REVIEW: Red hot music and temps kickstart summer at L’Auberge Casino

Stephen Pearcy, vocalist of Ratt, headlined the "80s Rock Invasion" concert at L'Auberge Casino Resort in Lake Charles, La., on Sunday, May 31, 2026.

If you are a fan of 1980s hard rock music, then L’Auberge Casino’s 80’s Rock Invasion concert by the pool was the place to be on Sunday, May 31. If you are not a fan of pre-summer heat and humidity, then it may not have been the place for you.

Several hundred hard rock fans turned out for the ‘80’s Rock Invasion Party by the Pool” concert at L’Auberge Casino Resort in Lake Charles, La on Sunday afternoon and witnessed a fantastic day of music from Stephen Pearcy of Ratt, Sebastian Bach, Great White, Slaughter and Mike Tramp of White Lion.

As great as the music was the heat was brutal and there was no escaping the sun as it beamed across the open grounds of the concert area in front of the stage as temperatures reached the mid-90s on Sunday.

Mike Tramp, the vocalist of the rock band White Lion, opened the concert shortly after 1:30 p.m., Sunday, with a 35-minute set of music consisting of White Lion staples. The songs were tuned down a step and the tempo slowed on some, including opening song “Hungry,” but fans did not seem to mind. Tramp’s band was in fine form and the singer’s voice sounded strong as the group powered through hits such as “Tell Me,” “Wait,” “Little Fighter,” and set-closer, “Lady of the Valley.”

Tramp surprisingly omitted one of the his previous band’s biggest hits, “When the Children Cry,” but few fans seemed to be displeased by this decision.

Slaughter took the stage a short while later and kicked it into high gear right off the bat as the band opened with “Mad About You” and leaned heavily into material from the group’s 1989 debut album, “Stick It to Ya,” with songs “Burnin’ Bridges,” “Eye to Eye,” and “Spend My Life.”

As always, the band sounded tight and Mark Slaughter’s vocals are still strong, although the first few songs were a bit rough until he utilized his in-ear monitor.

The band did drop a couple of surprises with songs “Days Gone By” and “Unknown Destination” being included in the mix before closing the their set with “Fly to the Angels” and “Up All Night” with a segue into a brief cover of “Won’t Get Fooled Again” by The Who.

Fans were fired up for Slaughter, but the heat was taking its toll as there was no escaping the sun as many fans opted to take breaks inside the casino or a quick dip in the pool.

Great White’s set was a rock fan’s dream as the band brought the hits and some attitude for its 60-minute set of music. Mark Kendall’s guitar tone is still as tasty as ever and vocalist Brett Carlisle’s voice is the perfect fit for this legendary rock band.

“Call it Rock ‘n’ Roll” served as the band’s opener this day and set the tempo for the remainder of the set with songs such as “Lady Red Light” and “Stick It” following. “Mista Bone” is always a treat and other rockers such as “Desert Moon” and “All Over Now” are set staples that are sure to please every Great White fan.

Other songs included “House of Broken Love,” “Gonna Getcha,” “Big Goodbye,” “Rock Me” and “Once Bitten, Twice Shy” to close out the show.

Next up was Sebastian Bach and he was in fine form this scorching late-spring day. Bach constantly joked with the audience about the Southwest Louisiana heat over and over as he was apparently regretting his fashion choice of leather pants, tee shirt and a leather vest.

Bach opened up the show with the song “What Do I Got to Lose?” from his 2024 solo album, “Child Within the Man,” which definitely a rocking tune to get the fans fired up. However, everyone knew the party was starting with the next song, “Slave to the Grind,” and from there on the audience was singing just as loud as Bach and he was loving it.

The show continued with a big dose of songs from the debut Skid Row album, including “Here I Am,” “Big Guns,” “Sweet Little Sister,” “Piece of Me,” “Can’t Stand the Heartache,” and more.

Bach interacted with the crowd, signed autographs, photos, books and more, all the while continuing the hits such as “Monkey Business,” “18 and Life,” and “I Remember You” before closing with the trademark tune, “Youth Gone Wild.”

Before starting the last song, Bach asked the fans if he could sing the final song from the pool because of the heat and most fans would probably have joined him at this point. Great show and great performance by Bach.

The final performance of the night was left to Ratt’s legendary vocalist, Stephen Pearcy, and he did not disappoint as his set featured all of the trademark songs by Ratt any rock fan would want to hear.

Pearcy and his band, featuring guitar-sensation Joel Hoekstra, opened the set with “Wanted Man,” and churned out song after song for 75 minutes.

Although Pearcy’s vocals are not what they once were, he is still a capable and talented performer and had the fans right in the palm of his hands throughout the set.

Other songs included “I’m Insane,” “Lack of Communication,” “You’re in Love,” “I Want a Woman,” “Way Cool Jr.,” as well as “Lovin’ You’s a Dirty a Job.”

Despite a few technical issues that impacted Hoekstra mid-set, the performance was entertaining and memorable with tunes such as “Slip of the Lip,” You’re in Trouble,” and “You Think You’re Tough” taking everyone on a stroll down memory lane.

Pearcy and his band brought the show to a close with “Nobody Rides for Free,” “Back for More” and “Round and Round.”

Although the heat was tough and the sun was brutal, it was still a great concert for the several hundred fans in attendance. Hopefully, next time, the show can be on a Saturday and start around 5 p.m. instead so the sun will not be as harsh. One can hope!