Cheap Trick have spent nearly fifty years proving that great rock and roll doesn’t age—it just gets louder. When the Rockford, Illinois legends rolled into Hertz Arena, they delivered exactly what longtime fans came to hear: punchy power pop, massive sing-along choruses, and the kind of seasoned stage chemistry that only comes from decades on the road.
Cheap Trick has always been a band built for the live stage. Their studio albums made them famous, but it was concerts that turned them into legends. Anyone who has heard Cheap Trick at Budokan understands why. The band’s songs seem designed to explode in front of an audience, and even in 2026 that explosive quality is still very much intact.
At Hertz Arena, the group played a tight, efficient set that leaned heavily on classic material while still offering a few deeper cuts for longtime followers.
A Strong Opening
The band kicked off the night with “Dream Police,” and it immediately set the tone for the entire set. The dramatic opening riff filled the arena, and the crowd responded instantly. It’s the kind of song that doesn’t just start a show—it announces it.
Robin Zander’s voice remains one of the most recognizable in rock. Time has given it a slightly rougher edge, but that grit actually adds character to songs that fans have been hearing for decades. Zander has never been the flashiest frontman, but his cool confidence and powerful vocals continue to anchor the band.
Guitarist Rick Nielsen, meanwhile, remains Cheap Trick’s visual centerpiece. Sporting one of his trademark checkerboard guitars, Nielsen worked the stage like a mischievous ringmaster, grinning at the crowd and tossing guitar picks into the audience throughout the night. His sense of humor and energetic playing have always been essential parts of the band’s personality.
Classic Cheap Trick Energy
The band quickly shifted gears into “California Man,” their beloved cover of the Move’s glam-rock stomper. It’s one of Cheap Trick’s most energetic live songs, and it worked perfectly near the beginning of the set. The pounding rhythm and driving guitars had the crowd clapping along before the song even reached its chorus.
Cheap Trick’s music has always existed in a sweet spot between hard rock and pop melody. Songs like “On Top of the World” highlight that balance beautifully. The guitars crunch, the rhythm section drives forward, but the melody is pure pop perfection.
The band followed it up with “If You Want My Love,” one of their most underrated songs. Live, it carries a dramatic weight that often gets overlooked on the studio version. Zander delivered the vocals with a mix of vulnerability and strength, reminding the audience just how strong Cheap Trick’s songwriting has always been.
Deep Cuts for True Fans
One of the highlights of the night came with “She’s Tight.” The song’s playful groove and clever lyrics made it a crowd favorite in the early ’80s, and it still works beautifully in a live setting.
Cheap Trick also dug deeper into their catalog with “Twelve Gates.” It was an interesting addition that helped break up the run of classic hits. The track added a slightly darker tone to the set and showed that the band still enjoys exploring beyond the obvious radio staples.
Another welcome deep cut was “The Ballad of T.V. Violence (I’m Not the Only Boy).” The song has always been one of Cheap Trick’s edgier moments, blending gritty guitar riffs with dark lyrical themes. Hearing it live gave the performance a bit of bite.
Then came “Downed,” one of the most beloved songs among die-hard Cheap Trick fans. It’s not always included in their sets, so its appearance here felt like a reward for longtime followers of the band.
The Crowd Comes Alive
By the time Cheap Trick launched into “I Know What I Want,” the crowd was fully locked in. The band sounded tight, confident, and completely in control of the stage.
But the biggest emotional moment of the night came with “The Flame.”
Originally released in 1988, the power ballad became Cheap Trick’s only number-one hit. While the band initially resisted recording it, the song has since become one of their most iconic performances. Live, it still carries tremendous emotional weight. As Zander hit the song’s soaring chorus, the entire arena seemed to sing along.
It was one of those classic concert moments where the audience and band become part of the same performance.
The Big Finale
Then came the moment everyone had been waiting for.
The unmistakable opening of “I Want You to Want Me” triggered the loudest cheers of the night. Few songs in rock history generate such an immediate response. The crowd sang every word, turning Hertz Arena into a massive chorus.
Cheap Trick has performed the song thousands of times, but it never feels tired. The band plays it with the same enthusiasm that made it famous in the first place.
And then, for the closing number, they delivered the ultimate Cheap Trick anthem: “Surrender.”
From the first crunchy guitar chords, the arena erupted. It’s a song that perfectly captures Cheap Trick’s rebellious spirit and their gift for combining rock attitude with irresistible melody.
When the crowd shouted the famous line — “Mommy’s alright, Daddy’s alright” — it felt less like a lyric and more like a celebration.
As the final chords rang out, the band took a quick bow and exited the stage, leaving behind a crowd that had just witnessed another chapter in Cheap Trick’s remarkable live legacy.
Final Thoughts
Cheap Trick may be approaching the half-century mark as a band, but they still perform with the energy and enthusiasm that made them famous in the first place.
The Hertz Arena show wasn’t about flashy production or elaborate stage theatrics. Instead, it focused on what Cheap Trick has always done best: great songs played loud and played well.
That simplicity is exactly what makes their concerts work.
After decades of touring, the band understands something many younger acts are still trying to learn — sometimes all you need is a guitar, a melody, and a crowd ready to sing along.
And Cheap Trick still delivers all three.
Cheap Trick – Hertz Arena Setlist
Dream Police
California Man (The Move cover)
On Top of the World
If You Want My Love
She’s Tight
Twelve Gates
The Ballad of T.V. Violence (I’m Not the Only Boy)
Downed
I Know What I Want
The Flame
I Want You to Want Me
Surrender