Tuesday, July 27, 2021
Freeman Arts Pavilion, Selbyville, Delaware

    On a hot and humid yet perfect night under the stars, REO Speedwagon rolled into the new Freeman Arts Pavilion in Selbyville, Delaware, to play for a sold-out crowd with a 16-song, one-and-a-half-hour show. At 8:30 Kevin Cronin on lead vocals, guitar and piano, Neal Doughty on keyboards, Bruce Hall on bass, Dave Amato on guitars and Bryan Hitt on drums hit the stage and opened with "Music Man", off of 1972's R.E.O./T.W.O and "Keep Pushin", off of 1976's R.E.O. Cronin then addressed the crowd saying, "Hello Selbyville, Delaware! It's been a long time but it's great to be playing in front of a live audience and seeing all your smiling faces.” He went on to say, “On this year’s tour we are celebrating the 41st anniversary of our "Hi Infidelity” album!” With that said they launched into "Don't Let Him Go", "Someone Tonight", "Take It on the Run", and "Tough Guys" all from that album. Next up it was "That Ain't Love" and “Can't Fight this Feeling". After these songs Cronin told us that the band started playing bars in Champaign, Illinois, driving around in a 1972 Chevrolet station wagon. He then proclaimed, "You can take the band out of the bar, but you can't take the bar out of the band," leading into "Son of a Poor Man", another song taking fans back to the beginning of REO's 50-plus year history off of 1973's “Ridin' the Storm Out". Cronin then took a minute to thank all of the service men, military and police force who serve our country providing us "this land of the free and home of the brave" right here in this "Golden Country" of Selbyville, Del., where nobody makes us feel as good like you do,” going into the song of the same name and "Like You Do" off the same album. At the opening chords of "Time for Me to Fly," the crowd responded with thunderous applause and were on their feet, ready for quite the finale of the concert. Cronin said, “This is the first time in Selbyville, Del., and hope it won’t be the last, and since everybody is up and ready to Rock 'n' Roll, let’s get "Back on the Road Again" with Bruce Hall on vocals.” After a band introduction, Cronin said, “We are REO Speedwagon! Goodnight Selbyville, Delaware!” They then closed out the night with "Ridin' the Storm Out".
    After a short intermission, the band returned to the stage with Cronin saying that “George Thorogood (being born in Wilmington, Delaware) told me to tell all his brothers and sisters in Delaware hello tonight.” Cronin then made his way behind a grand piano and said that, “This next song is the one that got it all going.” When he hit the chords to "Keep On Loving You" and then "Roll Wirth The Changes," the crowd sang along word for word to close out a fantastic concert on a beautiful night.
    It's GREAT to see that bands and Rock 'n' Roll are out and "Back on the Road Again". I know I've missed it for the last 16 or so months and can’t wait to cover, photograph and enjoy the next concert.