WARRANT, FIREHOUSE In St. Petersburg, FL With Photos!

Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at 11:11 AM

By Travis Failey, Planet Earth Contributor

Bands Turn Up the Heat At Ferg's Pavilion On July 17th

All Live Photos By Travis Failey Photography
Band Photo Credit: Stephen Jensen - F3 Studios

There are few things more fitting than hearing Sunset Strip anthems on a warm Florida summer night, and WARRANT and FIREHOUSE delivered exactly that when the “Turn Up The Good Times Tour” rolled into Ferg's Concert Pavilion in downtown St. Petersburg on Friday night, fans were treated to a night of rock 'n' roll that celebrated an era when big choruses, ballads, soaring guitar solos, and unapologetic fun ruled the airwaves.

From the moment the gates opened, Ferg's was buzzing. Fans sporting vintage concert shirts from the late '80s and early '90s packed the courtyard, proving that great songs never really go out of style. Unlike a traditional theater, the intimate outdoor setting created a giant backyard party atmosphere where every seat—and every standing spot—felt close to the action.

FIREHOUSE took the stage first and immediately reminded everyone why they've quietly remained one of the strongest live acts from the melodic hard rock era.

Opening with "Overnight Sensation," the band wasted no time launching into a string of fan favorites that included "All She Wrote," "Shake & Tumble," "Oughta Be a Law," and "Lover's Lane." The group balanced powerful musicianship with a relaxed confidence that only comes from decades on the road.

Current vocalist Nate Peck continues to honor the legacy of the late C.J. Snare while making the songs his own. Rather than trying to imitate Snare note-for-note, Peck delivers the material with authenticity, effortlessly hitting the soaring melodies that have always defined FIREHOUSE’S sound.

Founding guitarist Bill Leverty remains one of hard rock's most tasteful players. His tone was crisp, his solos fluid, and his extended guitar feature showcased why he's long deserved more recognition among the great guitarists of the genre.
The emotional centerpiece of the set came with "Love of a Lifetime." Thousands of voices sang every word as cell phone lights illuminated the Florida sky with a special moment occurring on stage as the band had a husband and wife dance to the song.

Moments later, FIREHOUSE shifted gears with "Reach for the Sky" before closing with the undeniable crowd favorite "Don't Treat Me Bad," sending fans into intermission on a high note.

For someone who was never a huge fan of the band, FIREHOUSE was amazing on Friday night, especially Nate Peck. He dominated the stage, hit every note and then some and it seemed like he has been with the band for years. Truly impressed by this young man as he has revived FIREHOUSE like Brett Carlisle has done for GREAT WHITE.

When WARRANT finally hit the stage, the crowd's energy somehow climbed even higher.

Opening with "Down Boys," the band immediately transformed Ferg's into one giant sing-along. Frontman Robert Mason once again demonstrated why he's been the perfect choice to carry the band's legacy forward. Mason doesn't try to be Jani Lane; instead, he brings his own charisma and vocal power while honoring the songs that made WARRANT one of the biggest bands of the late-'80s rock explosion. He was all over the stage, swinging the mic stand and engaging with the fans.

Founding members Jerry Dixon, Joey Allen, and Steven Sweet continue to perform with remarkable chemistry and enthusiasm. Their years together were evident throughout the evening as guitar harmonies, playful interactions, and effortless musicianship kept the momentum rolling.

Robbie Crane filled in for WARRANT’s original bassist Jerry Dixon and once again proved why he is perfect for the role. Crane has been playing bass as a hired gun for decades in this genre, as I saw and met him while playing in Vince Neil’s solo band way back in 1995. Robbie is a true professional on and off the stage, and the rhythm section didn’t miss a beat all night.

The set covered nearly every era fans wanted to hear. "Heaven" provided one of the night's biggest sing-alongs, while heavier tracks like "Uncle Tom's Cabin" and "Machine Gun" reminded everyone that WARRANT always possessed more musical depth than their "hair band" label suggested. Their 3rd and 4thalbums, Dog Eat Dog and Ultraphobic, are really strong and are worth listening to again, as Janie’s songwriting really reaches another level on these releases.

Say what you want about Lane and it's unfortunate how his life tragically played out, but Janie was an amazing songwriter and natural musician, teaching himself how to play drums, guitar, and piano by ear by age five. Lane also wrote all the material for the debut D.R.F.S.R. which sold millions of albums.

Naturally, the party reached its peak during "Cherry Pie." As soon as the opening riff echoed through the pavilion, drinks were raised, fists pumped into the air, and virtually every person in attendance became part of the chorus. It was one of those concert moments where the audience essentially became another member of the band.

Ferg's Concert Pavilion continues to establish itself as one of the Tampa Bay area's premier outdoor concert venues. The intimate setting allowed fans to experience two nationally touring acts without the distance often found in larger amphitheaters. The sound mix remained strong throughout the evening, with both bands delivering clear vocals and balanced instrumentation despite the outdoor environment.

Just as importantly, the atmosphere reflected everything classic rock concerts should be—friendly, energetic, and filled with fans simply enjoying timeless music together.

Nostalgia may bring fans through the gates, but performances like these are what keep them coming back.

FIREHOUSE reminded everyone why they've remained one of rock's most consistently excellent live bands, while WARRANT proved that their catalog extends far beyond one signature hit. Together they delivered nearly three hours of memorable music that celebrated one of rock's most enduring eras without feeling like a museum piece.

For longtime fans, it was a trip back to their youth. For younger attendees, it was an opportunity to discover why these songs have endured for nearly four decades.

The “Turn Up The Good Times Tour” lived up to its name in St. Petersburg, delivering a high-energy summer concert filled with exceptional musicianship, massive sing-alongs, and enough “Cherry Pie” to satisfy fans well into the night.
The tour rolls on with additional dates listed here: https://warrantrocks.com/tour-dates

FIREHOUSE