Todd Rundgren Review: Try-Anything Veteran Holds Back His Freak Flag 2026

Todd Rundgren, the try-anything veteran, returned to the stage for a two-hour show that showcased his enduring talent but didn't fully let his freak flag fly. The set, split into two parts, drew from his 26 solo albums and his bands Nazz and Utopia, yet left some fans craving the experimental edge that defined his career.

Todd Rundgren's Eclectic Career

Rundgren is a confusing man. After his tune-packed 1972 album Something/Anything? drew comparisons to Carole King and Brian Wilson, he took a pharmacopoeia of psychedelics and made a vexing masterpiece, A Wizard, a True Star, with no singles at all. He’s produced classic albums by Meat Loaf and the New York Dolls but he’s also released a record of nothing but vocals (A Cappella) and the world’s first interactive album (No World Order).

Counting only the artists who appeared on his last two albums, his fans include Trent Reznor, Robyn and the Lemon Twigs. He called his memoir The Individualist. Rundgren certainly looks the part. With his Addams Family hair, tinted goggles and limber dance moves, he could be a goth raver.

The Live Show: A Mixed Bag

Everything he says sounds teasingly sarcastic, even when he’s thanking the audience for spending their “discretionary income” on a ticket. He says the curfew means he can’t tell stories about the songs but it would have been worth sacrificing a couple of his two-hour show’s stodgier numbers to hear them.

Rundgren’s two sets represent more than half of his 26 solo albums as well as his bands, the Nazz and Utopia, but there’s scant evidence of the try-anything polymath who inspired generations of studio auteurs. While I Saw the Light is giddy power-pop perfection, there’s an awful lot of middling rock in part one. Due in part to the stuffiness of the all-seated venue, the energy never quite reached the heights of his most adventurous work.

Setlist Highlights and Lowlights

Key Takeaways from the Performance

• Rundgren's two-hour set showcased his vast catalog but lacked the experimental spark of his studio work.
• The all-seated venue contributed to a subdued atmosphere, preventing the audience from fully engaging.
• Despite moments of brilliance, the show didn't fully capture the try-anything ethos that made him a legend.
• Fans appreciated his sarcastic banter and acknowledgment of their “discretionary income.”

FAQ

In the end, Todd Rundgren remains a fascinating figure, but this performance didn't quite capture the full scope of his try-anything artistry. For longtime fans, it was a reminder of his genius; for newcomers, it may have been a puzzling introduction.

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