Rod Stewart may be calling this his One Last Time Tour, but Sunday night’s show at the Vina Robles Amphitheatre (Sept. 21, 2025) suggested otherwise. The legendary rocker isn’t fading quietly into the sunset—he strutted, crooned, and cracked jokes, turning the boutique 3,300-seat venue into a rolling party. Rather than a farewell, it felt like a victory lap.
From the moment Stewart hit the stage with “Infatuation,” he was all swagger. With shaggy blonde hair in full flair and dressed in a trademark flashy-yet-classy outfit, he peacocked across the stage, radiating the energy of someone half his age. The follow-up, “Tonight I’m Yours,” doubled down on that opening punch and raised the pulse of the sold-out crowd, eager to see what tricks he still had up his sequined sleeves.
But Stewart knows a night isn’t all fireworks. The mood softened into a hush during a tender trifecta of ballads: “The First Cut Is the Deepest,” “Tonight’s the Night,” and “Forever Young.” Voices dropped. Couples leaned closer. For a few minutes, the amphitheatre, nestled among Paso Robles’ oak-dotted hills, seemed to pause in collective reflection.
It wasn’t long before Stewart cranked the party back up. With “Do Ya Think I’m Sexy,” the stage transformed into a disco inferno. A throwback light show straight out of Studio 54 bathed the crowd. Stewart—ever the showman—and his four striking background singers, who bantered and danced as much as they harmonized, launched signed soccer balls into the audience. Fans scrambled for souvenirs worthy of a mantelpiece display.
The night’s pacing struck an elegant balance between nostalgia and sheer fun. “Young Turks” and “Maggie May” sparked roars of recognition. Stewart graciously stepped aside for his band to shine. Extended jams and powerhouse solos let the musicians flex, while the vocalists lit up the night with crowd-pleasing covers: Chaka Khan’s “I’m Every Woman” and Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Proud Mary.” These interludes also gave Stewart time for a well-timed wardrobe change—each outfit more dapper than the last.
As the main set neared its close, Stewart dipped back into his Faces roots with a fiery “Stay With Me,” reminding longtime fans of his early ’70s camaraderie with Ronnie Wood. After a brief encore pause, Stewart and company returned with a joyous, singalong take on The O’Jays’ “Love Train.” The evening ended perfectly: generous, communal, celebratory.
The setting itself played a starring role. Since opening in 2013, Vina Robles Amphitheatre has stood out as one of California’s most scenic mid-sized venues. Mission-inspired architecture rises beside oak-draped hillsides, creating an intimate, world-class concert experience. Stewart seemed to sense it—he often smiled at the cozy, glowing space, savoring it. At times, he paused to sip a glass of local wine, clearly enjoying the moment.
If this really is Stewart’s swan song tour, Paso Robles couldn’t have asked for a more dazzling stop. The evening was equal parts party, nostalgia, and heartfelt connection. Stewart paid homage to the African blues roots music that first captured his imagination as a young English singer, and proved he still has the moves, the voice, and the charm—ending the night on a note that will resonate long after the final bow.
