Last Tuesday evening, Merriweather Post Pavilion played host to a rock ‘n’ roll legend in the truest sense of the term, and when Robert Plant walked onto the stage to begin his performance, the vibe of the venue was filled with pure excitement. It was just over 49 years ago when one of the most classic double bills in the venue’s illustrious history took the stage. On May 25,1969 Led Zeppelin opened for The Who at Merriweather, and ironically enough, on the same evening as Plant’s show at MPP, The Who’s lead man, Roger Daltrey was performing at another DC area venue, Wolftrap in Vienna, VA.
There are few performers in rock n’ roll who echo the spirit of the genre itself as much as does Robert Plant. His talents and stage persona within Led Zeppelin cemented his legacy as a bona fide “Rock God,” and the ultimate frontman. Fortunately for us all, Robert Plant’s music continues to thrive years after Zeppelin’s abrupt end. Plant, now 69 years old, could easily (and contently) rest on past accomplishments, but it’s his drive to create new music and experiment with new sounds that have kept him vital and on stages all these years.
Writing and performing with artists Alison Krauss, Patty Griffin, and Welsh folksinger Julie Murphy, Plant has consistently chosen projects that are just outside the comfort zone of most rock singers. Most recently with backing bands Strange Sensation, Band of Joy, and currently with The Sensational Space Shifters, Plant has cemented a reputation for ever-evolving.
Right out of the gate last Tuesday, Plant dove into the Zep classic, “The Lemon Song,” and followed with “Turn It Up” and “The May Queen” from his newest album. Plant took us back in time again with another Zeppelin favorite, the epic “Going to California.” The energy hit a show high with a solo rendition of “Please Read the Letter,” originally recorded and performed with Alison Krauss.
Next was Lead Belly’s “Gallows Pole,” followed by the title track from his Carry Fire album. The mid show break was capped with a long guitar intro to yet another Zeppelin classic, “Babe, I’m Gonna Leave You.” (The audience was in awe.) Pleant closed the set with “Little Maggie,” “Fixn’ to Die,” and his beloved hit, “In the Mood” before the encore—an abstract composition that included “Bring It On Home,” “Whole Lotta Love,” and “Santianna.”
SETLIST
The Lemon Song (Led Zeppelin)
Turn It Up
The May Queen
Rainbow
Going to California (Led Zeppelin)
Please Read the Letter
Gallows Pole
Carry Fire
Babe, I’m Gonna Leave You (Led Zeppelin /Joan Baez))
Little Maggie
Fixn’ to Die
In the Mood
Bring It On Home / Whole Lotta Love / Santianna (Led Zeppelin)
