Lynyrd Skynyrd roared into Niagara Falls for an electrifying engagement at OLG Stage at Fallsview Casino Resort Friday night, commemorating the band’s deft 50-year legacy with a deliriously loud, joy-fuelled rock n’ roll spectacle enjoyed by a multi-generational crowd. Johnny Van Zant, as Skynyrd’s well-established frontman, led the performance with stirring vocals that channelled heritage and muscle, underlining his stewardship of the enduring Southern rock torch.
The night launched with “Workin’ for MCA,” immediately prompting the crowd to their feet, followed by energetic renditions of “What’s Your Name” and “That Smell.” Guitarists Rickey Medlocke, Damon Johnson and Mark “Sparky” Matejka blazed through the band’s signature double- and triple-lead harmonies, conjuring the rootsy defiance fans demand at a Skynyrd show.
As the band coasted into “I Know a Little” and “Saturday Night Special,” Peter Keys’ boogie-filled keyboard flourishes and Michael Cartellone’s powerhouse drumming kept the intensity riding high. Public address systems rarely withstand such sonic force; veteran Fallsview attendees agreed it was the casino’s heaviest show yet—even louder than Nickelback or Judas Priest’s recent appearances.
Skynyrd’s deep Southern catalogue was well represented, with “Down South Jukin’,” “Gimme Back My Bullets,” and “The Needle and the Spoon” offering satisfying nods to longtime followers. These tracks, appreciated by die-hards, reaffirmed the band’s penchant for blending blues, pure rock and country storytelling—a tradition the current lineup has eagerly kept alive.
Midset, the atmosphere turned reverent with “Tuesday’s Gone,” a poignant dedication to the late founding member Gary Rossington, who passed in 2023. Damon Johnson’s elegiac guitar and Van Zant’s heartfelt delivery transformed the Casino into a tribute hall, with fans holding out glowing phones for one of Skynyrd’s most affecting ballads.
The show’s emotional arc resolved into anthemic celebration as “Simple Man” and the swaggering “Gimme Three Steps” returned the crowd to jubilant singalongs. Van Zant reminded the audience that Skynyrd’s mission is legacy first, the band never seeking polish but always honest grit—a sentiment echoed in each guitar-driven refrain.
“Call Me the Breeze,” a raucous J.J. Cale cover, set up “Sweet Home Alabama” for the night’s biggest eruption. The assembled fans—many sporting vintage T-shirts—sent a wall of voices up toward the rafters, aided by Skynyrd’s formidable ensemble and expert stagecraft.
Throughout, the band was anchored by Carol Chase and Stacy Michelle, the two female background vocalists whose harmonies lent richness and Southern soul to every chorus. Their blending was seamless, elevating the arrangements far beyond nostalgia into living, breathing rock theatre.
The moment every fan anticipated finally struck as Skynyrd unleashed a marathon rendition of “Free Bird” for the encore. Matejka and Johnson stretched the iconic guitar solo into the kind of dizzying climax that’s made the band a concert institution; Fallsview Casino swelled with energy, echoing the phrase “this bird you cannot change” in collective rock catharsis.
Terra Lightfoot, a multi-Juno Award nominee, opened the concert with a fiercely expressive solo set that brilliantly showcased her powerhouse vocals and commanding, blues-inflected guitar work. Representing her Hamilton and Waterdown roots, Lightfoot captivated the crowd with a signature style that put her dynamic range centre stage. Performing with genuine joy, she drew an enthusiastic response early in the night, especially with her parents in attendance—making the hometown connection especially meaningful for both the artist and audience.
Lynyrd Skynyrd Setlist:
- Workin’ for MCA
- What’s Your Name
- That Smell
- I Know a Little
- Saturday Night Special
- Down South Jukin’
- Gimme Back My Bullets
- The Needle and the Spoon
- Tuesday’s Gone
- Simple Man
- Gimme Three Steps
- Call Me the Breeze
- Sweet Home Alabama
Encore:
- Free Bird
All photos by Dan Savoie
Lynyrd Skynyrd:
Terra Lightfoot:
