Concert Reports

CHEAP TRICK perform at VINA ROBLES AMPHITHEATRE ON APRIL 22 AS PART OF THE ALL WASHED UP TOUR

LEGENDARY ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAMERS CELEBRATE 21ST STUDIO ALBUM WITH 2026 US HEADLINE RUN, ACCLAIMED NEW ALBUM, ALL WASHED UP, OUT NOW VIA BMG

“Ladies & Gentlemen, Boys & Girls, Please Welcome to the stage the Best Fu*%in Rock Band You’ve Ever Seen, Cheap Trick.” These were the words coming out of the PA as the band Cheap Trick walked on stage and tore into their signature opener “Hello There” on the Vina Robles Amphitheatre Stage in Paso Robles, Calif. This was a bold statement to start a show but it became evident within minutes that there would be no arguing with those words as the band’s energy and one of a kind chemistry were in full force. No strangers to touring. They are One of rock’s hardest-working live acts, Cheap Trick are celebrating their acclaimed new album, All Washed Up, as well as their legendary body of work thus far, with a 2026 headline tour. The All Washed Up Tour. The band from Illinois can still rock with the best of them, while celebrating their 50th anniversary. “Baby Loves To Rock,” “If You Want My love,” and “The Riff That Wont Quit” followed in a hit laced set list that had the Paso Robles crowd on their feet for the majority of the night.

Combining High Energy Rock with a sense of humor has put Cheap Trick at the forefront of the rock scene for decades and earned them a spot in The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame with record sales that top 20 Million. Guitarist Rick Nielsen’s quirky on stage persona captivated the crowd not only with his impressive arsenal of guitars, including his famous checkerboard standard as well as his famous five neck Hamer guitar, but also with his guitar pic throwing skills as many an audience member went home with more than one souvenir from the night.

Cheap trick has always had an interesting dynamic with its band members that is highly unique. Contrasting Nielsen’s constant mugging & flashy guitars, vocalist Robin Zander exudes the textbook Rock God Frontman, complete with chiseled good looks and flowing blond mane. Throw in the suave style of Bassist Tom Petersson and you have a one of a kind visual on stage. Drummer Dax Nieslen rounds out the foursome. ( He is Guitsrist Rick Nielsen’s Son and replaced original drummer Bun E. Carlos in 2010 )

Cheap Trick’s 21st studio album, All Washed Up, is out now via BMG. A variety of formats are available, including digital streaming and download, CD, and standard black vinyl. A collector’s edition Orange Marble vinyl variant limited to 1,000 units is available to pre-order exclusively via the band’s new D2C store. Produced by Cheap Trick with longtime associate Julian Raymond and mixed by 5x GRAMMY® Award-winner Chris Lord-Alge (Green Day, Dave Matthews Band), All Washed Up includes such pulse-pounding new tracks as “The Riff That Won’t Quit” and the anthemic first single, “Twelve Gates,” the latter of which was met by immediate praise from such outlets as Ultimate Classic Rock, which hailed it as “a sweet slab of psychedelic guitars, sugary pop-rock hooks and lush, Beatlesque vocal harmonies.” American Songwriter agreed, writing, “The mid-tempo rock song features psychedelic and power-pop elements reminiscent of The Beatles, not surprising for a group that’s always been so heavily and unrepentantly influenced by the Fab Four.”

About Vina Robles Amphitheatre

Welcome to the Vina Robles Amphitheatre, where European Inspiration meets California Character and the stars always shine. Here, two of California's great compositions meet, as exceptional wine and intimate live music are paired to create an unforgettable wine country experience.

The 3,300 seat boutique amphitheatre is nestled on a picturesque, oak-dotted hillside in Paso Robles on California's Central Coast. With its opening in the summer of 2013, the Vina Robles Amphitheatre became one of the largest outdoor venues for arts and entertainment in San Luis Obispo County. Featuring a style reminiscent of the California missions, guests are able to immerse themselves in a unique and intimate concert adventure as they enjoy modern amenities and first class hospitality. The concert season runs from May through November and features top tier acts from around the world in all genres. Various seating options all within 150 feet from the stage, including regular, VIP and general admission lawn seating, make events accessible to anyone in the community. We look forward to sharing our love of wine and the arts with you soon. For more information about the Vina Robles Winery, Click Here
 

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