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New Year’s Eve shows always feel a little different. Everyone walks in carrying a whole year on their shoulders and hoping the next one starts on a good note. Pour Bros in Moline has become that place for us. This was our third NYE there, and this time they went all-in on a 1970s disco theme and let us bring in our friend, saxophonist Paul Weddle. That combination pretty much guaranteed things were going to get interesting.

Bell bottoms, sax solos, and one missing voice

From the moment people started walking in, it was clear folks understood the assignment: bell bottoms, sequins, giant collars, the whole deal. There were a lot of smiling faces before we even played a note.

Behind the scenes, it was a little less glamorous. Greg was just coming off a cold and basically had no voice. So the plan became: Greg holds down the keys and anchors the songs, while Tom and Paul handle most of the vocals and harmonies.

Once Paul really dug into the sax on the first tune, the whole night snapped into place. There’s this jolt that runs through us the first time he leans into a solo—suddenly it’s not just a duo anymore, it’s this little 70s band squeezed into a corner of Pour Bros.

Trying out “Low Rider” and a new favorite Supertramp tune

We’d been itching to roll out a couple of new songs for this show, and the disco theme gave us the excuse.

“Low Rider” by WAR was the first debut. On paper, it’s a pretty stripped-down tune, but once we started rehearsing it, we realized how much fun we could have with it—groove locked in, percussion feel on guitar and keys, and those three-part harmonies near the end. Even with Greg’s limited voice, he jumped in on those harmonies, and it turned into this cool little arrangement that fit the 70s night perfectly. Paul absolutely wailed on the sax breaks, including that iconic line between verses. You could see people’s heads pop up like, “Ohhh, this one.”

The other new one was “Take the Long Way Home” by Supertramp. Greg and Tom had played it together before, but this time Tom had taken on all the harmonica parts. The intro alone is one of those moments where you can feel the room recognize the song within three notes. Then we hit the solo section and let Tom and Paul trade licks—harmonica answering sax, back and forth. From our side of the stage, it felt like we’d stumbled into a different band for a minute. Greg was comping away on piano while those two went at it. We all walked off saying some version of, “Yeah… that one’s a keeper.”

Power cables, backup plans, and keeping the room dancing

Of course, it wouldn’t be a New Year’s Eve show without at least one minor crisis. Before we even started, Greg realized he couldn’t find the power cable for his Bose mixer. He tried to improvise with a substitute, and it worked—right up until it didn’t. About halfway through the night, during a break, the mixer just shut off and refused to come back.

Thankfully, there was a backup mixer in the gear pile. With a little cable juggling and some quick re-routing, e had everything patched in again before the break was over. Nobody in the crowd seemed to notice. From our side, it was a small miracle and a reminder of why we always bring more gear than we think we need.

Pour Bros hospitality and a wobbly “YMCA”

One of the reasons we love doing New Year’s Eve at Pour Bros is how well they take care of everyone. They handed us drink cards so we could enjoy  some of the craft beers and wine throughout the night, reserved a table for Tom and Paul’s wives, and put each of us up at Element, the hotel attached to the venue. Knowing you can just roll your gear a few feet and crash upstairs after midnight takes a lot of pressure off the night.

After we counted down to 2026 with the crowd, we packed up, grabbed some food, and hung around to talk with folks. There’s something nice about getting to celebrate with everyone instead of immediately loading into a van and driving off into the cold.

Somewhere in that after-show haze, we decided it was a good idea to take a bunch of ridiculous photos. At one point Greg climbed onto Tom’s shoulders, which is not something we necessarily recommend as a regular band ritual. Then “YMCA” came on, and between the three of us we attempted to spell it out. The result: Greg’s wobbly “Y,” Paul’s lowercase “m,” and Tom’s backwards “C.” We are absolutely not the Village People, but we are Bell & Field with Paul Weddle, and that’s more than enough for us.

Waking up in 2026

New Year’s Day started with the excellent breakfast at Element and a little postmortem on the night—what worked, what surprised us, which songs we want to keep in the rotation. Even with Greg and Paul both fighting off colds and the mid-show mixer drama, it had been a great time. The 70s theme, the saxophone, the new tunes, the crowd in full costume—it all added up to a pretty great way to step into 2026.

If you were there, thanks for ringing in the year with us and for being part of that loud, slightly off-kilter “YMCA” at the end.

About Bell & Field

We’re a piano–guitar live acoustic duo that loves digging into songs from the 60s through the 90s, rearranging them just enough to keep things interesting while still letting people sing along. Nights like this one at Pour Bros are exactly why we do what we do—real people, real rooms, and a few surprises along the way.

If you’re putting together a New Year’s party, a taproom night, or anything that could use a live acoustic duo performance with harmonies, sax cameos, and a few deep-cut 70s tunes, you can reach us through this page. We’d love to see what we can bring to your place.

When Cyndi Lauper took the stage at the Hollywood Bowl for “A GRAMMY Salute to Cyndi Lauper: Live From the Hollywood Bowl,” it was more than a concert. It felt like a homecoming that was decades in the making. Over two nights of performances, filmed for broadcast on October 5, 2025, the special marked both the close of her “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” farewell tour and the prelude to her Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction later that year. It was a vibrant, emotional look back at one of pop music’s most fearless artists.

Setting the Stage: Timing, Scale, and Symbolism

Pulling off a tribute concert while the honoree is still performing is no small feat. Yet CBS, The Recording Academy, and Lauper’s team delivered something rare: a live television event that felt genuinely alive. The timing was perfect. Lauper wrapped her farewell tour with those Hollywood Bowl shows, then turned the finale into a filmed celebration of her career. Variety called it “a pleasing presentation of her farewell tour finale,” and the phrase fits perfectly.

There was symbolism everywhere. Lauper stood on one of America’s most storied stages, surrounded by artists she inspired and peers who helped shape her generation. For longtime fans, it felt like watching a circle close, while new audiences got to see why she still matters. Forty years after her debut, Lauper’s impact hasn’t dimmed one bit.

Standout Moments: Guests, Surprises, and the Emotional Peak

The show was built on collaboration and reverence. The guest list was staggering: Cher, Joni Mitchell, John Legend, SZA, Angélique Kidjo, Mickey Guyton, Trombone Shorty, and Jake Wesley Rogers. Each brought something personal, transforming the night into a living conversation between artists and eras.

When Joni Mitchell joined Lauper for “Carey,” the crowd fell silent. Lauper introduced her as “my hero,” and it showed. Billboard reported Lauper was visibly emotional, and it was clear this was not just a duet but a generational exchange between two icons.

And then came Cher. Their duet on “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” was pure theater. Both wore white coats with red polka dots, echoing Lauper’s early MTV style. They laughed, traded lines, and at one point Cher grinned and said, “No, you’re the queen.” The moment was lighthearted, funny, and full of mutual respect. It was two legends sharing the same oxygen and having fun with it.

“Time After Time” with John Legend

But the emotional centerpiece was Lauper’s duet with John Legend on “Time After Time.” It was stripped-down, heartfelt, and haunting in its simplicity. No heavy effects, no overproduction—just two voices, a piano, and the kind of quiet that lets the song breathe. Lauper’s tone was tender, Legend’s phrasing elegant, and the result was an interpretation that felt timeless.

It was also a reminder of how good songwriting never ages. “Time After Time” has lived many lives, but this performance felt personal, almost like Lauper was passing the torch to another generation. For musicians, it’s the kind of song you wish you had written: simple, melodic, emotionally bulletproof.

The Music as a Story

The setlist played like a career retrospective told through sound. She opened with “She Bop,” kept the energy high with “The Goonies ‘R’ Good Enough,” and then pulled the mood inward with “Sally’s Pigeons” and “I Drove All Night.” By the midpoint, “Time After Time” had the crowd swaying, phones aloft, and the finale—”True Colors” into “Girls Just Want to Have Fun”—brought everyone to their feet.

Across two nights, the arrangements changed slightly, but the feeling never wavered. It wasn’t nostalgia. It was gratitude. Lauper performed like someone who knew what her music had meant to people and wanted to give a proper goodbye.

Why This Tribute Was So Right

She redefined pop music. Lauper’s debut in the early 80s was a cultural shockwave. The sound, the look, the humor, and that unmistakable voice—all of it combined to create something new. She wasn’t built for trends; she made them. And that originality is exactly what this tribute honored.

She never stopped evolving. From “Kinky Boots” on Broadway (where she won a Tony Award for Best Original Score) to decades of touring, Lauper’s career proves that reinvention doesn’t have to mean compromise. The Hollywood Bowl special gave space for that range, letting her artistry shine beyond the pop hits.

Her advocacy is part of her art. Lauper’s True Colors United continues to fight LGBTQ+ youth homelessness, and her compassion runs through everything she does. Hearing “True Colors” performed with that in mind hits differently—it reminds you that pop music, at its best, can still change lives.

Why Bell & Field Love Playing “Time After Time”

At Bell & Field, we play “Time After Time” at almost every show. It’s one of those songs that stops people mid-conversation when they hear it from a male perspective. The chord structure is simple, the lyrics are universal, and it has an emotional truth that never gets old. Whether it’s played at a wedding, a small club, or a festival stage, it feels like everyone in the room knows what it’s about: loyalty, tenderness, and time itself. Watching Lauper and Legend revisit it only deepened that connection. It reminded us why we love playing it and why audiences keep asking for it.

The Lasting Impression

Many tribute shows rely on nostalgia, but this one did more. It showed how Lauper’s music still resonates, how her attitude still inspires, and how her songs continue to hold emotional weight. It wasn’t a memorial. It was a living document of her impact.

By the end of the night, with the Bowl bathed in rainbow lights and thousands singing “True Colors,” it was impossible not to feel the power of what she built. The message was clear: Cyndi Lauper isn’t just part of music history. She’s part of music’s DNA.

What a delightful morning we had at the “Spring in Bloom” event at the Galva Arts Council! The sun was shining bright, doors wide open, and the warmth of a beautiful Mother’s Day weekend flowed in freely. We were welcomed warmly by the volunteers who took such great care of us—making for a truly memorable and relaxed performance.

A Musical Morning to Remember

Our set was shaped by the intimate, laid-back atmosphere and the acoustically perfect room. The Galva Arts Council has one of those rare spaces where voices and instruments blend effortlessly, creating a uniquely rich sound. We tailored our performance accordingly, leaning into some of our favorite ballads:

• ‘Something’ by The Beatles
• ‘Wildfire’ by Michael Murphy
• ‘Slip Sliding Away’ by Paul Simon

We also ventured into new territory by request, playing Bryan Adams’ “Cuts Like a Knife.” Though a bit ragged around the edges, it came together beautifully for the relaxed crowd. One standout moment was our closing performance of “Blue” by The Jayhawks—a song that continues to deepen and resonate each time we play it.

Highlights & Special Moments

• Seeing friendly faces like Nancy Anderson and Mike Martin, who graciously snapped some photos for us (always great to connect with another PHP developer!).
• Enjoying thoughtful conversations with Linda, the president of the Galva Arts Council board, reflecting on the progress and vibrant community around this special venue.
• The lively backdrop of jewelry-making behind the building and a tasty lunch served during our set, adding to the festive yet cozy feel.

Post-Show Celebration

After the show, we kept our tradition alive and headed over to CCT for a quick lunch and, yes, even a glass of beer (no worries—we still enjoyed our usual Cabernet during the show!). It was great chatting with Jason about our upcoming gig in their exciting new Voodoo Room. As we dined, we couldn’t resist popping Roger Miller’s “King of the Road” onto the jukebox for Chad, turning lunch into a spontaneous sing-along!

Looking Ahead

A big thank you to everyone who joined us, making this morning concert feel like a warm gathering of friends. We’re looking forward to returning to Galva soon and exploring more opportunities to share our music with such wonderful audiences.

Interested in bringing our acoustic melodies and warm atmosphere to your next event? Book us for your next event—we’d love to perform for you!

Looking for a fun, laid-back way to spend your Saturday night? Mark your calendar for March 8 because Bell & Field is bringing their live acoustic show to Jay’s Place in Kewanee! The music kicks off at 7:00 PM and keeps the good vibes going until 10:00 PM. If you’re in the mood for great tunes, cold drinks, and a relaxed atmosphere, this is the place to be.

Event Details

• When: Saturday, March 8, 7:00–10:00 PM
• Where: Jay’s Place – 315 E Third St, Kewanee, IL
• Who: Live acoustic music by Bell & Field (classic hits from the ’60s–’90s)
• What to Expect: A casual evening of favorite songs, friendly folks, cold drinks & “hot slots” fun

About Bell & Field:

Bell & Field is a talented two-man acoustic duo (guitar, piano, and vocals) known for their smooth harmonies and nostalgic song selection. They cover iconic classics from the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s (with a few ’90s favorites in the mix), breathing new life into songs by artists like The Beatles, Simon & Garfunkel, Frank Sinatra, and Van Morrison. Greg (on keys) and Tom (on guitar) have a knack for creating a warm, easygoing vibe with their music – think mellow rock, folk, and soulful classics that make you smile and sing along. Their sound is perfect for a relaxed night out, so you can tap your feet, enjoy the melodies, and still chat with your friends between songs.

The Venue: Jay’s Place Atmosphere

Jay’s Place is one of Kewanee’s favorite local bars, known for “cold drinks and hot slots.” What does that mean for you? Ice-cold beers, your favorite cocktails, and a slot machines in the corner if you’re feeling lucky! 😄 The atmosphere at Jay’s is friendly and down-to-earth – the kind of place where the bartender might already know your name (or will by the end of the night). It’s a great spot to catch live music because it’s cozy and casual. You can kick back with your drink, enjoy the live tunes up close, and soak in the hometown bar charm. There’s nothing like listening to an acoustic duo in an intimate setting where you can truly appreciate the music (and maybe even chat with the band during a break!).

Come Hang Out with Us!

It’s shaping up to be a chill, enjoyable Saturday night at Jay’s Place. Whether you’re a longtime Bell & Field fan or just curious to check out something new, grab a couple of friends and come on out. Enjoy the music, try a signature drink, or spin the slots – it’s your night to have fun!

Are you planning to join us? Let us know in the comments below! Feel free to share what classic song you hope Bell & Field will play, or just say hello. We’d love to hear from you and see you at the show on March 8th. Cheers to a great night of live music!