Lakefront Music Fest - Prior Lake MN - July 11th 2025

Lakefront Music Fest day one staring Foreigner with special guests 38 Special and Loverboy

Review and photos by Kyle Hansen

Loverboy hit the stage right on time under the early-evening sun, kicking off the festival’s Rock Night with a tight, energetic set that reminded the crowd exactly why these Canadian rockers have stayed relevant for over four decades.

Opening with “Notorious,” they immediately set the tone—punchy, confident, and loud. The band, still led by frontman Mike Reno, proved that while the voices and faces have matured, the energy hasn’t faded. Reno’s vocals, while not quite as soaring as in the ’80s, still carried weight and soul, especially during “Heaven in Your Eyes,” which got a big reaction from couples swaying near the food trucks.

Paul Dean’s guitar work stood out—especially on “Lucky Ones” and “Turn Me Loose,” where his solos were both sharp and expressive. The crowd, mostly Gen X and Boomer fans in Loverboy tees and lawn chairs, came to life by the time the band dropped the unmistakable intro to “Working for the Weekend.” Everyone stood up. Even the beer lines paused.

The band kept their set tight—no rambling stories or filler songs. Just hit after hit, delivered with efficiency and enthusiasm. You could tell they knew they were the warm-up, and they treated that role with respect: no overreach, just a crisp 50-minute ride through their best material.

Highlights:

“The Kid Is Hot Tonite” brought a nostalgic spark to the middle of the set.
The harmonies on “When It’s Over” were stronger than expected, with the keyboardist adding surprising depth.
Reno led a shout-along chorus for “Lovin’ Every Minute of It” that had even the security guards nodding their heads.

Minor drawbacks: The mix was a bit muddy at first—bass-heavy with some vocal distortion on the first couple of tracks—but the sound crew dialed it in by the third song. Also, younger fans unfamiliar with the catalog were clearly just waiting for the big radio hits.

Final Verdict:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5)
A solid opener. Loverboy didn’t try to be anything they weren’t—they leaned into what they do best: tight musicianship, crowd-pleasing hits, and no-frills rock ‘n’ roll. It was a performance built on confidence and craft, setting the stage perfectly for 38 Special and Foreigner to follow.

By the time 38 Special took the stage, the Minnesota sun had dipped below the trees and the beer gardens were buzzing. The crowd was warmed up (literally and musically) from Loverboy’s set, and ready for that sweet spot of Southern rock with a radio-friendly edge — and 38 Special delivered.

They kicked things off with “Rockin’ Into the Night,” and the response was immediate: cheers, air guitars, and phones up. The current lineup, though changed over the years, still channels that unmistakable 38 Special sound — tight harmonies, dual guitars, and Don Barnes’ signature vocals driving the momentum.

The band powered through a well-paced set filled with the hits fans came to hear:

“Caught Up in You” had the crowd singing every word.
“Fantasy Girl” pulled out the softer side, with a surprisingly clean vocal delivery.
“Back Where You Belong” brought a wave of nostalgia that hit hard for the 40+ crowd.

What made the performance shine was the precision. 38 Special has always been known for being one of the tighter live acts of their era — almost studio-perfect — and that polish came through. The dual guitar leads were sharp, the rhythm section locked in, and the vocal harmonies were crisp, even with the challenges of a live outdoor setup.

Don Barnes, the band’s anchor, looked energized and in control. He interacted with the audience just enough — short intros, a couple of jokes, and a genuine “We love coming back to Minnesota” that actually felt sincere.

A few standout moments:

The extended solo on “Chain Lightnin’” was a real treat — bluesy, brooding, and absolutely nailed.
“Hold On Loosely” closed the main set with everyone on their feet — arms up, voices loud, and not a single person sitting.

Critiques?
Not many. Some of the newer or deeper tracks lost the crowd a bit — understandable in a festival setting where many folks are there for the big hits.

Final Verdict

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½ (4.5/5)
A rock-solid, high-energy, crowd-pleasing set.
38 Special reminded everyone that while they may not get the flashy headlines anymore, they’ve still got the chops, the songs, and the stage presence to command a crowd. The perfect bridge between Loverboy’s nostalgia and Foreigner’s arena rock grand finale.

The night sky over Prior Lake lit up — literally and figuratively — as Foreigner took the stage to close out Rock Night at Lakefront Music Fest 2025. With thousands packed onto the park grounds, the anticipation was electric. And true to form, Foreigner didn’t just meet expectations — they soared past them.

Opening with “Double Vision,” they launched into a setlist that was basically a Greatest Hits album live — and the crowd knew it. Sing-alongs erupted instantly. The current lineup, led by powerhouse vocalist Kelly Hansen, delivered the goods.

Hansen, as usual, was the perfect frontman — full of energy, hitting high notes with flair, and constantly working the crowd. He had the entire lawn chanting “I Wanna Know What Love Is” before they even played it.

Set Highlights:

“Cold as Ice” — included a walk through the front rows by Hansen, much to the delight of fans.
“Feels Like the First Time” — loud, confident, and full of vocal fireworks.
“Urgent” — featuring an extended sax solo that got its own standing ovation.
“I Want to Know What Love Is” — featured a local high school choir, and had phone lights waving across the entire park.
“Hot Blooded” — the encore closer, sending people home sweaty, smiling, and satisfied.

Final Verdict:

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐ (5/5)
A masterclass in classic rock showmanship.
Foreigner may be decades into their career, but they proved once again why they’re still a top-tier live act. Every song was a crowd-pleaser. Every moment felt engineered to remind fans why this music has endured. They didn’t just play a set — they put on a show.