Heart wows at Wolf Trap

Criss Cain

The Wilson sisters are in fine form on 2025 tour

Ann Wilson has a voice that’s simply not of this world. Put her sister Nancy to her right, and you have one of the greatest duos in rock music history.

That duo, Heart, took a victory lap at Wolf Trap in Vienna, Virginia on Sunday night (June 1st) on their An Evening With Heart Tour. The pair, backed by a five-piece band, opened with “Bebe Le Strange” and “Never.” But it was Ann’s operatic delivery of “Magic Man”—while seated, nonetheless—that earned the first of many standing ovations throughout the night.

Content to equally share the spotlight or shred in the shadows with the band, Nancy first sang lead during the show by kicking off, “These Dreams.” Later, she took over a small portion of the show. She performed one an instrumental called, "4 Edward," an instrumental acoustic piece written in tribute to Eddie Van Halen. There were other surprises during this portion that I’ll leave for you to discover.

Funkier numbers “Straight On” and “Little Queen” showcased how well the sisters compliment each other, and how personal the music is to them. The former showcased their bass player, while the latter was written about being the first female-led rock group. “We’ve stayed mostly true to ourselves,” Ann said, reflecting on Heart’s career.

And there was a lot of reflection from the stage. Nancy and Ann both acknowledged the twists and turns their journey has taken them through. But performing for fans, “makes it all worth it,” they said.

And let me allay any concerns: Ann Wilson has emerged from her chemo treatment, voice entirely intact. More importantly, she appears altogether healthy and in good spirits. She may sit through the show, but that somehow adds to the charm. There is no rock star artifice. Just a grateful artist who’s not lost an ounce of talent.

“Crazy On You” came about midway through, Ann’s voice reaching a new ethereal plane in real time. A little later they combined “Alone” and “What About Love,” two of music’s most iconic power ballads. They closed the night with “Barracuda,” of course.

At Wolf Trap, I watched as Gen-Xers passed me by, one after the other, with armfuls of merch. That’s usually a big tell-tale sign: this is their music. They feel an ownership of it; they’re emotionally invested in Heart, because the music carried them through early adulthood. And they will revel in it for as long as Nancy and Ann Wilson will show up to perform. That’s the Magic, Man.