On Tuesday, May 21, American rock band Greta Van Fleet performed a sold out show at MECU Pavilion in Baltimore, Maryland. Even before the lights turned on, a crowd of more than 4,000 eagerly waiting fans erupted into cheers the moment they set foot on stage with Josh Kiszka (vocalist) passing out white roses to the audience. The deafening cheers and shrieks of adoration continued for several minutes before the band opened up with “The Cold Wind” off of their 2018 EP Anthem of the Peaceful Army.
Based out of Frankenmuth, Michigan, Greta Van Fleet is comprised of brothers Josh, Jake Kiszka (guitar) and Sam Kiszka (bass & keyboards), and Danny Wagner (drums). While their sound exhibits an influence of blues and hard rock, one can immediately see why the band appeals to fans both young and old. Everything from their music, to their stage presence, to even their outfits give a throwback to 70s rock and the days of Woodstock—a four-day music festival which saw more than 400,000 attendees.
Honestly, Greta Van Fleet displayed some of the best stage presence I’ve ever seen in a band. Every member shined; whether it was Danny letting loose with an epic drum solo at the end of “Safari Song”; Josh’s raw, passion-infused vocals; Sam’s soulful flowing strumming; or Jake swaggering across the stage with moves which would make Mick Jagger proud. After just two songs it became clear why the band was requested by Elton John to play at his Academy Award Party on March 4, 2018. Despite only being formed in 2012 the boys of Greta Van Fleet perform with the spirit and passion—exhibiting extraordinary showmanship—of veteran rock stars. Many musicians play on a stage but Greta Van Fleet owned the stage at MECU Pavilion.
The band closed a truly epic evening with a two-song encore of “Black Smoke Rising” off of their 2017 album From the Fires and “When the Curtain Falls”—a track that, after its release in July 2018, became the band’s third #1 single on the US Billboard Mainstream Rock charts (preceded by “Safari Song” in February 2018 and “Highway Tune” in September 2017).
To see Greta Van Fleet live is less of attending a concert and more of undergoing a musical experience. I highly recommend seeing them live. Speaking as someone who photographed them, I assure you that the experience will be a fond memory you’ll carry in your heart for years to come.
Set List:
The Cold Wind
Safari Song
Highway Tune
Flower Power
Watch Me
You’re the One
Age of Man
Black Flag Exposition
Watching Over
Lover, Leaver (Taker, Believer)
Encore:
Black Smoke Rising
When the Curtain Falls
See more of David Weaver’s photos at burstmethod.com
And catch Greta Van Fleet on the North American leg of their March Of The Peaceful Army tour:
Tour dates:
Jun 1: Cincinnati, OH – Bunbury Music Festival
Jun 2: Cleveland OH – Jacobs Pavilion at Nautica
Jun 4: Madison, WI – Breese Stevens Field
Sep 21: Kansas City, MO – The Starlight Theatre
Sep 23: Morrison, CO – Red Rocks Amphitheatre
Sep 27: Las Vegas, NV – The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel
Sep 29: San Diego, CA – Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre
Sep 30: Irvine, CA – FivePoint Amphitheatre
Oct 02: San Francisco, CA – Bill Graham Civic Auditorium
Oct 05: Los Angeles, CA – Hollywood Palladium
Oct 09: Sugar Land, TX – Smart Financial Centre at Sugar Land
Oct 11: New Orleans, LA – UNO Lakefront Arena
Oct 13: Nashville, TN – Municipal Auditorium
Oct 15 + 16: Philadelphia, PA – The Met
