Nancy Wilson and Chappell Roan Deliver Explosive “Barracuda” Performance at 71
On the second night of her Visions of Damsels & Other Dangerous Things run at Forest Hills Stadium, Chappell Roan did something pop stars rarely attempt: she turned her stage into a rock history event. It happened on September 21, when Heart cofounder Nancy Wilson walked out to play “Barracuda.” What followed was less a cameo and more a collision of eras, a modern headliner linking arms with a rock pioneer in front of thousands of roaring fans.
The groundwork had been laid in earlier shows, with Roan often including “Barracuda” in her setlists as both homage and spectacle. Fans were already primed, dressed in medieval-inspired costumes per her tour’s playful aesthetic. By the time the riff appeared in Queens, the energy was electric. The crowd expected something big, but nobody anticipated that Nancy Wilson herself would take the stage.
Wilson’s entrance was understated yet commanding. She carried her guitar with quiet authority, allowing the sheer surprise of her presence to do the work. Roan’s grin said it all—this was her dream moment, sharing a stage with one of her idols. Wilson began strumming, and suddenly the past and present folded into one. Roan handled the vocals, stalking the stage with raw energy, while Wilson’s guitar sliced through the night air with the same ferocity she’s known for.
“Barracuda” is no easy piece. Its galloping rhythm and unrelenting energy challenge even seasoned musicians. But here, it flowed naturally. Roan embraced the swagger and theatricality of the vocal line, while Wilson anchored the performance with the riff that has defined generations. The two women played off each other with the ease of longtime collaborators.
Adding to the weight of the moment was Roan’s honesty earlier in the night. She told the crowd she was battling a migraine and might not deliver her usual full-throttle set. But when Nancy Wilson arrived, it was as if adrenaline swept the stadium. Roan’s voice grew stronger, and the audience carried her through with thunderous backing chants.
This was also a reminder of Wilson’s remarkable staying power. At 71 years old, she stood center stage with the same wide-stance authority that made Heart famous in the 1970s. Every downstroke was sharp, every accent deliberate. If age has softened anything, it only sharpened her sense of command. Watching her was watching decades of history distilled into one riff.
The show’s aesthetic played a role too. Roan’s concerts mix camp, drama, and heartfelt sincerity. Her medieval-meets-pop staging allowed a 1970s hard-rock classic to blend seamlessly into her world. Instead of feeling out of place, “Barracuda” became the centerpiece, proof that her vision of inclusive, theatrical pop can comfortably house rock’s sharpest edges.
Music press and fan communities immediately latched onto the duet. Clips spread quickly, with many calling it the highlight of Roan’s tour. Commentators noted how easily the two artists connected, pointing out that their rapport suggested they had bonded long before this night. The authenticity of their chemistry made the performance land as more than just a stunt.
Wilson herself later reflected on how hopeful the scene felt—watching a new generation of fans scream along to a song older than many of their parents. She joked about being a “rock auntie,” but behind the humor was pride in seeing her legacy reborn in an environment that felt fresh and welcoming.
For Roan, this was also a masterclass in how to surprise a residency crowd. With multiple nights in the same venue, each show needs something to distinguish it. Night two now had a defining moment no other date could match. For fans in the house, it became a badge of honor: they were there when Nancy Wilson played Queens.
The rest of the setlist reinforced the night’s momentum. Roan moved through fan favorites like “Good Luck, Babe!” and “Pink Pony Club” with theatrical flair, and the audience reveled in every shift from ballad to banger. Between songs, she spoke candidly, weaving stories of self-doubt and ambition into the performance, grounding the spectacle in authenticity.
Even moments of chaos added to the magic. A fan flashing Roan during “Pink Pony Club” could have derailed the mood, but she laughed it off, keeping the atmosphere playful and celebratory. The night maintained its balance between seriousness and fun, between history and present-tense joy.
What lingered afterward was the sense of a true intergenerational handshake. Roan gave her audience spectacle, inclusivity, and drama. Wilson gave them authority, grit, and the weight of rock history. Together, they showed that the classic can live inside the contemporary without compromise.
Forest Hills itself added its own character. The historic tennis-stadium-turned-concert-venue has long been a place where legends and rising stars meet. This night added another story to that legacy. Fans left not just with merch, but with the tale of a moment where eras collided and made sense together.
And at the heart of it was Nancy Wilson, proving that at 71, she still carries the firepower of her younger self. The sound of her guitar reminded everyone that rock’s heartbeat doesn’t age—it evolves, sharpens, and roars through the hands of those still willing to wield it. That night, in Queens, it roared again.
