Scroll down for a gallery of images from the show.
My experience with the Robert Plant and Los Lobos show, slated for June 23 at Lake Tahoe Outdoor Arena at Harvey’s, was in doubt up to the last minute. Literally! The day before the show I got a group email stating the press credentials were not yet finalized, but that it looked good that all were going to be approved. A couple hours before it was time to head up to the lake I received the unhappy news that I was not approved.
We were still going, mind you. Since we bought our tickets a long time ago, I was just going to enjoy the show with no concerns of shooting or writing about it. As we were in the car backing down the driveway I got another email stating that I was approved to shoot, so I went back in and got my camera gear. Close call!
Los Lobos played a great set to start off the evening. Although we were approved to shoot from the pit for them, nobody told security, so I wandered around the front section shooting until I was asked not to.
Robert Plant and The Sensational Space Shifters came on at about 9 p.m. and started off strong with a pair of Led Zeppelin songs, “The Lemon Song” and “Four Sticks.” Of the 12 songs they played, seven were either Led Zeppelin originals or covers that they did.
Plant’s voice is as strong as ever. I thought there would be some aging issues with it, but not in the least. During “Baby, I’m Going to Leave You” guitarist Skin Tyson played an extended flamenco-style solo that was amazing. The look on his face during this solo was one of intense passion. He had more spotlight time during the show that was well earned.
All the players that made up The Sensational Space Shifters this night were superb. Although it was a bit shorter than a typical show, it was high in quality, and that’s what counts. It was not a sellout, which is puzzling considering the fact that it was a double whammy with Los Lobos opening for Robert Plant and The Sensational Space Shifters.
If you weren’t there, you missed a good one.
The Sensational Space Shifters are:
Robert Plant – Vocals / Percussion
Liam ‘Skin’ Tyson – Guitars / Vocals
Justin Adams – Guitar / Vocals
Billy Fuller – Bass / Vocals
Seth Lakeman – Fiddle / Vocals
John Blease – Drums
