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<\/p>\nRobert Plant and Sensational Space Shifters at The Riviera Theatre 02-20-18<\/p>\n
By James Currie<\/p>\n
If you don\u2019t know by now, you don\u2019t go to a Robert Plant concert expecting to hear Led Zeppelin. At least not in the traditional classic rock sense. You won\u2019t feel Bonham\u2019s bombastic beats in your chest. You won\u2019t hear Page\u2019s haunting bow-string guitar trill filled solos or even the backline bass riffs from Jones. That\u2019s not to say you won\u2019t catch a classic Plant jam somewhere in the set but it just won\u2019t be the way you might have expected it.<\/p>\n
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Robert Plant has kept himself relevant throughout the years since Led Zeppelin. He\u2019s current yet as classic like a fine wine, or better yet, vintage tube amp. He\u2019s still got the swagger of yore, but so much more. Robert Plant of 2018 is just as interesting in music today as he was when he first started 50 years ago. The show at the Riviera Theatre proved it on this new world tour dubbed, \u201cCarry Fire Tour 2018\u201d, in support of his latest and 11th<\/sup> studio album of the same name, \u201cCarry Fire\u201d.<\/p>\n Seeing a show in this mid-sized venue is a real treat. This is a man who sold out arena\u2019s (at still sells out shows, this one included) for most of his career in Led Zeppelin so getting to see him in a house of this size is incredible. It\u2019s more intimate and personal than any place you would have caught Zeppelin at (sans the early days starting out).<\/p>\n The show started with the lights low and remained there for most of the night. Fading in and out of blue and purple hues. Coming through the P.A. system – a sample loop of his 1983 hit, \u201cIn The Mood\u201d – is building the audience anticipation for what\u2019s to come. The band walks out followed closely by Plant who\u2019s met with a thunderous applause. The backing track blends into the first live song, \u201cNew World\u201d.<\/p>\n The Englishman\u2019s most recent band incarnation is called, The Sensational Space Shifters and are comprised of former Strange Sensation members, Liam “Skin” Tyson on guitar,\u00a0Justin Adams on guitar, Billy Fuller on bass guitar, John Baggot on keyboards and Dave Smith on drums. Also joining the group is tour opener and violin virtuoso Seth Lakeman.<\/p>\n From there, we get several solo songs like \u201cTurn It Up\u201d, \u201cThe May Queen\u201d and \u201cRainbow\u201d before the classic Zeppelin song, \u201cThat\u2019s The Way\u201d is reworked in. The new direction Plant takes classic songs is just amazing. It\u2019s worldlier sounding. Reminds me more of an Afro Celt Sound System song than Led Zeppelin.<\/p>\n They continue the show with cover songs from Page and Plant, Joan Baez and Bukka White. We hear new songs from \u2013 Carry Fire like the title track, \u201cCarry Fire\u201d as well as a couple traditional versions of more Zeppelin songs. Something Plant doesn\u2019t normally do.<\/p>\n After a short encore, Robert Plant and the Sensational Space Shifters return to stage and complete the initial intro track, \u201cIn The Mood\u201d and a raucous medley of \u201cBring It On Home \u2013 Whole Lotta Love\u201d and \u201cSantianna\u201d.<\/p>\n Plant has been through Chicago many times throughout the years. He played at Chicago\u2019s summer time music and food festival, Taste of Chicago, just a couple years back and is rumored to be coming back to town later this summer for another show (more on that later).<\/p>\n If you love Led Zeppelin, Robert Plant solo and Afro Celt Sound System, seeing him live is an absolute must. He\u2019s an international rock treasure. A living golden-god legend. You won\u2019t find a stale, nineteen seventies classic rock concert. This is so much more. It\u2019s smart, developed and intuitive while keeping a familiar sound that will be loved by all music fans. There\u2019s a reason he\u2019s always voted the greatest rock front man and singer in the world. Come let him prove it to you all over again.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n For more on Robert Plant including current album release and tour, click here<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/beintheloopchicago.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Robert-Plant-live-in-Chicago-at-Riviera-Theatre-02-20-18-21-683x1024.jpg\")
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