Foreigner Hit Azura Amp in Bonner Springs on the Last Leg of Its Tour

On the heels of the finale to “The Historic Farewell Tour,” our ever-beloved hard rock band Foreigner made one last stop in the Kansas City area. We were blessed to catch Kelly Hansen and the crew twice on their very last trek, this time on the Kansas side of State Line. They performed live in concert at Azura Amphitheater in Bonner Springs, KS on October 5, 2024, which was possibly the last perfect evening of the season for an outdoor concert. Foreigner performed at Starlight Theater on July 18 of last year in what was our favorite concert experience ever. However, this entire night was like a definitive encore performance to that one—a final thrill ride to leave us absolutely awestruck!

Still on tour with Foreigner and opening up the night was Canadian rock group Loverboy. After waiting so long to get the band in Kansas City, we are so grateful to have received them in town three years in a row. A huge following turned out once again as Mike Reno and the crew shared their greatest hits and wowed them all as always. Foreigner hit the stage with unparalleled zest as customary following a brief intermission. We always love seeing the band with all of the added theatrics like at Starlight, but there is something extra special when the group strips it all away and gives us a raw, unadulterated performance. It too was perfect for the grit of Azura Amp—better known as Sandstone by locals—which was built during the “Agent Provocateur” era, the album featuring the band’s chart-topping hit, “I Want to Know What Love Is.”

We may have seen Foreigner for the very last time in Kansas, but are never going to say never. Still refusing here as well to believe that the lights have officially gone down on the band’s live performances. There is a short Vegas residency following and even some spot shows already scheduled for next year—a spring break vacation with Foreigner in Hollywood, FL sounds pretty sweet. Hansen did let fans know that the tread is wearing thin on his vocal chords and he wants to leave us at his best, but that he and his bandmates won’t be strangers either. We were ecstatic to hear “Say You Will” live on the first leg of the tour and are still holding out hope that somewhere and somehow we just may hear “I Don’t Want to Live Without You” too. Regardless, we have most definitely had the time of our lives, that is for certain.

Searching for it here, wishing there was a good way to bottle up all of the wholesome, sentimental moments created with Foreigner throughout the years—a wedding engagement, first dance and baby girl’s first concert to name some favorites. And, with the music no doubt, but also this spectacular lineup. We will always remember the band for its latter days with Kelly Hansen, Jeff Pilson, Michael Bluestein, Bruce Watson, Chris Frazier and Luis Maldonado, as well as Mick Jones and Thom Gimbel, of course. What we would not give to witness that “Urgent” saxophone solo just one more time. We could never possibly give them all in return what they have given us, they are such a true true blessing in our lives and we are forever indebted. Maybe the best we can all do is to just keep their legacy alive for the next generation.

Loverboy Setlist at Azura Amphitheater:
“Notorious,” “Lucky Ones,” “Queen of the Broken Hearts,” “Take Me to the Top,” “The Kid Is Hot Tonite,” “Lovin’ Every Minute of It,” “Hot Girls in Love,” “Turn Me Loose” and “Working for the Weekend”

Foreigner Setlist at Azura Amphitheater:
“Double Vision,” “Head Games,” “Cold as Ice,” “Waiting for a Girl Like You,” “Dirty White Boy,” “Feels Like the First Time,” “Urgent” ~Keyboard Solo/Drum Solo~ and “Juke Box Hero”; Encore – “Long, Long Way From Home,” “I Want to Know What Love Is” and “Hot Blooded”