Rod Stewart Brings Nostalgia, Swagger, and a Lot of Sparkle to Columbia, MD
Words by Mike Sprouse
Photos by OddRocker Photography
Rod Stewart recently brought his One Last Time Tour to Merriweather Post Pavilion, and if this truly was his swan song, he went out swinging. With his signature shag still defying gravity and a wardrobe that sparkled like a Vegas skyline, Stewart delivered a high-octane, deeply nostalgic set that hit every corner of his five-decade career.
It was clear from the opening notes that this wasn’t going to be a somber goodbye — it was going to be a party.
From the funk-fueled stomp of “Infatuation” and “Tonight I’m Yours” to the soul-drenched ballads “Forever Young” and “Mandolin Wind,” the night moved seamlessly between camp, charisma, and emotional gut-punches on July 19. Backed by a killer band, a couple of powerhouse vocalists and what looked like enough leopard print to clothe a small village, Stewart owned every inch of the stage — prancing, winking, crooning, and grinning like the last rock star at the party.
But it was “The First Cut Is the Deepest” that first made the pavilion take a breath. And then “Forever Young” — and you could feel it, the weight of the moment. People swaying, singing, clutching their partners a little closer.
Watch the official music video for “Forever Young” by Rod Stewart on YouTube:
Still, Stewart didn’t linger too long in the tender stuff before throwing us headlong into the glitter-disco chaos of “Lady Marmalade,” “Hot Stuff,” and “Love Train,” as sung by his backing vocalists. The crowd — stretching from the front rail to the edge of the lawn — was fully locked in by that point, dancing like nobody cared if their beer sloshed or their knees cracked. But the night’s emotional apex belonged to “Mandolin Wind.” For a moment, Rod went still. No strut. No smirk. Just him, his band, and a song that quieted 20,000 people to near silence and it reminded you that behind all the flash, Rod Stewart is — first and last — a storyteller.
He followed it with “Maggie May,” naturally, and it detonated like an emotional firework. Phones out. Arms in the air, with every voice raised, imperfect but united.
“Do Ya Think I’m Sexy?” turned into a glitter-drenched dance floor moment, complete with synchronized sass from the backing singers and Rod milking every beat with exaggerated charm. The spirited “Hot Legs” came in screaming just before the encore break, closing the main set with full-volume swagger.
And then, one final wink: “Some Guys Have All the Luck.” A perfect farewell. Not maudlin, not self-important — just joyful and just Rod.
Watch the official music video for “Some Guys Have All the Luck” by Rod Stewart on YouTube:
If this was the last time we’ll see Rod Stewart in Columbia, he left us with the full spectrum — soul, laughter, glam, grit, and songs that have filled whole chapters of people’s lives. We walked out under the trees at Merriweather not feeling like we saw a goodbye… but like we were part of a celebration.
Setlist
1. Infatuation
2. Tonight I’m Yours (Don’t Hurt Me)
3. It’s a Heartache
4. It Takes Two
5. The First Cut Is the Deepest
6. Tonight’s the Night (Gonna Be Alright)
7. Forever Young
8. Ooh La La
9. Young Turks
10. Maggie May
11. I’d Rather Go Blind
12. Lady Marmalade
13. Mandolin Wind
14. Reason to Believe
15. Have I Told You Lately
16. Hot Stuff
17. Love Train
18. Rhythm of My Heart
19. Do Ya Think I’m Sexy?
20. Hot Legs
Encore
21. Some Guys Have All the Luck
Here are some photos of Rod Stewart performing live at Merriweather Post Pavilion on July 19, 2025. All pictures copyright and courtesy of Michael Sprouse/ Odd Rocker Photography.
