Let’s, for a moment, start with a story for this one:
You’re a couple of guys from Chicago who decide to get together during one Halloween and play a show as one particular band. It’s not anything serious at first, but then the notes start. The music excels and the chemistry is unmatchable. Everyone loves the band you’re covering, and they want repeat appearances. Before you know it, you’ve stumbled upon something magnificent and wonderful. You spend the next 2 years sorting out the kinks, going into the show with full dedication – and what’s more – You’re becoming a hit across the US.
This is the abridged story for Led Zeppelin 2. They’ve been captivating audiences nationwide and selling out shows. Last Friday, they made their first ever stop to Indianapolis. I was fortunate enough to have gone, and let me tell you – It didn’t disappoint.
The band started out the night with “The Song Remains the Same.” Many in the crowd really didn’t know how to take it at first because there was a subdued hush across The Vogue. I’m assuming that, due to them not having been in Indy before, many fans didn’t really know how to approach them. Was it just another song and dance show with horrible acting and mediocre sounds at best?
The questions faded as soon as Jimmy Page 2 hit his notes and Robert Plant 2 started in on the lyrics, the rest of the night was history.
Truth be told, I’ve never seen a standing pit for a concert be so empty one moment (there was one lowly person with a beer by the stage at the start of the show), and the next moment the floor is almost full after being so captivating. The band didn’t act like the immediate crowd rush to the floor phased them – In fact, I believe it got them even more energized.
Plant 2 seemed to channel every ounce of charisma that made the real Robert Plant a genius on stage. And that voice… I’ve honestly heard some good cover bands in my time – But the way he sounded I thought it was the most spot on vocal tribute to a singer in my life. And trust me, that didn’t take away from the rest of the band.
Every ounce of what I’ve seen from Zep in my experience watching the DVDs seemed to almost come alive. They had promoted the show as a person “… Experiencing Zeppelin as Zeppelin had performed in their prime.” They weren’t lying. The guitar, keyboards, drums, bass and even harmonica was so straight on that I could feel like I was back in the late 60’s and early 70’s.
The crowd was soaking it up. From Page 2 playing specifically for a group he’d singled out of the crowd to Plant 2 letting the crowd sing along, everyone was having a great time. The band was not camera shy, at all, and allowed fans to snap phone photos of them performing. The more the crowd cheered and danced, the more the group continued to get into it.
After a solid first hour of performing a wide variety of Zeppelin songs, the band decided to slow it down for a few songs and do an acoustic set. Some people cringe, some people scream, “No!” and others just enjoy it. The crowd at The Vogue LOVED it. “Going to California” is one of my all-time favorite Zeppelin songs, and I couldn’t have been happier with the way the acoustic set sounded live for it.
The band did certain songs that showed the talents of each performer including solos by everyone. Yes, that included a very nice 5 – 8 minute drum solo for “Moby Dick.” The only thing I wanted out of that drum solo was like the one I had seen on DVD – Bonham 2 putting the sticks aside and doing what Bonham was amazing at – Playing amazing cadences with his bare hands. Don’t get me wrong – It didn’t take away from the amazing solo. It was one of the best solos from a drummer I’ve seen in years – So much that the people on the second level were even cheering.
The band would stop on occasion for the Zeppelin “Whiskey Break.” They would continue to rock out – Each song surpassing the other with the brilliance that Zeppelin had intended them to be so many years ago.
Then “Kashmir” snuck up on everyone and it was by far and away the showstopper of the evening. You can get on YouTube and look up wanna be’s trying their best to redo the song. Some can be hits, others far misses. What Led Zeppelin 2 did was take a song that Led Zeppelin was known for and duplicate its sheer amazingness in one 7 minute take. Everything was right about it.
Some fans will show support to local bands by promotion. Some fans cheer and compliment the good job done by the band. The crowd at The Vogue, for the first time that I’ve seen in a small-area show, cheered loudly for an encore. After 2 hours – Led Zeppelin 2 took the stage one last time to finish out the show with their own encore. It’s something I wish more bands would do – and even if it was planned, they sure did a hell of a job hiding it.
John Paul Jones 2 did wonderfully by capturing the original sound on bass and keyboards that the original Jones was known for. Page 2 started the night 12-stringing and didn’t slow down. Bonham 2 was as lively as I have ever seen a drummer be and was almost as breathtaking at times as the original Bonham. Plant 2 was everything the original could have been, and I can’t stress that enough.
I will not lie – Led Zeppelin 2 took everything – The show, the music, the actual character performances – and recreated it. They’re bringing Zeppelin to a stage for a whole new generation of people. I would have loved to have seen the original Zeppelin, but since I never will – Led Zeppelin 2 is by far and away the next best thing. I honestly cannot say enough great things about the band.
And… They’ll be back. Not as close as Indianapolis, but they are going to be very close for those wanting to see the magic for themselves.
Led Zeppelin 2 will be performing on Aug. 12th at the Madison Theater in Covington, KY; Aug. 14th at the Bluebird in Bloomington (Yes, only a short drive away); and finally they make a wonderful homecoming back to Chicago for a September 11th show at The House of Blues.
For more upcoming dates as they’re announced – Check out the band’s official page at www.zep2.com or check them out on Facebook. I promise you that if you get the chance to see this show live, you will not be disappointed!
[...] here to see the original: Concert Review – Led Zeppelin 2 This entry was written by satan, posted on July 12, 2010 at 9:15 am, filed under LED ZEPPELIN [...]