Cheap Trick in Providence

About Cheap Trick

Cheap Trick emerged from Rockford, Illinois in 1973 as unlikely rock heroes—a band that seemed too clever and too catchy for their own good. Robin Zander's pretty-boy vocals and Rick Nielsen's hyperkinetic guitar work didn't fit the heavy rock playbook of the era, but their infectious hooks and pop sensibilities proved that arena rock didn't have to be dour. They peaked with 'Surrender' and the live album 'Live at Budokan,' which caught them at a moment when they were genuinely transcendent. 'I Want You to Want Me' became an unlikely hit, and 'Dream Police' proved they could write actual songs. They've never quite shaken the tag of being too glossy or too straightforward, which probably says more about rock's weird snobbery than it does about them. Forty-plus years later, they're still touring, still dependable, and still underrated by people who take themselves seriously.

They lean into the schmaltz without apology. Zander works the crowd like he's genuinely grateful you showed up. Nielsen bounces around like he's solving math problems with his guitar. People sing every word. You'll see families and longtime fans standing next to casual listeners, and somehow the band makes all of it feel earned.

Known for I Want You to Want Me, Dream Police, Surrender, The Flame, Ain't That a Shame

Cheap Trick + Providence

Cheap Trick rolled into Providence Performing Arts Center in November 2021 and did what they've been doing for decades: nailed the setlist. They opened with "Hello There" and spent the next two hours pulling from every era of their catalog. "Big Eyes" and "She's Tight" showed up alongside the obvious choices like "Dream Police" and "Surrender." The deep cut "Auf Wiedersehen" landed near the end, followed by an encore that wound down with "Goodnight" — the kind of closer that leaves you thinking about the show for weeks. Cheap Trick in Providence is reliable in the way only a band with this much staying power can be.

Cheap Trick in Providence News

• No foolin': April's top 5 live music shows in Providence The Providence Journal · Mar 25, 2022
• Q-and-A: PPAC's Technical Director Shares What It's Like to Prepare for Pretty Woman in COVID Rhode Island Monthly · Oct 8, 2021
• Styx Announce Summer 2021 U.S. Tour With Collective Soul Ultimate Classic Rock · Apr 20, 2021
• Cheap Trick continues to rock on The Providence Journal · Jul 23, 2019
• Ann Wilson Announces Solo Tour Dates Ultimate Classic Rock · Jan 10, 2017

Live Music in Providence

Providence's music scene has always had a soft spot for the kind of guitar-driven rock that made Cheap Trick famous. The city's indie and rock communities have built something real over the past few decades, from venues like PPAC down to smaller clubs that book everything from power pop to garage rock. There's an appreciation here for songwriting that doesn't apologize, which is exactly what Cheap Trick represents.

Providence road trip to see Cheap Trick?

Stay in College Hill, where you can actually walk around without feeling like you're in a dead zone—the neighborhood has real restaurants and bars. Eat at Chez Pascal or Oberlin for something serious. Before the show, spend an afternoon at the RISD Museum, which is legitimately excellent and free if you're a student or cheap enough if you're not. The museum's collection is small enough to actually process in a couple hours, which beats most cities. Walk down Benefit Street afterward. It's the kind of place that reminds you why people actually used to settle in New England intentionally.