet of the Isley Brothers hit “This Old Heart Of Mine” with opener Cyndi Lauper came at her personal request, Stewart joked. Lauper shared center stage with Rod early in his set and reflected on the influence his 1975 album Atlantic Crossing had on her, the album from which his cover of the song first appeared. The two traded off verses, while both belting on their knees, and made this another definite highlight of the flashy production.

Making mention of the heat he was feeling onstage and calling for his frontstage fans to be activated, Rod stood in front of one of them which blew back his locks and cooled him down. “It’s like I’m in a Bee Gees video,” he joked.

Costume changes, hits, hits and more hits came and there was no doubt, every fan of every era of the Rod Stewart catalog walked away satisfied. A personal highlight came when he lovingly remembered his deceased Faces bandmates keyboardist Ian McLagan and bassist/vocalist Ronnie Lane, who Rod referred to as “the heart and the soul of Faces”, and then launched into a sing-along version of “Ooh La La,” the title track of the final Faces album from 1973.

click to enlarge

Kamran Malik

Rod Stewart plays Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida on July 8, 2017.

A similar nod came when delivering the Tom Waits-penned hit, “Downtown Train.” Rod called Waits one of the greatest songwriters ever and joked that Waits told him he’d been able to afford a new roof and a swimming pool with the revenue he made from Rod’s successful cover of the song. The song ended with a saxophone solo that was just entirely too long and zapped the mystique from the song…but it was time for another costume change so the talented and able horn player played on. And on. And on.

In a nod to his ability to poke fun at himself and not take himself too seriously, a barrage of tawdry tabloid headlines flashed on all onstage screens while a kickass version of “Maggie May” was being delivered before the wrapping up the night.

A bunch of soccer balls were kicked and tossed into the crowd (while onscreen warnings of flying soccer balls beamed) during a reading of Faces barnburner “Stay With Me,” and house lights were raised as a flurry of balloons was released from the rafters during the disco smash “ Da Ya Think I’m Sexy?” ending things off in truly celebratory fashion.

A little bit of Vegas glitz never hurt any rock show...especially with a consummate showman like Rod Stewart at the helm. A delighted crowd walked away fulfilled and happy which has been a common post-show reaction Rod has incited for the better part of his nearly half-century long career.

A dynamic performer herself, Cyndi Lauper, got things off to a fun start with her opening, hour-long set too. While curiously not as spirited, lively or jovial between songs as she normally is, Lauper, certainly made a point of showing off her awesome pipes, especially throughout her spectacular delivery of “I Drove All Night.” Sporting a sparkly suit with flower-y appliques, a top hat and long cotton candy pink tresses, Lauper soon kicked off her shoes and got comfortable on stage. She delved into deeper album cuts and made mention of her former rockabilly band Blue Angel before hitting on a scintillating version of “Witness,” a song from that era which found its way onto her smash debut solo album, 1983’s She’s So Unusual. Lauper even performed her signature hit from the 1985 film, The Goonies.

She did, however, send a shout out to local Clearwater Beach eatery Frenchy’s and praised them for their food she’s enjoyed on recent visits..including indulging in a fried Oreo on her most recent trip to the restaurant.

Lauper’s signature song “Girls Just Want To Have Fun” followed a few heartfelt words about this year’s news-making women’s marches and the impact they had on her. Throughout the performance, images of women of all ages holding signs reading “Girls Just Want To Have Fundamental Rights” appeared to some cheers and wild applause.

Wrapping up with an emotional take on her ballad “True Colors” while playing a dulcimer was a fitting close. The song has become an unofficial anthem of the LBGT population and Cyndi, a firm advocate for equality of all people for the duration of her career, usually ends her entertaining sets with this meaningful number.

Listen to songs from the setlist here, and see more of Kamran's photos below.

Rod Stewart Setlist

Soul Finger (The Bar-Keys) [Band Only]
Infatuation
Some Guys Have All The LuckThis Old Heart of Mine (Is Weak For You) [w/Cyndi Lauper]Tonight’s The Night (Gonna Be Alright)

You Wear It Well

Forever Young

Rhythm of My Heart

Young Turks

Downtown Train

The First Cut Is The Deepest

Ooh La La (Faces)

You’re In My Heart (The Final Acclaim)

Have I Told You Lately (Scotty Wiseman)

River Deep, Mountain High (Tina Turner) [backup singers and band only]

I’d Rather Go Blind (Etta James)

Maggie May