Landslide of Rock

Music icons Rod Stewart and Stevie Nicks come to Philly for a show that’s all heart and soul.

Has there ever been a tour that boasted so much throat? The Heart & Soul Tour, featuring Stevie Nicks and Rod Stewart, comes to the Wells Fargo Center on April 5 and promises to be a radio-friendly romp through the past several decades. Although these two have never been romantically linked—and, in fact, only met twice before starting rehearsals—there’s bound to be plenty of chemistry between two of rock’s most enduring sexies, now in their 60s.

Stewart had the flu on the first night of the tour, which was supposed to begin March 20 in Fort Lauderdale. But don’t worry. By the time the Philadelphia show rolls around, he should’ve had enough bed rest to be at the top of his ooh, la, la game.

So, will “Ooh La La” be part of the setlist? For those who’ve become acquainted with the Faces—Stewart’s raucous, barstool-throwing band from the early days—through Blue Cross Blue Shield commercials, it seems an opportune connection. And “rock-us” appears to be the intent of this show. Even though Stewart’s recent forays into American Songbooks via Johnny Mercer and Henry Mancini have been very, very good to him, the idea of this tour is to rock and roll. Recent talk pairs Stewart with high-octane chum Jeff Beck in the near future, so perhaps that means the new dad is finally getting some post-infant sleep and is ready to recharge.

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And then, of course, there’s La Nicks. She has a new CD coming out in early May, and it’s a good possibility that some of the songs from In Your Dreams will make it into her set. The always-gallant and gentlemanly Stewart will introduce Nicks at 7:30 p.m., and she’ll proceed with a 75-minute set before returning during Stewart’s set to sing a few duets, which are a foregone conclusion. I mean, come on! These two voices have to merge at some point. Will it be “Leather and Lace”? “Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around”? Nicks paired with former lovers on these songs, so track records have been established. Maybe “First Cut Is the Deepest”? “Reason to Believe”? Even “Young Turks”?

Always the ladies’ man, Stewart travels with lots of them, including his violin/mandolin player, plus a number of backup singers and horn players. The stage set is white (even the drum sets and keyboard). The big band will get to romp through a couple of party songs, too. The O’Jays song, “Love Train,” opened one show, and “Havin’ A Party” has also popped up in the setlist.

By the time Nicks and Stewart hit their “Night on the Town” in Philadelphia, they should be old—well, solid—friends.

SHOW INFO
When: April 5, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad St., Philadelphia.
Tickets: $49.50-$149.50. Call (800) 298-4200, or visit the Wells Fargo box office or wellsfargocenterphilly.com.
 

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