The announcement of Foreigner’s concert in Athens was an invitation to every rock and hard rock fan in Greece to come together and celebrate. No admirer of melodic hard rock could possibly remain indifferent to the news that this legendary band was finally coming to our country. Yes, the current lineup no longer includes any original members. However, that’s simply how time has unfolded, and today’s lineup is made up of those who have carried the band forward. Every one of them is not only an outstanding musician but also a true rock ‘n’ roll powerhouse, giving everything they have to honor the Foreigner legacy. Yes, neither Lou Gramm nor Mick Jones is part of the band anymore, but that doesn’t take away from the remaining members’ ability to continue with their heads held high. I was certain that Jeff Pilson, Bruce Watson, and the rest of the guys would give us a fantastic night—and they certainly looked ready to do just that.
by Dimitris Zacharopoulos
photos by Iro Kalligeri (@irokalligeriphotography)
The date was set for June 27 at the Olympic Tennis Center at OAKA. It was my first time attending a concert at this venue, and I have to say I was genuinely impressed—it proved to be an excellent setting for a rock show. There was something else I noticed as well: every single attendee was seated, meaning there was no standing area at all. Is that a good thing or a bad thing? Some people would argue that it’s unthinkable for a rock concert. To them, I’d simply say that all-seated rock concerts have been the norm in many countries for decades. In fact, most concert halls, arenas, and venues abroad are entirely seated. Many historic clubs, venues, and stadiums fall into this category. So, if this still seems unusual in our small country in 2026, what can I say? Sooner or later, we’ll get used to it too.
With those thoughts in mind, time flew by until the members of Kostas Tournas‘ band took their places on the large stage. The moment Tournas himself appeared, the audience erupted into applause. The legendary Greek musician treated us to a selection of his greatest songs, warming our hearts and taking us on a nostalgic journey back to earlier days. “Ela Ilie Mou”, “Anthrope Agapa”, “Omorfi”, “Opou Fisaei o Anemos”, “Min Tis To Peis”, “O Pio Kalos Tragoudistis” and several more made for a wonderful performance in a beautiful, compact set that will stay with us for a long time. Once again, Kostas Tournas proved what a remarkable musician he is—a defining figure of Greek rock and a truly wonderful person who speaks through his music.
After treating us to his wonderful melodies, Kostas Tournas bid us farewell, leaving the stage to the crew as preparations began for the night’s main event. According to the schedule, Foreigner were set to take the stage at 9:00 p.m., and right on time the legendary headliners made their entrance onto the spacious stage of the Olympic Tennis Center before a large and enthusiastic crowd. The excitement reached another level as Foreigner opened with the classic “Double Vision”, and two things became immediately clear to me: the band’s phenomenal sound and the incredible voice of their new (since 2025) singer, Luis Maldonado. Every member of the band is an exceptional musician, but beyond their individual technical brilliance, what really stood out was how tightly connected they were on stage. Their chemistry was flawless, and the result was a series of outstanding performances of Foreigner’s greatest songs. It was obvious that musicians of this caliber knew exactly what they were doing when they chose Maldonado. The Mexican frontman sounded remarkably close to Lou Gramm, possessing tremendous power and vocal range. Beyond his technical abilities, however, Maldonado proved to be a fantastic frontman, performing with heart, enthusiasm, and constant interaction with the audience, effortlessly getting the crowd to follow his every move. Jeff Pilson (bass) and the rest of the band put together an excellent setlist, performing virtually every major Foreigner classic, with the exceptions of “Say You Will” and my personal favorite, “Starrider”. The sound was outstanding, the lighting equally impressive, and the audience responded with energy and joy, singing along to the unforgettable songs of these classic hard rock legends. At first, we remained seated, but before long we abandoned our chairs, made our way to the front barrier, and joined countless other excited fans who simply couldn’t stay in their seats any longer. Among the evening’s highlights were “Blue Morning, Blue Day”, “Cold as Ice”, “Feels Like the First Time”, “Juke Box Hero” and, of course, the ultimate love ballad, “I Want to Know What Love Is”, which also featured the backing vocalists from Kostas Tournas’ band. The concert came to a thrilling close with “Hot Blooded”, sending both the band and the audience into a frenzy. It was a classic hard rock show that lifted us to the heavens, reminded us of the past, brought tears to our eyes, and had us rocking from beginning to end. So many musicians may not have been there, but the emotions were overwhelming, and the music was simply magnificent.
When the concert came to its triumphant end, we were all absolutely thrilled. It had been a true hard rock party, and everyone had an amazing time. There are no second thoughts, no room for negativity at our celebration. We don’t need toxic voices, self-proclaimed experts, or the music police telling us how we’re supposed to enjoy ourselves. What we want is more classic hard rock shows like this. OK?
