June 4, 2019

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Over the past decade or so, the music landscape has drastically changed.  Top 40 radio is filled with artists who use computers, samples, drum machines and auto-tune.  Heck, even the guitar solo has been replaced by a "featured artist" who raps a few lines where the guitar solo used to be. 

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Some classic rock acts are known to play to backing tracks which provide both musical and vocal help for those artists who think they need it in concert.  

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All of these things are leaving many fans thirsting for an old-school rock and roll show.  They want to experience real people playing real instruments in a totally live setting.

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Greta Van Fleet quenched that thirst for 5,000 fans who packed Jacobs Pavilion on Sunday evening for a sold-out show.

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The band is touring to support their first full length album Anthem Of The Peaceful Army which was released last fall. 

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Opening the show with a blistering version of "When The Curtain Falls" the band, which consists of  drummer Danny Wagner and brothers Josh (vocals), Jake (guitar) and Sam Kiszka (bass, keys) was firing on all cylinders. 

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The band continued the onslaught of classic rock sounds with "Highway Tune" and "Black Smoke Rising" before taking a breather. 

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Even though the band has only been on the national scene for four years, all of them have a great stage presence and have their "rock moves" down pat.  Josh is a very good front man and keeps the audience engaged like a twenty year veteran.

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The band slowed things down a bit as Sam Kiszka went from the bass to the keyboards as Josh told the crowd that "Flower Power" was the first song that they wrote together as a band.

 

The mellow vibe continued as Jake strapped on an acoustic guitar as they played their number one Mainstream Rock hit "You're The One." 

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"Black Flag Exposition" saw the band take an extended, psychedelic trip that perhaps lasted a bit too long.

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Closing out their set was the more upbeat "Lover, Leaver (Taker, Believer)."

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The band returned to encore with a rockin' version of "Safari Song" from their Grammy Award winning EP, From The Fires. 

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Although Greta Van Fleet isn't breaking any new ground musically, they are however providing what real rock fans have been wanting for a long time: guitars, bass, drums and killer live vocals. 

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I believe that they will be around for a long time to come.

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English duo, Ida Mae opened the show their brand of American Blues.  Guitarist/vocalist Chris Turpin laid down some fancy slide work on his dobro while his wife, Stephanie Jean kept the beat with her tambourine.  Their voices meshed nicely together during their thirty minute set.  However, I believe this audience was looking to hear more upbeat blues songs to warm them up, rather than slower blues jams.   This duo does have potential. 

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Photos and review by Greg Drugan

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