Watch Cheap Trick: Budokan!

Cheap Trick: Budokan! is a concert film that showcases the live performance of American rock band, Cheap Trick during their historic Budokan show in Tokyo, Japan in 1978. Cheap Trick was at the peak of their popularity during this time, and fans around the world clamored to see them perform live. This iconic concert at Tokyo's Budokan arena was the band's biggest gig to date, and it catapulted them to international superstardom.

The concert film opens with footage of Cheap Trick fans lining up to get into the Budokan arena, showing the enthusiasm and energy that the fans had for the band even before the show began. The film then shows the band members making their way to the stage, greeted with thunderous applause from the sold-out crowd. With Rick Nielsen on guitar, Tom Petersson on bass guitar, Bun E. Carlos on drums, and Robin Zander on lead vocals, the band kicks off their set with their biggest hit at the time, "Hello There."

The film shows the band's high-energy performance for the next 72 minutes, with Cheap Trick playing their most famous songs, such as "I Want You to Want Me," "Surrender," "Ain't That a Shame," "Dream Police," and "California Man." The band's chemistry is on display throughout the concert, with each member showcasing their individual musical talents while feeding off the energy of the crowd.

The stage setup is simple, with the band members dressed in their signature black and white outfits. The focus is solely on the music and the antics of lead guitarist Rick Nielsen, who brings a sense of humor to the stage with his unusual guitar choices - including a five-necked guitar - and playful banter with the crowd. The audience is clearly feeding off the band's energy, with the cameras capturing the ecstatic faces of the fans as they sing along to every song.

One of the highlights of the concert is the band's cover of Fats Domino's "Ain't That a Shame." The song begins with an extended guitar intro from Rick Nielsen that showcases his virtuosic playing. The crowd joins in with Zander as they sing the chorus, adding to the already lively atmosphere of the arena. Another standout moment in the concert is "I Want You to Want Me," where the band's musical prowess and vocal harmonies are in full display.

The concert film also includes footage of the band's encore, which features their hit song "Surrender." With the crowd still buzzing with energy, Cheap Trick delivers an electrifying performance of the song, with Nielsen incorporating a guitar solo that has since become legendary.

The concert ends with Tom Petersson playing the opening notes to "Goodnight Now," the final song of the set. The band members exchange hugs and bows before exiting the stage, with the crowd still cheering and screaming for the band. The film shows a celebratory backstage scene, with the band and their team popping champagne bottles to mark their successful concert.

Cheap Trick: Budokan! is a must-see for fans of the band and anyone who loves rock music. The film perfectly captures the excitement of Cheap Trick's live performance, showcasing their musicianship and showmanship. The band's music has stood the test of time, and their performance at Budokan is an enduring testament to their status as one of the greatest rock bands of all time.

Cheap Trick: Budokan! is a 2008 musical with a runtime of 1 hour and 26 minutes.