Rockin' Thunder 2025: Def Leppard, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Foreigner, and Toque - Winnipeg, MB

Winnipeg’s Princess Auto Stadium was absolutely buzzing on July 9, 2025, as the inaugural Rockin’ Thunder roared into town, delivering a marathon evening of timeless rock anthems and arena-shaking sing-alongs. With a bill stacked with classic hitmakers—Def Leppard, Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, Foreigner, and hometown heroes Toque—the event drew a massive, multi-generational crowd ready to relive rock’s golden eras and prove these songs still pack just as much punch in 2025.

Toque. Photos by Samuel Stevens.

Kicking off the night under the summer sun, Winnipeg’s own Toque wasted no time igniting the stadium. Opening with the slick, hook-driven “Never Enough For You,” the band leaned into their mix of originals and Canadian rock tributes. “Forever in a Day” and “Up To You” showcased tight musicianship and rich harmonies, while their take on The Age of Electric’s “Ugly” drew knowing cheers from the local faithful. The highlight came with their fiery cover of April Wine’s “Roller,” which had the early arrivals on their feet, fists pumping, and proudly singing along. Toque set the tone: this was going to be a night where the hits—past and present—would take center stage. As the sun began to dip, Foreigner stormed the stage to the pounding intro of “Double Vision,” instantly pulling thousands to their feet. Kelly Hansen, now firmly cemented as one of rock’s most charismatic frontmen, worked the stage with boundless energy, keeping the band’s legacy alive with respect and fire. “Cold as Ice” and “Urgent” hit with full force, their sax solos and tight rhythms cutting through the summer air. The standout emotional moment came when the band brought out the Daniel MacIntyre Collegiate Institute choir for “I Want to Know What Love Is,” filling the stadium with soaring harmonies and goosebump-inducing power. They closed with “Hot Blooded,” sending the crowd into a frenzy, every lyric echoing across the stands like a rallying cry for rock fans everywhere.

Foreigner. Photos by Samuel Stevens.

If rock ’n’ roll attitude could be bottled, Joan Jett would own the patent. Striding out with her signature black leather jacket and guitar, she kicked off with “Victim of Circumstance” before tearing into the Runaways’ classic “Cherry Bomb.” Her set was a perfect blend of career-defining hits, covers given the Jett treatment, and newer tracks like “Change the World” and “Different” that prove she’s still creating with passion. The crowd’s energy peaked during “I Love Rock ’n’ Roll” and “Crimson & Clover,” as the stadium transformed into one giant sing-along. She wrapped with a defiant one-two punch of “I Hate Myself for Loving You” and “Bad Reputation,” walking off without fanfare—because, frankly, she doesn’t need any. Joan Jett remains the embodiment of rock authenticity.

By the time Def Leppard took the stage, the sky was dark, the stage lights were blazing, and anticipation was at a fever pitch. Opening with the explosive “Rock! Rock! (Till You Drop),” the band proved immediately why they remain one of the world’s premier live acts. Joe Elliott’s vocals were strong and commanding, while Phil Collen and Vivian Campbell traded searing guitar leads with effortless chemistry.

The setlist was a perfect balance of deep cuts (“Die Hard the Hunter,” “Let It Go”), 80s chart-toppers (“Animal,” “Love Bites”), and newer material like “Just Like ’73,” which held its own among the classics. Acoustic moments like “This Guitar” and “Two Steps Behind” gave the crowd a chance to catch their breath before the band launched into a triple-punch of “Bringin’ On the Heartbreak,” “Switch 625,” and “Rock of Ages.”

The encore brought the night to a euphoric close: “Hysteria” swelling with emotion, and “Pour Some Sugar on Me” turning Princess Auto Stadium into a dancing, screaming sea of pure joy. It was a masterclass in how to command a massive stage without losing connection to each fan. Rockin’ Thunder lived up to its name—loud, electric, and unrelenting from start to finish. Each act brought something unique: Toque’s Canadian pride, Foreigner’s polished nostalgia, Joan Jett’s unapologetic cool, and Def Leppard’s stadium rock supremacy.

If this was the first edition of Rockin’ Thunder, it set an incredibly high bar for future years. For the thousands who filled the stadium, it wasn’t just a concert—it was a reminder that great rock music doesn’t age; it simply gathers more voices to sing along.