Foreigner in Cincinnati

About Foreigner

Foreigner formed in 1976 when British guitarist Mick Jones and American Lou Gramm teamed up to write arena rock anthems that somehow balanced stadium-sized choruses with genuine emotional weight. They hit their stride in the early 1980s, when "Cold as Ice" became their first hit, followed by the double-platinum album "4," which spawned "Waiting for a Girl Like You" and "Juke Box Hero." "I Want to Know What Love Is," complete with gospel choir, became their signature song and one of the most ubiquitous power ballads ever recorded. The band sold over 30 million records worldwide, dominating MTV and rock radio throughout the decade. While their heyday was the 80s, they've remained a touring act, and their songs have maintained a weird cultural permanence—part stadium rock legacy, part unironic middle school dance soundtrack.

Foreigner crowds are predictable but genuinely into it. People come ready to sing along to every word of the ballads. The energy picks up noticeably when "Cold as Ice" hits. Lou Gramm's voice has weathered, but there's still something compelling about watching people in their fifties and sixties actually move.

Known for I Want to Know What Love Is, Cold as Ice, Waiting for a Girl Like You, Juke Box Hero, Double Vision

Foreigner + Cincinnati

Foreigner's relationship with Cincinnati runs deep. They most recently graced Riverbend Music Center with a set heavy on the hits, including the arena rock staple Double Vision. The band has consistently returned to perform for faithful crowds throughout their decades-long career, cementing their place in the city's rock landscape.

Foreigner in Cincinnati News

• What to Expect from Lynyrd Skynyrd: 2026 Tour Setlist Ticketmaster Blog · Jan 29, 2026
• Lynyrd Skynyrd, Foreigner announce epic tour with Cincinnati stop WKEF · Nov 22, 2025
• Lynyrd Skynyrd & Foreigner-Riverbend Music Center QFM96 · Nov 17, 2025
• Lynyrd Skynyrd and Foreigner Announce Co-Headlining 2026 North American Tour Consequence of Sound · Nov 17, 2025
• Two legendary rock bands teaming up for summer tour in 2026 MLive.com · Nov 17, 2025

Live Music in Cincinnati

Cincinnati's rock lineage runs deep—the city's produced everything from proto-punk to modern indie rock. It's a place that respects musicianship and doesn't shy away from arena rock heritage. Foreigner, with their locked-in songwriting and professional polish, should find solid ground here. The city's got venues ranging from clubs to large theaters, and a crowd that knows their classic rock.

Cincinnati road trip to see Foreigner?

Stay in Hyde Park, Cincinnati's most elegant neighborhood, with tree-lined streets and restored Victorian homes. Dinner at The Eagle—a fine dining spot that takes Southern cooking seriously—pairs well with Stapleton's sensibility. Spend your afternoon at the Cincinnati Art Museum or walking the grounds at Spring Grove Cemetery, one of America's most beautiful cemeteries. Both offer quiet reflection before heading to the show. If you have time, catch the view from Skyline Chili's main location; the city panorama is worth the detour, even if the food is divisive.