There’s nothing quite like a good arena rock show. The pyrotechnics, the screaming crowd, the lights, and all the hits are enough to bring a smile to even the most casual fan’s face. If you’re a music buff, you absolutely need to see a good arena rock show.
Thankfully, there are plenty of iconic rock bands out there who have been keeping rock music alive with nearly constant tours and even new album releases.
If you want to experience an unforgettable night, here are six arena rock bands who are still going strong today.
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Foreigner
In a recent study that set out to find the hardest working bands, Foreigner came out among the top. They’ve been touring steadily since 1976, playing to sold-out crowds across the world. They’ve got dates set as far as mid-2020, so if you want to see Foreigner rock you have plenty of chances.
Foreigner has gone through a lot of personnel changes throughout the years, including their lead singer Lou Graham leaving in 2003. Their current lineup, however, featuring singer Kelly Hansen, is keeping the sound alive just as well as ever. Other bands might lose hope after so many changes, but Foreigner has managed to find just as much success and keep that rocking sound turned up to 11.
Def Leppard
All you need to look at for proof of Def Leppard’s influence and adoration is their track record. Def Leppard recently joined the halls of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and have a plaque dedicated to them in their hometown. They’re also one of the five rock bands ever to have two albums sell over 10-million copies, with those albums also gaining spots in Rolling Stone’s top 500 albums of all time list.
On top of all that, they’re touring machines.
The band frequently tours with other show-stopping acts like Poison and Cheap Trick, making for an incredible night of rock and roll. They’ve toured every year this decade (apart from 2010), so to say they’re going back on tour for 2020 is a pretty good guess. Keep your eyes peeled for these arena rock legends near your hometown.
Bon Jovi
Bon Jovi has been touring nearly non-stop since its inception in 1983, and it looks like the band has no intention of stopping. They’re a hit-machine, and live is the best way to hear their biggest hits like Have a Nice Day and Bed of Roses. The energy and soul each member puts into their performance is unparalleled.
2013 saw the departure of their original guitarist Richie Sambora, but the band still rocks as hard as ever, with frontman Jon Bon Jovi keeping up an unmatchable energy level. Their last album, This House is Not for Sale, debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, and the band is set to come out with a new album in 2020 titled Bon Jovi: 2020. If their last album is any indicator, then Bon Jovi: 2020 will go on to further prove the strength of the band.
Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan is a true rock star, whose influence soaks thousands of musicians today. He’s also a touring beast.
In 1988 Bob Dylan started his “Never Ending Tour”, which is exactly as it sounds. Since then Dylan has played about 100 shows a year without any large breaks, rivaling pretty much every other classic rocker touring. His band is changing constantly because of this, but Dylan is still as strong a musician as ever. For someone who started playing in the early 60s, seeing Dylan continue to sell-out shows and absolutely kill each one is a truly special experience.
Dylan plays all around the world, from the Hard Rock Cafe, known by many as the best live music venue, all the way to Japan in 2020. He’s even doing a string of shows at the Beacon Theatre. So no matter where you are you’ve probably got a chance to see him rock out.
Bruce Springsteen
If you’ve never seen “The Boss” himself perform, you’re really missing out. Bruce Springsteen has a crazy number of hits under his belt, from Dancing in the Dark to Born to Run and Thunder Road. Chances are you’ve heard more Springsteen songs than you even realize, and hearing these played live today is just as great an experience as hearing them back in his heyday.
Through 2017 and 2018 Springsteen played a series of concerts through a residency at the Walter Kerr Theatre, which also featured him reading parts from his autobiography. The residency was a huge success, but now that it’s come to an end, The Boss is likely to go back on tour around the world shortly.
Springsteen’s last album Western Stars came out in 2019 to rave reviews, proving that the man still rocks just as hard as he ever did.
The Rolling Stones
There are few bands with as many hits as The Rolling Stones, and even fewer with as iconic a frontman as Mick Jagger. Three of their tours are among the highest-grossing of all time, including their latest No Filter tour. The band still tours to this day, with a majority of the original band still together, including Mick Jagger, Charlie Watts, and of course Keith Richards.
Their shows are incredible, featuring a lot of pyrotechnics, intricate moving stage pieces, and songs both new and old that you can’t help but sing along to. Their last album may be from 2016, but they’ve got enough hits under their belt to keep an audience screaming all the night through. For being 76 years old, you’d never expect Mick Jagger to be able to keep it up as well as he does, but the band is still rocking just as hard as ever.
Support Arena Rock Bands
These are only a few of the great arena rock bands going strong today. Check your local concert listings to find out who’s coming to a city near you. Keep rock music alive and support a legendary rock band, you’ll be glad you did.
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