After an extended hiatus so Ann Wilson could successfully battle cancer, Heart triumphantly returned to the stage at Crypto.com Arena on Monday, proving that rock and resilience go hand in hand. The legendary Wilson sisters delivered a performance that was equal parts emotional and electrifying.
British new wave staple Squeeze kicked things off, and it didn’t take long for the crowd to find their groove. The seven-piece band came armed with classics like “Tempted” and “In Quintessence”, with an accordion player joining in to add an extra layer of texture.
Chris Difford, Squeeze’s rhythm guitarist and one of two remaining founding members (along with lead singer Glenn Tilbrook), showed off some impressive versatility, switching between slide guitar and mandolin, and shining particularly bright on “Goodbye, Girl”. Squeeze’s tight, buoyant performance set the stage for the rock and roll force to follow.
Anticipation built throughout the building during an intro montage set to Peter Gabriel’s “The Feeling Begins” rolled on the big screens, flashing through scenes from every year of Heart’s storied career. Then, as the opening chords of “Bébé Le Strange” rang out, the stage lit up red, the band’s silhouettes forming a powerful visual before the curtain dropped to reveal the full ensemble.
Frontwoman Ann Wilson, with her signature powerhouse vocals, made an emotional return to the stage following her battle with cancer. Sporting short hair and seated in a wheelchair—due to a nasty fall a few days before the tour, not cancer—Ann exuded strength, resilience, and an undeniable passion for performing. She wasted no time launching into the fiery rock anthem “Never”, her voice still commanding the room.
Heart’s seven-piece band filled the arena with lush, soaring melodies, as the night became a deep dive into the group’s rich discography, complete with tales from its storied career.
Ann introduced “Love Alive” as one of the first songs they ever wrote and took a moment to reflect on the early days of Heart, leading into “Little Queen”. She recalled a scathing review that once compared their music to “putting the foghorn industry out of business” (ouch), but the band has clearly had the last laugh.
After delivering “Straight On”, the band took a detour into David Bowie’s catalog with a rousing cover of “Let’s Dance”. Guitarist Nancy Wilson stepped up for a stirring rendition of “These Dreams”, her delicate vocals washing over the crowd like a dream itself. “Crazy On You” followed, and the classic’s opening acoustic flurry sent the crowd into a frenzy.
Heart — “Straight On”, “Let’s Dance” (David Bowie) — 3/3/25
[Video: SoCalLiveitLive]
Ann took a moment to reflect on the band’s history in Los Angeles, reminiscing about recording albums in Hollywood and how, despite the chaos of recent years—including wildfires—L.A. still felt like a second home. This sentiment bled beautifully into “Dog & Butterfly”, a song she explained was about a young seeker searching for answers from someone who truly knows.
Nancy then took the lead, recounting how she had written “Dreamboat Annie” while watching a tugboat disappear into the ocean. This led seamlessly into a breathtaking cover of Led Zeppelin’s “Going to California”, proving once again that the Wilson sisters are among the most qualified rockers alive to channel the spirit of Zeppelin.
Related: Watch Heart Crush A Led Zeppelin Cover For Howard Stern
One of the night’s most poignant moments came when Nancy introduced “4 Edward”, a song she wrote in honor of Eddie Van Halen. She shared a story about gifting Eddie an acoustic guitar and later receiving a phone call where he played something breathtaking over the line. After he passed in 2020, Nancy built the song around what she remembered from that moment. It was a quiet, reverent interlude that showcased Nancy’s emotive musicianship.
The band then ramped things back up, building to a seamless blend between “Alone” and “What About Love”. “Magic Man” came next, putting the arena fully under Heart’s spell. Rather than stepping off before an encore, Heart played right through.
First up was “Sand”, a deep cut from the Wilson sisters’ Lovemongers project, written for a friend lost to AIDS. As touching as that emotional moment was, the night wouldn’t end on a soft note; Heart had one final explosion left.
A ferocious cover of Led Zeppelin’s “The Ocean” had the crowd headbanging in approval, and of course, the unmistakable opening riff of “Barracuda” sent the arena into a frenzy. The song was as electrifying as ever, with Ann’s vocals hitting like a freight train and Nancy’s guitar licks slicing through the air.
Heart’s performance at Crypto.com Arena was more than just a rock show; it was a testament to the endurance of great music and the resilience of its creators. Ann Wilson’s return to the stage was nothing short of heroic, her voice still an untamed force of nature. Nancy Wilson’s guitar work remained sharp and soulful. The sisters’ storytelling added a personal touch to the night, and the entire band proved that Heart’s legacy is as potent as ever.
For those who missed this unforgettable evening, Heart’s tour continues across North America through winter and spring, and well into the summer. Find tickets and tour dates here or on the secondary market. Check out some photos from Monday’s show by Chris Cain along with some fan-shot videos.
Heart — “Bébé Le Strange” — 3/3/25
[Video: SoCalLiveitLive]
