Heart Brings the “Royal Flush Tour” to Bethel Woods: A Night of Rock, Memory, and Unity
On August 30, 2025, Heart rolled into Bethel, New York, for a summer night show at the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts—a pavilion-and-lawn venue that buzzed with anticipation long before showtime. With Todd Rundgren listed as a special guest, the evening promised celebration, community, and a deep dive into classic rock history. Showtime was set for 7:30 p.m., right as golden-hour light draped the hillside.
A Stage Built on Heritage
Bethel Woods sits on the historic grounds of Woodstock ’69, and that heritage shaped the night. Peace, joy, and communal singing seemed woven into the hillside itself. For Heart, already on a high-energy 2025 “Royal Flush Tour,” it was a stage that felt like homecoming territory—a place where their career-spanning setlist could resonate even more deeply.
The Opening Surge
Rundgren’s guest appearance primed the crowd with celebratory spirit, setting the tone for a night of melody and musicianship. By the time Ann and Nancy Wilson walked onstage, the pavilion was on its feet and the lawn a sea of expectant energy. The first songs hit that perfect cruising speed—big riffs, glowing harmonies, and dynamic shifts that kept grins wide across the crowd.
Early Highlights
“Bebe Le Strange” strutted with swagger, “Never” punched clean and sharp, and “Love Alive” shimmered with chiming radiance, tailor-made for a summer evening. “Little Queen” earned a roar of recognition, while the misty glow of “These Dreams” reminded everyone of how deeply these songs live inside people’s lives.
Led Zeppelin Tributes
Heart’s long-standing affection for Led Zeppelin colored the middle stretch. Their rendition of “Going to California” hushed the crowd, “The Rain Song” unfolded with patient grace, and “The Ocean” splashed with celebratory stomp. These weren’t mere covers; they were love letters, stamped with Heart’s own ink.
Dance Floor Energy
A joyful mid-set surge stitched “Straight On” to “Let’s Dance,” transforming the amphitheater into an open-air party. The pairing was clever and irresistible, marrying Heart’s funk-edged pulse with Bowie’s sleek shimmer, sending the crowd into full-throttle celebration.
The Ballad Peak
The emotional center of the night came with “Alone / What About Love.” Braided together, the ballads soared as one—tension, release, and catharsis carried on a hillside chorus of thousands. It was the moment fans had been waiting for, a reminder of why these songs remain timeless.
A Reflective Pause
Nancy Wilson’s instrumental “4 Edward,” a gentle tribute to Eddie Van Halen, provided a quiet center. Warm and lyrical, it gave the show balance—virtuosity paired with vulnerability, intimacy placed alongside bombast.
A Communal Anthem
When the band launched into “You’re the Voice,” the John Farnham anthem co-written by Chris Thompson, the amphitheater erupted into a fist-lifting chorus. In Bethel, it felt like a mission statement: one voice multiplied by thousands, echoing across ground that already knew what unity through song meant.
The Grand Finale
As the finish line drew near, Heart tightened the set’s grip: “Magic Man” shimmered with velvet-steel magnetism, and “Barracuda” landed with ferocity, sending the night out in a storm of riffs and cheers. Fans left replaying guitar lines and high notes, buzzing with joy.
A Night That Lingers
Walking back to the parking lots, it was hard not to feel lighter. A summer night, a legendary hillside, and a band that still plays with heart in every sense of the word. For those who gathered, “Alone” and “What About Love” weren’t just songs on a setlist—they became shared memories, newly polished and joyously loud.