Main photo Bruce Kessler RockinHouston.com
Copyright to Bruce Kessler photos are held by RockinHouston.com do not reproduce without written permission
Alabama: Huntsville
Friday night was party night in Alabama: Huntsville SMILER photographers Marc Baulisch-Stiens and Roland Macher were at the show and here are the thoughts of Martin Heidt
Sweet Rod Alabama: Huntsville is at Stewart’s feet
Friday evening: Sir Rod called and the fans came! Around 8,000 attendees provided the perfect backdrop for the British singer’s performance yesterday. The Orion Amphitheatre, voted Outdoor Concert Venue of the Year in 2024, was packed to the rafters as opening act Howard Jones kicked off the evening with a 45-minute set, getting the crowd in the mood with songs such as “Things Can Only Get Better” and “What Is Love”.
After a quick stage changeover, Rod Stewart kicked off the roughly two-hour show with the rousing trio of “Infatuation”, “Having A Party” and “Tonight I’m Yours” – the launchpad for an evening packed with hits spanning six decades.
Compared to the performance two days earlier in Knoxville, Sir Rod made the usual minor changes to the setlist.
In Huntsville, “I Don’t Want To Talk About It” and “The Killing of Georgie” were added to the programme, both of which were enthusiastically celebrated and sung along to by the crowd.
Speaking of the crowd, as so often in recent months and years, it was a colourful mix. There was a daughter dancing with her mother, a father and son embracing as they belted out the chorus of “Maggie May” together. Or the grandmother, who had attended concerts back in the Faces days, had her grandson in tow and was whisked back to the musical past once more by all the great hits.
Sir Rod, arguably the finest entertainer on the music stage, had them all wrapped around his little finger once again and delivered yet another show of the very highest calibre. Of course, at the tender age of 81, not every note is perfectly on key anymore, but quite honestly, that’s not necessary. His voice is still powerful and the music legend radiates pure joy in his work on stage. A joy that spreads to the audience night after night and, as a result, leaves hardly anyone going home disappointed.
Maria Esteban, who originally hails from Madrid in Spain but has been living in the USA for several years, had travelled specially from New York and sent an email to our editorial team shortly after the concert. “Rod was fantastic once again,” she wrote. “When you see him on stage, it’s hard to believe he’s already 81 years old. He knows better than almost anyone how to make his fans happy, and not just with his songs, but also with the way he puts on such an evening. You don’t just feel like a spectator, but as part of the whole, as part of the show.”
Like Maria, many of the 8,000 attendees must have felt the same way. And hardly anyone would not have wished for a repeat performance, even though the tour slogan is still ‘One Last Time’.
Vicky Phillips Marrow told SMILER “Huntsville, Alabama was a bonus show for me!! It was an outdoor Amphitheatre and twice as cool and comfortable than the miserably hot indoor arena in Knoxville a few days before. I believe Rod was in better voice and was not distracted by being miserably hot and sweaty. Other than being thrilled to get to see another show, the highlight was Rod singing the Killing of Georgie, part 1 while Rod was wearing a BRIGHT yellow suit. it’s a tragic song with a powerful message, that Rod always delivers with raw emotion… Howard Jones was also fantastic both nights, I knew a few songs and enjoyed his energy!!
Setlist:
Infatuation
Having A Party
Tonight I’m Yours
It’s A Heartache
The First Cut Is The Deepest
I Don’t Want To Talk About It
Forever Young
Maggie May
I’d Rather Go Blind
Young Turks
Downtown Train
I’m So Excited (Band only)
The Killing Of Georgie
Mandolin Wind
People Get Ready
Have I Told You Lately
Proud Mary (Band only)
It Takes Two
Some Guy’s Got All The Luck
Da Ya Think I’m Sexy
Love Train
Cynthia Woods Mitchel Pavilion, Houston, TX
On Sunday Rod was in Houston SMILER photographer Marc Baulisch-Stiens and Bruce Kessler from Rock In Houston who you will all know from SMILER calendars and magazine issues were at the show to get us some stunning photos and here are the thoughts of Martin Heidt
More than just fine: Rod Stewart performed in Houston
“Houston, we have a problem” – who isn’t familiar with these words from a famous, though not entirely accurate, radio transmission sent in April 1970 by the crew of Apollo 13 to NASA Mission Control in Houston, Texas.
Yesterday, Sunday, at least 17,000 people in the Texan metropolis were free of their problems for around two hours, as they were the lucky ones who managed to get hold of tickets for Sir Rod Stewart’s sold-out show at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion in north Houston.
The man with the raspy voice, spiky hair and large nose was accompanied by his mate from the 1980s – Howard Jones was, as on previous occasions, a celebrated opening act who got the audience warmed up and in the mood with a five-song setlist.
A few minutes late, a once again in high spirits Sir Rod took to the stage and immediately got the fans going with five rock classics in a row. By the time he played “Infatuation”, “Hot Legs”, “Tonight I’m Yours”, “Some Guys Have All The Luck” and “It’s A Heartache”, even the most reluctant dancer in the audience could no longer stay in their seat. It was only with the 70s ballads “The First Cut Is The Deepest” and “Tonight’s The Night” that the audience were able to catch their breath for the first time, and Sir Rod also slowed things down a little up on stage – but only to ramp up the tempo again with “Forever Young”.
The evening promised a musical journey through the last 50 or 60 years, and there was probably no one in the audience who didn’t indulge in fond memories and take their own little trip down memory lane to hits like “Maggie May” or “Young Turks”. The fans had a great time in front of the stage, as did the musicians on it. Two hours flew by, and for many visitors, they were over far too quickly.
Stephanie left her seat absolutely thrilled: “A fantastic show! Rod was brilliant, his band was superb, and his backing singers alone would have been worth the price of admission. Their version of ‘I’m Every Woman’ was breathtaking!”
Jennifer was also absolutely thrilled: “A fantastic show! He got the audience singing along! Incredible energy!!! At 81, Rod is still a force of nature.”
The venue, the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, could barely contain its excitement either. On social media, they wrote: “Rod Stewart is simply stunning. He has so many hits up his sleeve and delivers such a fantastic live show to sing and dance along to that we almost feel like getting our hair tousled just the same and trying out our best British accent. Tonight was truly the night – and it was more than just alright.”
Setlist:
Infatuation
Hot Legs
Tonight I’m Yours
Some Guys Have All The Luck
It’s A Heartache
The First Cut Is The Deepest
Tonight’s The Night
Forever Young
Every Picture Tells A Story
I’m Losing You
Mandolin Wind
Maggie May
Young Turks
Downtown Train
I’m Every Woman (Band only)
The Killing Of Georgie
People Get Ready
Have I Told You Lately
Proud Mary (Band only)
Stay With Me
It Takes Two
Da Ya Think I’m Sexy
Love Train
After the show Rod greeted some lucky fans
Copyright to Bruce Kessler photos are held by RockinHouston.com do not reproduce without written permission
New Orleans
On Monday evening Rod was out listening to some funk in New Orleans he was watching Corey Henry & Treme Funktet at Red Beans & Ricely Yours, Monday’s At DBA.
Walmart Amp Rogers, AR
Wednesday saw the tour hit Arkansas and the Walmart Amp
Dustin Rogers was at the show and got some great shots and here are the thoughts of Martin Heidt
All is well in Rogers – Rod Stewart gets Walmart AMP fired up
Even at the risk of repeating ourselves. Sir Rod Stewart has also taken the small town of Rogers, with its 70,000 inhabitants, in the US state of Arkansas by storm, treating the approximately 11,000 attendees at the Walmart Arkansas Music Pavilion – the amphitheatre’s official name – to a night in a class of its own.
The singer made a few minor adjustments to the setlist. Following the opener “Infatuation”, Stewart slotted in the two Faces classics “Stay With Me” and “Ooh La La”, before continuing in his tried-and-tested style with hits such as “Some Guys Have All The Luck”, “Forever Young” and “Young Turks”.
The rock numbers were balanced by emotional ballads such as “Tonight’s The Night” and “Have I Told You Lately” – it is not just this well-balanced mix of rock anthems and sentimental songs that defines an evening with Rod Stewart. Amidst the hits and classics that have marked his long career, there is always that born entertainer who has a very special way of carrying himself on stage, cracking his jokes, flirting with the audience or simply clapping hands with a hearty “High Five”.
Before Sir Rod can settle down to watch the thrilling title race in the Scottish Premiership and his Celtic FC’s cup final against Dunfermline, he has a concert in Thackerville, Oklahoma, on Friday. After that, the tour continues at the end of May with a few shows in Las Vegas.
Rod’s setlist:
Infatuation
Stay With Me
Ooh La La
Some Guys Have All The Luck
Baby Jane
It’s A Heartache
The First Cut Is The Deepest
Tonight’s The Night
Forever Young
Every Picture Tells A Story
I’m Losing You
Maggie May
Young Turks
Downtown Train
I’m So Excited (Band only)
The Killing Of Georgie
People Get Ready
Have I Told You Lately
Proud Mary (Band only)
It Takes Two
Da Ya Think I’m Sexy
Love Train
Record Store Day
We hope you all managed to get a copy of Atlantic Crossing Alternate on Saturday
Record Store Day 2026, held on Saturday April 18, saw fans queuing from as early as 2.30 p.m. the afternoon before to secure exclusive, limited-edition releases, early-morning queues were reported in cities like Manchester and Newcastle, The crowds were driven by limited pressings from artists such as Taylor Swift, Pink Floyd, and Laufey.
Many enthusiasts camped out overnight to ensure they secured exclusive vinyl titles, which are limited in quantity and sold on a “first-come, first-served” basis. Piccadilly Records in Manchester welcomed first in the queue Mark at 2.30 on Friday who enjoyed his overnight stay in the Northern Quarter in hope of getting releases by Steely Dan, Power Station, and The Doors… and maybe more!
Other long, active queues were confirmed at Wax and Beans in Bury and various shops in Newcastle, according to Bury Times and Newcastle Chronicle, Some stores managed high traffic by issuing numbered tickets to queueing patrons who were trying to get The 2026 list featured roughly 350 exclusive releases, including titles from Bruce Springsteen and Wolf Alice as well as Rod’s ‘Alternate Atlantic Crossing’, featuring ten rare studio versions on limited “Drift Away” Blue coloured vinyl
And for those who didn’t brave the queue’s many stores announced they would sell remaining stock online starting the day after the event.
And well done to Charlie Shillibeer who spotted the meaning of the fags on the inner sleeve
It spells ROD STEWART.
What’s on
Ronnie Wood
Ronnie Wood and His Band have announced two more dates this summer.
along with Imelda May he be rocking out in London’s O2 Kentish Town Forum on Friday 21st August and Cologne’s E-Werk on Thursday 3rd September.
Friday 21 August | O2 Forum, Kentish Town, London
Photo credit: Lee Malone
Some Guys Have All The Luck – The Rod Stewart Story
PREPARE YOURSELF FOR A JAM-PACKED TOUR OF ROCK ‘N’ ROLL PERFECTION!
Celebrating more than 10 years of swagger, showmanship and endless fun the amazing tribute show
Some Guys Have All The Luck – The Rod Stewart Story is BACK AND BIGGER THAN EVER in 2027!
To Book tickets https://www.someguyshavealltheluck.com/
This week’s Rod Art
This week we feature the work of Spanish artist Rafael Anastasio Tincado Rothschild-Urdemales who painted this portrait of Sir Rod
Rafael told SMILER this week “I was inspired by Rod’s voice and uncorruptible vibe and the amount of songs he has playing on the radio.. the picture is done with pencil ink and watercolours”
To see more of Rafael’s work go to https://www.instagram.com/tincado/
Lest we forget
On Thursday St George’s Day Rod posted this photo captioned ‘Lest we forget’ on his social media
The photo was taken outside the WW 2 museum in New Orleans.
And Finally…
Anyone going to Lucas Oil Live, Thackerville, OK tonight, or Jazz Fest
New Orleans on Sunday have a great night and please send in any thoughts or photos for next week’s news..And on a personal note I love Planters nuts, why do you never see them in the UK anymore?
See you next week…