Rod Stewart in Bridgeport: tickets for the "One Last Time" tour with special guest Richard Marx live

Rod Stewart brings the "One Last Time" tour to the Bridgeport waterfront

Rod Stewart will perform at the Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater in Bridgeport on Friday, August 7, 2026, beginning at 7:30 p.m. The concert is part of the "One Last Time" tour, conceived as a career retrospective encompassing British blues-rock, pop, soul, disco, grand ballads and interpretations of standards. The evening gains additional significance from the appearance of Richard Marx, a songwriter and singer whose hits "Right Here Waiting", "Hazard" and "Hold On to the Nights" defined radio pop and soft rock in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

For the audience, this means an encounter between two distinctive vocal signatures. Stewart's raspy voice meets Marx's melodic approach and songs built around piano, guitar and powerful choruses. Ticket sales for this event are underway.

Why Stewart's catalog remains powerful in concert

Rod Stewart is not a performer tied to only one musical era. He first gained recognition in the Jeff Beck Group and Faces, where his voice suited rougher, blues-inspired rock. His solo career then opened a considerably broader space: folk-rock storytelling in "Maggie May", ballads such as "The First Cut Is the Deepest", the stadium-sized chorus of "Sailing", rhythmic pop in "Young Turks" and a disco period marked by "Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?".

That breadth explains why the concert attracts different generations. Longtime fans come for Faces and the albums of the 1970s, while audiences who grew up with radio recognize "Forever Young", "Rhythm of My Heart", "Downtown Train" and "Have I Told You Lately". Younger listeners often discover the same catalog through films and streaming.

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame describes Stewart's work as a blend of hard rock, pop, ballads and interpretations of other artists' songs, with a voice that remains the common denominator throughout all of his stylistic changes. Stewart is associated with the institution both as a solo performer and as a member of Faces, while Grammy records note a win for the album "Stardust... The Great American Songbook Volume III" and nominations spanning several decades.

Songs that shape audience expectations

The exact set list for Bridgeport has not been announced, so individual titles or their order cannot be guaranteed. Nevertheless, previous concerts on the "One Last Time" tour show that the program relies on a combination of the biggest hits, Faces songs, soul and rock and roll covers, and several deeper cuts from the catalog. A review of a Connecticut performance in 2025 recorded renditions of "Tonight I'm Yours", "The First Cut Is the Deepest", "Forever Young", "Ooh La La", "Young Turks", "Maggie May", "Stay with Me", "You're in My Heart", "Have I Told You Lately", "Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?", "Hot Legs" and "Some Guys Have All the Luck".

That list is not an announcement of the Bridgeport program, but an indication of how Stewart structures an evening: alternating rock and ballads, room for backing vocalists and instrumentalists, and a finale built around choruses the audience can sing together with the performer. Tour reviews describe a large supporting ensemble, quick transitions and visual projections, although the scale of the production may vary from city to city.

The current phase of his career is not merely nostalgia

Although "One Last Time" is primarily a tour of major songs, Stewart's more recent discography shows that his career is not limited to an archive of hits. The album "Swing Fever", recorded with Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra, was released in 2024 as a collection of 13 compositions from the big-band and swing traditions. The album includes, among others, "Ain't Misbehavin'", "Frankie and Johnny", "Sentimental Journey" and "Lullaby of Broadway".

"Swing Fever" reached number one on the British albums chart and became Stewart's 11th number-one album in the United Kingdom. That result clearly describes his current position: a performer with an enormous rock and pop catalog can still attract an audience with a project based on jazz, swing and standards.

In 2026, his presence was further highlighted by the television concert "Forever Young: A Grammy Salute to Rod Stewart Live", dedicated to his songs and influence. Bridgeport therefore arrives during a period in which the catalog is being presented again through the tour and newer releases.

Richard Marx as the evening's guest

Richard Marx is not a guest without a clear connection to the main performer. His catalog belongs to melodic American pop-rock, with songs built on storytelling, large choruses and precise vocal delivery. "Right Here Waiting" remains his best-known title, but the audience may also know "Should've Known Better", "Endless Summer Nights", "Angelia", "Now and Forever" and "Don't Mean Nothing".

In the more recent phase of his career, Marx released the album "After Hours", inspired by standards and classic vocal albums. Stewart recorded the song "Young at Heart" with him, giving the evening a more natural musical connection than the usual pairing of a headliner and guest.

Previous joint appearances show that Marx can open the evening in a more intimate format, accompanied by guitar and piano. It has not been announced how long his part of the Bridgeport program will last or whether the same format will be repeated.

Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater: an open-air space with the feel of an indoor venue

Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater is located at 500 Broad Street in Bridgeport, along the shore of Long Island Sound. The venue accommodates more than 5,700 visitors and belongs to the category of mid-sized amphitheaters. It is large enough for a full touring production, yet more compact than stadiums and large outdoor complexes in which the performer can seem distant.

A recognizable feature of the venue is its large tensile roof structure. The amphitheater remains open to the coastal surroundings, but a large portion of the audience is under the roof. The layout combines a summer atmosphere with a clearly defined seating area and a view toward the stage. Ballads benefit from the audience's concentrated silence, while faster songs gain energy from the open space.

• Capacity: more than 5,700 visitors
• Address: 500 Broad Street, Bridgeport, Connecticut 06604
• Venue type: open-air amphitheater with a large roof above most of the seating area
• Payment: the venue operates cashlessly, so cards are required
• Re-entry: after leaving, returning with the same ticket is not permitted

Tickets for this event are in demand. The more compact capacity means that the difference between sections can be noticeable, especially for visitors who value proximity to the stage and an unobstructed view of the entire ensemble.

Arriving by train, car or ferry

Bridgeport is a city on the Connecticut coast, between New York and New Haven, with good rail connections along the Northeast Corridor. Bridgeport station is served by Metro-North Railroad trains on the New Haven Line, as well as selected Amtrak Northeast Regional and Vermonter trains. The concert is therefore accessible to visitors arriving from the wider New York area, southern Connecticut, New Haven and other cities along the corridor.

The amphitheater also lists Greater Bridgeport Transit and the Bridgeport - Port Jefferson ferry connection as travel options. The ferry may be convenient for visitors from Long Island, but the return schedule should be checked in advance because evening departures may not correspond with the end of the concert. The same applies to the railway: before traveling, it is useful to check the last trains and any track work.

For those arriving by car, the main access routes lead via Interstate 95 and Routes 8, 15 and 25. The venue recommends allowing additional time because of congestion before larger events. General parking is available in the Transit Garage at Harbor Yard and at the rear of the surface parking lots across from the amphitheater. Accessible parking is available in the surface lots and on the ground floor of the garage.

The passenger drop-off and pick-up zone is located in front of the neighboring Total Mortgage Arena. This is important for taxi and rideshare transportation because vehicles do not remain near the main entrance during the concert.

Entry, bags and arrival time

The door-opening time for this concert has not been listed separately. The venue's general rule is that doors most often open approximately an hour and a half before the start, but the time may be changed for an individual event. For a concert beginning at 7:30 p.m., it is reasonable to plan an arrival early enough for parking, security screening and finding one's seat.

Clear bags made of plastic, vinyl or PVC measuring up to 12 x 6 x 12 inches are permitted, as are small purses up to 6 x 9 inches that do not have to be transparent. All bags are subject to inspection. One factory-sealed 16-ounce plastic bottle of water is permitted, while outside food and other beverages are not allowed. Small personal umbrellas up to 24 inches may be brought in if they do not have a pointed metal tip.

• Prepare your ticket before arriving at the checkpoint.
• Use a small bag that complies with the venue's rules.
• Have a card ready for food, drinks and merchandise.
• Do not plan to leave and return during the program.
• Check weather notices; concerts take place in the rain except during dangerous conditions.

The venue permits mobile phones, disposable cameras and small digital cameras, but cameras with detachable lenses are generally not allowed. The rules may be adjusted at the performer's request.

What kind of concert experience can be expected

Stewart's performances are not a strictly chronological retelling of his discography. The evening moves between rough rock associated with Faces, sentimental ballads, rhythmic covers and pop songs with large closing choruses. His manner of communicating with the audience is often direct and informal, while the dynamics are supported by backing vocalists, multiple instrumentalists and rapid changes of tempo.

Visitors who enjoy a concert as a communal singalong, rather than merely a precise reproduction of studio recordings, will gain the most. "Maggie May", "Sailing", "Forever Young" and "Have I Told You Lately" have choruses that work in a large group, while "Stay with Me", "Hot Legs" and "Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?" raise the tempo.

The audience will probably be broad: from fans who have followed Stewart since the 1970s, through listeners who grew up with his radio pop, to visitors attracted by the combination with Richard Marx. The main advantage is the recognizable catalog, but the performance framework also leaves room for soul, standards, covers and songs that are not always at the center of greatest-hits compilations.

It is worth securing tickets in good time and organizing the journey with extra time for congestion around central Bridgeport. The most important practical decisions are simple: check transportation after the concert in advance, bring an approved bag, have a card ready and follow venue notices because of the amphitheater's open-air nature.

Bridgeport as a short concert destination

For visitors coming from outside the city, Bridgeport is a coastal and transportation hub of southwestern Connecticut. The concert complex is located in an area near the harbor, the railway station and Total Mortgage Arena, so it is not necessary to use a car for the entire stay. Restaurants and bars can be found downtown and along the waterfront, while Seaside Park is one of the city's recognizable open spaces beside Long Island Sound.

When planning a one-day visit, extra time should be left between arrival in the city and entry to the concert. A summer Friday, traffic on I-95 and an event with several thousand visitors may slow the final part of the journey. Arriving on an earlier train or parking earlier reduces the risk of missing the beginning of Richard Marx's performance, which is an important part of the program.

Sources:
- Rod Stewart - 2026 tour schedule, biographical information and context of current performances
- Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater - performers, capacity, address, entry rules, parking and transportation
- Rock & Roll Hall of Fame - Stewart's musical range and connection with his solo career and Faces
- GRAMMY.com - awards, nominations and the television concert dedicated to Stewart's catalog
- Official Charts Company - the number-one position of the album "Swing Fever" and 11 British chart-topping albums
- Rhino - content, release year and concept of the album "Swing Fever"
- American Songwriter - repertoire and structure of Stewart's Connecticut concert in 2025
- Miami New Times and Music Den Live - production of the "One Last Time" tour and previous performances with Richard Marx
- MTA and Amtrak - rail connections serving Bridgeport station