Article & Photos by: Linda Carlson

Hamilton, OH – An outdoor show always comes with a bit of weather-related anxiety, and the forecast for this event had for days been dicey.  However, on this Independence Day’s festivities, you couldn’t have asked for better weather.

This was a free event put on by the city of Hamilton to celebrate the Fourth of July.  The RiversEdge Amphitheater is an ideal venue to host the large crowd gathered to enjoy the evening’s performance, following an earlier Independence Day parade and other downtown Hamilton holiday activities.  The expansive green lawn along the Great Miami River was covered with blankets and folding chairs, and people were milling about enjoying the abundant food truck fare.  Kids were running around having a blast.  The young mingled with the “seasoned.”  This was a true family event – small town America at its very best.

Featured on the amphitheater stage was That Arena Rock Show, a band of talented musicians with regional roots who have a passion for classic 80s/90s rock anthems and a flair for theatrics that set them far apart from traditional tribute bands.  These upstarts put on a show pounding with the thundering beats of raging rock from the very best arena bands – AC/DC, Ozzy Osbourne, KISS, Bon Jovi, Van Halen, Guns n Roses, Def Leppard, Aerosmith, Led Zepellin – you get the idea.  In short, something to please absolutely everyone.

The band’s entertainment style is as visual as it is musical.  There are costume changes, terrific lighting and smoke effects, spectacular solos and non-stop energy.  Each band member is rich with talent – TBone (lead vocals), Nikki Starr (rhythm guitar), Tracii Page (lead guitar), Brady Savage (bass), and Ryan Rocket (drums).

There were standout solo performances throughout the evening, with Starr’s guitar rendition of The Star Spangled Banner particularly appropriate for this Independence Day celebration.

There were comical on-stage cameo appearances from Beavis & Butthead, as well as Wayne & Garth.  All in good fun.

The band played for two hours, and never skipped a beat.  Fans young and old cheered relentlessly.  After all, who among us doesn’t feel deep connections with legendary anthems from the rock ‘n roll greats?  The band’s set was ripe with nostalgia, delivered with exceptional zeal:

• Kickstart My Heart
• Nothin But A Good Time
• Schools Out
• Metal Health
• You Give Love a Bad Name
• Separate Ways
• Dream on
• Top Gun Theme
• Star Spangled Banner Solo –
• Thunderstruck
• Crazy Train
• Still of The Night
• Enter Sandman
• I Wanna Rock
• Eruption
• Panama
• Bohemian Rhapsody
• We Will Rock You
• Pour Some Sugar On Me
• Welcome To The Jungle
• Sweet Child O’ Mine
• Paradise City

Encore:

• Rock And Roll All Nite

The band travels across the fruited plain, and internationally as well.  Their star is rising, and it’s well-deserved.  If you have a chance to experience That Arena Rock Show, jump on it!  Check their website for upcoming tour dates: www.thatarenarockshow.com.

There are plenty more pictures in the carousel below.  Check them out!