Rod Stewart at the O2 Arena

Sir Rod Stewart began his music career as a busker playing the harmonica, and, as extroverted as he might be, the artist remains humble and down-to-earth. In 1967 he joined the Jeff Beck Group – rhythm and blues being its primary output; he went on to front The Faces, alongside Ronnie Wood of The Rolling Stones. Simultaneously releasing solo material, Stewart’s early work had an emphasis on folk. This shines through on his solo catalogue, alongside pop, disco and soft rock. Stewart has sold around 250 million albums, placing him among the bestselling artists of all time. 

It’s no mean feat to make London’s sprawling 02 Arena – which has a capacity of 20,000 – somehow feel intimate. The veteran rocker achieves this with ease. Tonight, we are in Rod the Mod’s domain and we’re playing by his rules. This is immediately apparent by the star’s somewhat unorthodox choice to open with a cover: Robert Palmer’s Addicted to Love sets the tone for the evening. It’s well known that Stewart performs little of his more recent material. Instead, he opts for crowd pleasers – both his own classic hits and covers of others. 

Tonight, we are treated to an array of hits. You Wear It Well has the audience bopping, while Ooh La La by The Faces drowns the auditorium in nostalgia. Handbags and Gladrags, You’re in My Heart and Forever Young captivate the crooner’s crowd. Do You Think I’m Sexy has everyone moving. 

After performing his revered catalogue for decades now, Stewart shows no signs of simply going through the motions. The star is evidently enjoying himself and the company of his loyal fans. There are even political points made, a screen of Volodymyr Zelenskyy and various anti-war gestures conveyed. Sir Rod himself has taken in a Ukrainian family. 

What makes so many of Stewart’s songs stand out and hold longevity is their storytelling quality: the lyrics carry meaning and hold weight, and his trademark raspy vocals ensure a soulful delivery. With pristine production values, the performer presents an enjoyable evening. While it inevitably lacks the zest of his previous shows, Stewart proves he can still sell out gargantuan stadiums and guarantee a good time for all. The man is close to 78 and, after six decades in the business, has nothing to prove. He might be in the twilight of his career, but he hasn’t lost any of the alluring charm or cool prowess that first put him on the musical map all those years ago. 

The set closes with the late Queen on display. Stewart is fervently patriotic, and still passionate about entertaining. While he might lack the dexterity of yesteryear, this rocker still rocks and we are here for it. 

Jonathan Marshall
Photos: Virginie Viche

For further information and future events visit Rod Stewart’s website here.

Watch the video for the single I Can’t Imagine here: