It’s June 21st, officially summertime, and I’m in Bolingbrook, Illinois. There’s two tribute bands, lots of hot lights, cold beer and forty one songs between them, I think they were prepared to kick some heavy metal ass at Tailgaters.

First up was Big City Nights Chicago, who’ve been rocking together since 2023. Singer Mike Krauser, bassist Erik Jason, drummer Adam Wit and guitar slingers Brian David and Tony Plasencia play the best of the Scorpions greatest hits from the late 70’s, 80’s and 90’s, along with some deep cuts thrown in for good measure. This was my third time seeing them and they do not disappoint.

Filling in for Tony on this scorcher of a night was Neven Trifunovich of Spin Lizzy, Cover Dogs, Vicious Circle and Rival. They didn’t miss a beat!

They kicked the set off with He’s a Woman-She’s a Man, then slid right into a barrage of the best of the best from the Scorpions Lovedrive, Blackout and Love at First Sting records, including my personal favorites The Zoo, Coming Home and Still Loving You. They even threw in Lights Out by UFO, a nod to Scorpions former guitarist Michael Schenker.

About halfway through the set, singer Mike Krauser talked with the crowd and reminded us that the Scorpions started their musical run in 1975, and here they were 50 years later, playing their music to share with generations to come.

They closed the set out with Rock You Like a Hurricane, and rock they did!

Next up was Maiden Chicago, who’ve been a metal force to be reckoned with since their 2010 inception. Their current lineup consists of bassist Gary Ingram, drummer Dan Driskill, guitar duo Vic Sabel and Al Contreras, and vocalist Taran de Pablos. Kudos to Taran who had just returned from a mini tour in Spain supporting his original band The Midnight Calls. He was dealing with some vertigo on top of the heat, but you’d never know it. They knocked it out of the park.

They launched their set with Murders in the Rue Morgue and blazed through the rest of the night with nothing but the best:  Killers, Powerslave, 2 Minutes to Midnight, Run to the Hills, The Trooper, Can I Play With Madness, Running Free, Number of the Beast and my all-time favorite, Wasted Years.

This was the first time these bands have played together, and they’ll be doing it again, yet apart, at Tribute Island in Kenosha, Wisconsin on August 1, 2025. Same time, two different stages. Decisions, decisions…..