Tom Petty @ Target Center
Posted on July 24th, 2008 – 1:05 AMBy Jon Bream
Was that a terrific performance or what? Sharp, focused, enthusiastic, fun, great Mike Campbell guitar work, strong Petty vocalizing, ferocious drums by Steve Ferrone, crowd-pleasing set list. As I said in my review, the only disappointment was that opening act Steve Winwood didn’t sit in with Petty as he has done on several other concerts this sumer.
As for Winwood, the new stuff from his “Nine Lives” disc was bland and boring. But he sparkled on the flashbacks — Traffic’s “Dear Mr. Fantasy,” Spencer Davis’ “Gimme Some Lovin” and his own “Higher Love.”
Here is what Petty and Heartbreakers played:
1,. You Wreck Me 2. Listen to Her Heart 3. I Won’t Back Down 4. Even the Losers 5. Free Fallin 6. Mary Jane 7. End of the Line (Traveling Wilburys) 8. Breakdown 9. Saving Grace 10. A Face in the Crowd 11. Honey Bee 12. Learning to Fly 13. Don’t Come Around Here No more. 14. Refugee ENCORE 15. Runnin’ Down a Dream 16. Gloria (Van Morrison) 17. American Girl.
What did you think of the show? Please post your comments here.
18 Responses to "Tom Petty @ Target Center"
Winwood’s new songs were intricate, funky and heartfelt. There was nothing “bland” about them, and those in the crowd who actually came to hear music enjoyed them and responded accordingly. He could have easily played a half-dozen more hits; the fact that he did not and still earned a standing ovation speaks volumes. If only we could get him back for a show at First Avenue or the State…
I very much enjoyed the show but what was up with the 2006-2007 Timberwolves cups that were being used at the Target Center? Were the cups just lying around for the past 2 years?
It also seemed like they had very few novelty items, only shot glasses and coffee mugs at the stand I was at.
I also did not find Steve Winwood to be bland in the slightest. Very Bluesy, very cool and very enjoyable. I thought the show overall was phenomanal. The energy from both bands and audience was perfect. So glad I decided to go at the last minute!
I enjoyed every bit of the Tom Petty & Steve Winwood gig at the Target Center last night. Both sets were fantastic. I was not expecting Steve to do a full set so I was floored to hear every tune he did which was great.
As for the Heartbreakers, what can I say? The songs and the bands playing were very solid and I recognized much of the material. Sure, there were a few tracks I may have taken a while to recognize but most of it came to me right off the bat and the band was on fire all night!
Kudos to both Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers and Steve Winwood for a fabulous show!
Everybody slags the critic when they don’t agree with them. You got to give Mr. Bream credit for this one - he got it right. What a great show. Winwood was a great opening act, and this was the best show Petty has put on in the Cities in this decade. Not much to say, because it doesn’t get much better than last night.
Totally agreed with Bream on Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers - they were totally awesome! What a showman, so entertaining! However, very disappointed with the sound for Steve Winwood’s band - where was the bass player? It sounded like they were trying to play bass from the Hammond organ and it didn’t work - way too mushy, not crisp enough sound. Again, Winwood rocked, but the sound stunk.
WOW!!! This concert was brilliant!!! As a baby-boomer, who has been to a few concerts over the years, this was the ultimate pairing of two outstanding bands who both put their heart and soul into their performances. Steve Winwood “bland and boring”? I don’t think so! Could have listened to him all night! Would have loved to have heard Winwood and Petty playing together on stage…my only disappointment. Thanks to both for a wonderful evening!
We’re trying to decide if we’ve seen a better Petty show and - no…
Agree that Winwood and Petty together would be the only disappointment. I was surprised at how energetic Petty was. Also, how awesome was Gloria on the encore!
This was one of the best arena shows that I have seen in years. I thought that Tom Petty was much edgier than I have seen him before. I loved it. The concert also benefitted from extended features of the piano player Benmont Tench III. Another tell-tale sign that this concert was a blowout was that as we left the Target Center everyone was still singing Petty songs, chanting and cheering. This continued all the way to the parking garage. Try and name the last concert where that happened. It didn’t hurt that Minneapolis concert-goers are a great crowd. In the words of Tom Petty last night “you guys are out of control.” Guilty as charged.
The Finest Rock and Roll Band in America.
Scratch that - The World!
You simply can not compare the legacy, the catalog, the taste, the skill, the look, the genius of TP&H to any of the so-called “rock” bands that are pretenders to his throne.
(Winwood’s new stuff was indeed absolutely bland, the “hits” were….OK).
Winwood was BORING and BLAND-No energy or stage presence
Petty was incredible and so was his band. Every song they played was a hit. They had a vibe that Winwood didn’t have. And they had amazing stage presence and energy. BEST CONCERT EVER!
Anyone who didn’t get what Winwood was doing does not know anything about music. Glad you had fun waving your cel phones around to Mary Jane and hollering at Wally the Beer Man.
Now go back to Blaine and shut up.
Great show, horrible seats. We were on the side of the stage and couldn’t see the “lightshow.”
Note to self : don’t sit on the side of the stage, even if it is front row!!!
Music, atmosphere was incredible 
I would have liked to have heard a few more “obscure” songs…. Good to be King, Yer So Bad. There’s always next year!!
Yet another exhilarating Petty performance….this was the sixth time for me seeing the young man and his Heartbreakers(including two and a half weeks prior at Summerfest in Milwaukee)….Petty’s shows never get old and the crowd on Wednesday was certainly into it…..the party continues to go on!!!
I’m a big Petty fan and on this tour I saw him perform in Chicago, Milwaukee, and then Minneapolis. Out of the three, the show at the Target Center was definitely the best - he seemed more energetic and the Heartbreakers were spot on. I liked Winwood’s sound and did not think he was boring at all - his stuff complemented TPHB very well.
Wish I could tag along for the rest of the tour!
Tome Petty pulse Heatseakers continues to be sold in thier preformances. Viewer sohws in Cargo’ Milwalkee adn Minneapolis and tihs wases best. Tom Woodwind wases not bouncing _ was reviwer at sohw?
I think the fact that Winwood did not sing with Tom Petty is that Petty did not want to take away from his set. I think this was a Petty decision. I thought that Steve Winwood was unreal. Just stunk that the house lights were on when he started “Im a Man”. As Rodney said, “No Respect!”.
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