As those who are more familiar with the singer Rod Stewart will know, the 79-year-old Brit has a special relationship with France. Not only does he regularly spend his holidays with his family in the south of the republic. The MAGGIE MAY singer's concerts in the French capital are also always "top notch".
This was also the case with Sir Rod's performance yesterday, Sunday, at the Zenith De Paris La Villete, as the show location in the 19th arrondisment of Paris is officially known.
Rod Stewart and his band thrilled the fans here too, with around 7,000 in attendance that evening - once again a concert on this year's European tour was sold out.
At 8pm sharp, Rod came on stage in a great mood and greeted the audience: "Good evening my friends and my dear Celtic fans. We're here for two hours and we have 25 songs for you. Enjoy the evening and I have to tell you, I haven't performed in a tent for 40 years." Stewart was alluding to the Zenith's marquee-like exterior.
And of course Sir Rod delivered as usual, as he always has this summer. The setlist was pretty much identical to that of previous shows. The opener was once again ADDICTED TO LOVE in the style of Robert Palmer's world-famous music video. For only the second time on this tour, Stewart's 1970s classic HOT LEGS snuck into the programme. Over the next two hours, Stewart rocked and languished his way through his hits, interrupted only by obligatory breaks to change outfits. The band then took over the stage and entertained the audience with I'M EVERY WOMAN, originally by Chaka Khan, and HOT STUFF by Donna Summer. This did not dampen the party mood of the fans, Sir Rod also had a lot of fun on stage, joking with the audience, throwing kisses into the crowd and providing the very best musical entertainment.
The audience danced to YOUNG TURKS or BABY JANE and waved lighters during touching ballads such as HAVE I TOLD YOU or TONIGHT'S THE NIGHT. In the course of the show, Rod also remembered deceased companions and friends such as Tina Turner (with IT TAKES TWO) or the French singer Johnny Holiday, to whom he dedicated the song HOT LEGS.
After a good two hours, Sir Rod left the stage after the encore DA YA THINK I'M SEXY. He skipped his usual last song SAILING this time.
But even that shouldn't have spoilt the mood of anyone in the arena in any way. The fans left the arena singing and dancing, and some were delighted to receive a football signed by Rod, which was thrown into the audience by the singers at the end of the concert. In the city's numerous bars and pubs, the fans brought a fantastic evening to a humid and cheerful close. Here's to ONE MORE TIME instead of ONE LAST TIME in the near future and the singer performing in the Grande Nation once again.
MH (01.07.24)
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