Cheap Trick Bring the Budokan Back to the Fox River

By Colette Custin Bevard

Nearly fifty years into a career built on power-pop hooks and infectious stage presence, Cheap Trick rolled into downtown Aurora Thursday night. The Rockford, Illinois natives have arguably been playing this river valley’s stages, in one form or another, since the Ford administration. The newly renovated RiverEdge park and its riverside sightlines made for a unique backdrop for the Midwestern rock greats on their “Washed Up” tour. 

Cheap Trick took the stage and wasted no time, opening with “Hello There” before sliding into “Heart on the Line” and “Come On, Come On.” Robin Zander’s voice was very much still capable of his trademark sneer. 

Then, during “Big Eyes”, guitarist Rick Nielson walked off stage, visibly struggling to breathe. What followed was an uneasy few minutes for the crowd, with only a brief explanation from Zander as the band regrouped. Nielsen returned roughly ten minutes later, performing seated for a short stretch as the band treated the crowd to deep cut “High Roller” from 1978’s Heaven Tonight. 

The night ended on a high note, with “Dream Police,” “Auf Wiedersehen,” and timeless rock anthem “Surrender” keeping the crowd singing along until the very end. It wasn’t necessarily the show anyone was expecting with Nielsen’s health a concern throughout, but the band kept the energy high with the help of Robin Taylor Zander on guitar and vocals. Here’s to hoping that Nielsen recovers quickly and his riffs don’t quit.  

Nashville via New Jersey singer-songwriter James Hatem opened, working a blues and Americana angle that served as a solid palate cleanser before the main event plugged in. 

Setlist: 

Hello There

Heart on the Line

Come On, Come On

Lookout

Big Eyes (Rick left the stage)

Ain’t That a Shame (Fats Domino cover) (Followed by ten minute break)

High Roller (Robin Taylor Zander vocals, Rick returned mid-song)

Bass Solo

I Know What I Want

I Want You to Want Me

Surrender (Rick leaves the stage at the end of song as Dream Police sirens are starting)

Dream Police

Auf Wiedersehen

Goodnight

Cheap Trick :