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| Robert Plant & Alison Krauss @ the Frost Amphitheater (Photo: Kevin Keating) |
As the clock struck 7pm, the Frost Amphitheater hummed with anticipation. JD McPherson's band took the stage, kicking off the evening with a punchy 30-minute set that served as the perfect appetizer for the musical feast to come, Robert Plant and Alison Krauss. Even though JD mentioned a few times about how his set was sponsored by flu and cough medicine, he powered through being under the weather and their raw energy and rootsy sound set the tone for the night, warming up the crowd as the sun began its descent.
Following a brief intermission, during which the audience buzzed with excitement, the main event began precisely at 8pm. As dusk settled over the venue, Robert Plant and Alison Krauss emerged from the wings, ready to transform the ordinary into the extraordinary. The stage, awash in warm light and lined with strings of vertical bulbs as a backdrop, became the canvas for a musical alchemy that would captivate the crowd for the next hour and a half.
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| Robert Plant & Alison Krauss @ the Frost Amphitheater (Photo: Kevin Keating) |
The first notes of "Rich Woman" cut through the expectant hush, bending time itself. Plant's voice, a seasoned whiskey still potent with age, intertwined with Krauss' crystalline tones—a sonic braid weaving through the night air. The backing band, including the talented opener JD McPherson on guitar, Dennis Crouch on bass, Stuart Duncan on strings, Viktor Krauss on guitar and piano, and Jay Bellerose on drums, painted a lush backdrop of swampy twang and pulsating rhythm.
As "Fortune Teller" bounced and swayed, the music seemed to take on a life of its own, dancing between the pine trees surrounding the amphitheater. McPherson's guitar licks sparkled like dewdrops in morning sun, darting in and out of the melody, while Dennis Crouch's string bass provided a steady, grounding groove. The nearly sold-out crowd, a living mosaic of seasoned 60's rock devotees, sat in awe throughout most of the night -- only rising to their feet when prompted by Mr. Plant himself.
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| Robert Plant @ the Frost Amphitheater (Photo: Kevin Keating) |
"Can't Let Go" originally written by Randy Weeks followed, and Krauss stepped into the spotlight like a storyteller taking center stage. Her voice, as pure as mountain spring water, cascaded over the audience, while Stuart Duncan's fiddle wove a spell of Americana enchantment. Plant, the consummate showman, became the perfect counterpoint, his presence amplifying Krauss' radiance. Jay Bellerose's drumming added a nuanced rhythm that kept the song's momentum flowing seamlessly.
The emotional tide ebbed with "The Price of Love," a heart-rending ballad that seemed to pull memories from the very air. Plant's voice, laden with the weight of a thousand loves lost, found solace in Krauss' harmonic embrace. McPherson's guitar whispered softly in the background, each note a teardrop falling on the parched earth of memory, while Viktor Krauss' piano added a melancholic undertone that deepened the song's resonance.
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| Robert Plant & Alison Krauss @ the Frost Amphitheater (Photo: Kevin Keating) |
But just when the audience thought they had the measure of the evening, Plant unleashed the fury of rock with "Rock and Roll." The familiar riff exploded like a firecracker, McPherson channeling the spirit of Jimmy Page through his fingertips. Jay Bellerose's drums thundered like storm clouds, Dennis Crouch's bass held the groove steady, and for a moment, the Frost Amphitheater became a temple to rock's golden age, with Plant as the ageless high priest presiding over the revelry while Krauss added depth to the sonic melodies.
"You Led Me to the Wrong" followed, with its haunting melodies and introspective lyrics. Stuart Duncan's strings added a layer of depth, creating an atmosphere thick with emotion. Viktor Krauss' subtle piano interjections provided a delicate counterpoint to Plant's powerful vocals, while Dennis Crouch's bass underscored the song's contemplative mood.
"Trouble With My Lover" brought a bluesy intensity to the set, with Plant's gritty vocals matched by Krauss' soulful harmonies. Jay Bellerose's drumming was both restrained and dynamic, allowing the emotional weight of the song to shine through. McPherson's guitar work was particularly evocative, delivering bends and riffs that echoed the song's themes of heartache and resilience.
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| Robert Plant & Alison Krauss @ the Frost Amphitheater (Photo: Kevin Keating) |
"In the Mood" offered a lighter, more upbeat moment, with McPherson's guitar leading the charge and Viktor Krauss' piano adding playful flourishes. The audience couldn't help but tap their feet and sway along, caught up in the infectious rhythm that permeated the amphitheater.
"Matty Groves / Gallows Pole" and "The Battle of Evermore" showcased the duo's ability to reinterpret classic songs with their unique blend of voices and instrumentation. Duncan's fiddle and McPherson's guitar brought new dimensions to these traditional pieces, while Dennis Crouch's bass and Jay Bellerose's drums provided a solid foundation that respected the songs' origins while infusing them with fresh energy.
As the night deepened, so did the music's intensity. "High and Lonesome" and "Last Kind Words Blues" transported the crowd to a mystical delta where the roots of American music run deep. Duncan's strings sang of ghost stories and midnight rendezvous, while Plant's bluesy growl conjured echoes of the past, all supported by Bellerose's evocative drumming and Crouch's steady bass lines.
The main set climaxed with "When the Levee Breaks," reimagined as a primal force of nature. The reworked arrangement swept through the amphitheater like a flood of sound, leaving no soul untouched. Jay Bellerose's drums thundered relentlessly, Dennis Crouch's bass provided a driving pulse, Stuart Duncan's fiddle added layers of texture, and McPherson's guitar swirled like leaves caught in an autumn gale.
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| Robert Plant & Alison Krauss @ the Frost Amphitheater (Photo: Kevin Keating) |
As 9:30 pm approached, the encore featuring "Stick With Me Baby" and "Gone Gone Gone" served not as a conclusion, but as a promise—a vow that this magical fusion of talents would resonate long after the night had passed. "Stick With Me Baby" was tender and sweet, a perfect showcase for their harmonies, while "Gone Gone Gone" brought the evening to a jubilant close, with the crowd clapping and singing along. Viktor Krauss' piano added a final touch of warmth, ensuring the performance lingered in the hearts of all who attended.
In the end, Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, supported by their stellar backing band, delivered a performance that was both a celebration of their past achievements and a testament to their continued relevance in today’s music scene. The Frost Amphitheater, with its serene setting and intimate atmosphere, was the ideal venue for such a magical evening, and the audience left with memories of a concert that will surely stand the test of time.
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