Winger / Firehouse – Medina Entertainment Center – Medina MN – February 10th 2017

Medina Entertainment Center presents Winger with special guests Firehouse.

Winger and Firehouse are welcomed to the Medina Entertainment Center on February 10th, 2017 to a slew of excited 1980’s metal fans.  This isn’t the first time we’ve seen either of them and I guarantee you, it won’t be the last.

The nice thing about both of these bands is that they both really have fun with their shows.  It’s not the ’80s anymore, but they don’t let that bother them, unlike numerous bands of their era.  A key example is the last time that Winger was at The Medina.  There was an awful snowstorm and not only was Kip the only one that made it to Minnesota, but very few instruments made it as well.  What did he do?  Cancel the show?  No.  He simply did an acoustic set, making humorous quips throughout the night regarding the situation at hand.
Firehouse opened the show, concentrating heavily on their first album, playing nearly every track.  They also focused on the hits for the excited audience, such as “Love of a Lifetime” and more.  Oddly enough, they played fourteen songs, quite an extensive amount for an opening band.  It got a bit long, as people were itching to hear Winger as well.  One standout moment was when a man proposed to his girlfriend onstage, which, who doesn’t like that?
Winger eventually took to the stage, opening with “Midnight Driver of a Love Machine”. Considering this track was from an album released in 2014, it seemed a strange choice for an opener.  It was clear that the majority of the audience was looking for the hits, such as “Headed for a Heartbreak” and “Seventeen”.  They did play those as well and the audience couldn’t get enough of Winger in general.  Another somewhat unusual move was ending the set with a cover.  They played a great cover of Van Halen’s “Ain’t Talkin’ Bout Love”.  Granted, it’s a great song and a good cover of it, but I’m generally not a fan of finishing a show on a cover.  It seems to be a weak ending to a show.
Regardless, it was an amazing show all the way around. It was very much enjoyed by the audience and it will be exciting to see them here again.