John Oates talks to the audience on Public Square in Wilkes-Barre.
Fred Adams | For Times Leader
John Oates, formerly of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame duo Hall & Oates, played a free show on Public Square in Wilkes-Barre on Saturday night.
A large crowd gathered to watch John Oates play a free show on Public Square in Wilkes-Barre on Saturday night.
Bret Alexander was the opening act for John Oates, who played a free show on Public Square in Wilkes-Barre on Saturday night.
A large crowd gathered to watch John Oates play a free show on Public Square in Wilkes-Barre on Saturday night.
The John Oates concert drew a large crowd on Public Square in Wilkes-Barre on Saturday night.
Bret Alexander played for the audiance on Public Square in Wilkes-Barre Saturday night.
Fred Adams | For Times Leader
John Oates jams on his guitar during a song on Public Square in Wilkes-Barre on Saturday night.
Fred Adams | For Times Leader
John Oates performs on Public Square in Wilkes-Barre on Saturday night.
Fred Adams | For Times Leader
Bret Alexander was the opening act for John Oates.
Fred Adams | For Times Leader
WILKES-BARRE — Public Square was packed on Saturday night, and it’s all thanks to an appearance by Rock and Roll Hall of Famer John Oates, who played a free show for thousands of people.
“It’s great to be here,” said Oates, who was raised just outside of Philadelphia in Montgomery County. “It’s been many, many years since I’ve traveled up the turnpike this far.”
Oates — with Daryl Hall — was one half of Hall & Oates, one of the most successful pop music artists of all-time. Songs from that era of Oates’ career, as well as those from his expansive run as a solo artist, were on Saturday night’s playlist and performed with the Good Road Band.
“Are you open-minded musically?,” Oates asked the Public Square audience, in reference to his newer music taking up most of the setlist. In addition to his own catalog of tunes, Oates said that he would be playing music from other artists that personally influenced him.
Oates was well-aware of what the people of Northeast Pennsylvania were hoping to hear. Hall & Oates’ hits include “She’s Gone,” “Rich Girl,” “Maneater,” and “You Make My Dreams,” some of which were played on Saturday.
“How about we start with a little something from the ‘80s?,” Oates suggested, before breaking into another of he and Daryl Hall’s hits: “Out of Touch.”
During the show, Oates noted that his new self-titled album, “Oates,” would be released next week.
Bret Alexander, a member of the Badlees and an accomplished musician and producer in his own right, opened the show before Oates went on-stage around 8 p.m.
The free concert on Public Square featuring John Oates was the third of its kind. The first two shows in the series were the Guess Who in 2023 and Starship featuring Mickey Thomas in 2024.
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