Classic rock ruled the Grandstand on Saturday

“I’m pretty sure I can guarantee you’ve sung this at karaoke at least twice.”

That’s how Pat Benatar introduced her hit “We Belong” Saturday night from the sold out crowd of just over 11,000 at the Iowa State Fair Grandstand. But the statement could have applied to almost any song the sets of Benatar, Loverboy and headliner Journey.

The evening featured nearly four hours of classic rock from the 70s and 80s; the kind of songs you’ll find on the jukebox of nearly every dive bar in town. They’re songs you know, and if you were in the Grandstand for this show they’re likely songs you love.

Journey was the big draw for the evening, making a return visit after selling out the Grandstand in 2009. For the last five years the band has been fronted by Arnel Pineda, a Filipino singer who took over the lead vocal job long held by Steve Perry. Pineda has injected a bit of youth and vigor into the band (he’s 10-15 years younger than most of the members), hopping around the stage and belting out the tunes with the enthusiasm of a fan. He never seemed to stop moving during Saturday’s set.

The San Francisco band kicked off its performance with the hit “Any Way You Want It.” The energy started off high and remained there all night, with Pineda, founding member Neal Schon (guitar) and Ross Valory (bass) keyboardist Jonathan Cain and drummer Deen Castronovo running through hit after hit filled with wailing guitar and bombastic vocals.

The band got arms swaying during songs like “Faithfully” and “Open Arms” and got the crowd moving with higher energy numbers like “Don’t Stop Believing” and the show closing “Lovin’, Touchin, Squeezin’.” It’s rare to see a band maintain its level of performance success with a replacement singer, but Pineda seems to have made it work.

The Canadian band Loverboy had the most no-frills show of the evening, running through its hit in a compact, 35 minute set. “Turn Me Loose,” “Lovin’ Every Minute of It” and, of course, “Workin’ for the Weekend” were highlights. They sounded good, even if the members are starting to look less like rockers and more like everyone’s dad grabbed an instrument and formed a band.

Benatar was up next, performing with her longtime musical partner and husband Neil Giraldo. Benatar’s voice seemed as powerful as ever, performing with a smoky growl that tore through hits like “Hit Me With Your Best Shot,” “Love is a Battlefield” and “We Belong.”

Benatar and her band got an encore call from the audience, not bad for an opening act. They returned to perform “Heartbreaker” with Benatar and Giraldo breaking out into a bit of Johnny Cash’s “Ring of Fire” in the middle of the song.

There was no new ground broken on Saturday night. No one used the stage to stump for a cause (though Benatar did ask that no one drive drunk) or blast a political candidate. It was just an evening of fun songs to be taken at face value. Journey has its show honed to exactly what the fans want, and if they come back to the Grandstand in 2015 they’ll probably sell out then as well.