On August 12th 2023 Greta Van Fleets “Starcatcher World Tour” made its way to Las Vegas, Nv. They brought with them Solo artist Teddy Swims as a supporting act and neither of these artists would come to disappoint. Teddy Swims is one of the greatest male vocalists that I have ever had the pleasure of hearing. His blend of powerful heartfelt lyrics, beautiful vibrato, and phenomenally complex vocal embellishments make for such a unique sound. Especially from a male vocalist. Teddy came out and opened with his song “911”. After the song ended, he told the crowd that it was his last show with Greta Van Fleet on this tour and said he had something for them. Teddy then proceeded to pull a few uncrustables peanut butter and jelly sandwiches out of his pockets and tossed them to the crowd. This was one of the greatest acts of love and kindness I had ever witnessed. Nothing says “I love you” like a half frozen pb&j, let me tell you. He then went into his cover of Journeys “don’t stop believin’”. This song had the crowd singing along like it was karaoke night in a dive bar. Teddy played a set of 9 songs including some of his newest hits like “Lose Control”, and “What More Can I Say”. He closes his final set of the tour out with “Bed on Fire”.
During intermission a massive Kabuki curtain was raised and the symbol from Greta Van Fleets “Starcatcher” album was displayed in the center. While we waited, a montage of instrumental orchestral string versions of Greta songs played (still wondering if they have an album of these songs they plan on releasing). Before I get into the actual performance let me say this: Greta Van Fleet places so much thought, energy, and emotion into reviving a form of song writing that simply doesn’t exist in the main stream sphere of rock anymore. So much of music today is comprised of simple guitar riffs, basic drum beats, and catchy choruses. While the music is great it lacks a richness and depth that has been lost to time, and Greta Van Fleet has reawakened that sound. They have somehow travelled back in time and brought forth the soul of rock and roll itself. So much so that they have come to embody what it means to truly be rock and roll. I don’t mean the drugs and partying and the bullshit. When you see GVF live it doesn’t feel like four guys trying to cosplay as a 70’s band…they are so purely authentic that it genuinely feels like you have travelled back 50 years and are experiencing this entire aesthetic for the very first time. Now, enough rambling, let’s get on with the show!
Finally, the orchestral string music built to a crescendo and the curtain dropped revealing the band standing on a raised platform behind the drum kit. They said a few words and then kicked straight into “The Falling Sky”. This song has such a badass opening riff that would set fire to the heart of any true rock and roll fan. This is the kind of music that made me want to learn guitar growing up. Something funky, complex, and just downright badass. During “The Falling Sky” we were hit with a one two punch of spark showers and flame cannons. You know that when a band pulls these things out in the first song, you’re in for a damn treat. Greta went on to play a massive two hour set and again, it was a true rock and roll performance. Back in the day bands didn’t run through song after song after song as fast as they could. It wasn’t just them playing their songs, it was a full-blown jam session. At the end of “Lover, Leaver (Taker, Believer)” they had three different false endings that led to each member just riffing their brains out and going off on massive solos. It was a display of true talent and love for their craft.
Greta Van Fleet played almost the entire Starcatcher album intermixed with moments or love, laughter, and amazing solos. They did throw in one of their older songs – one of my very favorites – “Black Smoke Rising” which is off their 2017 album From the Fires. This concert was absolutely astounding. The performance was on point, vocals, instrumentals, sound, lighting, pyrotechnics, every bit of it was flawless. The crowd was equally as fun and energetic. I truly enjoyed seeing so much of the 70’s aesthetic in so many outfits, makeup styles, and jewelry. One thing that stood out to me was the overwhelming presence of pride flags in the crowd, which of course were on full display to show the love and support for vocalist Josh Kiszka who recently came out as part of the LGBTQIA+ community in the face of Tennessee’s recent law banning drag performances. There is nothing I love more at a concert than that feeling of community, or togetherness, or knowing that no matter what is going on out there in the world, you’re not alone. This tour picks up again in the U.S. in early September and will continue on across the globe all the way through till the end of the year. If you can find a date close to you, I highly recommend seeing this electrifying performance out on by a quarter of phenomenally talented and passionate individuals. You won’t regret a single moment, I promise.
