5 REASONS TO SEE ROBERT PLANT AT 2018 JAZZ FEST
Legendary shouter Robert Plant makes his first appearance at the TD Vancouver International Jazz Festival this year with a show that is sure to leave longtime fans dazed and confused but also filling them with a whole lotta love. Here’s five reasons to see Plant bring it on home:
1. The Led Zeppelin legacy: Yes, he did sing in the seminal 1970s heavy metal progenitors. Yes, this band does that song catalogue justice by performing, often, radically re-worked versions of Zep classics. Just don’t come expecting Page-Bonham-Jones backing on No Quarter and you’ll be fine.
2. The solo career: Over a solo career featuring dubious highlights such as the hair metal-era hits Big Log to the impressive run working with bluegrass star Allison Krauss, Plant has proven himself able to grow and explore his musical interests.
3. The Sensational Space Shifters: Part of that growth required finding a group of backing musicians who were willing to dig into something like an old Albert Lee Love-era space jam to the deepest Tuareg desert jams. This group featuring West African kora and vocal ace Juldeh Camara, guitarists Skin Tyson and Justin Adams (The Cure), drummer Dave Smith, Massive Attack keyboardist John Baggott and bassist Billy Fuller can do it all. 4. Gallows Pole: So far, the most performed song from Plant’s setlists this year has been this traditional gem that opened Led Zeppelin III. Arguably the band’s finest album, it was also perhaps the one that most closely hinted at just how deeply Plant loved the folk songs of his Black Country roots.
5. Bucket list action: While he has been quite busy in the past decade, Plant (69) is likely not going to be out on the road too much longer. Peers who are considerably younger have retired from all but major festival oneoff performances. See him while you can and rock ’n’ roll.
Watch for more jazz fest announcements to come. Tickets are available now for Kamasi Washington on June 24, 8 p.m. at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre. Don’t mis this incredible saxophonist.