All Photos By Chris Pirri
Friday night in Orange County, California where a plethora of bands are playing throughout the city, now add in Los Angeles to that mix and you have triple the options to choose from. This was the show I wanted to be at. A concert that was supposed to happen last year in November. However the show was rescheduled to March 24th of this year due to the lead singer of GRETA VAN FLEET (Josh Kiszka) having a busted ear drum. Lining up outside the arena there was a buzz, and why not, it’s been four months of waiting for this night to finally arrive.
Opening up the concert was RIVAL SONS, a band that was formed right here in Southern California not too far from the arena. The band took to the stage and immediately got the crowd fired up with their big hit “Do Your Worst”. Lead singer Jay Buchanan was electrifying and owning the stage with his thunderous vocals. The band was very impressive and I wish their set could’ve been a little longer. We did get to hear two new singles from their new album Darkfighter that releases on June 2nd. They were “Rapture” and “Nobody Wants To Die”. This was my first time seeing the band and it definitely will not be my last.
RIVAL SONS Set List:
- “Do Your Worst”
- “Nobody Wants To Die”
- “Rapture”
- “Where I’ve Been”
- “Too Bad”
- “Shooting Stars”
- “Secret”
Finally the time arrived for GRETA VAN FLEET to take control of the stage. As the crowd made its way to their feet you could see all the vintage clothing and sequin wearing outfits being put on full display. As the curtain dropped the band was already tearing it up with “Built By Nations” off of the album The Battle at Garden’s Gate. Most of their set list would come from this album. However, the crowd was treated to a new song titled “Meeting The Master”. This was their first time ever playing the song live. At the conclusion of the song the crowd gave its approval with a loud, booming applause.
GRETA VAN FLEET is a pure all rock and roll show. The band has such stage presence and you can feel how much they love to perform. As for the lead singer Josh Kiszka he is awe inspiring. Josh is a complete showman. Let me put it this way. He has the capabilities to maneuver the crowd like Tom Jones. The moves and stage presence of Elvis Presley. All with a voice of Robert Plant. The band as a whole ensemble reminded me of a young AEROSMITH, full of spunk and great music.
If either of these bands head to your town I highly recommend seeing them. I was fortunate enough to see them on this night together. This was a tremendous show and the best concert I’ve been to this year.
GRETA VAN FLEET Set List:
- “Built By Nations”
- “Black Smoke Rising”
- “Safari Song”
- “Caravel”
- “Heat Above”
- “Light My Love”
- “Age Of Machine”
- “The Weight Of Dreams”
- “Meeting The Master”
- “Age Of Man”
- “Highway Tune”
Check out some more photos from the show!
All Photos By Chris Pirri
