Main Photo Melissa Dawn Photography
Jones Beach Wantagh, NY
This week started with a Friday night party at The Jones Beach Theatre, Photographer Jini Sachse was at the show and shared some amazing shots with us and here are the thoughts of Martin Heidt
Charity concert and tour relaunch: Rod Stewart is back on stage
For just under four weeks, Rod Stewart took time out to relax and unwind – including a family holiday in the Mediterranean with side trips to Ibiza and Mallorca. This week, and particularly last night, Sir Rod returned looking well-rested and in high spirits: Rod Stewart performed a show lasting around two hours at the Northwell at Jones Beach Theatre in Wantagh, on Long Island in the US state of New York.
A charity gala in Southampton (also on Long Island) in aid of the non-profit educational organisation Tech Rock [See last week’s SMILER report https://www.rodstewartfanclub.com/news/this-weeks-news-and-gossip-235/?swcfpc=1 ] served as a ‘dress rehearsal’ for the evening. At this exclusive private concert, Sir Rod was joined on stage by a member of the E Street Band and long-time guitarist and confidant of ‘The Boss’ Bruce Springsteen for the songs ‘Having A Party’ and ‘Stay With Me’. “Performing for Tech Rock with the legend Stevie Van Zandt – what an evening,” Sir Rod is quoted as saying after the performance and Andrea Wernick who was at the show said “Steve Van Zandt joining Rod on stage, making an already spectacular evening even more memorable”. and Andrea also got a great shot of the event.
Following the charity evening, Rod treated himself and his musicians to another day ‘off’ before last night’s performance at the Jones Beach Theatre, with the tour really kicking into gear over the coming weeks.
In the first part of the show at the Northwell Jones Beach Theatre, which began at 7.30 pm local time, Richard Marx got the audience in the mood. With a set comprising six songs, Marx sparked the first emotions of the evening, not least with his global hits ‘Endless Summer Nights’, ‘Angelina’ and ‘Right Here Waiting’.
The man everyone in the sold-out amphitheatre was actually waiting for was Sir Rod Stewart. And there he was – dressed to the nines, as always – taking to the stage with his opener, ‘Infatuation’. Anyone who’d been holding back a little before was now really letting their hair down. Once the atmosphere was in full swing, ‘It’s A Heartache’ (in memory of the recently deceased Bonnie Tyler) had the audience singing along at the top of their voices, some of them even bellowing along. And there was no time for them to catch their breath afterwards either: with ‘Some Guys Have All The Luck’ and ‘Hot Legs’, as well as the duet ‘It Takes Two’ (together with singer Becca Kötte), Stewart – the 81-year-old whirlwind – continued to rock the stage, parts of which are built over the water.
It was only after a string of high-energy tracks that the singer treated himself and the audience to a brief respite with The First Cut Is The Deepest, before immediately kicking off again with Tonight I’m Yours.
Rod was once again joined on stage by Steve Van Zandt. ‘Little Steven’ – as Springsteen’s mate is known, and who is also famous as an actor (The Sopranos, Lilyhammer) – accompanied Rod on guitar for the three songs ‘I’d Rather Go Blind’, ‘Stay With Me’ and ‘Having A Party’.
All in all, the evening at the Northwell at Jones Beach Theatre was the usual brilliant mix of rock classics and soulful ballads from the British singer’s career. Stewart proved once again that, even at an advanced age, he has lost none of his charisma and energy, both in his stage presence and his voice. One can only say: lucky are those who have such genes. After around two rousing hours, Rod hopped onto the Love Train and left the stage with a thoroughly topical message for his audience: ‘People of the world, join hands.’
Tonight, the singer and his band – who, as usual, filled Stewart’s brief breaks with the songs ‘Jolene’ and ‘Proud Mary’ – are performing at the Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheatre in Virginia Beach.
Setlist, Jones Beach Theater, 31/07/2026:
Infatuation
It’s A Heartache
Some Guys Have All The Luck
Hot Legs
It Takes Two
Forever Young
The First Cut Is The Deepest
Tonight I’m Yours
Tonight’s The Night
Maggie May
I’d Rather Go Blind
Stay With Me
Having A Party
Rhythm Of My Heart
Jolene (Band only)
People Get Ready
If You Don’t Know Me By Now
Have I Told You Lately
Proud Mary (Band only)
Da Ya Think I’m Sexy
Love Train
Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheatre in Virginia Beach
On Saturday night Rod was at Virginia Beach Melissa Dawn Photography was there taking photos for 93.7 BOB FM and we are very grateful that Alex Rose and Melissa were happy to share the stunning shots with SMILER
Another fabulous photographer who was happy to share her amazing work was Allison from bycinefyproduction and Brian Kirwin also got some great shots from the show saying “After two hours in the Virginia Beach heat, I think he was ready to bow for the evening, but he held the sold-out amphitheater in the palm of his hand”.
Wee also we have more great shots from SMILER photographer Roland Macher and the thoughts of Martin Heidt..
Rod in Virginia Beach: He’s already part of the family, isn’t he?
Just imagine celebrating a milestone birthday, and to mark the occasion, none other than music legend Rod Stewart turns up to provide the music for a spectacular night of partying.
That’s exactly what happened last night in Virginia Beach, where the Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheatre is celebrating its 30th birthday this year. Founded in 1996, the amphitheatre, located at 3550 Cellar Door Way, has already hosted numerous big names from the music scene, such as the Spice Girls, Aerosmith and Bruce Springsteen.
So yesterday, Sir Rod took to the stage and sent the 20,000-strong crowd into a frenzy from the very first note.
The evening kicked off with a rocking rendition of ‘Infatuation’, setting the tone for a night filled with emotion. ‘One Last Time’ – the tour’s motto – made it clear to some that this was likely to be Stewart’s final visit to Virginia Beach.
With Having A Party, the singer immediately set the tone for the evening: partying until the doctor comes.
And that wasn’t the slightest bit difficult for the enthusiastic crowd spread across the vast venue. Many of those who hadn’t managed to snag one of the 7,500 covered seats had brought a blanket with them; before the show, the atmosphere felt a bit like a massive picnic.
But when Rod then swept across the stage like a dervish, belting out his biggest hits into the microphone, the amphitheatre was transformed into one huge party zone. Just imagine celebrating a milestone birthday, and to mark the occasion, none other than music legend Rod Stewart turns up to provide the music for a spectacular night of partying.
That’s exactly what happened last night in Virginia Beach, where the Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheatre is celebrating its 30th birthday this year. Founded in 1996, the amphitheatre, located at 3550 Cellar Door Way, has already hosted numerous big names from the music scene, such as the Spice Girls, Aerosmith and Bruce Springsteen.
So yesterday, Sir Rod took to the stage and sent the 20,000-strong crowd into a frenzy from the very first note.
‘Some Guys Have All The Luck’, ‘Hot Legs’, ‘Tonight I’m Yours’, ‘Young Turks’ and ‘Maggie May’ – the songs came thick and fast, and when the 81-year-old then slowed the pace down a little to perform ‘The First Cut Is The Deepest’ and ‘You’re In My Heart’, the crowd joined in, singing the lyrics with confidence, albeit sometimes hitting the right notes only just about.
For many in the audience, the evening flew by – far too quickly, in fact. Michael, who’d travelled from Chicago, glanced at his watch at one point: “And almost an hour and a half had already gone by. As far as I’m concerned, Rod could have happily carried on for another hour or two.” No sooner had he said that than he grabbed his girlfriend, who was standing next to him, for a cosy dance to Have I Told You Lately.
Michael’s wish went unfulfilled, however. After around two hours and the encore ‘Love Train’, Rod Stewart took his leave of the stage.
Nevertheless, no one went home dissatisfied. “A brilliant evening – it was simply magnificent,” gushed Jenny, who was on home turf that evening. “I live just 30 minutes away from here and actually couldn’t get a ticket at all. But then a friend fell ill and had to give up his ticket. He let me have it at a friend’s price, so I was able to go to the show after all, even if it was at very short notice.” Next to her, Marianne nodded in agreement; the Stewart fan from New York, dressed appropriately for the occasion in a black tour T-shirt, was also thrilled: “You really can’t emphasise it often enough what this man still manages to deliver on stage at his age. It’s simply sensational. His songs have been with me my whole life, and to still be able to see him on stage today is absolutely wonderful. During the show, especially during the slower songs, I often thought back on all those years”.
Then Randy joins in; he’d managed to catch Marianne’s last few words. “That’s exactly right – Rod Stewart’s been around for so long, he’s practically part of the family,” he grinned. “I’m 62 now and certainly not as fit as he is up there on stage. That bloke’s amazing!”
Approving nods from those standing nearby and a fitting closing line for this review (at least from the writer’s point of view).
Setlist Virginia Beach 02/08/2026
Infatuation
Having A Party
Some Guys Have All The Luck
Hot Legs
Tonight I’m Yours
It’s A Heartache
Forever Young
The First Cut Is The Deepest
You’re In My Heart
Young Turks
Maggie May
I’d Rather Go Blind
Rhythm Of My Heart
Jolene (Band only)
People Get Ready
If You Don’t Know Me By Now
Have I Told You Lately
Proud Mary (Band only)
It Takes Two
Da Ya Think I’m Sexy
Love Train
To see more photography by Melissa Dawn Photography go to https://www.melissadawnphoto.com/ ..and remember to Keep Your Knob on Bob!
OLG Stage at Fallsview Casino Niagara Falls, NY
On Tuesday Rod was due to perform at Fallsview Casino Resort in Niagara Falls, Canada, but was unable to travel due to a mechanical fault with his aircraft’s landing gear.
This week’s Rod Art
This week we feature an artist who has been in the SMILER N&G before Obed Kline from Mississippi who says Rod is one of his favourite singers
Obed’s latest portrait is of an early 70’s Rod done in pastels to see more work by him go to https://www.instagram.com/klineobed/
Tam Cowan
Rod gave a shout-outs to his old mate Tam Cowan this week in support of Tam’s Edinburgh Fringe shows that kick-off on Wednesday, August 5th and he will be performing @28yorkplace – opposite @standcomedyclub – at 3.45pm for the entire month with bonus shows each Friday teatime @wedinburgh just down the road.
Katja Rieckermann
What has Katja Rieckermann been up to? By Martin Heidt
The saxophonist spent 14 years touring with Rod Stewart and has since been focusing on her solo career. She is currently working on a new album, which she will release in collaboration with the Austrian composer, musician and producer Bernhard Penzias.
As a little taster, Rieckermann has now released a new single. The track, entitled “170 North”, is a “hot summer single” (Smooth Jazz Radio), captivates with its rousing, lively and exciting character, and demonstrates exactly “why Katja is one of the most dynamic saxophonists in contemporary music”.
‘170 North’ is a blend of precision, attitude and an irresistible groove, featuring a striking melodic hook and a rhythmic swagger.
The song captures the spirit of movement, dynamism and pure musical joy – a fresh, energetic piece from an artist who never stops evolving.
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/4OBJmfQKpsuo9Kzjb7CfFQ?si=WZgOafWFQ5CQsRe1gkaqTA
And Finally..
Jessica Heff sends her thanks to everyone who took part in last weeks British Heart Foundation charity auction
Anyone attending the Friday night show at Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater, Bridgeport, CT, Sundays show at Riverbend Music Center, Cincinnati, OH, or Tuesdays show at Rocket Arena, Cleveland, OH have a great time and please send in any photo’s and thoughts from the show
See you next week …