REO Speedwagon – The Capitol Theatre – Wheeling (A PopEntertainment.com Concert Review)

REO Speedwagon & Levon – The Capitol Theatre – Wheeling, WV – June 20, 2023

REO Speedwagon recently brought their legendary music and live show to the Capitol Theater in Wheeling, WV. The sold-out theater was treated to a 90-minute set that covered many of the band’s hits and albums spanning most of the 50-plus years the band has been in existence.

REO started the night with the classic “Don’t Let Him Go,” followed by “Music Man” and “Take It On The Run.” The multicolored back drop gave the stage an ever-changing look while the band took the crowd on a musical journey with “Live Every Moment,” “Keep The Fire Burnin” and “Can’t Fight This Feeling.”

While a lot of bands of this era sport only one or two original members, REO Speedwagon brought only one new member with them to Wheeling. Co-founder Neal Doughty retired from the road last year. What’s more remarkable is that lead Singer Kevin Cronin’s vocals are every bit as golden as they were when the songs were originally recorded. You could shut your eyes, and the music sounded like you remembered it sounding when they were on the radio.

The crowd was treated to “Time For Me To Fly,” “Back On the Road Again” and “Ridin’ The Storm Out” with each song building on the last, headed for the inevitable stage exit for everyone but Cronin. Seated at the piano, Cronin reminisced that “this is the song that changed my life” before starting “Keep On Loving You” solo, with the band joining him on stage as the song progressed. Cronin thanked the crowd for endearing the band to their hearts all these years before going into the finale “Roll With The Changes.”

Even with the changes over all of these years, REO Speedwagon is still one of the best live bands on tour, delivering the same high quality music night after night.

Nashville, Tennessee based trio, Levon, opened the show for REO with a ten-song set, covering songs by acts such as the Eagles, Dobie Gray and Journey. However, the highlight of their set was John Denver’s “Country Roads,” turned into a sing along in the legendary theater with long country music roots, on the very day West Virginia celebrated its 160th birthday.

REO Speedwagon Setlist

Don’t Let Him Go / Music Man / Take It on the Run / Keep Pushin’ / Live Every Moment / Keep the Fire Burnin’ / That Ain’t Love / Tough Guys / Can’t Fight This Feeling / Son of a Poor Man / Building the Bridge / Time for Me to Fly / Back on the Road Again / Ridin’ the Storm Out / Encore: Keep On Loving You / Roll With the Changes

Levon Setlist

Seven Bridges Road / Sparks Fly / Drift Away / ‘Til the Wheels Fall Off / Lights / Wired / Drinking Today / Give Up Your Heart / Take Me Home Country Roads / Feels Like Home

Dave Parsons