If there is one concert I had to see this summer it was Robert Plant & Alison Krauss at the TCU Amphitheater, White River Park in Indianapolis on June 9th. They were only doing 13 shows in the states and this was the closest they were coming to my hometown of Columbus, Ohio. I drafted my wife to ride shotgun and we booked a hotel walking distance to the venue.
The White River Amphitheater is a gem. It’s right in downtown Indy surrounded by a park and with the White River (duh) flowing behind the stage. It has a 3,000-seat covered pavilion and lawn seating for 4,000. It’s a reasonable size. And get this, they provide free lawn chairs for everyone not in the pavilion. And you don’t have to download an app or something, you just grab them as you walk in. No need to bring a chair and the whole crowd sits at the same level. What a concept!
However, I will add how much I HATE concerts and ballparks not accepting cash under the guise of “contactless covid safety.” First of all, it’s a fascist policy requiring people to have a credit or debit card to simply purchase a product. Maybe I don’t want to or cannot apply for a credit card? Perhaps I don’t want overpriced concert drinks sitting on my monthly statement? Or what if my card suddenly stopped working and I need two weeks to get a new one? Maybe I want to take care of it right here in Brainerd. I should also note they do accept cash tips which certainly seems at odds with the stated mission to protect these highly-valued service workers from disease. But I digress…
The show was outstanding. Raising Sand and Raise the Roof are excellent records, but these tunes were meant to be heard live. There wasn’t a bum note in the set and the joy which Alison and Robert showed singing together was as contagious as the latest covid variant (ba.5). As a bonus, the talented JD McPherson was playing lead guitar in the band and opening the show with his own combo. JD is a club legend around the Midwest but filling the shoes of Buddy Miller and standing next to a woman with 26 Grammy awards and the guy who sang frigging “Stairway to Heaven” is a HUGE step up. I cannot imagine how many hot-shit pickers wanted this coveted gig but JD got it and he killed. Good for him.
Rumor has it that Robert mingles with the up & coming musicians on the Nashville scene and even invites them back to his house to hang out. This would explain how someone like JD got on his radar. It would also explain how Mr. Plant continues to make vibrant and fresh music 50 years after his first recordings. Spending time with kids will keep you young at heart and in spirit. I think it is safe to say that no rock star from the ‘70’s has had a more dignified career than Robert Plant. From the moment John Bonham passed away, if you saw a Robert Plant solo show, you were not getting a Led Zeppelin tribute. He moves relentlessly into the future with only scorn for those who suggest he owes a debt to all those Zep fans who still want to hear “Whole Lotta Love.” Paul McCartney, The Rolling Stones, and The Who are still selling out the enormo-domes on the strength of their back catalogs. Robert refuses to take that easy money. Well done, sir.
On this night, from the 20-song set there were only three Zep songs included: a dirge-like version of “When The Levee Breaks,” a fairly straight version of “Battle Of Evermore” and a rollicking country-fied version of “Rock N Roll.” Robert and Alison could barely contain their laughter as they sang the final verses of “Oh Yeah, Ooh Yeah, Ooh Yeah, Ooh Yeah, Ooh Yeah, Ooh Yeah.” It’s just so…..stupid. Robert was definitely taking the piss out of his 22-year old self who wrote those Spinal Tap lyrics. If further evidence is needed Robert isn’t afraid of a new challenge , Alison and Robert played a tight fifty minute set at the mega-hipster festival Bonnaroo just a week after this gig. Performing in broad daylight with no frills or fall-backs on old hits, just complete dedication to this project and an attempt to connect with a new audience. They were practicing what Pete Townsend used to preach so many years ago. “I may be an old fart, but I’m not boring.” Sorry Pete, playing the hits for 30 straight years IS kinda boring. Robert Plant may be old, but he is not boring.
I should acknowledge that while I have spent the majority of this story discussing Robert, Alison Krauss is the real star of this show. Her musical talents and charisma are otherwordly and and she never even says a word. Now that I think about it, kinda sounds like Jimmy Page.
In related news, It really is more fun to see shows out of town when possible. No driving/parking and no early wake up call for work the next day. With all everyone has been through with the pandemic, it feels okay to treat yourself once in a while. I am completely fine not spending money on a new guitar and/or driving a car without air-conditioning, I’d rather save that money to spend on a good experience like this night.
Case in point, after the show we walked the sidewalk to heaven past the suckers stuck in traffic to a 24 hour Steak n Shake which just happened to be across the street from our hotel. (Le Meridien- excellent) Nothing like fast food in bed and some cable TV to wrap up a night of live music. That’s rock n roll.
Upcoming: My Summer, Part Two / Chicago, A Tale of Two Museums and Comfest recap.