photo by Luca DePalo

by Luca DePalo, Contributing Blogger

Night Ranger

Bally’s Event Center, Lincoln, RI

May 8, 2026

There’s nothing like the vibe of a Friday night concert, and that can especially be said after last weekend’s show in Lincoln, Rhode Island, from Night Ranger. The band performed a sold-out 90-minute performance and proved how they can still “Rock In America.”

This being my second time seeing the band, and the first time seeing them headline, I came into the show with a huge sense of excitement. Some people come to the show expecting a solid night out — a few singalongs to “Sister Christian,” maybe a few graying mullets headbanging politely, and a sitting crowd. But what we got on Saturday was something way wilder. Something loud, tight, and genuinely moving at times. It wasn’t just a band doing their greatest hits; this was five guys giving it all, as if they had something to prove.

photo by Luca DePalo

The event center at Bally’s Lincoln Casino isn’t what you’d call a massive venue. It’s kind of intimate, very widespread, and the floor has an extremely colorful carpet, but the room is almost too lengthy for a concert. There’s no elevation as the sections go further back, so it’s just a flat floor that feels less like a concert venue and more like a business conference room. Thankfully for this show, I got to sit within the first few rows, but ran up to the front of the stage, or as some may call the “pit” area, when the bands intro song “Fight For Your Right” began.

Blue lights, golden walls, maybe even the smell of spilled beer and sharp cologne. But the vibe? Electrical. Just pure, sweaty rock proximity. And as for the crowd, it was a beautiful mess. You had diehards in vintage tour shirts, older couples head banging in their seats, a surprising amount of kids, and a handful of millennials. There was something very touching about seeing three generations shouting the lyrics to a song like “Don’t Tell Me You Love Me,” as if we were all at a church gathering.

Night Ranger didn’t start off the show like many bands do. As the lights of red, white and blue lit up each member, the band kicked into one of their huge hits, “(You Can Still) Rock in America.” If there were any doubts about whether they still brought it after 44 years, all thoughts were gone in the first 30 seconds. Lead guitarist Brad Gillis came out swinging, with his guitar screaming like it was possessed. That man didn’t just play notes; he acted the notes, and moved around the stage like a guy who just turned 40, rather than someone with grandkids.

photo by Luca DePalo

Brad may be the most underrated guitarist in the entire classic rock genre. Seriously, the way he manipulates his famed Floyd Rose, the sheer control he has, and just his nonstop energy. His solos during songs like “Sentimental Street” and “Goodbye” showed the monster he was and still is!

Then there was Keri Kelli on the rhythm guitar. Keri is the newest member of the band, although he has been with them since 2014, and replaces original guitarist Jeff Watson, whose legendary eight-finger tapping solos were perfectly played with originality and a mix of his own style. After years of touring and recording with so many ’80s hard rock artists like Stephen Pearcy of Ratt, L.A. Guns, Warrant, Pretty Boy Floyd, and even Alice Cooper, Keri brings the perfect energy to the band. And let’s not forget Jack Blades! He was everywhere on the stage. Leaning into the crowd, shouting out names, joking with people in the front row. His vocals were spot-on, exactly like the album. Gritty in the right places and sweet when it needed to be. And I can’t forget to mention, the man never stopped smiling, he was genuinely having the time of his life up there.

One key moment of the night was when the band performed an incredible version of the famed “Crazy Train,” in tribute to Ozzy Osbourne. Brad Gillis toured with Ozzy in 1982, replacing legendary guitarist Randy Rhoads after his tragic passing on the Diary of a Madman tour.

photo by Luca DePalo

And boy, the crowd wasn’t ready for this one; Jack Blades shouted in his microphone “Hey Brad, do you think these guys deserve a Damn Yankees song? I think they deserve a Damn Yankees song, so let’s do it baby,” before kicking into the songs “Coming of Age” and “High Enough.” Unfortunately, Damn Yankees have not played a full performance in decades, although there have been very few one-off performances over the years. But on this night, just hearing the intro to “Coming Of Age” made the whole crowd go, “Ohhhhhh my god…” It was magical. Totally unexpected and totally earned.

The pacing of the show was incredible. Right when things got nostalgic and emotional with “When You Close Your Eyes,” they slammed right into “Don’t Tell Me You Love Me” with enough force to knock the crowd down. You could feel the rhythm section driving like a mustang. No —— (frills), just thunder and sweat.

With Eric Levy on keys, he quietly stayed the glue of the whole set. Not flashy, not over-the-top, but essential for that 80’s sound. His intro on “Sister Christian” had this almost cinematic quality, like you were watching the credits roll on a movie you didn’t want to end.

photo by Luca DePalo

Of course, Kelly Keagy is still pulling double duty behind the kit and on vocals. When he stepped out front for “Sister Christian,” time kind of froze. It was a moment that you could feel it in your bones. That song’s been covered, parodied, and memed to death. But when Kelly sang it — raw, unfiltered — it was different; it was like hearing it for the first time all over again.

One thing I’m sure many didn’t plan for was getting a little choked up during “Sister Christian.” Sure, it’s rock and roll, not a local therapy session. But man, when Kelly and the gang started it out, it felt like a tribute to everybody in the crowd and everybody we’ve all lost over the years. Maybe you thought of a family member, maybe you thought of Ozzy Osbourne’s passing, or maybe you just thought back to your childhood (some probably thought about their couch at home).

When the crowd took over the famed chorus, you could feel it. A big, messy, beautiful wave of voices crashing together. Nobody cared how they sounded. Everybody was different. Whether they were on their feet, had their arms in the air, or just head-banged in their seat, no one checked their phones and no one headed for the exits. It was joyful chaos that combined to create magic.

photo by Luca DePalo

Here’s the thing: Some bands pack a setlist full of obscure deep cuts to prove something. Night Ranger? They know what we came for, and they delivered.

And when the show was finally over, the band stayed onstage a little longer to appreciate the fans who came out to the show, they truly took their time. Brad, Jack, and Keri threw out many picks. Kelly tossed several drumsticks into the crowd, including his drumming gloves, Jack high fived everybody within the first few rows, and Eric prayed in thankfulness. It felt sincere. It felt like goodbye and “We’ll see you next time.”

You may be asking, was it really worth it? Let me put it like this. I’ve been to some incredible shows in my life. Louder ones. Flashier ones with pyrotechnics and more energy. But I haven’t walked out of a venue smiling like that in a long, long, long time. There was something really special about a band that knows exactly who they are, how they are, and what they are to the fans. They weren’t trying to chase current trends. And they don’t try to act like it’s ’82. Night Ranger just showed up, played their asses off for 90 minutes, and reminded the sold out crowd that rock and roll is more than music.

Night Ranger may not be known as the biggest band in ’80s rock anymore, but on May 8th in a small town in Rhode Island, they were rock ‘n roll superstars, at least for one night. I’ll be sure to see them next time they come to New England!!