Huey Lewis & The News
The Meadows Event Center, April 22
Huey Lewis & The News found out that “The Heart of Rock and Roll” isn’t in Cleveland, but rather Altoona, as a sold-out crowd clapped and sang along with Huey and his pop/R&B perfection. Decades have passed since “Fore” and “Sports” dominated the charts, but Huey, who looks only slightly older than he did in his prime, still has the command and swagger that led his band to tops in the 1980s. The News (including a few original members) was tight, following their leader like a messiah. My only complaint from the show — I wanted to hear more hits. When a band has 19 Top 10 singles, you’d expect an entire set of memorable tunes and sing-alongs. That didn’t happen. They opened with three new songs off an untitled album due out this summer, and it killed the energy from the get-go. And if you’re going to play newer material, at least play a familiar new tune like the theme song from “Pineapple Express.” Five or six songs in, “I Want A New Drug” brought the docile crowd to its feet. “The Heart of Rock & Roll” and “Heart and Soul” showed up at the end of the set, but it wasn’t until the encore that the Huey Lewis & The News concert I expected took shape. Starting with “The Power of Love,” and finishing with “Do You Believe in Love” and “Workin’ For A Livin’,” the concert finally lived up to my expectations. Unfortunately, it was over just as quickly. CV — Jared Curtis
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Pyschostick at The House of Bricks Photo by Douglas Harsh |
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