On a cool spring night in Michigan Canadian rockers Triumph some 40 years later were performing again in Detroit rock city at (Freedom Hill) Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre in Sterling Heights Saturday night. The trio last performed in Detroit back in November of 1986 at Cobo Arena, safe to say I was at that show. Triumph is commemorating the 50th anniversary of the band’s first album TRIUMPH, released in 1976. On tour with Triumph Canadian rockers April Wine from Halifax Nova Socia, Canada kicked off the night right around 8:00. The Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre was packed well before April Wine taking the stage as the show was sold out.
The meet and greet line was endless just like the merch line. The parking lot was filled with our neighbors to the north across the Detroit River. The Rock & Roll Machine Reloaded tour featured a different lineup this time around as original bass player Mike Levine sat this run out do to health reason. Jumping in on this tour guitar slayer Phil X and bass player Todd Kearns who is filling in for Levine. Triumph added a second drummer to the tour Mr. Brent Fitz.
The almost 2-hour showed kicked off with April Wine hitting the stage and nicely greeted with a thunderous roar from the 7300 in attendance opening up with their classic hit “I Like To Rock” that’s how you open things up on a crisp fall like evening. The current lineup features guitarist Brian Greenway, the longest to be with the band along with Marc Parent, filling in for the late vocalist and guitarist Myles Goodwyn, who passed away in 2023 along with bassist Richard Lanthier and drummer Roy Nichol.
April Wine still sounded like the April Wine we all grew up with jamming out in our car’s, to the backyard hangout’s, to catching them in a venue near you. The 45-minute set featured all the hit song’s in like “Just Between You and Me” and “Sign of the Gypsy Queen” were of course, the loudest cheers of the set. Fans enjoyed a good sing-a-long with the band. other tracks in the set included “Say Hello,” from 1979’s Harder…Faster and “Enough is Enough.” April Wine past or present is still April Wine and the music still hit’s you in the gut! If you get the chance to see them in a city near you, please do so.
It was final time to “Fight The Good Fight” we all been waiting for this moment. The social media world went into a frenzy, family and friends couldn’t stop talking about it, tickets purchased well in advance to witness an event we thought wouldn’t be possible. Thin Lizzy intro hits with “The Boys Are Back In Town” very clever indeed, Rik Emmett and the boys hit the stage with a standing ovation from the sellout crowd opening with “When the Lights Go Down” drummer Gil Moore vocals are still strong singing alongside his drumming buddy Brent Fitz flawlessly energizing your soul.
The stage production was spot on with ever changing videos on the massive jumbotron behind Moore and Fitz, no that’s a law firm name. After “All Over Town” Emmett said to the crowd after the sunset it got cold “I thought I was coming south, like that Journey song, you know south Detroit.” Michigan weather hasn’t been to kind to outside concert goers early on.
“Blinding Light Show” was a visual treat with bare white tree limb with blue lights shining down from above Emmett with signature white double neck guitar in hand which he used during the epic guitar fest that was about to take place with Kearns and Phil X rejoining Rik for the shredding of the guitars. On the jumbotron joining in on the guitar riffs a video clip of Mike Levine playing along with the guys. If you didn’t feel anything thing from that song like increased blood flow, or goosebumps then stop what you’re doing and dial 911 immediately.
Gil Moore took the time to honor Mike Levine during “Rocky Mountain Way,” if you Triumph “We Love You” Mike would say. Let’s show Mike some love shall we on the count of three I want you Detroit we love you, you guys ready. Detroit was ready “We Love You.” The song featured guitar solos, bass solos all electrifying the Triumph faithful. One of the coolest tracks from the night was “Allied Forces,” all three members grabbing the vintage flying V-neck guitars taking turns on seeing who shreds who better in the end there only one winner and that was the fans in attendance. On the jumbotron flying V-neck guitars were jetting upwards and into the universe. Like I mentioned early on the stage show was top notch with the usual pyro’s and plenty of smoke with eye catching videos that amazed some.
The crowd was mixed and that was ok. The younger generation is here to stay and is taking in the music that is about your goals, your dreams, and more importantly your faith in society. Vintage T-shirts from the 80’s were everywhere, the red Canadian maple leaf was also displayed throughout the venue. “Magic Power” did just that making you feel better, more positive, and more optimistic about the daily grind we go through daily. “Magic Power” turned into one massive sized sing-along, with swaying hands and cell phone lights. Another cool highlight from the evening came during a little snippet of 24 hours a day with Emmett taking center stage with a killer guitar rip with different photos of Emmett’s career being shown on the video screen with guitar in hand. A heartbeat was heard over the speakers leading into “Follow Your Heart” Kearns on lead sounding great with Phil X and Emmett joining in on vocals.
This show was definitely on my radar for months and it DID NOT disappoint. The show was not only a reunion for the band but also for those who went like friends and family who you and seen in years, and right down to seeing your high school friends some 40 years ago. Never say never, never say I’m too old, music fuels the soul, music makes us all feel young again. I still remember coming home and catching your favorite bands on MTV, back then it was those videos you could catch on the hour every hour like my favorite song from Triumph “Lay It On The Line.” The stage floor fills with smoke, the video screen illuminates with starburst, Kearns, Phil X, and Emmett taking center stage. The band did not have to sing on this one, it was like your favorite DJ hitting the mute button mid song the crowd took over and sang to the very end, DAMN that was AWESOME.
The 14-song set ended with two killer encores “I Live for the Weekend” and “Fight the Good Fight.” The night ended unfairly nobody wanted it to end, chants of one more song rang out Triumph said goodbye to Michigan instead. Will it be the final goodbye, time will tell can the bodies still hold up for one final reunion. The show was amazing from start to finish. Detroit thanks you Triumph for one unforgettable night, a night we will cherish forever take a bow and Detroit rock city REALLY hopes to see you again. Horns up America and keep rocking.
Triumph performing live at the Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre May 30, 2026
