Rik Emmett of Triumph had the understatement of the night: “Good things come to those who wait.”

Those seven words could be our whole review when it comes to what Detroit music fans witnessed for nearly two hours on Saturday evening (May 30) at the Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre at Freedom Hill, in the neighboring area suburb of Sterling Heights.

The ongoing Triumph reunion tour is also their first major road work in decades. It features fellow Canadians April Wine as support and makes a good case for being one of the best shows currently out there on the road for folks who grew up as fans of ’80s AOR and hard rock.

Key Takeaways from Triumph’s Reunion Concert

• Concert Experience: Fans enjoyed a nearly two-hour performance filled with nostalgia and energy.
• Lineup Changes: The concert featured additional musicians, including Phil X, Todd Kerns, and Brent Fitz.
• Production Quality: The show seamlessly combined music, pyro, and visuals for an impressive experience.
• April Wine’s Performance: April Wine delivered a strong opening set that resonated with the audience.

What to Expect From Triumph’s Reunion Concert

There was plenty said before Emmett (guitar and vocals) and Gil Moore (drums and vocals) had even played a note on this outing. It became clear that bassist Mike Levine would likely be unable to participate due to health issues.

Some fans also bristled at the idea that Emmett and Moore would be augmented by extra players. Guitarist and vocalist Phil X, a current member of Bon Jovi and a fellow Triumph alum who joined up in the ’90s after Rik had departed the lineup, was one such addition. Bassist and vocalist Todd Kerns and drummer Brent Fitz (both also known for their ongoing tenure with Slash) rounded out the announced lineup.

How much would this expanded combo really be representative of the Triumph of the past that we all know and love so much?

Well, if you know anything about Moore, who has been the main driver and pilot of the Triumph legacy for years now, you’ll know he would be working hard (a common thread with all of the enlisted members) to deliver a definitive answer to that question. Fans would see a show and it was going to be something that they’d remember as they head out to the parking lot — and for days after that.

READ MORE: How Triumph’s Reunion Tour Happened

Make No Mistake, This is a Show

The production was so mammoth, it was a concern for this writer leading up to the night that it might overpower the experience of the actual concert. But the reality was that everything — be it the music or the pyro or the videos — all fit together seamlessly.

And how cool is it, for people who enjoy this kind of thing, to play fantasy rock and roll baseball and merge a couple of different eras of Triumph together, but with better results?

As we know, Emmett left the group in the late ’80s — and as he allowed while addressing the fans from the stage, there was a lengthy communication gap.

Meanwhile, the ’90s version of the band with Phil X at the helm hit the road at a tough time when what they were doing was no longer in vogue. It didn’t last.

This current reunion allows both of those eras to have a better ending, together, than what they got at the time. It’s well-deserved on every level.

READ MORE: Triumph Kick Off 2026 Reunion Tour

Guitar Players, Rejoice. There’s a Lot of ‘F–king Joyful Noise.’

For those who had thoughts that Emmett and Moore would be propped up by the added players, the pair quickly put those concerns to rest right from song one when they opened the night, appropriately, with “When the Lights Go Down.” Moore took a strong lead vocal and Emmett proved that his six-string skills were also more than intact, ripping the first of many impressive solos of the evening.

But the same was true of X, Kerns (wearing a great t-shirt that said, “Sterling Heights, Dammit.”) and Fitz, who collectively thickened the Triumph sound, rather than padding it. Sometimes, Fitz and Moore doubled up on the drumming, with thunderous results and in other moments, it gave the founding drummer and singer a chance to step to the front of the stage in more of a proper frontman role.

X and Emmett were visibly happy, as you can see in the below video courtesy of Front Row Bobby, trading guitar licks and vocals back and forth — Emmett attacking his parts with vigor during a particularly strong version of “Spellbound,” while mugging humorously with both X and Kerns. Seeing the three standing center stage at one point in the night, all holding their Flying V guitars triumphantly, was a moment.

Watch Triumph Perform ‘Spellbound’ in Michigan

Cue Emmett once again with another concise summary, which arrived on the tail of a longer speech prior to “Magic Power,” near the end of the main set: “You make me feel grateful for all of this f–king joyful noise</em}," he told the fans. "It does not get any better than this for me in this life. This is a great, great gift to get as a senior citizen. You guys, us guys, this is the magic power of music.”