CONCERT PHOTOGRAPHY & REVIEW: Evan J. Thomas covered Greta Van Fleet and Trombone Shorty at Huntington Bank Pavilion in Chicago, check out his bad ass photos and his review of the show - CHECK IT ALL OUT HERE

9/8/2021

I was very excited once I learned that I was approved to cover this show headlined by Grammy Winning rock band Greta Van Fleet. I was even more excited once I found out the day of the show that Trombone Shorty was an opening band along with Ronnie Baker Brooks. Everything I have seen and heard about these incredible musicians was spot on. Get ready for this!

Like I said in the opening paragraph, I didn't know that Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews was opening the show till hours prior to the concert. T.S. hails from New Orleans, LA and is an incredible musician as he specializes in the Trombone, duh, as well as trumpet, drums, organ, tuba and the dude can sing!! T.S. emerged on the stage with a ton of energy and his trombone in hand flanked by 2 drummers, 2 guitarists, 2 saxophone players, 2 singers and a bass player. T.S. sang, rapped, danced, played his trombone and entertained the masses as only he could. His 45 minute set was non stop and enjoyable.

2019 Grammy winners for Best Rock Album and the much talked about Greta Van Fleet surfaced right around 10pm as their silhouettes flanked the stage to the deafening shrieks from the ladies in the crowd, don't get me wrong the guys were rocking out as well. Kicking the show off with "My Way, Son" the guys in Greta lubed up the masses as vocalist Jake Kiszka trotted back and forth with the stage presence of legendary rock band front men who came decades before him. Jake strutted around without shoes while his brothers Jake (guitar) and Sam (bass) threw down some bad ass guitar rifts. A few songs in Greta Van Fleet gave us an 8 minute sick ass drum solo from Danny Wagner. We were given a one and a half hour, 14 song set that had it all from the bands two albums with "Safari Song", "Black Smoke Rising" and topped it off with "Highway Tune". Jake has a vocal range that has been compared to Led Zepplin's Robert Plant.

We are witnessing the new generation of rock bands emerge and Greta Van Fleet seem to be taking the genre by storm. Sure they will be compared to many other bands before them but what band doesn't have some similarities from their legendary counterparts. I'm enjoying this "renaissance" of rock music as other bands like Joyous Wolf, Blacktop Mojo, South Of Eden, Crobot, Dirty Honey and lots of others are giving us that classic yet modern sound that you just feel from the get go and gets you bobbing your head. These are the bands that will be headlining arena shows and festivals. Rock on!