Reviewed by Josh Curtis
Live at Dickies Arena, July 27, 2023
@old_time_rock
It’s official, Greta Van Fleet is a classic rock band and not only that, but they are also leading the return of the classic rock sound. Their EP, From the Fires was the perfect introduction to all the classic rock lovers that their genre was beginning its comeback. Their debut album, Anthem of the Peaceful Army showed that their EP was not a fluke or luck but rather a display of their talent and art. Their second album, The Battle at Garden’s Gate gave them a distinct identity and recognition beyond what most rock bands receive nowadays as well as proving the band’s musical genius and creating a following of fans that has spread like wildfire across the nation. But on their newest album, Starcatcher they are just showing off.
After listening to this album, I realized two things. The first is that Greta is the real deal and a band that will surely go down in legend as one of if not the greatest rock band of this century. My second realization was that Jake Kiszka is a guitar god, pure and simple. At 26 years old he already had what is considered by some to be the greatest guitar solo of this century in the song, “The Weight of Dreams”. But on Starcatcher, he shines on every song, proving that his talents have reached new heights that will one day place him amongst other guitar gods. Honestly, Jake showed of his prowess on every song that they played when I saw them in Dickies Arena. However, this is not to say that Josh, Sam, and Danny don’t shine on this album as well. Miraculously, Josh Kiszka has continued to maintain his powerful vocals even after Greta’s arduous Dreams and Gold tour. A feat that any vocalist should be impressed by given his yell-style of singing. Along with this, his poetic lyrics continue to put us at awe on this new album. Meanwhile Sam Kiszka continues to improve his writing capability and is really beginning to excel on the keys. But after Jake, Danny Wagner’s new talents have impressed me the most. Since I first started listening to Greta Van Fleet, I always believed that Danny’s basic drumming style would hold back Greta from becoming one of the best. But after attending their show on July 27 at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, I was amazed by Danny’s newfound drumming ability. Which was put on full display for 8 minutes as he performed his own rendition of the legendary drum solo “Moby Dick” by John Bonham of Led Zeppelin.
Now when I go to see a band, sometimes I like to look up the set list from their last concert. Just to see what I’m getting myself into. So, when I saw that they would only be playing three songs from their previous albums and no songs from their EP, From the Fires. I was a little disappointed. But as always, Greta never disappoints. They opened with a shortened operatic version of the entire Starcatcher album and dropped the curtain that masked the stage to reveal from left to right: Sam, Danny, and Jake. Once the crowd had its fair share of applause the boys got into position and began to play “The Falling Sky”. Josh came in later to much applause once it was his turn to sing. Next, they played “The Indigo Streak” which was followed by “Lover Leaver” (a GVF classic), “Meeting the Master” (the first single off the album), “Heat Above” (truly epic), and “Frozen Light” (incredible guitar solo). Banger after banger after banger after banger. Danny’s drum solo came after “Frozen Light” and what followed his performance was pure magic. The arena cut the lights leaving the audience in complete darkness and after a moment lit up a second, smaller stage on the other end of the venue. There Josh and Sam sat as the crowd swarmed around this new stage.
Before beginning their acoustic set, Josh and Sam performed “Unchained Melody” with heavenly mastery. This was followed by “Waited All Your Life”. What came next was even more surprising than the last. An impromptu acoustic version of “Black Smoke Rising” that had the entire arena singing along in perfect unison as if they were the conductors and we were the London Symphony Orchestra. Twice during this serenade, ladies in the audience threw their brassiere to Josh. The first time, during “Black Smoke Rising” when he threw it back to the crowd. But the second time was after “Black Smoke Rising” where he decided to wear the undergarment erupting the crowd with laughter.
Next, they played the less popular songs off the album, which is not to say they were the least liked. Each of these were unique, interesting, and powerful. They opened the second half of the concert with “Fate of the Faithful” (the best piano featured on the album) which was followed by the most incredible guitar solo I have ever seen in my life. Everyone else took a step back and let the guy show off. Jake’s solo was followed by “Sacred the Thread” (super powerful, but the drums sound too much like “When the Levee Breaks” by Led Zeppelin). And this part of the concert ended with “The Archer” (the fastest and most fun song of the night).They ended the night with an outstanding encore of “Light My Love”. Which could have been the most beautiful part of the night. As Sam began to introduce the song with a piano intro, the entire audience began to light their phones with the different colors of the rainbow. This was possibly the loudest song of the night as the band played with everything they had, and the audience sang along with every fiber of their being. “Light My Love” was followed by the official encore, “Farewell for Now”. “Farewell for Now” was perhaps the third best encore I have ever seen in my life. (Which is saying a lot because I’ve seen Foo Fighters encore with “Everlong” and Lynyrd Skynyrd encore with “Free Bird”) But “Farewell for Now” was made for that purpose, a perfect encore that reminds their audience that they played with everything they had, “… did it up just right, and it was all for you”. It will surely become their forever iconic ending to all their shows hence forth.
That night Greta put on one of the best shows I have seen and if this concert proved one thing, it would be that Greta Fleet has mastered their craft. At the end of the day, Greta has transcended beyond their old identity as “that band that sounds like Led Zeppelin” and are continuing to prove that fact on their newest album and tour, “Starcatcher”. Even more, is that they are the generals that are leading a growing culture, a “peaceful army” if you will, of musicians and music enthusiasts that have long awaited the return of classic rock.
Personal ranking of the songs on the album: Farewell for Now, The Falling Sky, Fate of the Faithful, Meeting the Master, Frozen Light, Sacred the Thread, The Archer, Runway Blues, The Indigo Streak, Waited All Your Life
Album ranking: Eight out of ten.
Top five favorite songs from the concert: Black Smoke Rising, Light My Love, Fate of the Faithful, Heat Above, Unchained Melody
Concert Ranking: Ten out of Ten
You can find Josh on instagram at @old_time_rock.