Longtime ’80s rock fans who lived the era or those who never experienced the rock of the ’80s were treated to spectacular reminisce of days gone by as That Arena Rock Show brought their two-hour extravaganza to a near-sell-out crowd at the historical Pittsburgh area bar Jergels on Friday night.
That Arena Rock Show
Jergel’s Rhythm Grille, Warrendale – 6 December 2024
Words And Photography: Jim Balentine
That Arena Rock Show brings the ultimate high-energy theatrical tribute across North America, turning every venue, regardless of size, into an arena show for the night. We’re talking those ’70s and ’80s hard rock and Heavy Metal tracks that had you waving your lighters in the air.
Many of us rock fans who spent the 1980s watching MTV, watching Headbangers Ball and going to concerts wearing the smelly, smoky tour shirt the next day in class yearn for the days of the big songs, big parties, big drinking, and, of course, big hair.
That Arena Rock Show delivers on all cylinders dressing up in the 1980s style and not just playing the music but delivering a show that would rival the best ones of the era. And all of this while playing all the classic hits with the crowd singing along with every word. 
There are other bands out there who play the music of the ’80s, but few put as much work into the show as That Arena Rock Show. We get giant stacks of amps and a drum riser, which stands 10 feet in the air.
There are smoke machines aplenty and wardrobes that change with the music that the band is playing. The band runs through songs from bands such as Alice Cooper [No More Mr. Nice Guy], Skid Row [18 And Life], KISS [Rock and Roll All Nite], Ozzy [Crazy Train], Slade via Quiet Riot [Cum On Feel The Noize], Def Leppard [Pour Some Sugar On Me] to name just six.
Even the great Led Zeppelin are thrown in the mix as the singer T-bone dresses like the vocalist he is representing. The dual guitar work brings back the harmonies and melodies of the era when it was all about guitars along with a deep bass line holding the groove and drumming that rivals a machine gun.
Just how wonderfully ’80s is the opening keyboard to The Final Countdown? As I said, there are other bands out there that play the music of the ’80s.
But if you want bang for your buck and to relive an era of the music and showmanship that we hold so close make sure you check out That Arena Rock Band when they come to your area. You can find their tour dates on the band’s website here.
