Starlight Theatre Played Home to Foreigner’s Farewell Tour Stop in KC

“The Historic Farewell Tour” is officially underway as our ever-beloved hard rock band Foreigner is out on the road making stops in venues and cities for the very last time, including Starlight Theatre in Kansas City, MO on July 18, 2023. A load of mixed emotions are running wild. On one hand, we are thrilled beyond belief each and every time the band is in town; on the other hand, it is so hard to say goodbye, especially to the group that has had more of a personal life impact than any other. And, then back to the other hand again—it was a storybook ending, the absolute most perfect night, which is exactly how frontman Kelly Hansen and his bandmates want to leave us remembering them.

Joining Foreigner on tour and opening up the night was Canadian rock group Loverboy. We waited what seems like forever to get the band in Kansas City, and suddenly they perform back-to-back summers at Starlight. And in front of sold out crowds too. There is no doubt that the group has a huge following in the area. It is rare to see the seats packed for the opening act. However, with Loverboy, fans were checked in early and ready to rock on both occasions. And rock they sure did as Mike Reno and the band dazzled everyone with a ton of hits. The set even included a couple of extra songs that we did not hear last summer—”Take Me to the Top” and “Heaven in Your Eyes.”

Loverboy band members – Mike Reno (lead singer), Doug Johnson (keyboards/harmonica), Paul Dean (guitar), Matt Frenette (drums) and Ken “Spider” Sinnaeve (bass)

Following a brief intermission to reset, Foreigner came crashing onto the stage a ball full of energy as the band has done so many times. Kelly Hansen and the band capture the audience from the very moment they step on stage, and the pure and stunning spirit never wanes for a moment. We were fortunate enough to get a couple of Foreigner arena shows in Kansas in advance of the farewell trek. Those shows were incredible too, and the band has never needed the fire, smoke or crazy lighting truss effects to wow the crowd, but it was absolutely exhilarating to see the crew one last time with all of the backing theatrics. The setlist itself differed from the usual as well with an added acoustic portion in between the plethora of hits. It was the most electrifying acoustic set one could imagine too and featured some songs not heard on stage in years, including the big hit, “Say You Will.”

Foreigner band members – Kelly Hansen (lead singer), Jeff Pilson (bass), Michael Bluestein (keyboards), Bruce Watson (guitar), Chris Frazier (drums) and Luis Maldonado (guitar)

To say it is the end of an era is certainly an understatement, and possibly it is also too soon to say that as “The Historic Farewell Tour” will run through 2024. But, if this is the last time in Kansas City or the surrounding area, it was the most perfect culmination to all of the live performances. Foreigner has created so many memories for all of us throughout the last 47 years, whether at a concert, while listening to a record or catching a song on the radio. That discography will endure though long after the lights officially go down. The band simply transcends all generations having made an enormous impact on so many lives and it will continue to do so.

Personally, Foreigner was there for a plethora of major life moments, from a wedding engagement at its 2014 Starlight show during “Waiting for a Girl Like You” to a first dance—a choreographed cha-cha to the same song, which required hours upon hours of practice—to a first anniversary and culminating in the sweetest full-circle moment on this monumental evening with a most precious baby girl’s very first concert at four years old. We just absolutely love and cherish Foreigner and all of its members. The band fills our hearts and souls with so much joy for which we are eternally blessed and grateful.

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

Foreigner “The Historic Farewell Tour” Setlist:
“Double Vision,” “Head Games,” “Cold as Ice,” “Waiting for a Girl Like You” and “Dirty White Boy”; Acoustic Set – “When It Comes to Love,” “Girl on the Moon” and “Say You Will”; “Feels Like the First Time,” “Urgent” ~Keyboard Solo/Drum Solo~ and “Juke Box Hero”; Encore – “I Want to Know What Love Is” and “Hot Blooded”