Concert Review: Rod Stewart – Broadview Stage at SPAC, Saratoga Springs, NY – July 15, 2025

Concert Review: Rod Stewart – Broadview Stage at SPAC, Saratoga Springs, NY – July 15, 2025

Words and photography by Stephanie J Bartik  NY Rockstar Photographer

I have to preface this by saying: I’ve been a die-hard Rod Stewart fan since the 1960s.

From his early days with Long John Baldry and The All Stars, through The Jeff Beck Group and Faces, to his solo stardom—I’ve followed every era. I was hooked by that bluesy, raspy voice, his quirky crooked smile, and of course, the spiky hair. I’ll admit, I kind of ducked into the shadows during his disco phase (hey, we’ve all made questionable choices, right?), but even then, the hits were undeniable. I’m just more of a purist.

Before the show, I did what I always do—scanned online to get a feel for the setlist and staging, to know what to look out for photographically. I saw a few concerning comments: “his voice is gone,” “he moves more than he sings,” and so on. My heart sank a little. That’s the tough part about being a lifelong fan—you’re not just shooting a concert. You’re chasing a piece of your past. And being a bit older now myself, I understand things change. We age. Bodies don’t work the same. Why should we expect singers to remain untouched by time when none of us are?

Still, I went in hoping for the best. This was the 7th stop on his 20-show tour.

The opening number felt… tentative. His voice faltered a bit, and for a moment, reality hit. But then—almost like someone waved a magic wand—Rod found it. His tone warmed, his energy rose, and that familiar sparkle in his eye returned. The crooked smile was back. He moved with confidence, cracked jokes, interacted with the band, and looked like he was having the time of his life. And just like that, I felt a smile spread across my own face as I clicked away behind the lens.

The crowd? Electric. On their feet for most of the night—clapping, dancing, and singing along like we were all old friends at a local pub. Rod delivered a show that was less of a performance and more of an experience. He played all the crowd favorites (yes, even the disco-era bangers), and when he performed Etta James’ I’d Rather Go Blind, the chills were instant. That moment alone was worth the price of admission.

This wasn’t just nostalgia—it was a reminder that you’re never too old to rock and roll.

He’s still got a few local shows left on the tour, and if you get the chance: GO. Sure, you’ll see the clips on social media. But trust me—nothing compares to seeing it live, feeling the crowd’s energy, and watching an icon breathe life into songs that have lived in your heart for decades.

Thank you, Rod. You brought this gal back to her teens—and reminded us all that the music never ages, even if we do.