When Foreigner takes the stage at Halifax’s Scotiabank Centre on October 24, fans can expect more than a nostalgic trip through the band’s greatest hits as the rock legends usher in a new era and are joined by Halifax’s Marine Drive Voices Choir.
These are songs that have become part of people’s worlds … We always want to do them justice, to bring authenticity and heart to every performance. – Michael Bluestein
A band in transition
After decades of chart-topping anthems like Hot Blooded, and Waiting for a Girl Like You, the band is embracing change as long-time frontman Kelly Hansen, who recently took his final bow in Atlantic City, passes the torch to guitarist Luis Maldonado, a five-year veteran ready to lead Foreigner into its next chapter.
Keyboardist Michael Bluestein, with the band since 2008, calls the tour a moment of transformation, one that honors the past while embracing the future. “It’s kind of a transitional time,” says Bluestein. “Luis is a phenomenal singer, an amazing frontman, and he’s made the transition pretty seamless for us. It’s a really good fit.”
That smooth transition, Bluestein adds, owes much to the band’s stability with bassist Jeff Pilson now in his 21st year, drummer Chris Frazier marks 13, and guitarist Bruce Watson 14.
Still, for all the changes, one thing remains constant: the thrill of performing Foreigner’s biggest hits. “I’m always conscious that it’s a brand-new set of people each night,” says Bluestein. “They’re super excited about the songs, about being there. I tune into that energy and the spontaneity and excitement in the room. That’s what fuels me.”
A local connection
That energy doesn’t stop at the edge of the stage. At each tour stop, Foreigner invites a local school choir to join them for I Want to Know What Love Is. “It’s part of our campaign to raise awareness for school music and arts programs,” says Bluestein. “Those programs are often the first to go when budgets are cut, so we’ve been doing this for years now.”
In Halifax, the Marine Drive Voices Choir under the direction of Nick Pettipas will join the band on stage.
Based in Cole Harbour, Pettipas’s Marine Drive music programme takes a hands-on approach to developing young musicians. “One of the things about Marine Drive,” he says, “is it’s a private music education school where you learn more about the industry, less maybe the formal side. I teach and help create opportunities for youth who want to be in the music industry.”
The choir, usually a compact group of fewer than ten singers, has swelled to 25 members for the Foreigner concert. All are teenagers aged 13 to 18, drawn from across the Halifax Regional Municipality and the Eastern Shore.
The opportunity came after local rock station Surge 105 sent out a call for choirs to join Foreigner on stage. “I put together a video of my students performing I Want to Know What Love Is and sent it in,” says Pettipas. “On Friday, I got the call; it was pretty great.”
The students’ enthusiasm was instant. “The best part about these kids is they love music,” says Pettipas. “When I said ‘Foreigner,’ that’s all I had to say. They didn’t even care about the rest. They just said, ‘Yep, we want to do this.’ They love performing.”
The young singers have rehearsed the classic entirely by ear. “We don’t have sheet music,” says Pettipas. “We made sure we were in the same key, following the recording exactly. The band wanted it to sound authentic, like the original.”
He credits Marine Drive’s broad approach to music education with preparing his students to connect with rock anthems from an earlier era. “We make sure the kids have a variety of repertoire — the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s are such excellent tools to work with. A lot of modern music doesn’t show them real harmonies or vocal blends, so this helps them hear the real thing — the authenticity of live singers.”
The performance, Pettipas says, is both a teaching moment and a celebration. “It’s such a wholesome event, for the kids, for the band, and for the audience. They’re learning professionalism, how to operate at the top level. They’re getting the opportunity to see what it takes to work with a world-class band.”
Bridging generations
The result is a concert experience that bridges generations. Bluestein often sees college students, teenagers, and lifelong fans singing side by side. “People from the ’60s and ’70s have had kids and grandkids, and they’re playing these tunes, making playlists, bringing them along to the shows,” he says.
As Foreigner’s keyboardist, Bluestein relishes his role in defining the band’s sound. Songs like Waiting for a Girl Like You, Head Games, and Long, Long Way from Home rely heavily on his signature parts. But one number, fitting for this particular tour, always rises above the rest. “Juke Box Hero is the one I come back to,” he says. “Not just from a keyboard perspective, but for the whole travel and spirit of the song.”
That spirit has found new life in another form: Juke Box Hero: The Musical, originally premiered in Canada, is being reimagined under a new working title, Feels Like the First Time. While Bluestein isn’t directly involved, he’s watching the project’s progress with pride.
Dartmouth’s Geordie Brown, who starred in the original stage version of Juke Box Hero: The Musical, will reunite with the band in Halifax. “They’re workshopping it now in New York with Adam Pascal from Rent,” says Bluestein. “We’ll see where the journey for the musical goes, but it’s exciting.”
Keeping the flame alive
Nearly five decades after Foreigner’s debut, Bluestein says the band’s legacy still feels as vital as ever. “These are songs that have become part of people’s worlds; part of the fabric of American life, Canadian life, and really around the globe,” he says. “We always want to do them justice, to bring authenticity and heart to every performance.”
Even with a packed touring schedule that runs through December, Bluestein continues to explore new creative avenues. His downtempo solo project Beat Glider has released six tracks this year, and he’s recording new music with his fiancée under the name Tina Blue, including a forthcoming children’s album.
“There’s really no sign of slowing down,” he says. “We’re going pretty hard through December, then we’ll take a short break for the holidays. But yeah, there’s lots going on.”
As Foreigner prepares to bring its Juke Box Hero Tour to Halifax, with a revitalized lineup, a commitment to music education, and a connection to audiences across generations, the group shows that longevity in rock isn’t just about holding on; it’s about evolving without losing the spark.
Foreigner, with special guests 54.40, play the Scotiabank Centre in Halifax on October 24, 2025. Tickets are now available through Ticketmaster or by visiting scotiabank-centre.com for more information.