THE LIGHTFOOT BAND - Rochester, NY 4/27/2025

[OldDan]

I made the trip from Chicago to Rochester, NY on April 27, 2025 to see The Lightfoot Band in concert at The Theater at Innovation Square, an intimate 700 seat venue, located in the heart of the downtown area.


I had seen the band last year at the 'Celebrating Gordon Lightfoot' concert at Massey Hall, but had not heard newcomer Andy Mauk in a dedicated live concert performance. Ever modest and humble, Andy makes it clear there will never be another Gordon Lightfoot, but that he is just trying to fill a void since Gordon's passing two years ago, and I think he is doing an admirable job.


The band came onstage promptly at 3pm, opening with 'Never Too Close'. Andy's voice is strong and his lyrics clear and the band is, as always, at the top of their game. The sound was crisp and Rick Haynes mentioned that it was a real treat that it was being mixed by Gord's former sound engineer, and I believe he said, Ken Friesen, credited on many of his albums. (Please correct me if I'm wrong on that name.) Each of the band members took turns recounting anecdotes about Gord and life on the road, between the songs.


After the intermission break, Andy came out onstage to start the 2nd set, and just as Gord had done back in the '90s, sang 'I'll Tag Along' solo on the guitar.


When the rest of the band came onstage afterward, there was a slight mishap when Barry Keane took a fall behind the riser while climbing up to his drum set as Andy and the band were starting into 'Sit Down Young Stranger'. There was a concerned gasp in the audience and cries of, "Are you OK?", but Barry soon reappeared and sheepishly waved to the audience to allay their fears. He seemed OK for the rest of the show and I spoke with him afterward and he just said he'd probably be feeling it the next day. We all want to avoid falls as we age!


They played 20 songs and 1 encore; 'The Canadian Railroad Trilogy', to a very appreciative crowd of 'Lightheads' on a Sunday afternoon in Rochester. Afterward, the fans who hung around were able to talk to all the band members down by the stage as they were packing up their equipment. They were all very accommodating as people shared stories, got autographs and posed for selfies with them. It was my first time meeting Andy Mauk and he was most gracious and engaging to talk to, a definite asset to The Lightfoot Band! So glad they are continuing on with Gord's music!


SET LIST


Never Too Close
Sea of Tranquility
Race Among the Ruins
14 Karat Gold
Christian Island
Rainy Day People
Shadows
Baby Step Back
The Circle Is Small
The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald


BREAK


I'll Tag Along
Sit Down Young Stranger
Carefree Highway
Summer Side of Life
Daylight Katy
Sundown
Beautiful
Song for A Winter's Night
Early Morning Rain
If You Could Read My Mind


ENCORE


The Canadian Railroad Trilogy