Nancy and Ann Wilson Revive the Magic of “These Dreams” in 2025

When Heart stepped back into Edmonton on March 21, 2025, the atmosphere felt like meeting cherished companions who had endured hardship yet never lost their spark. Inside Rogers Place, the Wilson sisters embraced a songbook that has matured alongside those who love them, and “These Dreams” emerged as a powerful whisper at the core of the show. It spoke less through grand gestures and more through endurance, remembrance, and the tenacity of a melody carried through a lifetime. As part of the Royal Flush Tour after a tough interruption, the arena radiated appreciation even before the lights dimmed.

The venue played a crucial role in shaping the moment. Rogers Place, more modern than the stages Heart once conquered early in their career, provided the perfect sonic landscape for their timeless power ballad. Even in such a vast structure, the performance felt deeply personal. Dim lighting softened the edges of the space, the crowd’s excitement gently faded into anticipation, and each guitar note shimmered like a small beacon in the dark. Edmonton’s audience had been patient, and the band responded with elegance rather than showy bursts, matching both the dreamlike quality of the lyrics and the reflective sentiment of the night.

This performance served as a cornerstone along a tightly packed Canadian stretch of shows—Calgary just one evening earlier and Winnipeg set for days ahead. With such a demanding schedule following earlier setbacks, Heart approached the road with determination rather than caution. In this context, “These Dreams” became a declaration. Bodies may feel the weight of miles traveled, and schedules may push limits, yet creativity and heart continue to push forward without yielding.

What truly elevated the night was hearing the song delivered as it first took flight back in 1986, with Nancy Wilson taking the lead vocal just as listeners originally fell in love with it. The warm, familiar tone that once dominated radios and climbed to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 returned with new depth. When she began, the entire venue seemed to lean closer, recognizing that comforting voice even before the words fully arrived.

The significance also rested in its legacy. Penned by Bernie Taupin and Martin Page, “These Dreams” combined lyrical imagination from Elton John’s longtime collaborator with pop craftsmanship, ultimately gifting Heart one of their most defining achievements. Today, sung by the artist who brought it to life in the first place, the meaning felt transformed. It no longer resembled a flawless fairytale. It felt like a lived story shared by musicians who understand the weight of every line they are singing.

The arrangement reinforced this intimacy. Nancy blended acoustic softness with electric accents while Ann provided harmonies that soared elsewhere throughout the evening. The rest of the touring group supported with intention: guitars, keys, and the rhythm section held steady, allowing the spotlight to rest entirely on the message within the music. Everything sounded refined but not overworked, a balance that only comes from artists who fully trust the strength of the composition.

Fan-shot footage from the crowd captured the experience exactly as those inside witnessed it. Screens rose above heads, excitement hummed through the room, and then a hush blanketed the arena. Nancy delivered each phrase with a subtle smokiness recognizable from the original recording. The band added just enough shimmer to uplift the moment, never once overshadowing its quiet beauty. The roar of approval that followed spoke louder than any critic’s praise would ever need to.

Those tracking setlists noticed “These Dreams” settled into the heart of the show, a thoughtful positioning that allowed the flow of the night to breathe. Surrounding the ballad with rock-driven favorites from the ‘70s and more recent songs emphasized Heart’s incredible range. It proved that even without volume or aggressive riffs, an emotional whisper can travel just as far when delivered with intention by the right performers.

The balance between Nancy’s lead and Ann’s strong presence elsewhere in the concert reminded the audience of what has kept Heart relevant for fifty years. Their partnership remains the band’s true heartbeat. Regardless of what chapters have passed or how life has shifted, they continue to reconnect onstage through music that defies trends, time, and changing tastes. Together, they show that stories written long ago can still feel fresh every time they are told.

The emotional impact was amplified by the journey that brought them back to the stage. These Royal Flush shows were delayed following Ann Wilson’s cancer diagnosis and treatment in 2024, so their return carried a powerful sense of relief and renewed hope. When beloved artists emerge from uncertain times, a familiar song transforms into evidence. Every note becomes a reminder that no matter the challenges faced, the music continues and still holds meaning for thousands who gather to listen.

As the chords echoed through the building, some minds drifted back to their unforgettable “Stairway to Heaven” tribute at the 2012 Kennedy Center Honors. That performance cemented the Wilsons’ reputation for honoring legendary music while still making it their own. “These Dreams” benefited from that same artistry. They avoided unnecessary flash, leaning instead into honesty and respect for the craftsmanship behind the song.

The people in the crowd represented multiple generations. Some had been there from cassette tapes and radio countdowns, while others were discovering Heart because of viral clips or parents who played the music at home. Edmonton witnessed these different eras standing side by side, united in the same lyrics. Teens documenting a new memory stood beside fans who had been singing along for almost forty years, creating a bridge between the past and the present.

What separated this from any ordinary rendition was the tension between vulnerability and strength that pulsed through the song. Although the verses drifted into surreal imagery, the delivery remained grounded and sincere. The performance showed how a piece of music can transform as its artists grow. Over time, it gathers scars and wisdom, becoming heavier yet somehow more luminous.

Age contributed to the richness of the experience. Nancy, now 71, and Ann, 74, brought a lived truth to each word. Themes of longing and finding light in darkness resonate differently when shared by musicians who have navigated life’s longest roads. For younger fans, it delivered a valuable lesson: cherish what inspires you today, because someday you will draw strength from those memories.

As the final applause faded and people slowly exited the arena, “These Dreams” had fulfilled its purpose. It tied years of personal history into one shared moment and sent the audience home with feelings they could not quite put into words. Though tired bodies made their way out into the night, spirits felt lighter. For a few unforgettable minutes, the song served as a blessing, proving that certain melodies become lifelong companions and some performances linger well after the music ends.