What: Robert Plant and the Sensational Space Shifters
Where: Vector Arena, Auckland
When: Thursday, April 11
When reviewing an act like Robert Plant, you kind of hope that it’s terrible just so you have something else to write other than that it was incredible.
But alas, other than a (smoothly recovered) fumble of the mic, the man lived up to the legend.
Plant pulled a surprisingly diverse crowd. From the old rockers and hippies to the young metal heads to a row of guys behind me who looked more likely to be at a Jay-Z concert than clapping along with Plant.
But I always feel an unexpected crowd is testament to an act’s range, appeal, and talent.
The one thing I will fault the show with is the fact that it was entirely seated.
Rows of seats even filled the floor, restricting not only our movements, but our lines of sight and creating a regretful disconnect between crowd and band.
The power of an act like Plant relies largely (but thankfully not solely) on that connection and atmosphere, and although the crowd stood and cheered at times, there was always that expectation that you should take your seat again before someone behind you threw something at the back of your head.
In saying that, the fabulous opening act, The Blind Boys of Alabama succeeded in getting us up and moving before Plant even had to worry about it.
Their old school blues style, charismatic front man, and singers who had to be told to sit down for fear of dancing themselves out, had the crowd enthralled.
When Jimmy Carter ventured off stage and walked through the crowd he carried those long loud notes with him and everyone was on their feet hoping for a glimpse of the magic man.
Their set, including renditions of Amazing Grace and the song written by Ben Harper, There Will Be a Light had the crowd well riled up for Plant.
And as he took the stage with the signature Plant poster hanging in the back, the young and old wearing in matching Led Zeppelin shirts welcomed in some old Led Zepp classics, with a Sensational Spaceshifter twist.
Spoonful went down a treat and Whole Lotta Love saw fans flouting the seating rules altogether and flocking to the aisles to see out the set.
Plant returned for the encore with a bottle of beer in hand and a gripe with the “draconian” security, saying “I’m 65 years old, I’m not about to start a…riot” (We’ll leave those dots to your imagination).
But he ran the risk, kicking into a fantastically loud round of Rock and Roll to end the night.
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Like I said. The man lives up to the legend, in every way.
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