Foreigner proves rock legend status at the band's Iowa State Fair 'Farewell Tour' concert

Though Foreigner might be on their Farewell Tour, it felt like the very first time, as the band proved to the crowd of 11,141 on the second day of the Iowa State Fair that they will forever be one of the greatest rock bands of all time.

Foreigner, fresh off Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction, guided the audience through a nearly 50-year-long run in the industry. Their influence on the genre was palpable as they played hits like  "Hot Blooded," "Jukebox Hero," "Waiting for a Girl Like You," and "Cold as Ice," among others, throughout the hour-long set.

The show reminded concert-goers of what a true rock show can be like, transporting the audience back to 1976, when the band first took off with founding members Mick Jones, Lou Gramm, Ian McDonald, Al Greenwood, Ed Gagliardi, and Dennis Elliot.

While no original members were present at the show at the Grandstand, current touring members Kelly Hansen, Jeff Pilson, Bruce Watson, Michael Bluestein, Chris Frazier, and Luis Maldonado embodied rock 'n' roll from leather pants, swinging guitars across their bodies, bouncing from one side of the stage to other while under a technicolor light show.

Melissa Etheridge kicks off night with powerful performance

The high-energy show was opened by Melissa Etheridge, the multi-instrumentalist and songwriter best known for her distinctive style of guitar playing and raspy voice to bolster powerful lyrics. She opened the show by guiding the audience through her discography, featuring hits like "Come to My Window" and newer tracks like "A Burning Woman" from her latest release.

During her set, she gushed over the state of Iowa, telling the crowd that it is an honor to perform at the Iowa State Fair.

"It is such an honor to be in Iowa and play at the Iowa State Fair, especially on East Side Night," Etheridge said. "We had a day off here yesterday, and oh my gosh, you guys are so nice."

More: How many people attended the Iowa State Fair on opening day? Here's the total

Foreigner rocks the crowd with classic hits and unforgettable moments

The Iowa niceties continued when Foreigner took the stage. While the weather was cool on an August night in Iowa, the guitars and drums were hot as Foreigner opened with "Double Vision."

"Tonight, is a celebration because we are all still alive and still rocking," lead singer Harmon told the crowd.

Hansen, a charming frontman, gave other band members time to shine during a midset instrumental break. Bluestein kicked it off with a synth piano break, and Frazier on drums got the audience to bang their heads along to a nearly five-minute drum solo before catapulting the band into an electrifying performance of one of the band's signature songs, "Jukebox Hero," to close out the set.

The band came back for an encore performance, taking the high-key show to a different note with the playing of the band's highest-charting song, "I Want to Know What Love is," the lead single from their 1984 album "Agent Provocateur." This song went on to become a massive hit, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States and topping various other charts internationally.

More: 2024 Iowa State Fair daily guide

"I Want to Know What Love Is" remains one of Foreigners' most iconic and enduring songs. It is known for its powerful vocals, emotional lyrics, and gospel-inspired backing vocals, which the band was in tune with.

"We are going to sing this next song together," Hansen said. "That’s right, together.”

Halfway through the song, 18 ninth graders from Johnston High School joined the band on stage to sing along. The students landed the gig through a KIOA Radio contest held in April. They initially submitted a rendition of "Hot Blooded," and the performance earned them a spot on the stage with rock icons.

"The reason why we have these talented, beautiful young people on the stage was to set her aside is to remind everybody about the lack of funding for school music," Hansen said. "Music and the arts can take you all over the world, forwards and backward in time. It can take you to faraway galaxies, and that makes for a well-rounded human being."

Hanson and the band thanked the students for their time and for being a part of the evening and encouraged everyone to continue supporting the arts before discussing what was next for the band.

More: Butter sculpture and biggest pumpkin: Our favorite Iowa State Fair photos from Day 2

What is next for Foreigner?

In 2023, the band embarked on their "Farewell Tour," which marks the foreseeable end of live shows for the band after decades of touring. Harmon promised that the band isn't going to disappear off the face of the earth but will be doing other projects after the tour ends, simply saying,

"I've got bigger fish to fry,"

But the band expressed gratitude and sincere thanks to the fans in the crowd for supporting them throughout the years before closing the night with the powerful guitar riffs and driving rhythm of "Hot Blooded" before bowing off the stage.

Foreigner's "The Farewell Tour" ends in October with a three-day Las Vegas residency at the Venetian.

Next up at the State Fair Grandstand is rapper Jelly Roll for a sold-out performance on Aug. 11 at 8 p.m.

More: Which shows are sold out for the 2024 Iowa State Fair? See how ticket sales are going.

Jessica Rish is an entertainment, dining and business reporter for the Iowa City Press-Citizen. She can be reached at [email protected] or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @rishjessica_.

This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: Foreigner rocks the Iowa State Fair with the 'Farewell Tour'