On a gorgeous Austin night on the day the annual SXSW festival kicked off in Austin, Rock Hall of Famer Sir Rod Stewart brought a party to Austin’s Moody Center.
Rockers Cheap Trick opened with one of the loudest sets we have ever heard. They sang all the hits including “Dream Police”, “I Want You to Want Me”, “Surrender”, & more. They proved they can still kick it but we had a feeling most were there to see the iconic Stewart.
The setting for the headlining crooner was beautiful-perhaps from his Vegas residency and looked like the old fashioned 70s TV show big band/orchestra sets with massive glass looking stage with stairs leading up to the drummers and musicians. The stairs came in handy for occasional respites during songs. After all, it was a set full of non stop songs and cardio- the guy is super fit- dancing across the stage, kicking, hip shaking, booty shaking, and more. We wish were in that good of shape! They guy is also still incredibly stylish, dawning a few different outfits throughout including a bight yellow suit with red shirt and gold shoes.
Stewart opened with the show with bagpipe music and jumped right into massive hit “Tonight’s the Night” then played all the hits including “Maggie May”, “Do You Think I’m Sexy”, “You’re in My Heart”, “Forever Young”, “Hot Legs” & more. Of course fans sang all the words. The songs and lyrics are quite simple but that’s what most classic and non-classic hits seem to be (and why we love them).
There was a nice mix of covers and originals with special tributes and covers to legends we lost- Tom Petty, Etta James, Tom Waits, Christine McVie, Muddy Waters, Tina Turner & more. He talked about how influential blues music was to him as he was coming up, so he showed videos of many blues legends.
Another highlight was when he brought his daughter Ruby Stewart out who sang beautifully including her solo on Tom Petty’s “Free Fallin'”. Also, the incredible band included 3 guitars, 2 drums, tambourine, harp, mandolin, violins, saxophone (the sax solos were a big highlight). The backup singers made it a full Vegas-style experience with gorgeous glittery outfits and choreography reminiscent of icons like The Pointer Sisters. So the singers not only sang, but played various instruments including violin and also danced!
Intentionally, Stewart told very short stories and said he wanted to focus on giving fans a full 2 hours of songs. But there were a couple heartwarming and funny stories he told. One was when he gave a shout out to the doctor at Austin’s Westlake ENT center. He said he woke up feeling sick that day and was worried he would have to cancel the show. But it turned out to be cedar fever (Austinites know this allergy well)! Which he said, “Why don’t you just cut them down?”. Of course the doc was invited to the show!
We love his high energy and amount of crowd engagement he had- at one point lying on his stomach to chat with front row fans. He often read the signs they were holding and interacted with them. The night was timeless, brought back so many great memories. Who knows if this icon will continue touring? He doesn’t seem 80, not by a long shot. Heck, Willie’s still going strong at 92, so…
Check out all our show photos and more at Austin 101 Magazine. Check out Stewart’s tour at Rod Stewart.
Set list
Cheap Trick
Dream Police
California Man(The Move cover)
He’s a Whore
She’s Tight
If You Want My Love
Ain’t That a Shame (Fats Domino cover)
Downed
I Know What I Want
The Flame
I Want You to Want Me
Clock Strikes Ten
Surrender
Goodnight
Rod Stewart
Tonight I’m Yours (Don’t Hurt Me)
Having a Party (Sam Cooke cover)
Have You Ever Seen the Rain? (Creedence Clearwater Revival cover)
Young Turks
Rollin’ and Tumblin’ (Muddy Waters cover)
The First Cut Is the Deepest (Cat Stevens cover)
Tonight’s the Night (Gonna Be Alright)
Free Falling (Tom Petty cover) (with Ruby Stewart)
Forever Young (Duet with Ruby Stewart)
Fiddle Break/Tap dancing dancers
Maggie May
You Wear It Well
I’d Rather Go Blind (Etta James cover)
Do Ya Think I’m Sexy?
Downtown Train (Tom Waits cover)
I’m So Excited- back up singers (The Pointer Sisters cover)
Reason to Believe (Tim Hardin cover)
If You Don’t Know Me by Now (Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes cover)
Mandolin Wind
Have I Told You Lately (Van Morrison cover)
Proud Mary- back up singers (Creedence Clearwater Revival cover)
Some Guys Have All the Luck (The Persuaders cover)
It Takes Two (Kim Weston cover)
You’re in My Heart (The Final Acclaim)
Encore:
Hot Legs
