What’s more important: The brand or the band?

Two classic rock bands have announced a joint tour, including an Upstate New York concert. Lynyrd Skynyrd and Foreigner will bring their “Double Trouble Double Vision” tour to the Broadview Stage at SPAC (Saratoga Performing Arts Center) in Saratoga Springs on Aug. 23, 2026.

Tickets go on sale Friday, Nov. 21, at 10 a.m. via Ticketmaster. Fans can also look for tickets on Vivid Seats, StubHub and Seat Geek.

But something’s missing: Neither of the co-headlining acts have any original members.

“Assuming Lou Gramm doesn’t do these dates, pretty sure this will be the first tour ever where neither headline band has any original members,” SiriusXM radio host Eddie Trunk wrote on Facebook. “Which supports my brand over band theory and how no band will ever have to end if people don’t care who is or isn’t in the lineup. Not being critical here, more an observation on where classic rock is today and its ability to be sold. I think fans should care about who is or isn’t in a band and what they are actually seeing and hearing, but from a business standpoint interesting.”

Lynyrd Skynyrd currently features lead singer Johnny Van Zant, the younger brother of late original vocalist Ronnie Van Zant, and guitarist Rickey Medlocke, who first became a member in the early 1970s. The rest of the lineup includes Damon Johnson, Mark “Sparky” Matejka, Michael Cartellone, Robbie Harrington, Peter Keys, Carol Chase, and Stacy Plunk.

Foreigner, celebrating its 50th anniversary next year, now features Luis Maldonado on lead vocals after longtime frontman Kelly Hansen bid farewell in October. Co-founding guitarist Mick Jones is still considered an official member, but no longer performs due to Parkinson’s disease; the current touring band features Maldonado with Jeff Pilson (bass), Michael Bluestein (keyboards), Bruce Watson (guitars), and Chris Frazier (drums).

Lou Gramm, the original voice of Foreigner, has reunited with the band at a handful of shows in the past year. However, he’s not being promoted as part of the tour with Lynyrd Skynyrd and recently said he plans to retire in 2026.

“I’ve been doing this over 54 years, [including with my initial group] Black Sheep,” the Rochester native said last month. “I just feel like there’s some other things that I want to do. I want to spend more time with my children — my older children and my younger child — and spend more time playing with my cars while I’m still capable of driving… I think in this business, you just know when it’s time.”

But if the songs are still great, does it matter? Both Foreigner and Lynyrd Skynyrd are Rock and Roll Hall of Fame groups that have remained popular for five decades. Foreigner hits include “Hot Blooded,” “Cold as Ice,” “I Want to Know What Love Is,” and “Feels Like the First Time,” while Skynyrd favorites include “Sweet Home Alabama,” “Free Bird,” “Simple Man” and “Gimme Three Steps.”

“I’m excited to share the stage with Foreigner and hear all their amazing hits! I’ve always been a fan, and I believe the audience will love this tour. Lynyrd Skynyrd and Foreigner together,” Van Zant said in a statement. ”It doesn’t get much better than that. See y’all in 2026!”

“The energy the band has felt knowing we’ll be touring with Skynyrd this coming summer has been electric,” Pilson added. “Two bands with plenty of iconic songs, dueling guitars, double trouble and double vision are gonna set each and every stage on fire! No question this will be the go-to event of the summer!”

Lynyrd Skynyrd & Foreigner tour dates

July 23 – Atlanta, GA @ Ameris Bank Amphitheatre

July 24 – Charlotte, NC @ PNC Music Pavilion

July 25 – Bristow, VA @ Jiffy Lube Live

July 26 – Holmdel, NJ @ PNC Bank Arts Center

July 30 – Toronto, Ontario @ RBC Amphitheatre

July 31 – Clarkston, MI @ Pine Knob Music Theatre

Aug. 01 – Grand Rapids, MI @ Acrisure Amphitheater

Aug. 06 – Saint Louis, MO @ Hollywood Casino Amphitheater

Aug. 07 – Noblesville, IN @ Ruoff Music Center

Aug. 08 – Cincinnati, OH @ Riverbend Music Center

Aug. 14 – Kansas City, MO @ Morton Amphitheater

Aug. 16 – Shakopee, MN @ Mystic Lake Amphitheater

Aug. 20 – Camden, NJ @ Freedom Mortgage Pavilion

Aug. 21 – Wantagh, NY @ Northwell at Jones Beach Theater

Aug. 22 – Mansfield, MA @ Xfinity Center

Aug. 23 – Saratoga Springs, NY @ Saratoga Performing Arts Center

Aug. 27 – Houston, TX @ Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavillion

Aug. 28 – Dallas, TX @ Dos Equis Pavilion

Aug. 29 – Rogers, AR @ Walmart AMP

If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.