Thursday night saw a rare double headline concert at the RBC Amphitheatre, featuring the iconic southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd and classic rock group Foreigner. The event marked Foreigner’s 50th anniversary and offered fans a nostalgic journey through decades of rock history.
Foreigner opened the show with a surprise appearance by former lead vocalist Lou Gramm, who introduced the band and announced his first solo album in 17 years. He performed a brief solo set before the full band took the stage, led by new frontman Luis Maldonado, a Mexican-born singer who joined the group in 2021 and became the lead vocalist after Kelly Hansen’s retirement.
The setlist highlighted the band’s biggest hits, including “Feels Like the First Time,” “Urgent,” and “Hot Blooded.” A cover of “Bridge Over Troubled Water” was performed as a tribute to the band’s 50th‑anniversary documentary, and a rendition of “I Want to Know What Love Is” featured a youth choir from Guelph.
Lynyrd Skynyrd’s performance was headlined by Johnny Van Zant, brother of the late Ronnie Van Zant, who has led the band since its 1987 reformation. The nine‑member lineup opened with “Working For MCA” and “What’s Your Name,” before delivering fan favorites such as “Gimme Back My Bullets,” “Simple Man,” and “Call Me The Breeze.”
The band closed with a powerful rendition of “Sweet Home Alabama,” followed by the classic encore “Free Bird.” Throughout the set, the trio of guitarists—Rickey Medlocke, Mark Matejka, and Damon Johnson—provided a robust three‑guitar attack that kept the audience engaged.
The concert showcased the enduring appeal of both bands, with thousands of fans filling the venue and celebrating decades of rock. The night underscored that, even without original members on stage, the legacy of Lynyrd Skynyrd and Foreigner continues to resonate with new and longtime listeners alike.
