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Foreigner in Portland

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Foreigner
Ilani Cowlitz Ballroom — Ridgefield, WA
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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 + Portland

Foreigner played the State Theatre in Portland on February 18, 2014. The theater setting was an interesting fit for a band that's spent most of its career in arenas and amphitheaters, but Foreigner has always been able to scale the show to the room. Portland doesn't get these legacy acts as often as some cities, which tends to make the crowds a bit more invested when they do show up.

Foreigner in Portland News

Live Music in Portland

Portland's music scene has spent decades positioning itself against the big, shiny rock that Foreigner perfected. But there's an undercurrent of people here who grew up on 'Double Vision' and 'Cold as Ice,' who understand why those hooks still work. The city's indie-cred fixation masks a real appreciation for solid, unpretentious songwriting—which is exactly what Foreigner does.

Portland road trip to see Foreigner?

Stay in the Pearl District or Nob Hill for walkability and the kind of quiet that lets you recover between shows. Eat at Canard, where the charcuterie and wine list are thoughtfully curated—it's the kind of place that respects both food and your time. Spend the afternoon at Powell's Books, the massive independent that justifies its reputation. Walk through Forest Park if the weather cooperates. Portland's best element is how it refuses to take itself too seriously while maintaining actual standards. That's worth the trip.

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